Evening star., 1895-05-28
NATIONAL RIFLES MOVE
They Will Enter the National Guard
BrigaIe
Requisite Number of Men Obtained
Drill Team Going to ST. Louis
Members Enthusiastic.

AS stated in The Star yesterday, 1t is now
almost a certainty that the National Rifles.
before the lapse Of another week, will be
| full-fedged company member of the Dis
trict of Columbia National Guard, and
thereby change from a social organization
to a company of soldiers. Several times
during the past twelve months the Rifles
have been on the verge of enlisting in Gen.
Ordways brigade, but the move each time
has hung fire, chiefly because of the ina
bility of Capt. Oyster to secure the requi-
site forty men necessary for entry. A
favorable expression was obtained long ago
from over thirty of the red coats, but the
remainder of the company obstinately re-
fused to obligate themselves to serve the
District for a period of three years.
Matters took a turn at a regular meeting
Of the company last Monday evening, when
numerous suggestions were talked over in
regard to a proper celebration of the fif-
teenth anniversary of the organization of
the Rifles, which falls on June 8. In the
midst Of the discussion Capt. Oyster arose
and announced that he was growing weary
of the course being pursued by the MEM
bers of the company. For fifteen years, ex-
piained Capt. Oyster, he had served the or
ganization faithfully, and unless the COM
mand would better itself by entering the
guard he intended to retire Immediately.
Lieut.. Evans spoke in the same strain,
anu as d result lue signatures VI loTty-
seven men have been attached to enlist
ment blanks
To incite interest and enthusiasm in the
company a proposition was made to send
drill team to the big interstate drill and
encampment which is to be held in st.
Louis July l to Z next. The scheme met
with instantaneous success, and beginning
tomorrow evening nightly drills are to be
held until the time for departure. Lieut..
j. o. Manson will command the team, and
the ieutenants will be selected from the
company, as neither Lieut.. Evans or Lieut..
trip. Every member will be invited to try
for place in the team for one week. at
the end of which Lieut.. Manson means to
select his men.
1t will be remembered that the Rifles un-
der command of Lieut.. Manson, particfpat-
ed in the interstate drill held in this city
IN May, 1887, and put up drill that won
fourth prize, $1,O00 in cash. Although the
Galveston semi-centennial championship
cup, won by the Thurston Rifles at Mem
phis, will not be in competition at st.
Louis. the affair will probably exceed in
size and number of noted companies pres
ent the recent successful competition in
the Tennessee city. The winning company
in the big drill will be awarded So, 500,
while first prize in the maiden class, which
the Rifles also mean to enter is 81, 800. All
legitimate expenses Of the team are to be
paid by the company.
Capt. Oyster will order the company to
assemble at the armory next Monday even
ing in full dress uniform. On that occasion
ten-year service medals are to be presented
to about twenty-three members, and in all
probability the mastering into the National
Guard will also take place. The members
are eager to take the trip to st. Louis, and
1t has been the means of winning over a
dozen or more heretofore staunch anti-Na-
tional Guard individuals