The Washington times., 1895-05-05
DISTRICT SOLDIER BOYS
One Weeks News and Gossip
Around Local Arm0ries

The annual inspection and muster has
begun. The new inspector general, Major
Winthrop Alexander, assisted by Capt.
Horton, of the brigade staff, and Capt.
jenkins, of Company A, Fifth Battalion,
ale the inspecting officers. There viii
be busy times from now on until the
trouble is all over.
The brigade staff was inspected first
at o'clock Wednesday evening. Gen.
Ordway, for the first time in the history of
the guard, was absent. 1t was impossi-
bic for him to be present. Two of his
aides were also absent. AT S15 the staff
of the First Regiment was inspected.
Only the hospital steward was absent,
and he on professional business.
The inspections this year are attracting
great deal of attention, and on the re-
turns depend the fate of several COM
panies, especially in the Second Regiment.
Company C, Second Battalion, Will be
inspected tomorrow, instead of Monday,
the 18th, as at first intended. The third
separate company has been ordered for
inspection Monday, May 13.
THE FIRST INSPECTION.
The First Battalion was inspected at
S:45 p. m. Wednesday in their armory.
Two hundred aud forty officers andmen were
present. The quarters were very confined
and the battalion was much crowded The
battalion presented a very fine appear
ance, aud it is said that, from this point OF
view, it was one OF the best ever seen in the
District Socrowded was the hall that the
staff and non-sommisioned staff were forced
to fail in on the left of the column, instead
OF in front. All the battalion were in full
dress, and the inspectors also appeared In
the same uniform.
Company A had six or seven men absent,
but showed up fifty y-eight men strong. The
new officers had not received their
uniforms, and had to appear in their old
dress. Company B had only one man alb
sent This is the first time in three years
that they have not had 100 per cent. in at
teudace. The one private absent lad to be
in New York attending the funeral OF his
mother He tele&Eaphed that he would
leaye 10 time TO be present He did not
reach the city until after the inspection was
over. Company G had 100 per cent. pres
ent. Not a single man was absent. Com
pany ID showed up well also.
Many distinguished officers were pres
ent, aud many expressions of regret were
heard that the inspection had not been held
10 Convention Hail. The battalion would
have showed up well in that place, and
could have unanswered. Ceremonies could
have been observed The large number OF
recruits, however, would have made some
difference.
OUT FOR PRACTICE.
The Sixth Battalion held nractice
inspection Tuesday night preparatory to
the annual inspection and muster on the
7th. The full field and staff and non
commissioned staff were present, the new
quartermaster sergeant making his first
appearance. The members of the color
guard should remember that after being
inspected and having escorted the colors
back to headquarters they are to return
20 their respective companies for muster.
Line was properly formed at $50 o'clock
three full companies being in line, the left
company unfortunately having less than half
its membership present. Companies being
wheeled to the right, the staff should take
| position six PAGES in front of the captain
] of the leading company.
This distance should be increased Eeven
PAGES to the front upon the majors com
mand, prepare for inspection, march"
| AT the first part OF this command the
/ quartermaster sergeant should pass up the
left flank of the column to his new position
| three PAGES in rear OF the staff.
The Third Battalion held its practice in
spection last night one week ago. A
| large number of visitors were present,
among them many ladies. After the in
Spection there was an informal dance.
| Three companies only We're on the line.
During the inspection the inspector of rifle
| practice minutely examined with the aid
of a glass the interior of the pieces in order
to secure the proper PREPARATION for in
| sIection. Notwithstanding the fact that
| the electric lights were on in full force the
! gas had to be lighted to help the inspecting
| Officers out. Lieut.. and @. NJ. Hardie made
! his first appearance.
SOMETHING ABOUT CAMP.
Camp win commence this year June 13,
and last until June 22. The 18th falls
| on Thursday. On that morning the bri-
| gade win board steamer and go to Fort
Washington. The ten days will end on
the 22d, and that evening the boys will re-
| turn. So far as is now known the rules
governing the camp will be the same as
! in former years. Being on military
reservation, the general commanding Will
| be in supreme power and can do as he thinks
| best. Gen. Ordway said he had hot
! given much attention to the details Of
camp life, but thought he would follow
| the rules laid down before. No visitors
i'll be permitted in the camp over night
There have been rumors afloat that the
| camp would not be held at Fort Washington.
When the general was asked about this he
said:
|
! Fort washington yet, but know of no
reason why we should not have it. There
| is no work of any kind going on down
there which Id interfere"
The new rifle range has been definitely
| selected. 1t is near Magruder's on the
! Baltimore and Potomac Railroad. The
! ground has been plowed and grass sown
| putting everything in readiness. Work
will soon be begun on the side of the hill
| preparing it for the targets. There are
| to be twenty-one OF these Tie range
! is an ideal one and could easily afford
| facilities for 5000 men. All the shooting
will be done from one line, the targets
being arranged at the regulation distances.
In this manner forty-two men can all use
| be % cents and this, Gen. Ordway at first
! thought, was too much and refused to
sanction the selection some months ago.
| The Inspector general, however, has had
/ the entire country secured, and this was
the only place that fulfilled all the re-
1 QuirementS.
AMONG THE BATTALIoNS.
Company A, Fourth Battalion, tEmmet
| RifIes), is getting ready for it's encamp-
| ment and fete to be held at Capitol Park,
opening May 20. A most comprehensive
! programme is being arranged. Several
| ladies are now at work selling tickets for
| the encampment and incidentally trying to
| get the gold watch which has been offered
| as prize for the lady selling the most
| tickets. The National Guard will be
invited to attend the encampment by bat
/ talions. Music will be furnished by the
| Emmets, and each battalion will be asked
| to give a battalion drill
A number of prizes will be offered for
athletic sports. A medal will be given the
| enlisted man, in heavy marching order, who
blct jrlp aed a.
| A medal will be offered for the officer
making the best time in 100 yards, and also