The times., 1898-04-23

Fall in! Attention, company! Right
forward, Fours right, March,
These were the commands heard about
the National Guard Armory last night.
They were followed by the tramp, tramp
of marching men, and then the order,
Halt: order armsi" rang out. The
thump of the butts of the guns as they
struck the concrete pavement was in per-
feet unison. These sounds were as music
TO the ears Of the boys in blue. 1t sent
a thrill of pleasure through their hearts
and they felt the true American blood
course through their veins. War had no
terrors for them.
The fighting fever did not end with the
soldier boys, however. The marching and
drilling and the surging lines in uniform
awakened the same spirit in the specta-
tors Many a youth who was hesitating
whether or not to leave his home for the
battlefield made up his mind when he
saw the militia out last night. Under the
impulse he hurried to the armOry and
sought the recruiting officer. Then, after
the necessary examination, he was an en-
listed man and felt the responsible duties
which might call him from the city this
morning.
Such were the scenes about the armory
last night. In some Of the company
rooms new recruits were being fitted out
with blouses, trousers. caps and cartridge
belts Many a boy had mis- sweetheart
waiting for him and when he was a.
tired in full soldier array he promenaded
| the Avenue and felt many an inch taller
Some Of the young men brought their
mothers to the armory and several
| fathers viewed with pride the patriotism
| Of his son. One father who ran away
| from home when he was sixteen years old
/ To 20 in The Cnfon army during the civil
! war has three sons who have now gone
/ TO defend their country. One is with the
! Sixth Cavalry troop that left Fort Myer
| and the o,her TWO are members Of the
I District Guard His face WAS radiant last
night a. he said he was only sorry he
| did not have more sons to send out
/ against the enemy.
Ii was no easy task to get into National
/ Guard Armory last night or yesterday.
Sentries we're perched all along the
: bridge leading 10 the aTnlory and every
person approaching was challenged This
was found necessary yesterday because
/ Of the large crowd which assembled out
Of curiosity 10 see the soldier boys. As
; darkness approached the crowd grew
| larger. and by O'Clock fully 500 people
stood on Market Square TO see the drill
| ing soldiers.
I Duty for the Guards.
A spirit of seriousness is visible every
where But in official circles ii is recog-
nized that il is only possibility that
the members Of the National Guard will
| be removed from about Washington. The
general impression is that home duty
| must be performed by experienced men,
| and the Guard will Of necessity have TO
| be retained for the protection of the pub
| lie buildings the aqueduct and the APP
| proaches TO the National Capital. 1t is
more than probable that when the call
| is issued by President Mckinley this
morning the National Guard will be or
dered 10 encamp either on the White
Lot or at the Soldiers Home. From there
| detachments viii be made for duty al
different posts. A battalion might be
sent TO protect the aqueduct and another
battalion To defend the country below
Indian Head while a third detachment
viii likely be sent TO Fort Myer
Outside Of the Guard proper other mil
itary organizations are forming. The col
ored troops Of the District, known as the
First Separate Battalion. "Colored, ID. G
n c." has decided 10 secure new ma
terial and, if possible, to recruit up 10 ter
companies.
The Adjutant General of the War De
part is faVorably impressed with the plan
| il Is understood that Lieut. II. O. Flipper
late Of the United States army. viii be ii
command as colonel, and Major Brooks
will be promoted after examination Il
lieutenant colonel. The vacancy of ma
jor TO be filled by commissioning James