The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-21
NAVAL BATTALION
To HELP ATTACK
VIII Participate in the
ManeuyerS.
INVITATION Is ACCEPTED
Action by General Harries Came as
Joyful Surprise to the
Men.



talon We're much pleased to learn that
Gen. George II. Harries, commanding
the National Guard of the District. had
accepted the invitation rendered by the
Navy Department TO the organization
&c participate in the army and navy
maneuvers in and around Washington
next months~~The maneuvers will con-
sist of an attack on the city by the
naval forces and the defense of the
same on the part of u large land con-
tingent
The Naval Battalion. under Com
mander Stratton, viii take part in the
attack as a part OF the coast squadron,
using the monitor Puritan, now lying
in the Washington channel, foot of Sew
eEth street southwest.
An Agreeable Surprise.
The acceptance of the invitation. ex-
tended TO General Harries by the Navy
Department for participation in the
June naneuvers as a part of the coast
squadron, came as surprise to the
members of the Guard. It was thought
al the time of the issuance of the in
yitation that acceptance would be i'm
possible, owing TO lack of funds. The
appropriation for the annual cruise of
the Naval Battalion is not available
until July /, but IN some unknown way
General Harries has surmounted the
financial difficulties which threatened
to make acceptance of the invitation
impossible, and declares that il gives
him great pleasure to announce that the
Guard will participate in the exercises.
1t is expected that participation in the
maneuvers will be OF great benefit to
the Guard, as the men will associate
with men Of the regular army and navy,
and Will be able to gain considerable
knowledge of military methods which
they could learn in no other way. Gen
eral Harries says that he will be unable
to pay the men fer The time spent dur
ing the coming maneuyers, but that ra-
tions and other supplies will be drawn
from the conlInissary and quartermas-
ter departments OF the United States
Army under act OF Congress. The reg
uiar cruise of the naval battalion will
be held as usual later on, in September,
and the men participating will receive
their accustomed pay provided by Con-
gress.
Many New Enlistments.
Since the announcement OF the dates
of the annual encampment at Bolivar
Heights. near Harpers Ferry. w. Va.
many enlistments have been received at
headquarters. The regimental battalion
and company commanders have begun
wedding out the undesirable timber in
their organizations, and il is a case of
the survival Of the fttest. A number OF
commissioned men have resigned and
their positions are TO be filled by the
non-commissioned men in the organiza-
tion which they have left.
-
Harries-May controversy through the
Past week General Harries says Colonel
May viii be honorably discharged and
the First Regiment disbanded. That
ends the case so far as the commanding
general of the militia is concerned. Col
onel May will contest General Harries'
right TO dismiss from the service an
officer commissioned by the President
Colonel May has retained counsel 10
represent him. It is understood that At
torney Peters VIII investigate the
case and contest Colonel Mays dismiss
sal TO the bitter end.
Work on Rifle Range.
Work on the new rife range at Con
gress Heights, according to the reports
OF Capt. Thomas King, superintendent
of the range, is progressing rapidly,
and there is every indication Of its COM
pietion even before the time agreed
upon In the contract Owing TO the
number OF complaints received last year
by residents living in the vicinity Of the
old range, however. the new place will
not be used until the sufficiency of pro-
lection from stray bullets 10 pedes-
trians and persons living within rifle
range of the grounds has been tested
by a committee consisting Of Major
Avertli, Major @. B. Young, and Capt.
Alfred P. Robinson. These officers will
test the range thoroughly, and make a
report 10 General Harries, and upon this
report the latter win decide whether
er not the Guardsnlen will be allowed 10
engage in rifle practice.
Election of Officers.
The election of the following officers
Of the Guard has been announced: Sergt.
Frederick 2. Rogers of Company K,
Second Regiment, TO be captain of
Company Nj Second Regiment; Sergt.
Thomas S. OHallaron, Company l..
Second Regiment, 10 be second ueuten-
ant. same company; First Lieut.. Charles
l. Brockway. Company f. Third Sepa-
rate Battalion, TO be captain, same COM
pany; Sergt. Philahert l. Rogers, Com
pany L, Third Separate Battalion, to be
first lieutenant. same company; Sergt
George f. Thompson. Company F, Third
Separate Battalion. to be second lieu
tenant. same company
Commissions have been received at
brigade headquarters for First Lieut..
William L. Tydings and Second Lieut..
Marshall Magruder. both of Company
K. Second Regiment. and Second Lieut..
Alvin D. Thompson, Company Il, Sec
oad Regiment.
The designations OF Capt Charles L.
Smell. Company F, First Regiment, and
First Lieut.. Roy 3. Hayes. adjutant of
the Third Battalion. First Regiment,
have been accepted. Officers of the
Guard have rendered their designations
as foIlesgs: First Lieut.. John e. Small
wood. Company F. Second Regiment;
First Lieut. George c. Whistler, and
First Lieut.. William II. Shaner, both
of the First Battery. Field Artillery.
The brigade board OF examination has
reported faYorabiy on the examination
OF Capt. Sheridan Ferree as captain OF
Company ID. Second Separate Battalion.
Captain Ferree was captain OF Company
N. Second Regiment, until elected to
the captaincy of Company d.