Evening star., 1898-10-29

Naval battalion Appointments

nation among the requirements for enlist
ment.
Naval Battalion Appointments.
There are three vacancies in the staff of
the Naval Battalion yet to be filled, as
follows: Chief engineer, surgeon and ordi-
nance and signal officer. The commission
of Mr.. Alfred E. Smith as chief engineer.
having been declined, has been Cancelled by
the Secretary of the Navy. 1t is under
stood that District Militia headquarters
will rule that nomin atoms for any staff
position in the naval battalion involving
technical scientific knowledge, must be
confined to persons who have passed sue
cessfully a fixed examination. who can
furnish satisfactory evidence as to eXperi-
ence and capacity.
Jack Tars at Work.
Since the arrival of the Fern there has
been great deal of activity among the
men of the Naval Reserve, detachments of
the 1st and I'd divisions standing watch
throughout the week. Under orders from
Commander Hams, a commissioned officer
has been present each night to look after
things generally. Four men have been de-
tailed from the regular service to remain
on board of the ship for the purpose of
1nStructing some of the younger men who
have enlisted apprentices. On Tuesday
evening last an alarm was sounded and
both divisions were put through fire drill
L ne ~ DIVISION, DelnS composed of
sailors, went through their drill with such
dispatch as to call forth the praise Of the
commanding officer.
The crew for the starboard whale boat
have been selected, and have shown them
selves to be particularly proficient in their
exercises. They have already received a
challenge from the seaman gunners' class
at the navy yard to row a race on Febru-
ary ~ next.
The organization is progressing rapidly
and the men are being provided with blue
service uniforms.
Anchorage of the Fern.
The Secretary Of War has approved the
recommendation of Lieutenant Colonel A.
len, District engineer officer, that permis-
sion be granted to drive piles in the Poto-
mac river near the 18th street shore for
the safe mooring of the U. S. S. Fern, now
used as a practice ship by the Naval Bat
talon. The necessary work will be at
once oegun.
Capt. DOnnelly Has Returned.
Capt. Richard j. Donnelly has reported for
duty as adjutant of the 1st Regiment, but
pending the completion of certain official
returns as luartermaster and commissary
of volunteers the duties of the 1st Resi-
menfs adjutants office will continue to be
performed by First Lieutenant H. T. De
Groot, adjutant. I'd Battalion.
Capt. Donnelly has made an excellent
record for himself as a staff officer during
the recent war He was acting chief quar-
termaster of the 1st Division. Sd Army
Corps. on Gen. Carpenters staff. and assist
ed Capt Dapray, who was adiutant gen
eral of that division, in brigading and COM
pietely organizing the nine regiments, in
Guiding the LIST District of Columbia Volun-
teer Infantry, composing the 1st Division
Of the 3D. Corps. Capt. Dom ely subsequent
ly accompanied Gen. Carpenter to Tampa
and continued to do useful and important
work.
Sergeant Alex. NJ. Allison, Company c,
1st Battalion has been honoraby discharg-
ed to accept promotion by commission.
Capt. Alfred P. Robbins aid-de-camp, Dis
trict OF Columbia Militia, in addition to his
other duties, has been directed to take
charge OF and temporarily command the
Signal Company during the absence of all
of the officers of that organization reliev-
ing Capt. William E. Harvey of that duty.
To enable him to avail himself of leave
of absence Capt. William E. Harvey, Com
parry G, 9Th Battalion, has been reliev ed
from further duty as member Of The
beard of survey. recently appointed. Iapt
Richard ]. Donnelly. adjutant 1st Regi-
nent, has been detailed in his place.
The resignation of Captain Charles NJ.
Shreve, Company B, 1st Battalion, has
been forwarded approved to the adjutant
geferal CT the army. AS soon as IL Is 1or-
mally accepted ar election will doubtless be
ordered for the vacant captaincy In Com
pany B of the Light Infantry.
The brigade board of examination has
reported to the acting adjutant general
that, pending the examination of Private
Charles e. Minnikins, Company B, 1st Sep
arate Battalion. for promotion to second
lieutenant, the candidate entered United
States volunteer Qmmune) regiment and,
of course, the matter there rested. 1t is
a question yet to be decided whether a
new election will be ordered or the vacancy
be held open until Private Minnikin's re-
turn.
Death of Hyder II. Farrow.