The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-09

When the rife teams of the District
National Guard returned from Sea Girt
last night they were accorded an ovation
by the District militia and a large NUM-
Der Of the citizens of Washington In the
matches at the New Jersey range during
the past week the District marksmen &C
quilted themselves in manner that adds
iustre TO the reputation attained for the
District Guard by teams who have con-
tested in previous years. Consequently
red fire in profusion was burned 10 con-
yev 10 the victorious marksmen cn-1dea
of the appreciation of their good work
by their comrades.
The Fifth Battalion, one company of
the Sixth, and the brigade band met TIE
teams upon their return, and escorted
them up the Avenue to the Armory Of the
Washington Light Infantry Corps, where
they were the recipients of formal con-
CALCULATIONS and refreshments.
The failure to secure the coveted Hilton
Trophy is a disappointment, but it is COM
pensated for by the fact that the teams
made the best all around showing by far
of any entered in the matches.
Early in the week, when the riilemen
from the District began to pick off prizes
ct Sea Grit, it was planned at Natlcnai
Guard headquarters here to give them
royal reception upon their return 10 Wash
ington. Orders were issued to the Fifth
Battalion to turn out last night to welcome
the marksmen, and the brigade band was
notified that il would be expected TO pro-
vide music for the occasion.
The train 20 which the special car occu-
pied by the teams was attached was de-
isyed forty minutes in Baltimore and con-
sequently did not arrive on schedule time,
$50 p m. a crowd began to gather at the
Baltimore and Ohio station about $50
O'Clock and when the Fifth Battalion and
one company OF the Sixth, led by the full
brigade band marched down Street to
the station many more We're attracted by
the music.
1t was nearly O'Clock when the expect
ed train pulled into the station. The teams,
under command of Major Bell, fell in on
the STATEN platform and then marched 10
The street where the battalion was drawn
up. The column. with the band at its
head was quickly formed and the parade
started. The column swung down to
First Street and thence TO Pennsylvania
Avenue Near the Peace Monument red
fire was burning and the soldiers and
the surrounding objects were en-
veloped in q crimson cloud. \ large crowd
Avenue. Red and green fire was freely
used, il being burned at every street cor
Ber When Fifteenth Street was reached
the column turned south TO the arnory of
the Washington Light Infantry, in Fiji
teenth Street.
Here the battalion was dismissed and
the members of the teams and a few ia
vored ones proceeded to the officers
room in the armory. There q long table
with delicious lunch was spread and
the soldiers at once took their places.
Covers we're laid for thirty. Major Bell
was seated at the head of the table.
After the lunch was disposed CT speaking
was in order, and General Harries made
a brief address. He congratulated the
members of the teams on the excellent
showing they had made in the recent
matches.
Major Bell spoke briefly of the work
thai the marksnien had done and of the
prospects for next years matches.
Major Urell was called upon and, after
commencing the teams upon their rec
ords. called attention to the Importance
Of rife practice in these days OF highly
improved small arms. He advocated the
extension OF rife practice in the National
Guard
Il is likely that the New Jersey team
that won the Hilton trophy viii come TO
hGsullEAth 70 tlAEeSt III q A-aNEu y an
the brigade team in October.
The teams from the District made easily
the best showing Of any at the matches,
and il needed only the capture of the
Hilton trophy 10 make their work take
the nature of a clean sweep. In regard
10 the Hilton trophy match Major Bell
said last night that the District brigade
team could have captured it were it not
fer the poor quality Of the ammunition
brand. supposed TO be as good as that
used in the other matches, was used, and
IT was found 10 be detective. This, he
said. was the reason that the Hilton
trophy is now the property OF the New
Jersey brigade team.
The matches at Sea Grit began last
Saturday. The Inspectors match was the
first event and the District started cut
with rush by capturing both first and
second places. The gold badge given 10
the winner vas wen by Lieutenant Far
row. Inspector OF the Fourth Battalion,
and second prize was taken by Lieut. w.
W. Cookson.
1t took two days to decide tho inter-
state regimental match which began u n
day Once laore the District teams scor-
ed a signal victory. The Second Regi-
ment won and the First Regiment was
second. receiving prizes Of 800 and so,
respectively.
The much discussed Hilton trophy
match for brigade teams was shot We'd
nesday and for the first time the District
team was not in the van.
The next day, however, the brigade
team redeemed itself by splendid shoot
70 ing in the interstate brigade match for
the Marathon trophy. The trophy. a
bronze figure entitled the Soldier of Mar
athoD.'' was won by the brigade team
last year and this victory enables them
to retain 1t for another twelve months
On Thursday also the company matches
in which thirteen teams were entered WAS
won by Company a of the Sixth Battal-
ion, while Company c OF the Fifth Bat
talon was third.
On Friday the individual matches were
begun and the Presidents match was first
on the programme. Teams from the States
Of New Jersey. New York, Massachusetts.
and the District of Columbia contested
and also a regiment from the Eleventh
United States Infantry stationed at Gov
ernor's Island, New York. The regulars
shrowed lack of practice and we're de-
cidedly Inferior 10 the citizen soldiers
WON BY WHITTEMORE.