The Washington times., 1903-07-05
heDistrict Soldiers Getting
Themselves in Shape for
Their Annual Outing, De-
tails Of Which Are Not
Yet Fixed.
Battery A, Light Artillery,
Mustered Into Service
With Fifty-one Men-Ap-
Pointments, designations,
and Discharges.

the parade of the guardsmen yesterday
In the Independence Day ceremonies
marked the past week in National Guard
circles As the orders and plans for the
annual encampment are due next week.
they will serve to still further enliven
things around Center Market Armory.
The captains Of the different organi-
nations of the guard, in accordance with
Adjutant General Robbins orders of sew
eral weeks ago, have been drilling their
men and coaching them in the perform
ance OF camp duties. The infantrymen
have been at Il hard for the past week
or two, and almost every night two Or
more companies can be seen near the
Louisiana Avenue Market getting in
trim for the trying ordeal. which will
last nine days-and they promise to be
warm ones. too.
The Signal Corps lads, armed with
flags of various kinds and designs. have
been signaling a great deal on the out
side and tinkering with telephone and
telegraph wires on the inside. The en-
gineers promise to be on hand when
wanted. The buglers. who will perform
most important duty-that of sounding
mess call three times a day-are exer-
cising their lungs and improving their
wind. while the Brigade Band and corps
OF field musicians are also shining up on
sharps and flats.
Men Well Prepared.
All in all, the guardsmen are pretty
well prepared for the encampment. and
it is not improbable that they would be
ready to go tomorrow if that we're the
chosen date. There is a large number
of experienced men in the ranks now
who can serve as models for the raw
recruits and those of one or two years
experience. IN view OF the fact that the
membership of a great many of the com
mands has increased greatly and sew
eral new organizations have started
since the last eneampment there are TOO
many green" lads in line to admit Of
the commands going to camp without a
thorough coaching
The boys have the dates and the place
fixed pretty well in their minds. They
know they will be on a little iauut in
the vicinity of Fort Washington from
July % until July 81, but further than
that they are not advised. although they
would like to be. At National Guard
headquarters yesterday it was learned
that no specific plans or order of events
for the encampment had even been
drafted, although they were expected
next week. There remains two weeks
and three days before the boys depart
for their destination
Plans Late This Year.
Usually the plan has been mapped out
long before this, but owing to the fact
that one set of plans, for series of
land and water maneuvers. was drafted
in May and June. and subsequently
abandoned because the project was not
practicable, the definite plans are later
than ever.
II was reported few weeks ago that
Gen. George Harries had made a requi-
sition for enough khaki uniforms to out
fit his entire brigade. but as yet nothing
further has been heard. II such thing
were possible the comfort and pleasure
OF the Guardsmen would be greatly en-
HANGED. In view Of the lateness Of the
season. however. It is not believed the
project can be carried out.
The troopers from Fort Myer. who
came very near giving target practice
at the Ordway Range its quietus by their
reckless and Wild shooting. left the
range last week and returned TO the
fort. An order or request relative to
shooting at The range was sent out from
headquarters last week Practice. ex-
cept on the part OF these who are ac-
knowledged to be experts. has been sus-
pended while repairs and alterations
are made at the range.
Putting Screens Above Targets.
The bullet which few Wild 4. week or
two ago. and injured a woman STANDING
IN the rear Of the targets. went over the
targets and thereby occasioned the in
jury. Worhmen are now at the range
fixing screens over the targets to pre-
vent any moro bullets from flying wild
and to save the lives Of persons living
on contiguous farms.
The members Of the brigade team. all
experts, have practiced at the range
while the repairs were in progress. Mai
or Bell is coaching the men. and expects
time the men leave for the annual con.
test at Sea Cirt. The regular practice
days for the team men are Monday.
Wednesday and Friday Major Bell and
his men spent those three afternoons at
the range. and also went out yesterday
TO polish of their rough edges.
The showing made by the Guardsmen
in the parade yesterday was highly
commendable. and much favorable com
ment was heard on all sides Despite
the heat the boys looked trim ana neat
and marched as though it were a bleak
November day The local militia made
up the entire second division Of the
parade. and General Harries was In com
mand.
Battery Mustered In.
Battery A. Light Artillery. D. c. N. c.,
with Capt. Thomas Marion at fits head.
was mustered into the service Tuesday
night Sixty candidates We're in the spa