Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11

the OutSet IHe mess XII Will De ODtalneu
by purchase through the War Department
from the District allotment of the s4O0,0o0
appropriation for equipping the militia of
the United States.
With the exception of the canteen, which
IS of hard tin. the remainder Of the kit
| is made Of aluminium. 1t consists of dish
pan, frying pan and a deep cup. for cof-
fee or other liquids. together with knife
fork and spoon. The cork of the canteen
cannot be lost, being attached to the In
terror Of the canteen by means of light
chain. The kit is most ingeniously con-
structed and can be folded about the can
teen SO that the whole, when not in use.
occupies the smallest possible space. 1t
is placed in canvas cover and suspended
by strap from the shoulder of the sol
der. Another advantage, SO it is said is
that 1t weighs fully two pounds less than
the Continuance now in vogue, which
| means that the soldier may carry extra
cartridges to the limit of that weight,
which is an important item in time of trou-
BILE.
New Armory and Full Dress.
The announcement in The Star last Sat
urday that the prospects of a new armory
for the local brigade in tine near future
appear very bright met with general ap-
prevail on all sides. 1t is stated that the
lease on the present armory building ex-
pires early next year. The indications are
such that guardsrnen may have every rea-
son to hope for chance for what is con-
SlIeTeu the DetleT DtlOEe tHG dtflNdl VI
spring.
Another item of interest is that the en-
tire District National Guard will, in all
probability, soon be equipped with the fun
dress regulation uniform. On occasions of
ceremony it is desirable that the brigade
| should appear in full dress throughout and
not present nondescript appearance. as
| was the case on the occasion of the funeral
| of the late Gen. OrdWay.
Something About Major Brooks.
command of the LIST Separate Battalion,
was born in Virginia. He was one of the
original members OF the Washington Cadet
Corps. which was organized June 13, 1880.
He has passed through all grades in the
line from private. and is thoroughly fan:il-
lar with every detail of the drill regula-
tons. He was first sergeant of Company
A. Washington Cadet Corps. in the exciting
drill for the Boteler cup, in October, 1883,
and by his Steadiness and precision contrib
uted largely to the success of his company,
which won the cup. a year later, ne having
been in the meantime promoted to lieuten-
ant, Company had grown SO large that
| it reorganiZed a battalion of three
companies and Lieut.. Brooks was made
captain of Company a. In May, 1887, when
the interstate drill was held on the White
Lot, Capt. Brooks company was entered,
did its weeks tour of duty in camp and re-
ceiVed high commentator for Its prof.
cheney in drill, though it was not awarded
a prize. In 1870 the company visited Rich
mond, Va, and carried off first prize in
competition with companies of that state.
When the brigade was organized in this
District In 1887, the Washington Cadet
Corps, then a battalion of four companies,
Joined forces with the National Guard and
Capt. Brooks was appointed 4 member of
the first examining board for officers
Maj. Brooks became interested, in 1891, in
the youths OF the Colored High School. and
commenced drilling squad of them unof-
En;.,1 1ff,i h..
present three-company battalion of Col
ored High School Cadets, of which he is
now the official instructor. The pubic drill
of last spring fully evidenced his efficiency.
Maj. Brooks is six feet in height, every
inch o soldier. and of striking military
bearing. AT the time of his recent promo
ton. with the exception Of Capt John S.
Miller of the LIST Battalion, he was the
ranking captain of the guard. He has been
in actual command of the LIST Separate Bat
talon since May last. and was in charge of
it during the encampment of June, 1897.
Record of Capt. Pnrmenter.
Captain H. II. Parmenter, who has been
rendered the position of Quartermaster
General of the District Militia, with the
rank of major, is by no means play SOL
der. Captain Parmenter joined forces
with the Union army April ID, 1861, being
member of Company H, 10th Massa-
chusetts Volunteers. He took an active
Iart IN the battle of Malvern Hill,
ceiving bullet wound in the head. lie
vas in the hospital fer a long time, but
when convalescent was assigned to duty
in the office of the provost marshal gen
erals office. When his term of enlistment
expired he re-ezlisted and served until
August, 1866, when he was appointed a
clerk III the quartermaster generals Office,
War Department He mas served continu-
ously in the quartermaster generals Of
flee for thrty-two years.
Captain Parmenter was appointed a
sergeant On the general staff of the Dis
trict militia shortly after the organization
of the brigade in 1887. Tine following year
he was appointed to the position he now
holds, that of captain and quartermaster
of the I'd Regiment. At every camp of the
brigade at Fort Washington Captain Par
menter has been assigned to duty as post
Quartermaster. He has also served as
team quartermaster of every detachment
of District rif1emen, who have visited Sea
Girt for years past.
Captain and Aid-de-Camu.
Captain c. F. Cook, aid-de-camp, ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy on the general
staff, caused by the resignation several
weeks ago of Captain w. E. Horton, had
his first military experience at an early
ege. being eide captain" of the Young
America Rifles. fourishing organization,
with headquarters, about the year 1880, in
the neighborhood OF 9Th and E streets. The
Young America Rifles saw interesting ser
VICE, engaging diInUSt ually IN DlOOQy con-
hicts with newsboys and street gamins In
the way Of field service. one bright Memoir
| ial day the company set forth on a march
for Arlington cemetery, but on reaching the
vicinity of the Executive Mansion the
young soldiers, finding themselves footsore
and weary. went into camp in Lafayette
Square for the remainder of the day.
In the regiment Of High School Cadets,
then a battalion. Captain Cook served
through most Of the grades. being first
lieutenant Of Company F in his third year
at the school, that company being the
prize company of the battalion. Shortly af-
ter leaving the High School he accepted
the captaincy Of the Morton Cadets, then
q struggling infant. and originated and en-
gineered the movement that resulted in
| that now crack company, Joining forces
with the District National Guard. Later
Captain Cook was first lieutenant and
Quartermaster, and for some months acting
adjutant Of the Sd Battalion. resigning his
commission last March. The position to
y hich he has been appointed on the gen.
eral stair is one that is greatly sought, and
for which. 1t Is understood, there were an
exceptionally large number Of applicants.
Elections and . Resisaation.
First sergt. Jennings B. Wilson has been
al ~kcx1. =