Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-13

time to time In guard duty. including the
memorizing of orders for sentinels on post
Constant watchfulness will be observed
by company commanders and others re-
sponsible for arms to that they are
Kept In good order. clean and free OF rust.
burnt powder, etc.
The marking of names other inscrfp-
lions on campaign hats is prohibited.
Commanding officers of organizations
whose per cent present was below 75 have
been ordered to submit, without delay,
through military channels. a report of ex-
PLANTATION covering Its small attendance at
camp.
The foregoing directions are the outcome
Of the report of the inspector general, Dis
trict of Columbia militia, of his Inspections
made during the encampment at Gathers
burg last July. The report in full, including
the uncomplmentary well the flat
tering observations of the inspector gen.
eral. has just been given out for the first
time.
The Attendance Good.
Major Ourand says that "in point OF num-
bers the attendance was very good. al
though no comparison be made with
former inspections, owing to this being the
first one held in camp. The discipline was
as rule, very good. The instruction
showed great neglect on the part OF COM
handing officers generally. only q very few
companies being In condition to take up the
more advanced portion of the military pro-
gram. instruction in the school Of the SOL
der. squad and company had been neglect
ed or so specifically impaired that but
very little good had been accomplished.
This caused considerable portion of the
time In camp to be consumed In the prelim-
mary instruction that should have been
conducted in the armories. A noticeable
Improvement was apparent In most OF the
companies in the matter of guard duty. re-
sulting from the preliminary instruction
that had been given before camp in guard
mounting posting and relieving sentinels
The weakest part Of this duty was in the
knowledge Of the duties Of the sentries
only a few companies being well posted in
this branch, among them being Company ID,
4th Battalion, and Company d. 9Th Battal-
ion, which showed the result Of earnest
work. The organization making the great
est improvement in this was the list Separ-
ate Battalion, whose work in guard duty
was unexcelled for effort to improve, both
on the part Of officers and men. They dis
played great anxiety to profit by instruc-
ton and experience and they well deserved
the distinction Of being detailed rs the
guard of honor for the Secretary Of War
Oh the occasion Of his visit.
Greater attention was paid to military
courtesy than ever before In camp. Enlist
ed men, with very few exceptions, saluted
officers on all occasions.
1.-THE arms were generally in very bad
condition. very many containing the burnt
powder resulting from rifle practice, and
more Of them being rusty from the Damp
ness caused by the rain The rifles Of Com
pany D, 4th Battalion. were in the best
condition Of any In the brigade, while as
rule the rifles In the 1st Separate Battalion
AMI the 9th Battalion showed efforts ex-
pended on them.
1.-The uniforms and accouterments showed
the effects Of the weeks exposure in camp.
They were as a rule mud-stained and the
brasses much furnished. The bayonet
scabbards were very rusty.
I'm few cases men had marked their
names and other inscriptions on their cam
paign hats and otherwise disfgured them.
Company commanders should be particular
to prevent such action"
IN nefafl.