Evening star., 1902-06-07
w Maish, Corps. E. n. Cunpston, R. c.
Hefflebower, A. B. Green, ]. B. Rhodes
History of the Regiment.

w. Maish, Corps. E. n. Cumpston, R. c.
Hefflebower, A. B. Green, ]. B. Rhodes.
History of the Regiment.
The history of the High School Cadet
Regiment dates back to 1882. when E. A.
Paul, then principal of the High School,
suggested the idea of military organiza-
ton. and with Messrs. Smith and Ayres as
captains organized two, companies of ca
oets. Here was the beginning of what is
now the strong and well-drilled regiment
of eight companies that make their ap-
pearance the latter part of every school
year and present to the public of Wash
ington a corps of cadets which compares
favorably with those of the best military
schools of the country. Il
From the first the organization progressed
rapidly. In 1883 Cadet Shoaies, who had
been appointed major, and Major Bates,
retired army officer, acted as military
instructors of the companies 1t was in
this year that one hundred Springfield
rifles were loaned the corps by the War
Department. The year following Major
Burton r. Ross the present instructor,
succeeded Major Bates, and through his
efforts an additional loan Of fifty rifles
was secured.
In 1885 a battalion of four companies
was formed, with Major La Fetra as cadet
commander. No additional companies were
formed until 1891. when the branch
schools. the Eastern and Business, were
established, and two companies were or
was organized at each of these two schools.
The same year the Western High School
was esta blished and a company organized.
The regiment of nine companies, as now
formed, continued until 1896, when Com
pany 1, then at the Business, was dissolved.
From 1896 to the present time the regiment
has remained practically the same with
the exception of several changes made dur
ing the past year. At the beginning of the
present school year the Central and Tech
meal schools, although in the same build
Ing. had separate companies the Central
retaining A and B, while c. and d were
assigned to the Technical.
The Eastern, which had had two compa-
mes since 1888, lost Company G this year.
when that company was transferred to the
Business. Otherwise the regiment has re-
manned the same for the past eight years.
At present the companies are located
follows: Companies A and B at the Central,
Companies and D at the Technical, Com
panies and G al the Business, Company F
al the Eastern and Company H al the
Western.
The regiment has been under the success
sive commands of Majs. Shoales Sohon La
Fetra, Stewart Fishback Borden, Lawyer,
Lieut.. Col. Moore and Coils. Reichelderfer,
Skinner. Schuster, Daniels. Pipes, Gunnell,
Adams. Boesch and Col Barnes the pres
ent commanding officer of the regiment.
The regiment has made its appearance
annually before the public since 1884, when
the first battalion drill was held on the
plaza in front of the Arlington Hotel. With
the rapid growth Of the corps the drill
ground was changed to the ellipSe south of
the White House, where the annual regi-
entail drill and dress parade is held.
Competitive Drills Instituted.
The competitive drill between the COM
panies was instituted in 1887. This is the
most important event of the year to every
member of the High School Regiment At
first the" drill was held in the assembly hall
of the Central High School, and later one
Of the local theaters was engaged for the
purpose. When the marching movements
were added to the competitive drill pro-
gram the base ball park was engaged for
the annual event Prior to 1893 the drills
included only movements from the manual
of arms. During the past ten years, how
ever the drills have been held out of doors.
and have included movements from the
school of the company.
The drill extends over two days, one day
for each battalion. The winning company
is awarded the prize flag which has
been contested for during the past twelve
getic work by the captains is furnished by
the Allison Nailor" diamond medal, which
is contested for annually.
The regiment has for its instructor Lieu
trict National Guard. For the past eigh-
teen years he has labored increasingly with
the corps and to him may be given much
of the credit for having brought the organ
iZatlOn from TWO StTdBSllIS CoIilpdileS "
the strong and well-drilled regiment we
now have.
The colonelcy, which is the highest posi-
ton that can be held by member Of the
regiment remained at the Central High
School from 1894 until the present year.
Year after year the other schools sent
strong men to the regimental examinations,
whom they thought would surely carry off
the commission. Each year, however, they
failed and it remained for H. E, Barnes
of the Eastern to be the first to take the
honor from the Central.
The regiment this year is numerically
the strongest one since the organization Of
the cadets. and, in the opinion of those
who have watched the growth Of the or
ganization from year to year, 1T ranks
unusually high in military proficiency
Throughout the year the cadets have work
ed with the energy, enthusiasm and steadi-
ness that characterizes a successful mill
tary organization, and the regiment has
shown by it's work that the military feat
ure deserves to be classed as one of the
most successful adjuncts of the High School
system.