Evening star., 1899-04-08

volunteer navy, and the second division by
Lieut.. H. A Shepey. Both officers and
men, in their brand-new naval uniforms,
presented an excellent appearance. As evil
dence of the well-disciplined condition of
the ''nayvies" the fact may be mentioned
that although the Naval Battalion was
supposed to be at rest, with arms stack
ed, upon the approach of the President OF
the Unite ed States, the men We're brought
quickly to attention the line reformed and
the battalion musicians promptly played
the prescribed salute, presidents March,
as the carriage containing the cnle1 e2ecu-
tive rolled by. Lieut.. Hopkins was espe-
cially complimented by the commanding
general and the adjutant general on the
splendid appearance of the battalion.
The Light Battery, which was at hrst d.
rected to march as infantry under the zeal
Gus management of Lieut.. ]. Howard Grif-
fiths, was permitted to go as a mounted
battery consisting of platoon, with two
two-pounder guns. To meet the emergency
Lieut. Griffith was allowed to follow his
own ideas in the matter, which he did quite
successfully by employing a single horse
to draw each gun-a novel but practical
method which would be adopted in the
legitimate use of the gun for mountain and
other similar field purposes. In this re-
gard the Light Battery had the advantage
over the Naval Battalion, the battery OF
which, comprising two three-inch rapid-fre
guns. was drawn by the men. Thirty-two
men were assigned to each gun, and the
task of going up hill and down was I'M
complainingly performed.
Lieut. Griffiths battery was prepared, II
called upon to fire a salute at Arlington,
but that duty was not assigned to the local
command.
Ambulance Corps and Band.
The Ambulance Corps, under Lieut.. w. D..
Fales, made a showing that reached the
high-water mark. This organization, by the
way. is in a state of highest efficiency and
,f ba
ganization in the National Guard with eight
members above the maximum authorized
strength. Lieut.. Faies, under the super
ing some good work of late, and the appear
ance of his men on parade displayed all
proper military compliance with regula-
tions. The ambulance, which accompanied
the company, was put to practical use in
caring for "a member of the Guard, who,
while standing beside an open grave. faint
ed and had to be placed in the care of the
hospital detachment.
According to the adage that the first
shall be last. the brigade band. which head.
ed the column, Immediately in the rear OF
the general staff, is entitled to the highest
commendation. The same may be said of
the corps of field music, which formed with
the band and played several marches joint
ly with it. Lieut.. Mcleod is entitled to
great credit for his well-equipped bands
men. and Principal Musician Duvall Is no
less deserving of praise. No military band
during marches aggregating nine miles.
over dusty roads, ever furnished more
abundant and satisfactory music than did
the Brigade Band and the corps Of field
music Thursday last.
Naval Drill and Inspection.
In reference to the communication of the
Secretary of the Navy, recently published
In The Star. relative to the plan of the
Navy Department for the annual drill and
instruction of the Naval Militia organiza-
tions of the Atlantic and gulf states. Gen.
Harries has made reply. In his letter he
states that. SO far as the plan and purposes
of the department concerns the Naval Bat
TALON of the District OF Columbia National
Guard. it will be ready to meet all require
ments on the date specified for the practice
cruise.