Evening star., 1898-11-10
CLOSE 4OF SERVICE
First Regiment, District Volunteers,
to Be Mustered Out.
PRELlMINARYllTEPS TAKEN TODAY
The Commapds Assemblies at the
Center Market Armory.
RESULT OF ROLL CALL

The scenes on the streets down town to-
day were reminder of the active pe,j ~
of the with Spain while the Center
Market aruory was the theater OF scenes
similar to those of last May. The 1st Reg
ment, District of Columbia Volunteer In
fantry, after furlough of two months. re-
ported for duty at 10 o'clock this morning
and the initial steps were taken toward the
nuster-out of the organization from the
service Of the United States. By the end of
next week, from present indications, the
regiment which has undergone many pri-
vations and hardships and performed most
efficient and excellent work, will be no
more.
The gathefing this morning, to certain
extent, was in the nature of a reunion.
Officers and men who had been sent home
sick prior to the departure of the regiment
from Cuba greeted in many instances their
felloW-Ofhcers and comrades for the first
time since the memorable days before San
tiago and on San Juan Hill. There was re-
joicing this morning among those who took
by the hand friends they never expected to
see again in this life. There was no gloom
except when the roll was called and about
score of gallant soldiers failed to respond
and it was realized they had answered the
last summons
The volunteers began to assemble about
the armory at $50 O'Clock. and soon the
balconies fronting the building were
crowded Everybody seemed to be in good
humor and it was evident that few, il any,
were desirous of remaining in the service
Some of the men were in the uniform they
wore throughout the campaign, and others
were attired in brand-new outfits spick and
span. Some were in civilian Dress and
few in nondescript raiment. Many wore
civilian overcoats and mackintoshes. One
man had on a linen collar and cuffs, while
the to him the rpplla tjOD
blue flannel shirt.
The Colonel on Hand.
Col. George H. Harries, the regimental
commander, put in an appearance shortly
before 10 o'clock. He walked very slowly
and used cane From his appearance it
was evident that the place for him was in
bed. as he is yet sick man. He remained
at the armory, however until the import
ant proceedings of the day were at an end,
and then transacted considerable business
pertaining to the regiment, signing official
papers and the like.
The first move in the direction of muster
out was an order for the formation Of the
regiment by batahons in close columns of
companies. This was, quickly done. after
which the first sergeants proceeded with
roll call. The number of absentees was
small, and it is thought their failure to re-
port was due to unavoidable causes. The
names of all abSenteeS were given to Lieut..
Mcneil, one of the mastering officers, who
will investigate the cause of their absence.
The companies were next canvassed In
order to learn the number of men who wish
to be provided with meals and lodging dur
ing the period Of muster out at the expense
or the government. The poll showed that
something more than three hundred Of the
volunteers would take advantage of the
offer. 1 ii
After other proceedings of a routine
nature the regiment was dismissed. Most
of the company commanders thereupon
marched their respective organizations to
rooms in the Ar1nOry building. where sig
natures were secured to muster out rolls.
property accounts and other papers. The
latter includes a declaration of every per-
son, showing whether he believed that at
the present time he Is suffering from the
effects of any wound. injury or disease, or
that he has any disability or impairment
of health, whether incurred In the military
service or otherwise. If so, each must de-
scribe the disability, stating the nature
location of the wound, injury or disease
when and where the disability was incurred
and circumstances under which it was in
CURED.
Members Excused.
All members of the regiment were eX-
cused for the day as soon as they had
signed the necessary papers. 1t was an
nounccd that those who desired meals at
government expense must report daily dur
ing the period Of muster out, at the armory
at Z am. for breakfast, 1870 pm. for dim
ner and $50 pm. for supper. Those men
desiring lodging will be cared for in
building convenient to the armory.
A physical examination of the officers and
men will begin at o'clock tomorrow morn
ing, and will be conducted by DIR. Hunt of
this city, who Is not attached to the medi-
cal department of the army. The regiment
al staff officers the majors and battalion
adjutants, the band and the members of
Company A will report for examination to-
morrow. Beginning Saturday morning. the
other companies will be examined in alpha
betical order, and 1t is expected two COM
panies will be passed daily. No one will
entire regiment shall have been examined.
When all the preliminaries are concluded
the regiment will be mustered out in
body.
The Mustering Officers.
Capt. George K. McGunnegle of the 18th
United States Infantry was on duty this
morning chief mastering officer. He was
assisted by Second Lieut.. Clarence Mcneil,
5th United States Artillery. and Second
Lieut.. Hugh Appiewhite. 9th United States
Artillery, who have been assigned as acting
assistant quartermasters. acting commits
saries of subsistence and acting ordnance
ofhcers In connection with the muster out
of the regiment. Capt. Theodore Mosher,
22d United States Infantry, who was badly
wounded in the fighting preliminary to the
surrender of Santiago, and who was COM
missioned lieutenant colonel of the District
Regiment was, also present at the armory.
Lieut.. Applewhite stated to a Star report
er that he was very much gratified. and. in
fact. surprised, at the smoothness with
which the muster out was begun this morn
ing. There was absolutely nothing in the
way of confusion he said, and all was pain
sailing. If the future steps are conducted
with no more friction than was encountered
today. the muster out. according to Lieu
tenant Applewhite, will be completed by the
end of next week
A meeting will be held this evening by the
committee in charge aof the presentation of
medals to the members of the District Reg
iment: 1t will be determined at the meet
ing when and where the medals shall be be-