Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
THE GUARD READY
District Militia Could Go at Once Into
Active Service.
WELL ORGANIZED MILITARY FORCE
In Time of Need Would Be the
First Called Upon.
WOULD LOSE IDENTITY

the inquiry into the Maine disaster LEAD TO
hcstilities, the District of Columbia could
furnish, at moments notice, well-or-
ganized military force thirteen hundred
strong. If the pressure for troops were
sufficiently great, 1t is confidently asserted
that the entire District National Guard
could be turned out within four hours, fully
clothed and equipped for service. While
no special preparation has been made in
Anticipation of call, because of the fact
that the troops are at all times ready to
respond instantly, the probabilities of being
sent into the field have been considered,
and the officers have been keenly sensible
OF the duties which they might be required
to Perform and coolly awaiting de-
velopments.
The moment the local militia is called
into service, that instant it ceases to re-
tain Its identity the District National
Guard, and becomes a part of the United
States army. The troops would be mus
tered in by regiments, and the first move
would break up the brigade; then, again.
the brigade commander might be sent to
take charge of some other brigade, or
might be assigned to detached duty. 1t Is
also a possibility that the present COM
pany officers would be changed around
that not one would be with the command to
wtici he is now attached In the event of
war and the issuance of call for troops,
a brigade might be made up of a part of
the District militia, part of Pennsylvania,
part of Maryland and 1t might be that
number of states would be represented in
one brigade. Thus ii can be seen that the
local guard can only wait until their SER
vices are demanded, and place themselves
subject TO orders.
President Has Control.
The moment they become a part of Uncle
Sans troops, the selection of officers by
election would cease and officers would be
appointed. The President, by virtue of
special act of Congress, is commander-in-
chief of the District National Guard, and
he alone call it or any portion of it
into service, and this is the only volun-
teer military organization which is SUBJ
ject to the call of the chief executive of
the nation. The state troops are subject
to the call of governors, and their services
would be placed at the disposal of the
President when ne should request troops
If more troops We're needed than those
now, composing the regular army the Dis
trfct soldier boys would be the first sum-
| moned. 1t is provided that any officer
| may resign his commission or any private
secure discharge should the militia be
pressed into service. but one of the officers
proudly said not one would ask TO he ex
cused.
The brigade now formed is thoroughly
organized and thoroughly drilled. some of
lts companies having gained distinction in
close and spirited contests. 1t Is fully
equipped for heavy marching order but
possibly some Of the rifles now used would
have to be rupplanted with the more mod
ern pieces such as are used by the regu-
| lars. There are two regiments of infantry
OF eight companies each. The full strength
would be twelve companies to a regiment
and, If sufficient time were given, the reg
1mentS could be recruited up to the full
number, making three battalions The
companies now have from forty to sixty
men, the army scale in times of peace be-
ing ffty-fve, but in time of war the full
mic &c ir,pr 1nxa
here is one battalion Of four companies
of colored soldiers in the District militia.
The Engineers.
The battalion of engineers is composed
OF four companies, Company A being the
sharpshoote"s. The men are armed with
| rifles and are expected to protect the work
ing engineers. Company is composed of
artifcers, men who are skilled in almost
any class Of work they might be called up
On to perform In time Of a conflict They
could construct bridges, build railways tear
up railways, do carpenter work and black
smithing. 1t is aimed to have men in that
company who could meet almost any emer-
gency, and it is thought Company would
meet all requirements. Company is made
up of men who have a knowledge of high
explosives, men who can draft plans for
breastwoIks and fortified lions and those
skilled In electrical work, photography, to-
biography and surveying. 1t is called the
scientific company. The fourth, or d Com
pany, is the signal company, mounted on
bicycles. and it is conceded that their serv-
ices would be readily sought, as the army
officials of this country. as well as those of
Austria, France, England and other foreign
nations, have found the bicycle to be most
valuable in courier service.
The brigade has foot battery of forty
men, with two HotchlSiss rapid-fire two
pound guns and two Calling guns. This
battery is just being mustered in; but should
war be declared, it could move within a
time iG oil hat DC
needed to complete the organization could.
be accomplished with very little loss of
time.
A well-equpped Ambulance Corps of forty
men is Immediately available for service,
and, being composed entirely of those skill
ed in medicine and surgery, would prove of
ir estimable value Should necessity for their
services arise. The Ambulance Corps is
provided with the essentials with which to
work. This corps would no doubt be at
| once amalgamated with other similar or
CARNATIONS.
The cavalry troop, organized under the
name Of the Washington City Troop, Ia COM
posed of sixty members each with q mount
OF his own. that would be at once ready for
service.
The brigade band like the troops, would
be subject to call, but instead Of being re-
quired to shoot, they would furnish the in
spiratiOn that only music can produce. The
band is splendid organization of thirty-six
pieces. under the leadership of Lieut.. D. B.
Mcleod. The field music would be furnish
ed by the drum corps Of forty pieces.
In Time of War.
Although the entire guard might be mus
tered in and become part of the United
States army, yet the District guard could
be kept up and maintained the same as
now, except that 1t would be made up en-
t,rely of new material, and. should the war
be prolonged its personnel might be chang
ed many times: for as soon as a regiment
made a good showing 1t Is most likely 1t
would be called into service. However, it
might be deemed wise to keep well-train-
ed guard for duty here, to protect the cap
ital. The officers of the guard. as 1t Is now
composed, are of those best posted in mat
ters military. and more than that they take
pride in bringing the troops up to the
highest standard OF sia1ciency. 1t is assert
ed that no state could furnish any better or
more capable soldiers than can the Dis
trict, although they might furnish larger
numbers. The District guard has full
complement OF officers.
While the chances ara that the District
soldier boys would be widely separated,
yet each regiment might retain its dis
tinctive Individuality and be permitted to
replenish It's ranks from this District, as 1t
y conceded that q body OF soldiers closely