Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-14
| ness with the quartermaster's department
| must be transacted before that hour.
Orders Relating to Camp.

Orders Relating to Camp.
Among the general orders issued relating
to camp are the following:
Under the law making provision for the
organization of the militia Of the District
of Columbia the annual encampment of
the District Of Columbia National Guard is
fixed military duty which demands of all
Its members faithful discharge. The oaths
or officers and enlisted men entail positive
obligations and unavoidable responsibilities
With this in view it should be needless to
state that the annual encampment is an
occasion for such military exercises and
instruction as will tend to develop and fos-
ter the most efficient military organization
possible in the District of Columbia To
accomplish this, while it is neither desired
nor Intended to prevent or obstruct the
proper individual enjoyment and recreation
OF the soldier when off immediate duty,
mere personal pastime or enjoyment must
nevertheless at all times be regarded as
secondary and subservient to that military
duty OF which rigid discipline and uncom
planning loyalty the distinguishing ele-
ments. These points being, well fixed in
mind 1t is expected that every member of
the guard during the coming encampment
Will strive faithfully and untiringly to meet
the responsibilities which he has voluntari-
iy assumed. In this the conscientious SOL
der will find his task for the short period
of the encampment easy to perform. The
object to be kept constantly in view by all
concerned during this encampment is in
creased military efficiency. The equipment
of the soldier has been restricted and the
amp baggage of the officer has been lin
tied to actual requirements. The provisions
for tent pitching, COOKING and messing, heid
exercises, drills and the various other camp
duties are all based upon conditions of ac-
tual service and it is expected that guards
men will appreciate the~fact that the ad-
vantage Of only nine days, out of 365, devo-
ted to military outing must be measured by
the cheerful and willing loyalty of the in
dividual soldier in learning his lesson in
field and camp to the fullest extent pos
sible.
the guardsman respecting an annual en-
campment Is attendance, and it is expected
that officers will resort to every practicable
means to insure the fullest possible attend
ance of men. In case less than 20 per cent
UNI of the enlisted strength Of any company
organization shall be reported for the en-
campment, the commanding officer of the
why he should not be relieved from COM
mand Of his decimated company. If men
fail to attend except for good and sufficient
reason, prompt punitory or disciplinary
measures will be adopted. Simple excuse
or offer of excuse, will not suffice The ex-
cuse must be previously offered by the SOL
dler and accepted by proper authority, and
acceptable sufficient military reason will be
regarded as absent withor leave or in de-
sertion, as circumstances indicate, and VIII
be dealt with accordingly.
Disregard of Forms of Courtesy.
versally common tendency of National
Guardsmen to disregard the forms of mill
tary courtesy and respect % essential to