Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-23
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Naval Battalion Abandons Proposed
Cruise Aboard Prairie.
TRIP ON FERN SUBSTITUTED
Report of Board of Examination in
May Case Submitted.
MING ENCAMPM MEN T

The Naval Battalion Of the District Of Co.
lumbia National Guard will not cruise this
summer aboard the U. s. 8. Prairie, all ar
rangements with that end in view having
been abandoned. In lieu thereof the bat
talon will indulge in an outing aboard its
practice ship, the u S. 8. Fern. Departure
from Washington will occur the same date
as was scheduled in connection with the
proposed trip on the Prairie. The Fern will
probably cruise about Chesapeake bay. The
program includes gun practice and exercises
In the general duties Of seamen.
1t Is understood the cruise aboard the
Prairie was abandoned for monetary rea-
sons only. 1t is stated that the Navy De-
partment transferred the U. s. s. Oneida to
the Naval Battalion several months ago
on condition that the latter organization
should put the craft in much-needed repair.
This was construed by the local officials to
mean that the battalion should furnish
merely the labor to bring about the desired
END 1t develops that the department ex-
poets the battalion to supply the materials
as well as the labor. In order to carry out
the agreement and put the Oneida in prop
er repair. the Naval Battalion is compelled
10 use therefor the money that would other
wise have been expended in connection with
the cruise on the Prairie The latter. there
Iore, must be given up and the trip on the
Fern substituted.
Ensign Leon Claude Covell of the Naval
Battal1on has rendered his resignation He
took this action by reason of having been
appointed cadet in the revenue cutter SER
wee. His new experience begins the 2sth
instant, when, in compliance with orders
from the Secretary of the Treasury. he will
report aboard the practice shin Chase at
baltimore. Mr.. Covell was the senior en-
sign slg OF the Naval Battalion and served
tai, IN uiIy Tor two years. He was conceded
10 De one OF the most efficient and enthu-
siast1c officers of the organization and did
much to further its success
Report of Board of Examination.
Inc report of the board Of examination.
before which Col Henry May, LIST Regi-
meht' was recently ordered to appear for
the purpose of having determined his fit
ness to hold his commission, has been
transmitted by the president of the board
TO the commanding general 1t Is under
stood to be now on the desk of the COM
mandlng general awaiting his considera-
ton. AS heretofore stated In The Star. the
board has reported that Col Nav failed TO
appear before it. Under the circumstances
there is only one thing for the command
lhs general to do, and that is to recommend
mat, In accordance with the provisions of
section "A of the militia act, Col. Nav be
honorably discharged from the National
Guard for failure to appear before the
board.
Within a day or two the report of the
board, together with the recommendation
or the commanding general, should reach
the war department. 1t is anticipated
mat Col; May will fight the matter vigor-
ously before the department and it is now
simply matter of awaiting further devel-
opments.
Coming Encampment.
Although the representatives of the en-
gineer department of the local brigade
have not yet completed their surveys Of
the ground to be used. for camping pur-
poses. near Gaithersburg Md, next month,
everything Is reported to be in most desir-
able shape. Terms have been arranged
satisfactorily and the railroad company is
doing everything in its power to assist the
military officials in completing plans. 1t is
understood the telegraph company at
Gaithersburg will extend wire to the
camp grounds.
The main site for the camp is about one
mile from Gaithersburg, in a northeasterly
direction on the road to Chambersburg.
Half mile further along the road, on Mid
dlebrook farm, will be the rifle range. The
site for the camp has been in sod for more
than three years. and now is partly in hay.
and used to some extent for grazing. The
land Is rolling and the soil Is very hard,
SO that in the event Of rain little inconven-
ience from mud will result. There is a
stretch of ground. 800 yards in length,
suitable for holding brigade dress parade.
in line.
Just back of the camp ground Is a heavy
wood, which will be at the disposal of the
National Guard 1t affords excellent shade
and through 1t small stream flows. This
stream will have a dam built across 1t.
with the view of supplying water for
horses and for cooking purposes. A larger
dam Is also to be constructed at another
point in order to afford bathing facilities
for the men. For drinking purposes water
will be obtained from a large spring about
forty yards from the grounds In addition
two six-inch wells are to be sunk.
The Drill Ground.
Along the side Of the road. opposite the
camp grounds and fankfng the same, are
two large stretches, available for drill pur-
poses. Permission has been obtained to
use the surrounding country, or SO much of
it as is not in corn, for extended order drill
and brigade maneuvers. Practically 1000
acres will be at the disposal of the brigade.
Through Middlebrook Farm, the location
of the rifle range, Seneca creek flows. This
may be used for swimming purposes 1t is
understood that a battalion at time will
occupy the rifle range. each battalion de-
voting a day before the targets.
The residents of Gaithersburg and vicn-
ity, 1t is stated, have manifested a deep in
terest in the coming visit OF the District
National Guard. and will do all in their
power to make the stay Of the guardsmen
pleasant. Dances and other social features
are being arranged in honor of the military.
A circular will soon be issued from head
quarters. inviting all officers who may have
suggestions to make regarding the encamp-
ment to submit the same for consideration.
The orders for camp will be issued in three
instalments. The first will be In re idincss
next week, and will cover preliminaries. A
little later the second instailInent will go
forth and will embrace explanations Of the
proposition to pay the men, and in relation
to other matters The final installment will
be distributed Immediately after reaching
camp.
The Compensation Fund.
Although the scheme covering the dis
bursement Of pay funds is not yet an
nounced, 1t is believed that enlisted men
who participate in the encampment will be
better off by at least one dollar a day than
those who do not attend. The pay, of
course, will be graded according to rank.
Cards embracing whistle signals for Skin
mlsh drill and instructions for sentinels on
post are being prepared for general distr-
button. Before going into camp the entire
brigade will be provided with new stands Of
colors, the outfit for which requsition has
been made, and will include four regimen
tai colors. three national colors and seven
color STATS.
The general staff is to be provided with
new horse equipments. These have been
long needed.
River Front Maneuvers.