Evening star., 1896-04-07
FlF TIL BAT LILO N
Company D Won the Prize Drill Last
Night
Lively Competition and Excellent
testa-The New Band.

That the fifth battalion, District Of Co
lrmbia National Guard, does not lack
friends was most thoroughly attested last
evening when Convention Hall was crowd
ed to the doors with interested spectators
to witness the annual company compet1-
tive drill of the organization. The occa-
sion was gala ore, and during the even
ing it was demonstrated that the fifth Is
as large in membership as any battalion in
the guard; that it has advanced farther in
a certain line of drill than any other COM
mand, and that its four companies have
made creditable progress in company drill
in an exceedingly short space of time and
while handicapped by lack of drill facili-
ties.
The annual competition was instituted
last year, when company D won the prize
cup Great rivalry exists between the four
companies, and as each has hundreds OF
friends the contest last evening was of
decided interest. In the audience were Of
ficers of the army and the National Guard,
as we'll as several well-known officials.
The Contests.
The recently organized Second Regiment
Band, in the regulation band uniform, en-
tered the hall shortly after O'Clock, took
station at the north end of the hall,a filled
in the time with popular selections until
the appearance Of company A, under Capt.
the judges, Capt. William E. Horton, Capt.
]. NJ Williams and Capt. Edgar A. Shil-
ling and a moment later the strife had be-
gun. The company was put through
rigid inspection, and then drilled in the
manual of arms, loadipgs and trings, and
foot movements, including the. evolutions
of the platoon. AS company A marched off
the floor the band played the 'Encamp-
ment March," and there was loud cheer
ing and waving Of handkerchiefs and col
ors. Company B, Capt. George Phebus;
company D. Capt. George w. England,
and company C., Capt. Clarence V. Sayre,
drilled in the order named, and but very
slight difference in their work could be
perceived by the ordinary spectator. All
were loudly applauded. the noise becom-
ing so great at times to interfere with
the drill. Company c. the baby company of
the battalion, mustered in February "a
last, showed up in excellent shape, and it's
maneuvers were thoroughly appreciated by
those present. Between the drill and dur
ing the inspections the band, of which John
Shepherd is leader and John Vogel drum
including cornet solo, by Mr.. Mohler, and
a euphonium solo, by Mr. Henney.
An individual competitive drill for gold
medal, donated by Lieut.. James L. Mock,
with Major Suess in command Out Of hun
dred or more contestants Sergt. Harvey
Bryan proved the winner, and he was carried
about the hall on the shoulders of his COM
rades.
The Winners.
A battalion drill, to bugle commands,
proved Of decided interest, especially to the
guardsmen present, after which a dress
parade was held The board Of judges then
returned to the hall and handed folded
paper to Major Suess. who introduced Major
E. R. Campbell Of the fourth battalion to
officiate in the presentation Of trophies, in
the absence Of Col. Cecil Clay of the second
regiment Company D. the holder Of the
cup, was again declared the winner, and
Capt. England. with his first sergeant,
marched to the front, received the hand
some trophy and listened to some compli-
mentary remarks from Major Campbell
Sergt. Bryan was then presented with the
at an end, the audience dispensing a few
moments before midnight with the cheers
Of the winning company ringing out