Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Local Troops May Engage in
Winter Field Maneuvers.
FEBRUARY % THE DATE
NO PROSPECT OF ORGANIZING
BATTERY OF ARTILLERY.
Amending the Militia Bill-Rifle Prac-
tice Down South-Excellence of
Pennsylvania Troops.
FEBRUARY % THE DATE

The indications are that winter maneuv-
| ering will not be confined exclusively to the
| army and navy of the United States. Very
| likely the troops of the District of Column
| bia National Guard will have an opportu-
nifty to take the field prior to the arrival of
| another summer. 1t is understood that
plans are now under discussion for an out
| ing of the local citizen soldiery, the purpose
being to have the brigade engage in tacti-
| cal exercises that ought to prove instruc-
| tive, interesting and of considerable value
as part of the military training of the
guardsmen.
If these proposed field maneuvers turn
| out to be a reality it is not unlikely that
| troops of the regular army may partici-
pate. The army officer commanding the ar
| tillery district of which this city and nearby
points Of Maryland and Virginia are a part
| has been approached, it is said, and enters
heartily into the spirit of the proposition.
One of the suggestions made is that the
| District National Guardsmen, under pre-
scribed conditions, make on advance on
either Fort Washington or Fort Hunt. This
suggestion, if adopted, would permit of the
naval battalion, with it's fleet joining in the
attack from the river side of the fort
| lected to be assailed. Many of the officers
and men Of the brigade, having participated
Washington in years past, are familiar
with the lay of the land in that vicinity,
and, therefore, that stronghold might be
regarded as more suitable than Fort Hunt
| for the pivotal point of the maneuvers.
While the suggestion has not yet devel-
oped into plan, it may be that the pro-
posed maneuvers will occur Monday, Feb
ruary 23 next, when Washington's birth
day will be celebrated. Washington's birth
day this year falls Sunday. Possibly
| the troops may embark on steamer for
the scene of the field exercises the preced-
ing evening, or, perhaps, Saturday evening,
February u.
Cavalry and Field Artillery.
No serious thought will be given to the
organization of battery of field artillery
for the District National Guard until the
District appropriation bill is enacted and it
is found that the provision authorizing the
battery has been retained therein. In his
estimates for the militia for the coming
fiscal year General Harries included an
item to cover the expenses Incidental to
the formation and maintenance of a bat
terry. Nothing can be done toward MAX
ing the desired artillery command a reality
until the necessary money therefor Is APP
propriated.
1t seems to be conceded by those in au-
thority that the local brigade will never
again include a troop of cavalry unless
each member of such an organization
should be in position to own and main
tain a morse OF MS own, ana TO use the
animal solely for cavalry purposes. These
requirements there is reason to believe,
will not be met in the near future.
Amending the Militia Bill.
The amendment to section "a of the Dick
militia bill, recently agreed to by the Sem
ate, provided that from section a. which
directs the formation of a national volun-
teer reserve, the following shall be elimi-
mated:
1.-THE person so enrolled shall report for
drill. inspection and instruction at such
times and places to be specified and under
rules and regulations to be prescribed by
the Secretary of War, and each person so
reporting shall, during the time of such
service, be subject, far as practicable, to
the regulations and discipline governing the
military establishment and shall be entitled
to the same pay and allowances as are or
may be provided by law for the army of
the United States, to be paid out of the APP
preparation for the pay of the army, but in
time of peace, except in case of threatened
invasion said national volunteer reserve
shall not be required to perform military
duty to exceed ten days in any one year."
Rifle Practice Down South.
Many rif1emen we'll known to the men,
bers of the District Of Columbia National
Guard at a meeting held at Savannah, Ga,
the 10th instant, organized the Interstate
Military Rifle Association for the purpose
of holding annual state and interstate rifle
contests at the Avondale range, near Savan-
nah. Among the officials of the new asso-
citation are General w. W. Gordon; Colonel
Geo. T. Cam, Major w. w. Williamson,
Colonel ]. H. Estill, Lieutenant Colonel ].
F. Brooks, Captain w. G. Austin, Captain
J. c. Postell Captain w. B. Stephens and
Colonel G. A. Gordon.
1t is expected that the organization will
give an impetus to rifle practice in the
southeast, where, owing to the recent sue
cessful meet upon the Avondale range, re-
newed interest prevails. New ranges are in
course of construction at Charleston, Jack
sonville and Birmingham. The next inter-
state meet at Savannah is being planned
for July or early in August. Colonel Cam,
Major Williamson, Captain Austin and Cap
tain Postell have served as members of
Georgias teams in the big competitions at
Sea Girt.
Glass of Expert Rifemen.
1t is understood that the board of army
officers appointed to revise the small arms
firing regulation, and which has conducted
series of experiments at the Ordway
range, has recommended that a special
class of marksmen be established in the
army, to be known as expert rilemen,"
who will receive as extra pay 81 month.
1t is suggested that these men be selected
from among the sharpshooters by competi-
tive test open to all sharpshooters in the
army. Secretary Root, 1t Is said, will ask
Congress for an appropriation or $l2,OO0
year for the extra pay and necessary ex-
penses required to establish the proposed
new class Of marksmen.
s.Pink for Coast Artillery"
After sorrowfully remarking that it ap-
pears that the last hope of the infantry for
a return to the white facings is lost as the
latest uniform board is said to be determin-
ed to retain the Light blue, a writer for one
of the military journals says:
'If a delicate evanescent color like this
baby blue is considered appropriate for the
facing of a soldiers uniform, why not have
pink for the coast artillery? Then our
foot soldiers would look perfectly lovely
when their clothes were new
Excellence Of Pennsylvania Troops.
In repor. to the War Department COW
ering the last encampment of the National
Guard of Pennsylvania, Major William
p Duvau Of the Artillery Corps United