The Washington times., 1902-09-21
Looking Forward to the
Grand Army En-
canpment.
NOW GETTING INTO SHAPE
Drill Hall Soon to Be at Disposal of
Troops-Strong Hand Needed to Di-
rect Naval Battalion Affairs = Ar
rangements Being Made for Shoot.

ward with interest to the parade OF Oc'
tober Z. in connection with the Grand
Army encampment, and the officers are
rapidly getting their commands into
shape. The coming of the veterans has
caused resumption of drills much
earlier this fall than in past years, but
the pleasant weather has assisted ma
terially in adding to the attendance.
Up to the present. however, it has
been impossible to have practice in the
dril: hall. as The floor has been covered
with unserviceabie property 1t is ex-
pected that this will be removed during
the next week, as Superintendent Duvall
has been working hard to place the hall
at the disposal of the troops.
Last Wednesday board Of offcers
appointed by the Secretary of War. con-
sisting of Major Charles H. ouran6.
Capt. A. p. Robbins and Capt. c. F.
Cook. looked over the property and ap-
proved OF its being condemned. In the
collection there are quartermaster, ord
nance and hospital goods, worth prob
ably $4,000, but it would hardly bring
one-fourth that amount now.
To Dispose of Goods.
The ordnance property will be ship
ped back to the depot squartermaster at
Philadelphia, while the other goods vii.
be sold at auction, either here OF in the
Quaker City. The report of the officers
has been forwarded to the Secretary OF
War, and the final disposition of the
goods will await his action.
While general orders have not yet
been issued from headquarters for the
parade of the brigade OF National Guard
troops, there is no doubt but they will
participate in the parade, and the OIL
GERS are desirous that their commands
make a good showing. Few recruits
have been added since the encampment
in July. and the other boys have hardly
forgotten the instruction they were
given in the field. All they will require
is little practice in foot movement
and manual OF arms, and they will be in
position to compete with the regulars or
any of the visiting troops.
Lieut.. Col. Theodore Mosher, adjutant
general OF the militia. who has been
spending the summer at Warm Springs,
Va, returned to Washington a day or
two ago and called upoAr Capt. A. P.
Robbins, acting adsutant general. He is
in better health than at any time since
he was wounded at San Juan hill. He
will resume his duties at militia head
quarters on Monday morning. There are
numerous matters of importance which
are awaiting his return, about which the
commanding general desires to consult
him before taking action.
Naval Battalion Affairs.
The affairs tf the Naval Battalion are
tion of the adjutant general at the earli-
est possible moment. 1t is appreciated
by General Harries that something must
be done to put the organization in an
efficient condition for at the present
time it is SO rent with troubles that it is
practically disorganized. Not only the
officers of the battalion are dissatisfied,
but the enlisted men. thoroughly ia
miliar with the shortcomings in the Re-
serves, are growing disgusted
Major Charles n. Ourand, the inspector |
general OF the militia, made a cruise |
aboard the Fern several weeks ago, and |
was soon made aware of this state OF |
affairs. He submitted a report to the |
general recommending |
changes. and this was followed by a re-
port from Capt. E. F. Riggs, who was at |
the time acting adjutant general OF the |
militia, on the second practice cruise
The report of Captain Riggs was very |
pointed. and it is understood set forth
that unless some drastic measures are
taken. and without delay, the Naval Re-
serves will be thing OF the past Ac-
tion in the premises will be awaited with
interest.
Go to Ordway Range.
The Naval Battalion has been ordered
TO Ordway range on Tuesday morning for
the purpose OF having the members take
their regular rife practice. This winds
up the work. although the range will be
open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sat
urdays for voluntary practice Last
Thursday the First Separate Battalion
its score on the range Some
of the members of this organization fired
their scores on June l6, but the others
we're not afforded an opportunity at that
time, as the butts at the range were
yet fire that night
Major James E. Bell, the inspector
general of rife practice, has prepared
schedule for the fall meeting of the Ma
5fonal Rifle Association. and 1t will be
submitted TO General Harries as soon
Is possible. Two new matches have been
arranged in addition TO the fifteen which I
we're shot last year. and IL the plans ,
II Major Bell are carried out. the ,
matches will be shot on Wednesday,
and Friday, October %, 23 and :
a. 1t will be necessary also to have ,
me OF the new matches-the long-range
on Saturday. October %. ,
Many Matches on Card. {
On the program are the Merchants :
match. the Company, Battalion and Reg
matches, the Washington match,
Beginners match, r. Harris e. Co.
match. May match. Senatorial match G
Marksmen's match Re- u
Oliver match. Members match, Gersten- ]
erg match, and Revolver Association a
latch. A skir-nis;i contest has also been Il
dded There is a likelihood that only a
hose members OF the National Guard o
no have fired their regular ordered C
ractice will be permitted to compete in p
ne matches. liz
An invitation will be extended to the
Iarine Corps and the troops of the Reg lie,
lar Army located around the National Il
spital to compete In the matches, and lee
,ere is probability that some Of the o.
aryland,s New Jersey and New York ia
sots may-try their hand. The matches OF
ways attract considerable attention, m
y