Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

The success OF the corps has been due to
the active interest and zeal taken in it's
Welfare by DIT Francis r. Lane, DrinciDal
OF the high schools and the excellent man.
agement of Maj. Burton r. Ross, who has
been the instructor of the cadets for the
past twelve years.
a reorganization is effected at the begin
ming OF each school year. with entirely new
commissioned and nOn-commissioned Off
GERS, who are appointed according to merit
by committee consisting of the military
Instructor, the principal and three mem
bers of the faculty. Scholarship is consid-
cred first in appointments, and this has
Deen found to be a powerful incentive, and
the students exert their best efforts in or
der to stand well up in their class The
two highest officers are invariably the two
boys who rank highest in their studies
Julius q. Sommer led his class by about
three per cent, and he, therefore, received
the colonelcy, while Harry Auer who had
the next best record, received the lieuten-
ant colonelcy. The principal duty of these
officers is to assist Major B. r. Ross in
instructIng the companies, and each drill
day they are detailed to one of the four
schools, when their experience as captains
during the last year proves of good serv-
ice TO them.
History of the Corps.
The idea of having a military organiza-
ton in connection with the regular course
of the Boys High School, as it was called
then, was first conceived in 1882 by Prof
EDWARD A Paul, the first principal of the
High School, and carried into effect the
same year by Prof. G. r. Israel, who had
formerly served as captain of a company
at Dickinson College, Pa. A battalion Of
two companies. one uniformed and the
other not, of seventy boys eacn was form
ed that year, Mr.. Alfred A. Smith and
George H. Ayres being the captains of the
respective companies By giving entertain
ments sufficient funds were raised to pur-
chase eT Ough old German muskets to sup
ply one company, the two companies being
obliged to alternate in using them. How
ever. the ardOr of the boys was not daunt-
ed in the least by this discouraging ar
rangemcEt, and the next year two full-uni-
ftrmed companies were organized, armed
with al equipment of 100 Springfield cadet
rifles loaned by the government
MAJ r. H. Bates, retired army officer
was secured as military instructor but as
ne was rot familiar with Uptoa's new tao
ties he gave way to Capt. b. r. Ross, who
has continued in that position up to the
present day. The first public appearance
In parade occurred in May 1855, when a
picked squad represented the High School
IN the Grand Army parade, but the first
appearance OF the entire battalion was on
"ashington's birthday. 1854 The two
companies were in command of Capts
VIM. IF. Shoales and Frederick Sohon. The
first exhibition drill was given that year
and the battalion was reviewed in front Of
the White House by the President and a
number of army officers The BATTALION
next year, when Capt. Sohon was appoint
ed major, an additional loan of fifty rifles
was secured and q battalion of four COM
panleS was organized. The turn out of the
CADETS without oyercOats or q single man
absent on February II, 1885. as part of the