Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-28
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Conjecture as to Maneuvering Along
the River Front.
IN QUEST OF SUITABLE CAMP site
Another Technical Issue Raised in
Col. Mays Case.
FIRST SEPARATE BATTALION

| Company and other commanders, If not
| the members Of their respective organZa-
| tons, are very much on the alert these days
| in view of the expected maneuvering along
the water front and the rapid assembly or
ders in connection herewith. Statements
| from headquarters have warranted the be-
lief that the proposed exercises were booked
| for the last week in May. 1t has been alb
solutely impossible to learn the exact date.
| for the reason that no one but the command
| ing general has any information as to the
| same. and he will not tell. If the affair is
| to take place the last week in May 1t will
have to materialize Tuesday, Wednesday
| or Thursday Of this week. A postpone
ment is likely, however, for the rea-
son that both the United States steamer
Fern and the United States steamer Oneida
| cannot, owing to their present condition. be
used for maneuvering purposes by the naval
battalion. 1t is stated that the Oneida is in
need of topmast and bowsprit, hanging
electric lights and awnings, and that her
engines need a general overhauling.
Just what portion of the brigade will be
called into service is matter Of conjec-
ture as Is the personality of the officer to
command the land forces. Adjt Gen. Love
recently made a trip in the steam launch
of the naval battalion in connection with
the plans for the strife between the troops
and the naval battalion.
The Annual Camp.
Nothing new of a general nature has
| come to light since last week in regard to
the encampment Of the troops Of the Dis
trict of Columbia National Guard and a de-
tachment of regulars next July. Had the
owners of certain of the sites which have
been under consideration submitted their
rental figures, as requested some time ago,
the location would ere this have been fixed
upon. party consisting of the adju-
tant general, the quartermaster gem
eral, the commissary general and the in
spector general of rifle practice Saturday
afternoon viewed several pieces Of ground
in the neighborhood Of Gaithersburg, which
had been described as ideal for camp pur-
poses.
In the meantime organization commanders
throughout the brigade are actively at work
with preparations for the outing, and in
struction is being given nightly in the work
to be undertaken while under canvas, and
which is foreign to the lines usually fol-
lowed in the armory.
Case of Col. May.
Expectations have not been realized in
the case Of Colonel Henry May, 1st Regi-
ment. The Indications of week ago were
clearly that developments of a definite
character would be noted at any moment.
There has been an unforeseen delay In the
matter of taking action however and just
what the cause is cannot be diScerned, for
the reason that those who know, who
ought to know, decline positively to answer
questions. A guess that has every color
Of being closely related to fact is to the
effect that attention has been directed to
another technicality. 1t Is fair to presume
that regulation has been framed to cover
the point in the District of Columbia mill
tia act having reference to the appoint
ment Of boards of examination to determine
the physical and professional fitness of
officers to hold their commissions. The act
tlN ,l-
as to who shall appoint such boards. The
Judge advocate general Of the army held
that regulation should have been framed
and approved by the commander-in-chief
who is the President of the United States.
fixing the appointing power in advance of
the converting of the board before which
Colonel May was ordered to appear.
From all that can be learned a proposed
regulation has been framed and submitted
for approval Now it Is whispered an al
legged technicality has been raised over the
wording of the same. This has necessitated
Its reference to the judge advocate general
of the army for his opinion thereon. Hence
the delay in disposing of the case.
Discharges and Transfers.
The following enlisted men have been
honorably discharged from the National
Guard: To accept promotion by commits
sion-Commissary Sergeant P. W. Smith,
general non-commissfoned staff; Hospital
Steward Horatio B. Hollifeld, 9th Battal-
ion; Sergeant James Edwin Leeman, Com
pany D. 4th Battalion: Sergeant Henry
Corporal John A. O'Neill. Company A, 4th
Battalion; Corporal J. Harry Bean. Com
pany D, 5th Battalion: J. A. Dempf, 1st
Division Naval Battalion.
On their own applications Private AlonZo
S. Mitchell Company c. list Separate Bat
talon, and John J. Farrall, 1st Division,
Naval Battalion, have been honorably dis
charged.
The following transfers have been or
dered: Private Jesse C. Wheat, Company
B, I'd Battalion, to the ambulance corps;
Private Harry L. Barrtck. Company ID, Attn
Battalion. to Company A, LIST Battalion.
First Separate Battalion.
At the muster-in ceremony of recruits for
the 1st Separate Battalion Thursday even
ing last at the o Street armory about sew
enty new men were enlisted. The member
ship of the organization is now at the
high-water mark. Major Brooks expects
to make an exceptionally fine showing at
camp, both as regards numbers and eff
cheney.
The address to the recruits was made
by First Lieut.. Evans the battalion quar-
termaster. 1t was both interesting and
forceful large number of invited guests
were in attendance. After the military
exercises dancing was enjoyed until late
hour.
Notes of Interest.
Capt J. B. Moore has been directed to
proceed with a section of Battery A, Light
Artillery, to the Battle Ground national
cemetery near Brightwood, the Both in
slant, to participate in the Memorial day
exercises to be held there. The battery
will fire a salute.
Adjutant General Love has just COM
pleted an examination Of the returns for
the past quarter. He is very much pleased
to note a marked improvement in paper
work. The returns from the entire bril-
gade show only seven errors, and these are
of a minor character.
Preparations are practically completed
for the annual parade and muster-in cere-
mony Of the 1st Regiment. to be held in
the armory of the Washington Light In
fantry Corps tomorrow evening. Music will
be furnished by the National Guard Brigade
Band. Major Charles H. Ourand, inspector
general, will administer the oath of enlist
ment to the recruits.
The surgeon general of the militia has
reported favorably upon the examination
of r. A. W. McKeldin and w. K. Scott for
appointment as hospital stewards.
The commanding officer of the Sd Bat
talon has nominated Private H. c. Wilson.
Company C, 9th Battalion, for commission
as adiutant of the Sd Battalion, with rank