Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-03

Word of the coming of the band will b.
telegraphed to the District boys, and the
musicians will most certainly receive a
royal welcome when, travel-staned and
weary, they alight from their train at the
Florida point of concentration.
The band which leaves tonight is made
up of first-class musicians, eight of the
number being a select detachment from the
Mount Pleasant Field Band Prof w. r.
Phillips, young musician of Washington.
who has had an exceptional musical train
ing since his early bcyhood, will be at the
head of the band, and will act as it's leader
and accompany the soldiers everywhere IN
til their triumphant return from the war
The men were mustered into the service
last Tuesday, and have since been fitted
out with new uniforms by the government,
and through their own efforts and the lber-
ality of several patriotic citizens have Sc
cured the necessary instruments and band
accessories to be used until the government
provides new ones. The band has had sew
eral days training. and the men are all en-
thusiastic over their early departure to join
the District regiment.
Citizens Take an interest
The formation of this band after the bri-
gade musicians had failed TO enlist, is the
result of the labors of a few well-known
and patriotic citizens of Washington who
are interested in the District volunteers
and who do not wish to see Colonel Har-
ries' regiment lacking in any particular
The failure to secure a band from the eX-
pected source caused the officers and SOL
diers of the regiment in general the great
est disappointment. The men went away
to Chickamausa fully equipped and uni
formed. but minus a band. When they ar
rived at the historic camping ground they
won the admiration of every soldier pres
ent. The District command was voted a
crack regiment sure enough. That 1t
maintained this reputation, earned at first
sight, was evidenced by the fact that the
1st District of Columbia was among the
first of the volunteer regiments ordered
further south, where they will be closer
to the scene of conflict and ready for an
emergent call.
The determination to secure band for
the District boys came with the news thai
with this exception, the Washington SOL
diers outcllssed all the many other thou
sands encdmped at Chickamauga. The
other regiments were provided with a reg
mental band, and their drills and parades
We're thus male more attractive, wf>;e the
weary marches were enlivened and the SOL
dlers given cheer by the stirring strains of
martial music. However, the District reg
iment will no longer lack for music and
their joy ut berg thus Unexpectedly pro-
viGed with a band in every way BETTING
their organization can better be imagined
than told.
When the legin ent left Washington there
were in the ranks some ten or eleven first
class musicians, who were to have been as
signed to the band that was expected to be
formed before the men left Camp Alger but
which, as already told in The Star. failed
10 materiaiiZe. These men will now be as
signed to the bard as soon as Prof Phil
Fps and his seventeen men arrive. Ipstru-
ments VIII be taken for them, and the for
nation of the musical contingent will re-
qulre but very short while.
Progress of Movement.
ha
the band for the regiment was inaugurated
something over week ago, as told in The
Star. The gentlemen interested in the plan
had consultation with Col Heyl adiu-
tant general of the District militia, an.l
the War Departn ent officials. They learn.
ed that the government stood ready TO
equip the musicians and to furnish them
win transportation to camp just as soon
as the organization was effected Prof
Phillips was next consulted and he con-
scented to enlist and go to the front at the
mead or the organization. The securing Of
seventeen patriotic musicians was the next
STEP
Mr.. j. c. Churchill, leader of the Mount
Pleasant Field Band, was interviewed. At
a meeting OF his organization he laid the
propOslloh to form regimental band for
the District soldiers before them AS n re
suit of his speech. eight musicians from tha
organization were secured Mr. Churchi
again displayed his liberality and symDathv
In the movement by loaning the insir.i-
ments needed until the War Denartmcr.
can supply others. Music stands sbeet
music and band folios are not furnished nv
the government, but are essential to such
an organization. AT this juncture in the
formation of the band Sanders e. Staymon
the well-known music firm Mr. Percy s
Foster, manager, came forward and very
generously donated these necessary acces,
sories Thus, through the kindness of Mr..
Churchill and the patriotic liberality of
aft nrtc Of
few citizens, the organization was complete
and ready for muster.
The musicians will arrive in Tampa scme
time Sunday and will at once join the Dis
trict regiment in camp. The men have all
been quite handsomely uniformed In repu-
lation infantry band style. Campaign hats
are worn by them and the men present a
picturesque and soldierly appearance All
are able bodied fellows prepared for a long
campaign. They will doubtless be met at
Tampa by the District soldiers, who will
thoroughly appreciate the music after sew
eral weeks in camp without this only en-
joyable feature of a strict military life.
The musicians will accompany the regiment
to Cuba. Porto Rico, the Philippines, or
Phillips declaring they are ready to take up
arms whenever music will no longer do
good.
The Leaders Qualification.
Prof. Phillips was born In Norristown
May II, 1876 He was put through course
OF music by his parents while very young
having displayed natural inclination to
things musical in childhood. At nine years
he was playing clarionet in band at
Atlantic City. When he was fourteen years
Of age he moved to Roanoke, Va. where he
was connected with the Roanoke Machine
Works Band, the crack musical organiza-
ton OF that part of the state. He came
with his parents to Washington in 1882. and
was enlisted In the United States Marine
rr11Ic hry Drof