Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-26
WHENTHEGUARD CAME BACK
Disappointment Among District Troops Owe,
Revocation Of Order.
Reasons Assigned for Change n
Plan of War Department-The
Omcial Papers.

The troops Of the District Of Columbia
National Guard, which yesterday under
orders of the Secretary of War, marched
into camp and then, again under orders
from the same source, marched back again,
were dismissed soon after reaching their
quarters. The brigade will not be called
into camp as brigade for some time to
come. 1t is understood the commanding
general was notified yesterday afternoon
by the War Department officials. when the
latter realized the situation, that he could
proceed under the camp order of Saturday
last AS the majority of the troops had at
that time returned to the armories, the
general considered that the best course TO
follow was to dismiss the men,
Just why the assembling yesterday of the
National Guard under the order of the Sec
rotary of War issued last Saturday wa;
suspended Is not clearly known. Inquiries
at headquarters of the District of Columbia
militia are met with the statement that
the brigade merely obeyed orders The
order of Saturday directed that 1.-The troops
or the District of Columbia National GuarI
Will go into camp under such orders as
may be issued by Brlgadier General George
II. Hairless comma nding the District of
Columbia militia" The troops in pursll-
ance of the order proceeded to go into
camp, and In doing so made a really mag
nIhcent showing. Then came the order of
the Secretary of War directing that the
assembling of the troops be suspended
Headquarters promptly obeyed. All who
nave read the two orders. it is stated at
neauquarters. realize that the National
Guard, in true military style opeye,l orders
and nothing more
The Several RumOrs
AS stated in The Star yesterday. rumors
coming from the direction of the War De-
partment and the White House give certain
reasons why the guard was called back
10 Inc armory. One statement Is to the
effect that when hundreds of clerks en-
poyed in the War and Navy Departments
and the navy yard failed to appear at their
desks yesterday because they had to re-
spond TO the orders calling them out as
guardSmen the officials realized that con-
siderable embarrassment would be caused
the government service by the command
gong into camp Another statement sets
forth that 1t suddenly occurred to the
o1nciais, from sort Of strategic stand
point, that it would he wiser to have the
camp equipage and like supplies issued to
the District National Guard together tie.
and ready to be shipped to the front at any
moment, than TO have it scattered about
the District in no shape to move forthwith
Inc suggestion has also been made that
when he issued the orders Saturday the
secretary of War understood that only the
DISTRICTS quota of not more than 400 Vol
lhteers would go into camp, and not the
entire brigade.
regret in Rank and File,
The order calling the troops back to the
arn'ory yesterday caused the deepest re-
greet throughout the rank and file of the
brigade. Cfhcers and men had been maxi
ing preparations for week to take the
feld When the order Was issued Sat
urday eN ening, that the troops would go
mic camp yesterday morning efforts were
renewed and steps taken in the belief that
the Guard would be under canvass for an
indefinite period. The revocation order
vas In the nature of thunderbolt The
greater part of the enthusiasm of tho
troops and considera BILE Of their patriot
ism had been dissipated. a more detected
aggregation of citizens it would have been
hard to ina CINE than the District Nation
al Guard when the troops were dismissed
yesterday afternoon.
There seems to be no doubt that the mon
VIII be paid for their services yesterday,
as they We're ordered out by direction of
the President. The expense entailed I'M
der contracts for hauling ecuipage and
purchase of supplies must also be met by
the government.
The next steps to be taken will be the
selection and organization of the Dis
trlcts quota for the volunteer army
division of opinion exists as to the strength
or this quota. Some maintain that the
call of the War Depa rtment for one hat
TALON only will hold. while others say that
General Harries has received personal as
surance from the President that a full
regiment of leo men will he accented
from the District Whether il be a bat
TALON or a regiment, the comma nd to
represent the national capitaI among tho
volunteers will: it is believed, certainly not
be surpassed IN personnel. equipment and
efic1ehcy, 10y the glarolSmen who 90 into
the service of the United States from any
other section of the country