Evening star., 1897-06-11
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Command Has Settled Down to Daily
Camp Routine.
TAKING KINDLY 10 The DISCIPLINE
Folks at Home Assured the Com
missary is All Right.
DAYS DOINGS IN DETAIL

w
TON. Nd. June H. 1897.
Probably ashamed of its conduct during
the first two encampments of the District
of Columbia National Guard. when rain
fell necessarily during the entire outing.
the weather bureau seems to be endeavor-
ing, and successfully, too, to make amends.
This day at Camp Washington is simply
IDEAL Long before reveille this morning
cid Sol was up and stirring, and displaying
a most creditabie ambition to make things
just pleasant possible for the soldier
boys. He has succeeded admirably. 1t is
not too hot for camp life. and it is not too
cold, even at night.
In other words, every hing is just right
| not only as regards The weather. but other
things as well Nearly all the troops Of
the National Guard are drilling on the
parade ground this afternoon pariaking OF
valuable instruction in such maneuvers as
would be requisite in time of trouble.
Every one is taking kindly to the military
duties, and marked Improvement is al
ready shown over yesterday. The rain CT
the past week has freshened UP the grass
and foliage, and the camp is picturesque
and pretty in the extreme.
Ine entire brigade was aroused at just
'':19 o'clock this morning by a buglc call
which rang out clearly on the still night
ar III was repeated a moment later. AL
though it was still dark many men sup
posed that reveille had been sounded and
proceeded to dress.
First Sick Call.
They soon discovered their error, how-
ever. Seen after the cali there was a
hurrying and a scurrying about the quar-
ters OF the ambulance corps, and investiga-
ton later brought to light the cause of the
nocturnal bugilg. 1t seems that d mem-
Der of the corps of field music was sud
denly taken ill during the night, and his
tent mate, who was in the camp for the
first time, thought it proper and fitting 10
announce the unpleasant fact TO all by
sounding sick call. 1t is the general under
standing about camp that he now knows
better.
In conclusion with the sick call incident
story is going around today, affecting
First Lieut.. j. Bruce Webb, the thorough
ly eH1cient and popular quartermaster CT
the ID Battalion. Among the others it is
said Lieut.. Webb stirred uneasily on his
couch when the bugle sounded, and raisca
on his riE't elbow as some enc drew asicc
the flap of his tent.
What was that cail?' Lieut. Webb Is
said to have inquired. although he will not
admit now that he did so.
Why, that was the quartermaster's
can, was the prompt answer of the un-
Known. who is supposed to be the one WHO
first related the s;cry. 1T meaas that yo
and the other quartermastcri are wan,e /
at the o1fice of the cammissary general"
Eye witnesses can lee found III camp who
will testify tnat Lieut.. Webb. good sodie =
that he Is, hastily dolned his uniform aya
hurried to Major Neumeyers office aear the
fort
1t was long walk. When he reached
the otll.,e all was silent. no light being VS.
ible save tnat Of the silvery moon. Lie IT.
Webb returned and aroused his corps CT
COOKS ard waters, in order to prepar,
breakfast III 4 toie of voice foreign tC
his usual mode of address.
The SerEeanfs Boast.
Brigade Commissary Sergeant Corvei-
zier emerged from his tent this mornin:
and exclaimed, in a manner that might
have excrsably been mistaken for boast
fulness, that he was the first victim N
camp of the gay and festive chigger The
announcement caused mild sens it on i
headquarters row, and Brigade Quarter-
master Sergeant Roginski im.ned ateiy IN
stituted an investigation. which resulted il
the complete annhilation OF Corveizer's
claim. and, incidentally, the chicger Ro-
gins XII says, in his most truthful way, lha:
his colleague was attacked by a d .Gerent
grade of insect, the asSaiiant beng i'm
mediately recognized as the dean of tie
Fort Washington corps of chinches 1t
wears stripes. denoting fifteen years ccL-
tinuous service.
For some reason or other Camp Wash
1ngton was practically astir shortly after
daylight this morning. That fact may be
explained when it is called to mind thai
last night was the first of the encampInent
and the guardsmen were not accustomed TO
their beds and surroundings After the
hard drilling of the day, it is presumed
that he:eaftet every one who is at liberty
to do SO will remain abed until revc.Ec
sounds
Salutes to the Sun.
One Of the new guns. recently :ssrel to
the light battery, has been brought to
camp for service at sunrise and sunset
1t missed fire the ria al i1,ct 10
conclusion of dress parade last evening
but this morning worked with neatness and
dispatch. The trumpetet sounded revei;le
and then the corps of field music mad its
innings, drumming and filing, as a parry
who desired to sleep expressed it, ITO beat
the band.'
The efforts of the field music had the
effect of rousjng even the most sleepy one
and the company commanders soon after
had the boys out for the setting-up exer-
cises in the companys streets.
Breakfast was served promptly at
clock, tie men leaving the table just
in time to witness the mounting of the
first exterior guard. Company B, 4th Bat
talon, was the organization detailed as
TIC first general guard of the camp, with
Capt. ]. E. Horsford officer of the day
Lieut. VT. Walker commander of the guard
and Lieut. G.. M. Mcclure officer of the
guard Capt. Charles H. Heyl of the 2Sd
United States Infantry, who In a few
weeks will be detailed for duty with the
District National. Guard as adjutant GER
eral, mounted the guard. Capt. Eugene C.
Edwards of Company A. I'd Battalion, was
officer Of the day Of the first regiment
yesterday, while Capt. Edgar A. Shilling
of Company B. I'd Battalion, is in charge
of the first regiment today, so far as good
order and the general appearance of the
Men are concerned.
First Regiment Drill.
At o'clock the companies of the first
regiment were formed as a battalion under
command Of Maj. Burton R. Ross of the
1st Battalion. For nesrly two hours Maj.
Ross Unanswered the command, and, as a
result, many of the members have a deeper
ins.ght into the regulations than they had
before. At IL 80 o'clock drill was held
for certain men who showed the need for
mere elementary instruction. The brigade
was at leisure then until dinner, at /
o'clock. After digesting the midday meal
an afternoon drill was held Company a.
5th Battalion, will be mounted as a provost
guard at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon, and at
@ o'clock the call for dress parade win
sound.
A number of visitors reached camp on
the early boats today. and quite a crowd is
Continued on TENTH Pace