The San Francisco call., 1897-01-18
Sigma, Corps. Third Brigade.

During the month of December the sig
nal corps of the Third Brigade took its
annual "lay-off." They ushered in the
Christmas month in a most becoming
manner by giving their first annual ball
on the evening of Tuesday, December L.
The dance was most elaborate affair, be-
ing held i'll Armory Hall, which was
beautifully decorated for the occasion
with bunting, flags and flowers. The
walls on each. side OF the hail were dec
grated with the crossed flags of the signal
| corps and between the galleries and chan
! deliers streamers of bunting and flags of
! every color ard description were strung in
pleasing profuson. Neale's Orchestra,
! which was placed on the stage, was en-
! powered in a mass of potted palms, ferns
and other evergreens and added very
I much to the en- JOY m ent OF the occasion by
/ playing a mum Der of extra concert pieces.
/ The officers quarters were open and a
/ little extra collation. was served to the old
warehouses" present, among whom were
| Colonel Peeler, Colonel Guthrie. Major
| Wallace, Major and Signal Officer Douglas
| and other general and commissioned Off
GERS of the National Guard. A large bowl
of punch, another OF lemonade and cakes
and sandwiches were dispensed 10 the
dancers in the hall.
The grand march was led by Major
Douglas and Mrs. Colonel Peeler while
the colonel himself, who was at the time
suffering from a severe sprain occasioDed
by being thrown from his horse, had to
content himself by watching the dances
from the gallery. The committee on ar
rangements, to whom much credit is due
Tor The success Of the affair, consisted of
Sergeant Watkins and Corporals Byrne
and Robin. When the Home Sweet
Home" waltz was over, many happy
couples said to one another that Lieuten
ant Martins command had done them
selves proud" and went home with the
intention of meeting the Signal Corps
again.
The terms of Sergeants Bailey and Mar
tin have expired, but, as they are most in
timalelv connected with the corps, they
will probably r--enlist.
Lieutenant Martin is at present out of
town on trip for his firm through Placer
and Ell Dorado counties. On account of
his absence the annual meeting of the
corps, for the election of civil officers and
appointment of committees, was post
poned ill January II.
Tne regular annual meeting of the g.
nal Corps, Third Brigade, was neld on the
evening of Tuesday, the 18th inst. The
reports of the treasurer Uieutenant Mar
TIM the first sergeant (Balley) and the,
secretary sergeant Watkins) were sub
mitted 10 the assembled members. The
report of Lieutenant Martin shows the
corps to Oe in a much better condition
than it ever has been before. Sergeant
Bailey's report showed the average at
tendance at drills during 1896 TO have
peen very close to 80 per cent. The secre-
tary's report reviewed the work Of the pre-
vlous year and called attention to the fact
that the signal corps of the various brig
ades had led all other branches OF the
service IN efficiency, personnel and gen.
eral merit, according to reports OF the
officers IN charge of the Inspection of 1895.
Ihe following committees were appointed
for the ensuing year: On examination
Sergeant Bailey, Sergeant Watkins, Cor
porai Taylor; on tinance-Corporal Cosby,
Prlvates Harvey and Leitch. Sergeant
watkins was unanim ously reelected Sec
retary. After the transaction of routine
business the mem bers sat down to a little
"DutchN supper provided for the occasion.
WOODLAND, CAL, Jan. 15.-Every-
thing is quiet in military circles In thfs
place. Last Wednesday evening two new
members were admitted, and there are
two applications on the board to be acted
on at the next meeting. The COMPANY il
in charge of First Lieutenant Ward at
present, Captain Prindle being at Oroyille
on business. prominent business man
o the town has promised the com pany
flag; so we may expect 10 see il hying
from the Few fagpole in the near future.
The football team is out practicing every
day. and at night hold signal practice in
the armory. The team has game they
practice for wind called hand football.
The ball can neither be carried nor kicked,
but must be advanced by punching or by
throwing from one TO the other. The
team is anxious for some OF the other
com panies to get up teams and then play
series of gar,es for the championship.
The grand annual ball will take place
about the 5th of February.
The captain has not as yet found a
place suitable for the 800 and 500 yard