Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-18
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Troops Will Not Camp at
Harper's Ferry Site.
WATER LACKING THERE
DESIRABLE RIFLE RANGE MAY
BE SECURED NEXT WEEK.
New Armory for Battery-Happenings
in Naval Battalion Joint
Maneuvers at Manassas.

Although many arrangements nau Deen
perfected and a map of the grounds made.
the troops of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia will not encamp at
the site heretofore selected. about one and
one-half miles from Harpers Ferry. The
well disgers have reported to Major +. H..
Neumeyer acting quartermaster general of
the District militia. that they have failed
to locate water al Il depth of seventy feet.
AS ample supply of water is a most i'm
portant consideration, far as camp
grounds for the local brigade are concern
ed. a new site will have to be found.
Major Neumeyer proceeded tc Harper s
Ferry today to be gone until Monday in
quest of other grounds. The acting quar-
termaster general is confident that he Will
be able to negotiate for the use of grounds
desirable In every way in the immediate
vicinity OF Charles Town. w. Va, about six
or eight miles further from this city than
the Harper's Ferry site. The wisdom of
Major Neumeyer in inaugurating his search
for camp grounds early in the season
as he did is apparent now that 1t has been
found impossible to secure supply of
water at the site heretofore Professionally
selected
Rifle Range in Sight.
According to Major James E. Bell. in
spector general of rifle practice. District of
Columbia Militia. arrangements will be
completed and contracts signed. in all
probability, next week for the use of a
stretch of ground near Anacostia and Con-
gress Heights rifle range for the Ma
tional Guard of the District of Columbia.
Several sites available and. as stated.
1t is hoped to decide on the most desira bic
of them within a few days. Targets will
be placed at all the shooting distances. in
Guiding 1000 yards. An important consid-
GRAFTON is that the range will be within one
n 9 inc noI hs,t
IT can be reached from this city for one
car fare.
As soon as the new range Is In working
order outdoor rife practice will be resumed
with vim. and team work will also be in
order.
New Armory for Battery.
new armory for the 1st Battery Field
Artillery, has been secured. 1t has 'front.'
age both on D street and on Ohio avenue
between 18th and 18th streets Accommo-
dauons will be provided in the building for
two additional companies of infantry to
be organized and assigned to the Sd Bat
TALON.
Capt. Marion is convalescent of an at
tack of typhoid fever He has had much
available time of late to plan for the bet
terment of his organization. and among
other things has selected the route to be
followed by the battery on it's march to
Harper's Ferry. Charles Town. The bat
'VIy VIII 81 tIlIOuSll l.etSDurS.
Naval Battalion Happenings.
The officers and men of the Naval Bat
TALON are eagerly awaiting the arrival Of
the L. s. s. Puritan. recently assigned by
the Navy Department for the use of the
local jackies. Orders have been issued by
the department providing that the Puritan
shall be brought here at an early date.
Arrangements are being made for a num-
Der OF the line officers Of no I.,t
talon TO take course of instruction In
compass. They will probably be ordered to
report at the Navy Department for that
purpose.
Reception to Gen. Harries
The reception in honor of Gen Harries
last Monday evening rendered by more
than sixty officers of the brigade was
unanimously declared to be most enjoy
able AFFAIR. The ceremonial part of It was
brief' but significant. Col. Urell as
spokesman for the officers present. assured
the commanding general that he was held
In high esteem and sincere affection by his
co-workers of the local citizen soldiery In
reply. Gen. Harries, among other things.
pointed out that any apparent misun3er-
STANDINGS that have occurred between him
sell and other officers have been nothing
more than honest differences of opinion
The reception. it Seems to be the general
Impression. will result in better feeling and
Maneuvers at Manassas.
1t is reported that Gov. Oden has decided
not to sanction the participation of a por-
ton of the New York National Guard in
the maneuvers on the Bull Run battlefield
In September. Gov. Odell points out the
fact that the state pays its miltianen
Sl.29 per day and upward when on duty.
while the government pay is but S13
mt Ig az
scales would necessarily fall to the state
TO make up and would cost the state an
prONimateiy $4,000 For this purpose no
funGs are available. 1t is also held that
,he practice marches and skirmishes would
be or no material benefit to the well-drilled
New York state troops. and that in all
PROBABILITY many of the guardsmen who
are unused to manual labor would be un-
able I" withstand the combined effects of
the warmer climate and hard work necessi-
lated during the joint campaign of regulars
and militiamen.
The Georgia troops have taken very
hiHuly 10 the ldea OF the maneuvers. The
season of the year is very unsatisfactory
hut al! realize that 1t Is the best that could
be selected under the circumstances An
other year they hope for a more suitable
date. The cotton season in the south is
just beginning in September. and the mer-
chants are getting in their fall goods
These conditions will deprive many men
VINO are eager To attend the maneuvers of
'he opportunity. However. thirty-seyen
companies of infantry. two of heavy artil-
iery and at least three troops of cavalry
Gave so far reported officially their desire
10 be sent The plans for organizing and
oihcering this brigade have not yet been
announced by the governor
Other States Interested.
-Four applications for permission to take
part in the maneuvers have been handed in
TO Adjt. Gen. Dalton OF Massachusetts The
four applicants are Col. VIM. A. Pew Sth
Infantry; Col. VIM. II. Cakes 9Th Infantry:
Capt Samuel Parker. Battery A. Light Ar
tillery. and Col. Donovan. 9th Infantry.
1t Is understood that the entire LIST Reg
iment of Vermont will participate in the
maneuvers at Manassas Junction, Vt
No decision has yet been reached as 10
where the Tennessee National Guard will
be encamped this year, but IL is probable
that II VIII go to the general maneuyers al
Manassas Col. Tatom and many of the Of
fcers OF the LIST Regiment strongly favor
Manassas. The Tennessee troops had
thought of visiting St Louis. but II is
pointed out that to encamp at the big fair
where IL would cost % cents a day to feed
the men. when they can be fed in the field
for one-third OF that sum, would be toe
costly. and too demoralizing. as the sur