Evening star., 1898-10-29
Building Up the Brigade Continues
With Great Activity.
REQUISlqION FOR new CLOTHING
Decisions Covering Courts-MartiaI
and Continuous Service.
NAVAL BATTALION STAFF

Scheduled Tor next mOnlh, those National
Guardsmen who went to war will find
things booming about the armory. General
Harres, though very sick, was able to
confer with Adjutant General Dapray dur
ing the week. Partly as result of their
talk and partly owing to his energy and
interest in National Guard affairs the ad-
jutant general is perhaps the busiest man
in the city these days. The greatest ac-
tivty prevails at headquarters, and it will
extend all along the line in the very near
future.
In a communication to the Secretary of
War; General Harries, through Adjutant
General Dapray, has made special requis-
ton on basis of 800 men for clothing and
supplies, to include the following: Cam
paign hats, overcoats, infantry: blouses,
cloth chevrous, trousers, foot; trouser
stripes, leggings, woolen blankets and rub
Der blankets.
1t is explained to the Secretary that the
articles requested are intended to replace,
in part, the Quartermaster stores which
were turned over, under existing law and
orders, to the 1st Regiment District of Co
lumba Volunteer Infantry, in May last,
when that regiment was equipped entirely
from the stores of the National Guard. The
exact amount of property so turned over,
it is stated, although in excess of the
amount as given in the foregoing, has not
at the present time been ascertained, but
the matter is now in the hands of board
Of survey appointed for that purpose.
1t is further explained that some of the
companies of the guard are, in conse-
quence of the transfer of property to the
volunteer regiment, wholly unequipped,
and for several months have been unable
to perform military duty. In view of this
condition of affairs it has been earnestly
requested that the requisition be honored
at the earliest possible moment.
AS to Courts Martial.
recent decision at District militia head
quarters is that the detail of first Heuten-
ant to act as battalion court-martial is ir-
regular, and, further that there is no au-
thority of law for the detail of non-com-
nissioned officer other enlisted man as
a part of any court-martiai..
Section 81 of the act of Congress relating
to military courts provides that battalion
and company courts-martial shall consist
for battalion of one officer whose rank
is not below that of captain, and for a COM
pany of a lieutenant
Aside from this positive enactment Of law,
SO it is stated at headquarters military us
age has never contemplated the appoint
ment OF enlisted men as part of court
martial. If it be intended to detail a COM
petent and experienced clerk to assist in
the preparation of the record of the court
martial proceedings, that is an eXtraneouS
matter for the separate action of the con-
vening authority which should not appear
in the orders appointing the court-martial.
Battalion courtS-martial being analogous to
summary and field officers courts in the
regular army. in the absence of other pre-
scribed rules, it is held at headquarters,
the regulations Of the United States army
must govern them accordingly.
Completed Discharge Is Final.
Another decision of a few days ago was
in regard to sergeant who, having been
discharged in August last from the guard
sired afterward to re-enter his old COM
pany and have the benefit of continuous
service. To this end application to revoke
the special order directing the discharge
was disapproved, the decision being that a
discharge once completed is final, and con-
tnuOus service must be regulated by re-
enIistments within the period prescribed
by law.
Must FIJI Out Blanks.
1t Is learned at headquarters that here
after enlistment papers will be promptly
returned to company commanders unless
the blaEks on the second and third folds of
the paper are properly filled out. 1t has
been the general custom to slight these
blanks.
Every individual who desires in the fu-
ture to become a guardSman must SUBJ
scribe, giving also his resider and busi-
ness addl esses. to the following statement:
II hereby declare that it is my desire to
become a member of Company -,
- Battalion, d. c. N G, If admitted to
membership, l will execute the within con-
tract of enlistment
Below the foregoing appear the words:
I'VE, the undersigned, members of Com
pany -, - Battalion, d. c. N. e.,
recC mmend the above applicant for men,
bership." Attached must be the signatures
of two members of the company.
Next the chairman of the committee on
f,r,niS li1 ,E,@,.c -ip
ment setting forth whether the committee
report favorably or adversely on the ad-
mission of the applicant. The second fold
of the paper concludes: ."Balloted for at a
meeting held - and - either elect
ed or the contrary" This is signed by the
company commander.
The third fold of the paper must present
q statement by the battalion surgeon, VINO
reports that the applicant has been ply
sically examined and found qualified or
disqualified for National Guard service A
descriptive list appended. showing height,
weight, color of eyes, color of hair, COM
pieX1on and mark of identity.
What the Orders Prov tde.
The requirement last referred to is in
accordance with general orders No. g.
headquarters District of Colum bia militia,
issued April last. The orders provided
that after the date menttonee all appli-
cants for enlistment or re-en istment in
any organization of the Distric,t of Column
bia National Guard shall be required to
pass an examination as to hy3ical quail
fications for military service, ind the fit
ness of such applicants for ssrvice shall
be certified to by an examining iurgeon de-
tailed for the purpose before applicants
shall be finally sworn in
The following instructions. tho orders di-
rected. will be observed by medical officers
and boards OF medical officers in the ex-
animation of officers and recruits:
The officer or recruit must ne not less
than five feet four inches in Height, and
weigh not less than 125 pounds or more
than 200 pounds. His chest me bility must
show difference of at least two inches be-
tween inspiration and expiration.
The physical examination Will be con-
Quoted as follows:
1st. Special senses feya ear ad mouth);
ID Respiratory system: Sd. Circulatory
system; 4th. Nervous system; 9th. Diges-
tive system; 9Th. Genito-urina,'y system;
7th. Upper and lower extremtles.
Prior to the publication of these orders