The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-05-01

organization lhere Is 10 De the SIlcteSl
discipline
First Volunteer Cavalry.
II IS probable that the regiment Will be
technically the first volunteer cavalry
This is the intention of the President
at the present time. and there is no rea-
son to believe that he will change his
mind as both Col. Wood and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt are warm personal
friends OF his. and the honor will please
him IN the giving as much rs it viii them
in the taking. The regiment will belong
TO 10 one Of the State quotas. Ii Is the
FIRST one OF the three regiments tnat nave
been left 10 be formed out of the $4,000
men in the quotas. Three thousand men
were left in the first call for the per-
sonaI choice of President Mckinley.
Several particulars of the uniform and
continent of the regiment have been de-
cided upon and IL is noticeable that they
are unique but also thoroughly practical.
The uniforms will be similar to that de-
signed by Gen. Miles for the cavalry that
IS To 20 TO Cuba. but it will be Of differ
ent material a light grass cloth similar
10 that in use in the English cavalry in
India mentioned several times by Mr..
Kiping in his Indian stories. The regu-
lar cavalry sword IS 10 be discarded and
in its place the Cuban machete substi-
tuted The arms Of the troopers will be
q repeating rife, revolver and ma
chete.
Ready in Three Weeks.
II IS believed by Mr.. Roosevelt that the
regiment will be ready to get into the
field within three weeks. Col. Wood is
TO be in Washington and ready to leave
for the West this week, and probably Mr..
Roosevelt VIII accompany him. Okla
h0Ina viii be the chief recruiting station
ana others will be established under com
petent men AT other places. Only a few
I over a hundred men have been finally
taken so far. although several others
have had half promises. The fortunates
are all cowboys and deputy sheriffs, per-
+ SOnal friends Of either Mr. Roosevelt OF
Col. Wood. with the exception Of half
a dozen New York policemen that came
directly under the notice Of Mr.. Roosevelt
/ FOR their bravery and soldierly qualities
! during his term as New York police com
missioner
There is one other man chosen. Mr..
A O. Gerard. Mr. Gerard was until re-
Gently the heaviest and strongest man in
the Washington police force. His story
is . very good indication of the way the
/ regiment IL to be recruited About
week ago Mr.. Gerard applied personally
to MI Roosevelt as a prospective mem
Der Mr. Roosevelt looked him over and
was pleased ut the prospect Mr.. Gerard
then showed his papers. His father was
an army surgeon. He has had seven
years training a physician himself,
but could not get enough outdoor eXer-
else in his profession and 50 gave II up
He went West and became a deputy
! sheriff in Mr. Roosevelt's own part of the
country and had a varied and exciting
! time for several years. He drifted to Chi
/ cago next while the Worlds Fair was in
progress. and became a Worlds Fair
! policeman. and finally came to Washing
ton and easily obtained "a place on the
Washington police force.
The Right Sort.
When he heard of the Roosevelt regi-
ment h. decided that if possible he Should
enlist in it. Mr.. Roosevelt heard his
story through and Immediately decided
! that he was Of the material that makes
! fighters. and also that he deserved a
place in the regiment Since that time
/ Gerard has been AT the Navy Department
/ as assistant to Mr.. Roosevelt in the work
Of the regiment. He has answered five
/ thousand applications and has looked
] over several hundred or more applicants
/ that presented their cases in person He
! will be given commission probably
( il is understood that one other officer
has been chosen. He is Mr. George Dunn
Of Washington. and he Will probably be
/ one Of the majors of the regiment. Mr..
/ Dunn was master Of the hounds of the
| Chevy Chase Hunt Club last season. He
| is a fine rider and an all round athlete.
| He Is son-in-law Of Congressman Dali
! zeH and son Of the late Judge Advocate
/ General Dunn. He Is a personal friend
! OF Mr.. Roosevelt.