Evening star., 1901-09-13
w. L. |. CORPS ANNIVERSARY
SIxTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRAT-
ED AT A BANQUET.
Speakers Praise sNatfonal Guard and
Its RihemenAotherF Features
of the occasion.

hundred fittingly celebrated the sixty-fifth
birthday Of the command through the me-
dunn of supper last evening at the ROCK
Spring Club. Rousing speeches were a fea-
ture of the evening; service medals were
presented to several of the infantrymen
and good music was supplied by the Wash
ington Light Infantry Band.
AS the guests arrived they were warmly
greeted by the committee in charge OF the
affair. 1t was nearly o'clock when the
party ascended the stairway and took pos
session Of very long table running the
entire length of the front portico on the
second floor of the club building, overlook
ing the Conduit road. Maj. Jesse b. K
Lee, the battalion commander, was at the
head of the table Seated on his right was
Maj James E. Bell inspector general OF
rifle practice, District of Columbia militia,
who is captain of the prize-winning
brigade rifle team; while on the left OF the
presiding officer was Col. M. Emmet uren
of the I'd Regiment, District of Columbia
National Guard. Veteran members OF the
corps were seated near by.
Before an elaborate spread received at
tent1on Major Lee raped Tor order ana
proposed toast to President Mckinley
and prayer for his speedy recovery.
After cigars had been lighted Major Lee
explained that it is a custom of the Wash
ington Light Infantry Corps to celebrate
two days each year-the anniversary of the
organization of the corps and Washfngtons
birthday He briefly reviewed the history
or the command, extended words OF well
come to all present. and introduced Capt.
s. P. House as the toastmaster of the
evening.
District Militia Second to None.
Capt House called upon Col. Urell to
speak concerning the District National
Guard. Col. Urell said that Gen. Harries,
who had expected to be present. was best
qualified. to discuss the guard. The colonel,
however, declared that the local brigade is
second to none in the country, and referred
to the record during the recent meet at
Sea Gtrt. Col. Urell described the growth
of brigade from the original Company
A, Washington Light Infantry. He paid
tribute to the memory of the late Col.
William q. Moore, and spoke in fattering
terms Of the soldierly qualities of Lieut..
Col. Ross, Major Lee and others.
The Corps as Rifemen.
Major Bell was next introduced as the
man who led the District detachment to
victory at Sea Girt. The inspector gen.
eral of rifle practice congratulated the
corps on the success Of its riflemen on the
Jersey range, and declared that the time
has arrived when the Washington Light
Infantry is to take the place it should
occupy in the matter: of rifle practice. He
made use Of many adjectives in speaking
of the work of Private Fink, a member Of
the corps, before the targets at Sea Girt.
In conclusion Major Bell announced that
teams from New Jersey and Maryland will
visit the local rifle range next month, and
urged that the Washington Light Infantry
be largely represented at the meeting.
Service Medals Presented.
Next in order was the presentation Of
service medals. Those that deserve them
receive them," commented Capt. House.
land those that receive them deserve
them." The medals were handed to the
following: Lieut.. Col. Burton r. Ross,
thirty years; Capt ]. s. Miller, twenty
seven years; Capt. c. NJ Shreve, eighteen
years; Major Davidge, judge advocate.
twelve years; Sergt. iLeech, Company A,
twelve years; Sergt. Major James Ennis,
nine years; Capt. E. G. Schaeffer, quar-
termaster. 1st Regiment: Capt J. S. Robin
son, Sergt. j. Dayton, Sergt. w. X. Farris,
Private G. B. Woodbridge, Private Walter
Scott and Private Walter H. Willis, six
years each
Veteran Speaks for Veterans.
Captain John S. Miller was called to his
feet to speak Of the veteran members Of the
command. He said he was eminently proud
of the fact that he had seryed twenty
seven years as member Of the corps and
declared that the history made by the
veteran members deserved the praise and
gratitude of the organization. He detailed
the history Of the Light Infantry and the
record Of Company D. which he formerly
commanded, having risen to the captaincy
from the ranks. In conclusion, Captain
Miller urged the younger members to rally
around the banner and maintain the unsul-
lied reputation Of the corps.
Lieutenant Allison and Private Colladay,
members of the team that won the tyro
company team match at Sea Girt, spoke in
terestingly of the way the victory was
achieved. and Captain Jesse Grant and Ser
geant Major Ennis made remarks. Major
Lee reported that he was in receipt from
Major Smith of the 4th Virginia Regiment
a group photograph of several members OF
Company A. Washington Light Infantry
taken in the year, 1861.
Just before midnight toast to the men,
ory of Colonel Moore was drum kin silence
and the celebration was at an end AS the
party adjourned General Harries put In an
appearance to explain that business en-
gagement had prevented his arrivel in time
to participate in the exercises.
The committee In charge Of the celebra-
ton comprised Colonel NJ. Emmet Urell
Major Jesse B. X. Lee, Captain s. Porter
House, Captain E. w. Zea, Lieutenant A.
NJ Muzzy, Sergeant w. s. Hall, Sergeant
w. w. Chase and Sergeant r. c. Brown