Evening star., 1896-12-08
GUARDSMEN DECORATED
Prizes Awarded to Crack Shots in the
National Guard.
Important Ceremony Last Night-Ds-
tails From Different Companies
and Regiments Present.

A gala occasion in the history of the Dis
trict OF Columbia National Guard occurred
last evening. when rife practice dec
orations for 1894 and 1895 were bestowed
on those members Of the brigade entitled
to bars. crosses and buttons and the tre-
phies offered In a series of team matches
last winter in the rifle gallery, together
with the prizes captured at the recent meet
Of the National Rife Association. were
awarded to the winners. The presenta-
ton, which was the first for several years
proved to be quite an elaborate ceremony,
and was witnessed by a large throng. Ow-
ing to an inability to secure the use of the
Grill hall, the scene of the presentation was
transferred to the rifle gallery on the upper
floor of the National Guard armory.
At the far end of the gallery the famous
Hilton trophy won several times at Sea
Girt by the brigade rife team stood, sur
rounded by flags. forming most aDDro-
pirate background for the ceremony. The
prize winners were grouped about the Hill
ton trophy. while along two sides Of the
gallery were aligned escort companies. Each
Of these consisted Of thrty-two files, double
rank, with full complement of commits
stoned and non-commissioned officers. The
companies were made up of details from
the respective regiments. The escort COM
pany of the LIST Regiment was commanded
by Capt. John M. Miller, with First Lieut..
inson, jr FIRST Lieut.. William M. Arnold
acted as adjutant of this company. The
escort company Of the I'd Regiment was
off1cered by Capt. John NJ Williams, First
Lieut.. D. B. Macleod, Second Lieut.. D. b.
Richmond, and First Lieut. r. d. Simms
as adjutant The companies were In full
dress uniforms. while the prize winners
wore field attire.
Lieut. Col Walton of the 1st Regiment
was in command of the detail, with Capt.
James L. Mock. adjutant of the I'd Regi-
ment, officiating as adjutant. Col Cecil
Clay of the I'd Regiment, who is in COM
Gen. Ordway. conducted the presentation.
attended by the brigade commissioned
staff-Lieut. Col. Theodore Mosher, adju-
tant general: Maj. George H. Harries. in
spector general Of rifle practice: Maj Geo.
Henderson, surgeon general; MAJ. Cranch
Mcintyre. commissary general, and Capt.
Charles H. Ourand and Henry May. aids
de-camp. Mr.. A. NJ. Lothrop, Mr.. John H.
Magruder, Capt. Eugene c. Edwards, rep
resenting r. Harris & Co., and Mr.. j. Whit.
Heron, representing The Evening Star
Newspaper Company, donors of prizes,
were also in attendance. and were called
upon to present their respective trophies
to the winners. The Second Regiment
Band added much to the success Of the
ceremony.
After the detail had been formed, the Off
GERS had reported, and Lieut.. Col. Walton
had assumed command, Col Clay was an
nounced as the officer who would conduct
the ceremony. After expressing his regret
that Gen. Ordway was unable to be pres
ent. Col. Clay took occasion to state that
the District National Guard has earned
and maintained an enviable position in re-
gard to rifle practice for several years.
Competitive drills may be all right in their
way, he continued, but they amount to
nothing so far as real benefits are con-
cerned. To be a soldier of real worth a
man must be familiar with the use of the
weapon he handles.
Col CLAW directed Mai Harries tn on.
nounce the winners. they advancing to the
front and center their names were
called. Applause was frequent during this
portion of the exercises. complete list of
the winners, the conditions of the matches
and descriptions of the prizes were pub
lished in Saturdays Star
When the final award had been completed
the guardsmen made the circuit of the
rifle gallery and moved out through the
doorway. as the band played "Rastus on
Parade"