The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-01-23
A new GRAND ARMY.
JUVENILE SOLDIERS.
New York School Boys Drill as IL They
Were Veterans.

Tho exhibition and drill Of the battalion Of
iho "Amerlcan Guard" which is composed
os the school boys Of School No. 81. at the
Central Palace Garden recently. was revela-
Ion TO those who have been opposed hereto
,ore to the introduction OF military tactics into
our public schools. On this occasion the
drill was witnessed by the members OF the
Board OF Education; the representatives OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, number
Of leading citizens and one Of the largest au-
licences that ever gathered In New Yerk. The
II ir was arranged mainly through School
commissioner J. A. Goulden, who was, with
n large staff OF comrades OF the Grand Army,
present. an reviewed the battalion from the
grand stand Among those present were
maLy Of the principals of the public schools,
all OF whom took the greatest interest In tue
proceedings and are strongly In favor OF Its
Introduction into every school.
This movement was inaugaurated by La.
fayette Post No. l40, and was emphatically
indorsed by the authorities OF the Grand Ar
my. who are now urging II In every section OF
the country. by this means an effective ar
my OF nearly I, ,000, 900 can be made, and one
that can be relied upon IN any emergency
that may arise from foes without or internal
dissensions. This battalion was formed un-
der the immediate supervision OF Professor
Boyer, the principal OF the school. who IA an
enthusiast la the movement The immense
success OF this battalion has given the matter
a boom that will be felt throughout the
length and breadth OF the country. and n-
ready the matter has been taken up In many
other cities among which may De mentioned
Boston. Brooklyn, Jersey City and Phiadel-
phia. and is being agitated everywhere. The
Commander -in-chief Of the Grand Army has
appointed General George W. Wingate, OF
Brooklyn, n comrade OF John A. Dix Post
No. 1856 OF New York, Rsp ecial aid on his
stan, whose special duty is to promote the
Introduction OF military tactics In every pub
lie school In the country, and who viii select
his aids 10 every department and look after
lis Interests vigorously, and there can be no
doubt OF Its ultimate success.
The battalion, numbering about 800 boys
ranging In age from IA to Is years. Is fully
armed aud equipped and ready TO do active
duty at n moments warning, and they are
fully equal In drill and general efficiency 10
the best drilled and disciplined regiment
OF the Na,lora! Guard OF any state. On the
above occasion they were exercised 10 the
manual OF arms, battalion movements, riot
drill, skirmish drill and field evoutions, and
every movement was executed with pre-
cision and perfection which elected rounds
OF applause from the spectators. and parti
culnrily from the many old soldiers present.
II was wonderful exhibition OF what these
boys are capable OF, and settled conclusively
In the minds OF all the practcablity and use
fitness o. ,ne instruction OF the rising gen
GRAFTON In military tactics.
Another thing In its favor Ia that tho boys
take naturally to IT, and enjoy the drill
more than any other athletic exercise. Base
ball and foot ball are lost sight Of, and all
delight In shoulderins the gun and welding
the sword.
The movement has already progressed so
far that 1t IL safe to say that on the COCA.
sion OF the next celebration OF Memorial day
there will be from 5000 70 10000 Of these
young soldiers la the line who will act rs es
cort to the veterans OF the war. There are
more than that number now in active drill foi
the occasion, and the Board Of Education are
doing all they can 20 promote it.-New York
Press