Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-24
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Increase in Efficiency Confidently
Anticipated.
COMPANY OF MARINES In PROSPECT
Preparations Under Way for Con-
test at Sea Grit.
ECHO OF EN- CAM PMEN 7

ECHO OF ENCA M PM EN- T
The week following the return of the
troops of the District of Columbia National
Guard from the most successful encamp-
ment in the history of the brigade has
been. as was expected, ore OF quiet and in
activity. Everybody worked hard while at
Camp Ordway and all deserve rest The
regular routine work will be carried on
throughout the summer, ana steady efforts
are to be put forward 20 materially increase
the efficiency of the guard. With the ar
rival CT cool weather boom is anticipated.
and the organization it is confidently be-
lieved, will reach and pass the high-water
mark in several particulars.
Although the plans have not yet been
matured, it may be announced that within
few weeks three new companies will be
mustered into the brigade. Just where
they will be assigned has not yet been de-
termined, but it is probab that one of
the new companies VIII be known as Com
pany A, Sd Battalion. and tina, the I'd Bat
talon, fo- some time past skeletonized,
will soon be active element of Col.
Mays regiment.
Some serious discussion is also Icing
gwen to proposition to organize a com
pany of marines 10 be attached to the
Naval Battalion. Such would be a decided
novelty, and there to he DO good
reason why the prop tsit:yn should lot be
made q realty.
The cruise of the Wava! Battalion. be-
ginning tomclrcU morning. is 10 he Il great
event for that ycUrg and furnishing Or
ganization. The sailor lads will 1,'ithout
doubt give d good account of themselves
and return from sea at the expiration of
n ~ int and
purposes old salts. Spe :ial orders have
been Issued directing Cap. c. Fred Cook
aiC-de-camp, District # Columbia militia
to report to he Inluandirg officer Of the
Nava. Battalion and accompany It on its
cruise He is 10 submit an independent re-
port of the outing 10 militia 'lead1ia~ters
me general Couf,-nartili. convened \, lille
the guard WAS at Camp 0riWdy, for the
trial of d ;umber Of enlisted men. met
Tuesday evening last but without trans
acting any business adjourned Until Tues
day evening next al I o'clock.
Interest in sea Girt Contest.
Interest is beginning to assume an active
form as regards TIE coming rife compa1i-
tions at Sea Girt, n. J. The District Ma
tional Guard will not only be repre- scented
by brigade team, but by several battalion
teams and possibly by regimental teams
For two years past brigade team has not
participated in the contest, and it is
thought to be high time that the famous
Hilton trophy AMI the other prizes should
be returned to Washington
The training of the teams will begin much
earlier this year than in the past The
Sea Girt meeting will occur the first week in
September. Maj. James E. Bell, inspector
general of rifle practice, is already proceed
ing with his plans. The latter have not
hnaly been decided on, but it is proba BILE
that to enable the selection of a brigade
rifle team for the present season the in
spector of rifle practice of the 1st Regiment
Will select not exceeding ten officers and
men from the LIST Regiment the INSPECTOR
of rifle practice of the I'd Regiment will Sc
lect not exceeding twenty men from the %
Regiment the inspector of rife practice of
the LIST Separate Battalion will select not
exceeding three men from the 1st Separate
battalion, with proper quota from the
other organizations, for preliminary prac-
lce, and Will report the names of the men
selected by them to the inspector general
OF rifle practice at an early date.
The officers and men selected for this
practice Will be considered as on detached
duty from their respective organizations
during the time that they are retained on
the practice roll, and will report to and
obey the orders of the inspector general of
rifle practice. Each candidate will be re-
CURED to fire a score of seven shots at 200,
500 and 900 yards Sighting shots will be
permitted only on pool targets.
Upon the conclusion of practice, on a
date to be specified, the inspector general
OF rifle practice will by selection, reduce
the number of candidates to a total of
thirty, who will be required to continue
practice for several days. Next the in
spector general of rifle practice will by Sc
lection, reduce the number of candidates to
total OF twenty, who shall continue prac-
tice on such schedule as NAV be presented
ana from whom shall finally be selected a
brigade team of twelve principals and four
alternates, to represent the brigade in anv
competition that may be entered into dur
ing the season.
Transportation and Subsistence,
The members of the brigade team will not
necessarily be under any personal expense,
provision having been made for transporta-
ton and subsistence while absent from the
city.
The inspector general of rife practice NAV
at any time relieve any man from DUTY as
candidate or a member of the team
without assigning any reason therefor, and
II he deems it desirable, select men TO fiji
vacancies.
Competitors will be required to wear uni
FORM "hlle engaged in the preliminary com
petition. The wearing of uniform while at
voluntary practice is not essential
Leesburg Encampment.
The residents of Leesburg and vicinity
were not disappointed with the visit of
the District National Guard. In speaking
OF Camp Ordway a Leesburg newspaper
has the following to say:
The District troops that We're quartered
Tor ten days at Camp Ordway, near this
town broke camp Friday and returned
10 tne city on train of three sections.
about pm. The main incident of the
last days of the encampment was the visit
OF Gen. Miles, commander of the United
Ssates army; Assistant Secretary of War
Me1hle}ohn' District Commissioner Wight
and Others Thursday. Gen. Miles and his
party arrived about 3 o'clock and were
met by Gen. Harres OF the District troons
ana MS stan on horseback and escorted to
the camp. There " as a dress parade Gen
Mills reviewed the soldiers and other cere