Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
Series of Maneuvers Instead
Of Camp Next Summer.
SIEGE OF NEARBY FORT
BRIGADE MAY SOON BE PROVID-
ED WITH NEW UNIFORM.
Relative Rank Of officers - Pay Rolls
Due Today-Separated From
the Service.

II plans which are now being considered
are carried into effect, the troops Of the
District of Columbia National Guard have
most interesting and instructive season
ahead of them. 1t has been suggested, as
heretofore detailed in The Star, that the
brigade be ordered out for mid-winter field
maneuvers In the vicinity Of Fort Hunt,
Va, or Fort Washington, Md.-more likely
the latter stronghold-about the 22d Of next
month, and there is reason to believe that
the necessary orders for such an outing will
be issued within the next few weeks. 1t
may be that the troops will be under arms
for two days IN connection with the mid
winter maneuvers.
The plans for the midsummer outing Of
the brigade do not contemplate fixed
camp of instruction this year, as hereto
fore From what can be learned the powers
that be have in view the holding of a
series of maneuvers to extend through ten
days, to take the place Of the annual en-
campment. 1t Is expected that regular
troops will cooperate with the District
National Guard and that the outing will
prove to be Of the utmost benefit to all who
participate.
Although nothing definite has yet been
arranged for the summer exercises, it may
be decided to march the troops through
Virginia to a point in the neighborhood Of
Fort Hunt. The engineers Of the army
now stationed at the Washington barracks
will probably, In that event, construct a
pontoon bridge across the Potomac river
and permit the guardsmen to cross thereon
to the Maryland shore. The brigade may
then be called upon to lay siege to Fort
Washington, construct trenches and act as
In recognition of other war time conditions.
The siege may continue for five days. 1t
Is thought that program something like
the foregoing, following service conditions
closely, and with regular troops participant
ing would prove to be more beneficial to
the guardsmen than camp Of instruction,
such as has been the rule each summer for
dozen years past.
Even should the Dick militia bill be enact
ed at an early date 1t is not believed that
A big joint encampment of regulars and
guardsmen could be arranged for the COM
Ing summer. Therefore, the proposed ma
neuvers, including the siege of a nearby
fort, as outlined are receiving a good deal
of thought end those in a position to know
say they are very apt to materalize.
Indoor Rifle Matches.
The preparations for the indoor rifle
matches have been about completed and
rothing now remains to be done but shoot
off the scores. During this month there
will be three such matches-the company,
battalion and regimental teams being the
ntrants. The first of these, the company
-eam match. will be shot Monday and
Tuesday, January 10 and 20. Owing to the
lumber of men interested in the matches
NO days have been allotted to the contests.
Lieut. G. G. Dennison will be range officer
tor the meeting. The date for the battalion
match has not yet been selected but IT is
Understood that it will take place some time
between the 10Th and the Both. Lieut. Pink
aey W. Smith will be range officer on the
light of the battalion match. The regimen
al team match will be shot on the evening
II the thirteenth instant, and Major James
:. Bel viii act as range officer All Of
these matches will be shot at the center
market gallery and will be under the condi-
lions prescribed for the matches during the
past two or three years.
New Uniform for Local Brigade,
The Secretary of War has approved the
report Of the board of army officers which
recently considered number of modifica-
tons of the general orders. which prescribe
the regulations for the uniform of the
army. In view of that fact General Har-
RES, at the meeting of the general staff
District OF Columbia militia, next Monday
evening, will discuss with his officers lust
what portion of the new attire should be
adopted for the use of the District National
Guard.
There are great many garments and ar
ucies-such as the mess jacket-which will
not, OF course. be adopted for the local
brigade. but whatever Is worn here will be
exactly the same as that of the army, with
the single exception that for the guard ID
VIII take the place of the coat-of- arms
OF the United States on the collar.
Of1cers of the District National Guard
VIII be required to procure the new uni
form by the LIST Of July next. The orders
sued from militia Headquarters the latter
part of next week.
Notifications and Changes.
The following are the principal modiflca-
tons and changes in which the District
National Guard is interested In the uni
form order, as recommended by the board
of army officers:
increasing the width Of velvet cuff on
sleeve of full dress coat for general officers
from three to four inches.
Fixing length of the frock coat for chap
lalns to correspond with that for other Of
ticers. W
Providing for saber slit in dress coat and
overcoat ~
Providing for bronze sleeve ornaments
Tor overcoats instead of embroidery; also
metal ornaments for full dress coats
1FoViolng black overcoat for chaplains
binding. i' A'ai'
Leaving off the embroidered oak leaves on
slzor or full dress cap for all officers be-
low the rank of major.
Providing trousers straps of blac, Iaa+ha-
for full dress and dress trousers for Of
acers.
Abolishing the chapeau, service helmet
service cap, Tor officers and service trou-
sers for enlisted men.
Prescribing combination sash and belt
for brigadier generals.
Providing that full dress sings shall he
worn with webbing belt with full dress
uniform, and russell leather sings with all
other uniforms.
Describing more in detail the shoes for
omcers the black shoe to be of the Yelling
ton pattern without tips.
Providing for q border ON the saddle
cloths of chaplains.
Providing that the chevrons shall he
worn on all coat sleeves midway between
elbow and shoulder
Prescribing that belts and cartridge carry
devices shall be worn by the enlisted men
on the outside Of the overcoat
Abolishing chevrons for flannel shirts
providing marching shoe for enlisted
men.
Dropping the word service" in connection
with hat.
The question of changing the infantry
facings from light blue to white, as at
present, was exhaustively considered in all
It's phases. and no change is recommended
by the board.
Relative Rank of officers.
The relative rank of the officers of the
District of Columbia National Guard, based
on cate of commission, is as follows:
Brigadier general-George H. Harries No
vember so. 1897, District of Columbia Mill