Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-01
The Patriotic Spirit Has Enveloped
theaMen Of the District.
READY p ENROLL As RECRUITS
A Proposed Cavalry Regiment Has
Eight Hundred Members.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
''Have you Joined YETI,

Have you Joined YETI
You bet; way last week.
The above remarks were exchanged te-
tween two young men who met at Sd and
Pennsylvania avenue southeast yesterday
afternoon. They are merely sample Of
interchanges which have been the order Of
conversation ever since the excitement at
teEdant upon the blowing up of the Maine
thrilled the country. Coinctdent with the
event there was a widespread ebullition of
patriotism here, and it was rot many hours
before plans were being prepared for the
organization of military bodies, and ener-
getic men, both young and matured, were
vigorously agitating the advisability OF
such organization wherever they could
meet their friends and talk things over.
Many of the members Of the District Ma
tic nal Guard were Jealous in behalf of
such work. They did not undertake 1t
with any idea of disloyalty to the guard,
but they were aware that in case of trout
Bile with Spain and the consequent demand
for volunteers that the National Guard as
complete whole would lose Its identity
and its component parts be quickly merged
into the volunteer army that would be un-
doubtedly mustered in in short order.
Character of the Men.
This sentiment Of being ready to 10 out
and fight for the old flag and all 1t repre-
sents was not the idle talk of men who had
nothing else to do. 1t was shared by men
who are known to be conservative in their
views and careful in the expression OF them,
but who were willing and ready to devote
themselves to their country's service should
the occasion arise. They did not display
ar Xiety that a crisis should occur, but were
simply ready to meet 1t if it should come.
This very aPplaudable feeling was and Is
prevalent In Washington to no less an en-
phatic degree than it is elsewhere in the
country and it is shared by men OF business.
mechanics. laborers and clerks alike. 1t is
understood that no less than 800 men have
signified their willingness to join proposed
regiment of cavalry which Will oHer It's
services to the government in case of
trouble. The promoters of this organization
are said to include Capt. Lyman w. v.
kennOn of the 9th Infantry, U. 9. A; Capt.
VIM. H. Mellach of Company A, 9Th Bat
talon, d. c. N. c.; Lieut.. E. II. Brian OF
the same company, and others.
Gossip About the Plans.
1t IS asserted by some of the promoters
that in case of regular organization being
accomplished, should the necessity arise
for it, the regiment would be mustered in
first of all military bodies in the District
and that Secretary Alger had made prom
ises to this effect. 1t is said Captain Ken
ron would be colonel, and Captain Mellach
lieutenant colonel, and that the members
of Compahies A and of the 9th Battalion
D. C. NJ G.-the bloody fifth" as it is
called-would all join the regiment and be
made non-cominissioned officers as far as
those places would go. The recruiting is
still in progress, and it Is intended to call
meeting of the recruits within a few days
in order to talk matters over. 1t Is be-
heved that The roster will shortly show
over 900 names of District men who are
perfectly willing to devote themselves to
the cause of their country If the necessity
presents itself
Naturally in the organization of such a
body considerable humor is apt to creep in.
One of the men interested in the forma ton
of the regiment inserted an advertisement
in local paper. February %, which want
ed true Americans loving liberty's cause to
form regiment"
A Woman Anxious to Fight.
The replies to this invitation were very
numerous, and among them were letters
not only from men, but from women as
well. Here is one. verbatim, from an East
Washington amazon, who gave her full
name and address. which for obvious rea-
was excellent:
Il am a woman, but allow me to offer
you my services. The cause demands the
support of the women as well as the men.
Being excellent rider and an expert shot,
l fear nothing. l shall glory when l see
the blood of the cruel Spaniard flow like a
stream from his side. feel sure you are a
brave man, one who is no doubt familiar
with all details of the cavalry. Register my
name by the eide of any man on your list.
My loyalty to my country is needed and
when the fatal hour comes 1 shall be ready
to defend the honor and lives of my coun-
try. l should like to see you personally.
If you will give me an idea where can see
you / shall meet you heavily yelled with a
white handkerchief in my left hand on any
dark street you name. or course, l should
like to take this precaution SO my parents
will not be cognizant of my intentions. You
will readily perceive that | am single. /
also have important information that may
be of valuable assistance. Hoping that you
will have a tull complement of men and
that you will add my name. am"
Then follows her name and address Be
low was written: L shall assume male at
tire in service.
A Valiant VirSinian.
The replies Of the men displayed many
different degrees of anxiety to carry sabers
and wear spurs, most of them being earn
est and to the point. Here is one from a
Georgetown patriot:
1T shall never be said that my father
and his brothers and my mothers brothers
were Drawer soldiers and harder fighters
when they fought for the stars and bars
than l would De in lighting for the stars
at any time for duty. 1 am a Virginfan
and from Fauquier county, and can ride
as well as the average country boy. am
twentyfour years old"
Here Is another from a young resident in
the center of the city:
please place my name on the list of
true Americans who love nberty's cause
enough to join volunteer regiment and
tender his services TO his country"
A specimen of those brief and to the
point read as follows: PLEASE state condi-
tons, terms etc. etc.
A souSRern Command.
Other orgx2iaSaons military in character
are also being formed and there are subtle
hints in uptown circles in which the south
ern contingent moves that measures are
being taken to form regiment Of young
scions from the southland. It is said that
Mr. Fulton r. Gordon Is acting as recruit
ing officer for this organization, and that
in case of hostilities Mr.. George Pickett
son Of Gen. Pickett. who led the famous
charge at Gettysberg will command the
regiment Mr.. Pickett, as well-knoWn, was
recently made q colonel on the stan of the
governor of Virginia. 1t will be readily
seen from this that the District will give
its generous quota of men to the service