Evening star., 1898-04-30
Understanding is the District Will
Supply Three aBattalions.
GEN. HARRIES 70 Be IN COMMAND
Guardsmen VIII Respond Promptly
When Called Upon.
COMMENTS OF OFFICERS

had been issued at the headquarters Of the
District National Guard in regard to the
Districts quota Of the volunteer army Of
125,0o0 men.
General Harries is anxiously awaiting Of
hc1al notlhcation. In response to ques-
tlon from reporter for The Star this af-
ternoon, General Harries gave the same
answer as yesterday:
mere Is nothing new today I am SIM
ply awaiting orders. When they come
shall be able to tell you more about the
situation"
since early this morning the headquarters
OF the National Guard have been the scene
or great activity. Officers of all ranks have
Deen going in and coming out all day. They
are impatient, it is true, but all leave the
or1gadier general commanding with an air
OF confidence that is unmistakable.
II was stated at the department by the
secretary of War today that the quota of
lhe District of Columbia will be raised to
cue regiment. This regiment, as uno:n-
eiaiy learned, will be commanded by Gen.
Harries, who will be appointed a colonel of
volunteers.
Variance of Opinion.
While it was learned otherwise that a
regiment of twelve companies of seventy
seven men each would be taken from the
District, Adjt. Gen. Corbin stated TO-DAY
that the original quota of about $50 men
would be all that could be accepted under
the first call. 1t is understood, however.
that the President and Secretary Alger
Will acoede to the request of prominent
residents and call out one regiment of
the minimum number of men allowed by
the army regulations. The regiment will
comprise twelve
three battalions OF four companies each.
This formation conforms to the new army
Dill. Just what companies will comprise
this regiment has not been determined
upon.
The formation of the regiment will not
be given out until General Harries has re-
ceived official notification that a regiment
Will be needed. When the order comes
TOT the Districts quota it is believed 1t will
also contain notification to the command
Ing ofhcer to put the troops needed into
camp at once, so they may get the proper
training and become seasoned for the work
they may be called upon to perform
Confidence in Gen. Harries.
Ihere is unity among the men of the
brigade, and they appreciate the fact that
General Harries will look to the best in
terests OF the organization in selecting the
companies and officers that will be ten
dered to the government for service
IL is understood the regiment which will
be selected to represent the District will
not be either of the regularly organized
regiments of the Guard, but that it will
be a picked command, so far as the COM
panies concerned. AS far as possible
the company officers will remain in COM
mand. but where it is thought benefit can
be derived from a change there will be
oEe made. The regimentaI officers will be
selected by the commanding officer with
especial regard to their fitness in perform
ing the duties that may be assigned to
them. AS stated. however as far as pos
sible regimental as we'll company Off
GERS will be retained.
What the Officers Sny..
Among all of the officers seen by re-
Porter for The Star today, as they were
leaving headquarters, there was not one
who did not express the utmost confidence
in General Harries.
IF General Harries is willing to be re-
duced in rank from a brigader general to
a regimental colonel" said one prominent
officer, why should not the rest of the
officers show the same patriotic spirit I,
for one, am willing to go back to the ranks
if it becomes necessary.
Gen. Harries vas highly complimented by
his officers on all sides for the very ex-
cellent manner in which he has handled
the guard since he has been in command.
They all say. without hesitation, that it is
owing to his untiring energy that the
guard has reached its present high state
of efficiency.
1t is known that the guard is ready to
respond to call for duty at any moment.
The boys are on the qui vive, awaiting the
order, and they will respond with the same
promptness that they did Monday last.
There is one thing that appears to be quite
certain-whether the District is called up
on for a brigade, a regiment or a battalion
a company or a corporals guard, the men
will respond with aldcrity.