Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-09
Prompt and Efficient in Every
Position in Which Il Was
Placed PRAISED BY
The Generals in
Command.

This is not a history of the war; it is not
the history of an army or the story OF ma
ton. 1t is only a sketch of the life of
regiment: the story OF nine hundred and
eighty-three brave men, who answered their
country's call and followed the flag; Of
nine hundred and eighty-three men. many
of them tender youths, who did more than
duty, who pushed forward to find danger;
of nine hundred and eighty-three who are
returning today men, all men, in courage
and heart; of nine hundred and eighty
three men, every one of whom, whenever
he passes the regimental colors, the stars
and stripes, be it once be it fifty times
a day. removes his hat and salutes: of the
LIST District of Columbia Regiment, which
has represented the capital of the nation
throughout the war honorably and bravely
in camp and in the trenches and returns to
us today with glory and laurels.
The District of Columbia has the best of
reasons for feeling proud of her soldiers in
the late war. The record of the regiment
has been without flaw and has been prais-
ed throughout by men whose praise on
military matters means something. The
regiment has had the characteristics of
regulars in many particulars The officers
have held it we'll in hand at all times, dis
NAfAAAAC mas Ocell uldttltdiueu ana the IaXlly
and weakness of most volunteer regiments
has been lacking. The results have been
that the regiment is generally regarded by
experts in the army as among the best. If
not the very best volunteer organization in
the army This belief has pushed the regi-
ment to the front Almost Immediately
AFTER mastering 1T was sent to the south
then further south, then picked for Cuba
among the very first, and only delayed from
going by reason of an accident; then chosen
from 10000 troops to go to Cuba; at San
tiago. by its own energy, carried to the
front, and by orders placed in one of the
dangerous places in the trenches, maintain
ing order and discipline during the trying
uaJs aiter Santiago surrendered and final
~ brought back to this country with dis
ciplhe unimpaired, shaken and worn, but
soidieriy still, ready for duty. in better
physical and mental shane than anv -a.i
Hlent OF returning volunteers. The watch
word running through the story of the reef-
ment has been willingness
The National Guard.
When war was certain with snafn tho
National Guard of the District Of Co,,,,,-
Ola was prompt in Offering their services
1nere was Immediate activity in the guard
from Bridasier General Harries down 10
'he SMALLEST and latest recruit Would tho
"heie guard go? Would a regiment poo
WOULD anybody go? These were the ones-
.Us ueudteo at the armories and on the
SCI IN the meantime the COMPANIES
were orllting vigorously and persistan-Iv
mere was strong desire to have The Dis
uic& OF Columbia well represented I'm tha
patrlouc army that was to pc organized IN
nSht Tor Cuba The least thar the cI1;1ans
OH" SoidlefS Tarted was iegirneni and
most asked foe a brigade As a f1rst stel
~ was deemed wise that the entirss Ma
tioiai Guard OF the District 81 ould be call
cd out and placed in camp near Wasbing-
ton, In order that the men might Isar,
something OF soldier life and be ready for
the actual duties of war If was arvuo1
lhat from this body of men in camp what
ever force the District should he allowed
to furnish could be drawn and the vest
could then return to their homes These
views were laid before the War Denartrnar,+
ana as result an order was issued to place
Ihe National Guard of the District I'm camD
saturday. April %, Gen. Harries issued Or
oers to the guard to assemble ct the arm
orS on the morning of Monday April Is
In heavy marching order. The guard re-
spohoed with alacrity. and Monday morn
ing the entire organization, 1 500 strong
was ready to move wherever ordered It
Is an interesting fact that the day the
District Guard marched from It's armory
ready and willing to fight, war was formal
W declared by the President. The District
National Guard was therefore among the
very hrst troops to move N the war Ac-
q
troops were to go into camp al Soldiers
home, while a detachment was 10 move nm
10 Great Falls and guard the water SUNNY
Accordingly. at O'Clock in the morning
the brigade began to move The 3th Bat
TALON moved first for Soldiers Horne
Shortly after II the last company mad left
Inc arnory and was on its way to its deg
IgraIed post Then came an order from
the var department returning the brigade
to its armOry. and the different battalions
many OF them far on their way were bur
riedly recalled The recalling order was
brought about by the fact that the calling
out OF the brigade had taxa hundreds ~
government clerks from their desks and
the departments found themselves short.
hahoed IN the extreme. A consultation in
tne CABINET brought about the conclusion
that the calling out of the guard could he
postponed for awhile. =
One Regiment Called.
Tfsre was no complaint over this coun
termarch from General Harries or from his
officers. and this soldierly bearing In the
face ef a perplexing situation was thor
oughly appreciated by the Secretary of
War and had much to do with the District
being given a regiment instead Of the much
smaller quota coming to it naturally under
the call
>slings remained in statu quo. so far az
sistrict representation was concerned n
kne time. There was anxiety among 4
and a constant readiness to an
aI4y call marked the entire National
ganization. Before this the pest !:
- for 125.oo0 volunteers had been
n,.hI- Syder this call the District of Co.
idHnt'~ would only be entitled TO $50 men
ana "A.n the quota vas published the cap.
rat % s.e nation was only called on Tor
80 TrF sisil.t number was a great disap-.
t.'Sl'.-s-&ss'E. bV'S g fsssns and to the hun
's,eTis % q: = rsao ssss ssszious to 60 In
.t'e iaeses SO qulel ;.szszssea mad been.
y siE't = s's-=r on t...s Wax Departrla ant
= Stsi,e tiz- cheering promise had beeni
sA@so al-s kiment would be accepted,
tf3a Nazs = - OF Columbia. This prom
sc . - 49, 'ssSss flcial for some time. and
- the iEssrvenssss two weeks other regi-
.-lents over the Country were mustered into
~ s5sS seEvice- Th.s delay resulted in some
. thPysS < a hardship for the colonel of the
restrict regiment. as three times during the
war ne missed command Of a brigade by
reason Of other colonies ranking him by
one, two and four days.
Finally on May 10 the patience of the city
and the guard was rewarded. and the Dis
trict OF Colurfbia was officially called on to