Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16
DECLARED CHAMPION
Morton Cadets Awarded the Title at
Savannah.
CRITICISM OF THE JUDGES REPORT
The Boys and Their Friends Re-
joice Over the Affair.
COMPANY RIFLE SHOOTING

the presence Of a vast multitude of enthu-
siastic, cheering people, the Morton Cadets
were last evening formally, officially, un-
mistakably declared the champion military
crganiza ton of the United States, and en-
titled to the possession of the Galveston
scmi-centennial championship cup. Incl
Gentally the company was announced the
winner of first place and the prize of s., 500
in the interstate drill. When it WIS all
over Capt Shilling, to whom 1t is undis-
puted that entire credit belongs for so
creditably and successfully plotting the
young company to it's proud position in the
lead Of all the infantry companies of the
country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
and Canada to Mexico, almost succumbed,
for the strain on the youthful commander
has been severe during the past six weeks.
and when the tension was removed total
collapse for a short period was threatened.
Blue streamers of victory have taken the
place of the blue and gray company colorS,
and the boys today seem to care very little
whether school keeps or not After so
much uncertainty, first regarding the at
tendance of the company at the drill, and
next as to the placing of the cup in COM
petition the knowledge that /. has drilled
as 1t never drilled before, and that ii mas
succeeded in winning the cham mpiolship for
Washington again, has created unboundcd
JOY among the rank and file OF the team.
1t Is all very grand, and the record pre-
sents showing that should warrant the
whole of Washing ton, military and civilian,
feeling more than proud of the Morton
Cadets.
While speaking of victory it must not be
overlooked that the engineer corps has out
classed all competitors In the company and
consolation rifle matches, with second place
In the regimental match. The prizes ag-
sregate $50 and e handsome silver trophy.
The seating capacity at the drill grounds
n fa v.l1 fa a1.,r,, n ,,l,
terday, the fitting contest between teams
of cavalry being one of the decidedly inter
estins features of the carnival. Finally,
after what seemed an age to the Washing
ton boys, the contest reached an end, and
the artillery and zouave exhibition drills
were but memories
Prior to this, however, the waiting Nor
ten Cadets were about the most disconso-
late aggregation of militiamen that any one
looking for trouble would care to see, for
rumor had gained circulation, and was
authenticated by an afternoon paper to the
erect that the judges considered the drill
OF the MOrtOnS more snowy than according
to regulation, aud the winner of the drill
was not known by any means.
Reading the Awards.
1t was with very heavy hearts that the
company, wearing fer the first time in Sa-
vannah the full dress National Guard uni
form, reported in the battalion line. Even
and the rumor so affected two of the men
that it was necessary for them to fall out.
Col. Garrard and the officers and direc-
tors of the Military Interstate Association,
together with the judges and other officers
gathered on platform before the troops
and, after tedious delay, the awards in
the cavalry contests were made Next
81 900 was awarded to the Aurora Zouaves
after which the Citadel Cadets were an
nounced as the winner of the cadet bat
talon drill.
Il will now read the report of the board
OF Judges in the interstate infantry drill"
said Col. Garrard, and were they not such
steady soldiers the Mortons might have
quivered. He then read as follows.
Inspection.
Correctness of execution in detail of the
ceremony. Morton Cadets; 2, Oglethorpe
Infantry. Condition Of arms and accouter-
ments-1, Ogiethorpe Infantry; 2 Morton
Cadets. Neatness and fit of uniform-1,
Oglethorpe Infantry; 2, Morton Cadets
General set-up of men-1, Morton Cadets;
=, Oglethorpe Infantry.
Drill.
CLOSE order-1, Morton Cadets; 2 Ogle-
thorpe Infantry.
Extended order-1, Morton Cadets; 2,
OglethorDe Infantry.
General award of prize-1, Morton Ca
diets; 2, Oglethorpe Infantry.
I'VE must express our approval of the
manner in which the captain of the Ogle-
thorpe Infantry conducted his company as
required by the program to the designated
point on drill ground, without unnecessary
delay or display"
Amid flattering demonstration IN tha
part of the thousands cf spectators Cap
tain Shilling advanced to the front and
center, saiuted. was handed check for
s2,ooo, accompanied by few words of con-
graduation, saluted again and returned
to his post causing much amusement by
ccolly and deliberately examining the
check and turning it over to see whether
or not the paper was properly certified
Captain Fleming of the Oglethorpe In
fantry was handed check for $780, second
prize, and with intense silence reignirg
Colonel Garrard announced the award of
the Galveston cup.
"By virtue of authority granted me-" he
said, ''in the circular issued at Austin.
Texas, April Z, 1896, by General W. H.
Mabry. adjutant general of the state of
Texas, in relation to the Galveston semi
centennial championship cup, reaffirmed
by circular issued by the same officer Nav
s, 1886 the Galveston cup is hereby award
ed to the Morton Cadets. as the company
which, as per paragraph of the rules
governing possession Of the cup, and under
all the conditions set forth In the rules, is
entitled to the cup. the Morton Cadets
making the best score at the interstate
VI Al Helu III savannah,
May 11-16, 1886. The Morton Cadets will
be known as the champion military organ
ization Of the United States, and Is hereby
declared entitled to the possession of the
cup"
Capt. Shilling was again called to the
front, and before being presented with the
official award bearing the signature of Col.
Garrard, as president of the drill associa-
ton and agent of the adjutant general of
Texas, trustee, and concurred in by the
board of judges, subscribed in the official
presence Of witnesses to the condition set
forth in the rules governing the possession
Of the cup.
The award was made in pursuance of a
telegram received from Gen. Mabry late
yesterday afternoon, saying: Award cup
TO company winning first prize, whether
Thurston Rifles or cup are there or not"
The Mount Pleasant Band struck up "Oh.
Carry Me Back the populace applauded.
and Capt. Shilling quietly marched the
company back to camp. Soon after arrival
the Mount Pleasant lads passed through,
chanting with drum and cymbal accom-
paniment:
Stop your weeping dry your eyes,
Morton Cadets took first prize"
And it amt no lie amt no bluff,
Morton Cadets got the stuff
The extemporaneous composition was