Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-04
MERITS HIGH PRAISE
The National Guard of the District of
Columbia.
REPORTS TO TIE War DEPARTMENT
Great improvement Shown During
the Stay in Camp.
DISCIPLINE WAS EXCELLENT

Col. c. H. Heyl. 23d U. S. Infantry, ad
jutant general of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia, has made report to
the War Department, which is highly COM
piimentary to that organization. The au-
thorized strength of the District militia is
169 officers and 3.100 enlisted men. The
organized strength is 135 officers and ,16G
enlisted men. The attendance at camp was
50 per cent. According to the latest esti
mate, 5000 residents of the District are
liable to military duty. Gel Heyl describes
the organization in detail, and says that the
efficiency of the ambulance and hospital
corps and of the signal corps is good. In
regard to the armament, he says that tile
Hotchkiss guns of the artillery are excel
lent condition The infantry is armed with
Springfield rifles. caliber A. Their condi-
ton, as a rule, Col. Heyl says, is good, but
some have been long in service and are
verging on the unserviceable. The conji
ton of the equipment of the artillery and
infantry is described good. as is also the
condition of the uniform clothing, notwith-
standing majority of the overcoats,
pattern.
Col. Heyl says the proficiency of the
guard in drill and ceremonies is good. AT
the interstate drill and enca mpmen, at san
Antonio. Texas, in July, 1885," he says.
Company B, I'd Battalion, ID. C. y. c..
was placed second in the contest for the
championship of the United States. Field
exercises were had June Is, during tue
campment of the brigade at Fort Wash
ingto1, when a very creditable showing
made in attack and defense. 80" A series
of small arms competitions were had with
in the guard during the season at Oriway
rifle range, near this city. comprising in
div1dual, company, battalion regi mental,
volley and skirmish matches, at which
nhsl of atfr tive r;
and much interest uiS7 aged with good
suits. by both officers and enlisted men.
take pleasure in inviting attention
to the Engineer Battalion, which is 4 fea-
ture possessed by few. if any, of the states
Its efficiency and the work performed ny
II during the late encampment is briefly
summarized"
The Fort Washington Camp.
In regard to the encampment of the Ma
tional Guard at Fort Washington in June
last Col. Heyl says:
THE daily routine of duty was about the
same as is usually prescribed and followed
by similar body of troops in the regular
service The exercises Were preferably n
fined to such field exercises and ceremonies
as could not be had in the armory which
included company and battalion drills in
extended order. battalion and regimental
drills, guard duty (exterior and interior
guards and brigade parade.
THE Improvement made each day from
and the last days of the encampment de-
veloped precision and military discipline
worthy of more experienced troops. The
effect of the training was especially shown
In the field maneuvers The commands be-
ing kept well in hand and under control at
all times. The fire discipline too, was par
ticularly commendable.
My observations impressed me with the
very general disposition of Willingness on
the part of both officers and enlisted men
in the performance of all military duties
y--S char o+a nod H.
and military spirit that might be well pat
termed after by professional soldiers when
IL is considered that the National Guard of
the District receive no compensation when
called out, and that their service is per
formed purely from love of military and
esprit. they certainly deserve well and
merit cordial recognition from the peo-
pie
Guard Duty and Instruction..
The report includes a report made by
Capt. II. ]. Slocur,. 9TH United States Cav
airy, on the encampnnent at Fort Wash
ington. relating particularly to guard duty
and Instruction" 1.-THE commanding gem
eral," he said. ordered that the exterior
guard be mounted daily, to consist SO far
possible, of a company entire. and that
number of detached posts be SO located
on the exterior lines would best sub
serve the purpose Of this guard and in ad-
clifton give the benefits of instruction in
outpost duty.
These detached posts covered a front of
some three miles, about one-half of which
was along river edge, necessitating great
vigilance at night. Other posts protected
important government works from intru-
sion by unauthorized persons. There was
also established a system OF visiting pa
trolls. both night and day. under officers or
non-commissioned officers of the guard
forming the guard. all hands thus getting
Instruction
The work of this exterior guard was
well done All the companies had their
tour of such duty and mach interest was
shown by those concerned. 1t cannot be
expected that this. one of the most impor-
tant duties of the soldier, should be per-
formed with the efficiency of the profess
sional soldier. but all errors observed by
me were on the safe side. The desire to be
viSiiant and carry out orders sometimes led
20 unnecessary exercise of authority on the
part of the sentinels. which questions were
easily adjusted and explained / had no
occasion to reprimand for deliberate neglect
OF duty or an Indifference to the grave
responsibilities of a sentinel.
The commanding general also ordered
the establishing Of an interior camp guard,
mounted daily. each company in turn, whose
duty ii was TO preserve order and discipline
within camp lines. This duty was equally
we'll performed The most serious work de-
yolving on the guard the harmonious
handling of the many hundred excursion
lists who visited the encampment daily.
The discipline of the command, as OBJ
served by me was on the whole excellent.
There were a few cases of 'unwliingness'
sent 10 the guard, principally alleged sick
ness and inability 10 drill: but the strong
desire 10 know what was right and to do il,
founded on personal pride. interest and or
Banization esprit, more than made up for
the few miner shortcomings"
Little to Censure, Much TO Praise.
Capt Constantine Chase 18th Artillery,
has made special report on the District
eucampment. of which he says he found
little 10 ceHsure and much to praise. He
refers TO the excellent discipline and hon
esty of purpose which pervades the ID. c.
N c.. and concludes as follows:
Il know very well from personal obser-
Walton that many of its members are put 10
expense in their endeavorins TO perform
their duty toward the public defense by Civ
ing personal service in an institution that
Is designed to uphold the majesty OF the
law. The principle of Il well-organized
militia Is well recognized. and II men are
induced TO enter it. they must be encour-
aged by the legislative branch of the gov
ernment. The appropriations for the ID. c.