Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-18
FIRST TO BE MUSTERED IN
General Nelson 4. Miles Command of Span
ish War Veterans
Interesting Ceremonies Last Night
Conducted by Gen. Geo. ii. Harries
The Officers Installed.

nculcate the principles of freedom, pa
triotism and humanity. are the avowed
objects of the organization known as the
Spanish War Veterans. To judge from
appearances last evening those objects Will
be fully upheld by the members of Gen.
Nelson A. Miles Command, No. 1.-THE first
command to be mustered into the national
organization known as the National Army
Of Spanish War Veterans
The muster-in occurred at the quarters
OF the command, 516 9th street, and was
noteworthy for several reasons. On the
rolls of Gen. Nelson A. Miles Command
are officers and men who served in the list
District of Columbia Infantry, the I'd L. S.
L. S, " Infantry, the 9th L. S. V. Infan-
Try, the Sd L. S. V. Engineers, the list
L. S. V. Cavalry, better known as Roose-
vets Rough Riders; Hospital Corps, L. S.
Illinois Cavalry, the I'd L. S. " infantry,
the LIST L. s. V. Engineers, and many other
organizations There We're present as
guests veterans of the civil war, who spoke
words of announcement to the men who
though young in years, are veterans of
strlfe between nations: and in attendance
also We're loyal women who have and
are performing coed service in aiding the
u[ahd Army OF the Republic and other
veteran organizations, their presence being
an example to the wives, sisters and sweet
hearts OF the Spanish war veterans who
last night formally organized for the pur-
pose manly of keeping alive the spirit of
patriotism that was SO Thoroughly aroused
during the early months of 1898.
Designated as No. 1.
In his application for a charter Com
mander Parker of Miles Command wrote
the adjutant general of the national army
as follows:
Il beg further to request that iuasmuch
as the command has been in full effect
since May 20, 1899, we be given the distinc-
tion, unless impossible to do SO, of being
NO. l In the organization.
AdJutant General Axlne forthwith COM
munlcated with General George H. Harries
a member of the council of administration
OF the national body, requesting that he
proceed as early as practica BILE to muster in
Miles Command. AS the ritual has not vet
peen printed 1t was suggested that in coIl-
nection with the muster a very simple
form OF ceremony should be used.
The quarters of the command which are
very attractive and coZy, Were appropriate
~ decorated for the ceremony last even
ing, the walls being literally covered with
sembly hall was occupied. Among the
nrst to arrive was the mastering officer.
General HarricS. who accompanied by sew
eral members of his staff. attended as COM
Handing general Of the District of Column
bia militia Soon thereafter Department
Commander Calvin Farnsworth of the G.
A. r. and his staff. Commander X. G. by
renforth of the Union Veterans Union and
his staff. Colonel Cecil Clay. Colonel NJ. f.
Crell. General +. II. Harrington and others
reached the hall.
bugler sounded assembly, and the mem
bers of the command formed in line in an
outer room. and a a given signal marched
into the hall where the muster occurred.
The adjutant called the roll, and the COM
mander certified that the credentials of
every man present had been carefully eX-
amined and that each was eligible for
membership in the organization. General
Harries presented his authority as muster
ing officer and then directed the veterans
to raise their right hands.
The Obligation.
The following obligation was then read
impressively by the mastering officer, each
member to whom It was addressed repeat
ing the words: Il do so!emnly affirm, upon
my honor, that / will bear true allegiance
to the United States of America and will
defend the same against all enemies what
soever, and that l will faithfully discharge
and obey all obligations of the Spanish
War Veterans according to the rules and
regulations, and all orders emanating from
proper authority, and will not disclose any
of the work or business of the order to per-
sons other than members thereof"
General Harries then delivered a brief
address, calling upon the men to do their
utmost to keep alive the spirit of patri
otism. He was loudly applauded and given
the thanks of the command, through Com
mander Parker. An orchestra then APP
peared on the scene. and after several mu-
steal selections speechmahing was in or
der. Colonel Clay congratulated the camp
on being the first to secure a charter. He
cited a number of amusing anecdotes from
army life, and declared that he considered
every man who served in the civil war on
the Union side the cOmrade of every man
who served in the war with Spain for the
reason, that. all fought for the stars and
stripes.
Commander Farnsworth delivered a brief
address, the main point of his remarks
being the expression of desire that the
Spanish War Veterans shall cooperate
with the Grand Army of the Republic in
connection with the Memorial day exer-
clses.
Colonel Urell aroused enthusiasm by
pointing out the good to be accomplished
by standing together, and by expressing
the opinion that the government should
favor the men who went to Cuba in select
ing its employees.
Gen. Miles Present.
Later in the evening the arrival of Gen.
eral Nelson A. Miles was announced, the
general having come Immediately to the
hall upon leaving the dinner at the White
House.
Commander Charles Willis Parker intro
duced the noted guest to the audience in
neat speech, in which he stated it was the
proudest moment in his life, as it would
always be the most precious memory of
the command, this honor conferred upon it
by the famous general, whose name it
General Miles replied in patriotic
speech saying the honor was his and laud-
ing the boys who had so eagerly responded
at their country's call. He spoke touch
ingly of those who had left their native
land to fight the fight for humanity, and
of those who did not return; he spoke feel
ing}y of the honor it would be for all those
who had had the honor to stand in the
ranks of those who were privileged to
fight for such a country and such a flag"
The heroism and self-sacrifice of the de-
voted women who had dared a slow linger-
ing death to care for the sick and dying
were second to none, the general declared,
and he asserted were equally Untitled to a
nations gratitude.
when with the years the war waged
against the government of Spain becomes
past history it will ever be matter of pride
to you to know that in the hour of need
you were ready to offer your life, If need
be, to your country and your flag. And it
is my belief that were the occasion to arise
again each one of you to man would as
eagerly seek to serve again. All over this
land it was not a case of how few, but how
many could go, and today the greatest
pride of this republic is in the valor, the
heroism, the fealty of her volunteers"
After the speech General Miles held re-
ception the entire audience being intro
duced after the command had greeted the
general.