Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-09
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Volunteers Without Number, but the
Majority Desire Commissions.
GAHING GUNS FOR TIE REGIMENTS
Report of the Inspector General
of Rifle Practice.
PLANS FOR ANY EMERGENCY

PLANS FOR ANY EMERGENCY
One Of the Incidents of greatest interest
during the week at headquarters OF the
District Of Columbia militia was the re-
ceipt Of communication from indi-
vidual who expressed a desire to connect
himself with the guard in the event 1t is
called into service OF the United States.
The mere fact that this communication
was received is not at all, startling. for 1t
was only one of several hundred 1t was
considered really remarkable, however. in
that the writer rendered his services as .
private The commanding general has been
literally besieged by callers who desire to
lend their aid in unfolding the United
States. As stated hundreds Of others have
made use of the mails for a similar purpose
They all, however. insisted that they be
given commissions. Therefore 1t was re-
freshing to hear from one patriotic citizen
willing 10 shoulder a rifle
Major George Henderson, surgeon gen.
eral, states that within the last few weeks
he has received forty-two letters from ply
sicians practfcing in the District. Accord
ing to Major Henderson these letters gen.
eraIIy are br1m full OF patriotism and the
writer's all desire commissions as surgeons
In the District National Guard Major Hen
uerson wishes to say to his correspondents
through The Star that he appreciates their
expressions Of patriotism, but owing to
urgent duties he has been unable to repIy
to all. F''
Ihere Will be no appointments made OF
surgeons from outside the guard says Dr.
henderson. Among the enlisted force are
number OF physicians who long ago
demonstrated their patriotism by service or
q numper OF years in the hospital corps as
ed men will be recommended for cor,mts-
son as surgeons in case of emergency in
preference to outsiders.
In the Event of q Call.
Preparations Of the most significant char.
dcter nave been in progress throughout the
guard, and particularly in the depa rtments
VI the Quartermaster general commissary
general and chief of ordnance during the
week. Inc Impression at headquarters is,
as It mas been for days past, that the situa
tlon Is critical; SO intensely SO that a cal
may be expected at any moment, Ills now
determined that no matter how sudden tho
call may be- the local brioada nil n,.o .o
toe the mark.
The understanding seems to be that in
the event the brigade is called into service
ana ordered into camp to recruit and to
eet INTO CONDITION for field work, the site
OF the camp Will be in the southern norton
OF the Soldiers Home grounds at the head
OF LIST street. Arrangements with that end
In view have been made 1t Is not UNLIKELY
however, tnat orders may direct the COM
mahdlng general to proceed with his COM
mand to southern Maryland at a point be-
tween Indian Head and the Patuxent river.
tnat section being considered somewhat
important from strategic standpoint
In view of the reorganization of the Tight
bat1ery the commanding general has de-
clded to assign a Calling gun and Hotch-
KISS KISS gun to each of the two regiments
TO-
oismounted organization. They will be of
no use to the mounted command, and
therefore, are to be turned over to the regi-
ments, Wnere they can be put to good use
IN case OF trouble. Sections will be organ
lzed to look after and manipulate the guns
Reorganization Of the Battery.
The reorganization OF the battery and
the appointment OF Charles D. Hine, for
merly second lieutenant 9Th United States
infantry. as exclusively stated in The Star
Thursday. meet with general approval on
all sides. The fact that the brigade will
take the field, IL such should be found nee
essary, with light battery of six formid-
able guns. manned by $50 experienced
guardsmen. under the command of a for
mer army officer. who is West Point
graduate and exceptionally able, is a source
OF qualification. Half hundred Of the
batterymen were examined, physically,
Thursday evening.
ant in Senior First Lieutenant ]. H. Grit
fifth of old Battery A. who recently reor-
gan1zed the command. The Junior first
lieutenant will be Charles G. Topper. The
latter has seen service in both the artillery
and cavalry branches of the District Guard
and later enlisted in the 9th United States
Cavalry, stationed at Fort Myer. He en-
tered the 9Th Cavalry as q step to COM
mission in the army.
The second lieutenant of the battery will
be George c. Broome. Lieutenant Broome
was at one time connected with the New
York National Guard. and was for a time
connected with the Hawaiian army in a
high official capacity. He has attended
several encampments of the local brigade
as volunteer aid on the general staff.
Lieutenant Broome Is a son of Colonel
Broome Of New York, formerly command
ant of the United States Marine Corps but
now retired.
Sixth Battalion Appointments.
In connection with the organization of
the new 9th Battalion, First Lieut.. Glend,e
B. Young. who was inspector of rifle prac-
tice OF the Engineer Battalion, will be
appointed captain OF Company D. His
first lieutenant viii be William Ray Har-
rfson. Lieut.. Harrison IL an old regular
soldier. having served five years in the
regiment to which Col. Heyl. the Districts
adjutant general. is permanently attach
ed. Lieut.. Harrison Is now a clerk in the
Office Of Col. Bingham. U. 8. A., in charge
of public buildings and grounds.
Frank E. Skinner, formerly colonel Of the
regiment Of High School Cadets will be
appointed first lieutenant Company c, 9th
Battalion Lieut.. Skinner received thor
orgh training while connected with the
High School Cadets. and gives every prom
Use Of making an efficient National Guard
officer.
The command Of the Signal Company
will be vested in John II. Field, his COM
mission being that OF first lieutenant.
Lieut. Field was for long time connected
With the eignal corps Of the army. He or
officer of the signal company Of the Dis
trict National Guard. and later was Sec
ond lieutenant. and after that first leu
tenant Of the Light Battery. He Is chief