Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-24
NOTES OF THE LOCAL
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN


-HE TROOPS of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia are about
to resume work in earnest There
II has been a lull far as the local
brigade is concerned since the close
of the annual encampment last August.
This week. however. everybody, particular
ly the officers will get busy and continue
so without interruption until after the en-
campment of 1906. The indications are that
the coming winter and spring will prove
the most instructive In the history Of the
organized militia of the nations capital.
Lieut. Col. James S. Petit Sth Infantry,
detailed for duty with the organized militia
OF the District. has reported in person to
Gen. Harries. Col. Petit was graduated
from the Military Academy in June, 1878.
and has served efficiently in the infantry
arm. in the inspector generals department,
in the adjutant generals department and
in the military secretary's department.
During the Spanish he colonel Of
the 9Th United States Volunteer Infantry.
He became lieutenant colonel of the Sth
Infantry in August, 1893, and haH been
serving with that regiment at Fort jay,
New York, since his recovery from a Sc
spell of illness. His detail to the Dis
trict National Guard is supplemental to
that of Col. Brett, adjutant general of the
local militia
Beginning the LIST of October a scheme of
practical and, month later, of theoretical
instruction will be carried into effect. Col.
Brett will have general supervision of the
practical instruction, and Colonel Petit of
the theoretical instruction. The latter Will
embrace Rotations lectures and black
board demonstrations of field service regu-
latiOnS and minor tactics, and topography
and field engineering.
instruction for 1st Regiment.
Colonel Ourand, LIST Regiment, was The
first organization commander to submit a
proposed course of instruction for his COM
mand, in compliance with paragraph 2,
general orders No. 20, current series. The
work of the LIST Regiment for the spring
and summer. planned by Col. Ourand,
follows:
The commissioned officers of the regiment
win assemble on the fourth Wednesday of
each month from September to July, in
elusive, for recitation and discussion of the
work proposed for the following month
When considered necessary the officers will
be drilled in the movements under consid-
Grafton in order that the details may. be
more fully understood.
The course of study will include infantry
drill regula tons entire book; manual of
guard duty, firing regulations for small
arms, selected parts; catechism of outpost
duty or service of security and information,
selected parts and field service regulations,
selected parts,
In addition, at each meeting it is proposed
TO have brief lecture by officer of the
army or of the National Guard, on some
subject of interest and profit to the officers,
for example: Field Sketching," "Hasty In
grenchments." Militia Law" and the like
A record will be kept of the attendance of
the officers. and those who absent them
selves will be required to explain their
neglect of duty. --.-f
In each battalion there will be schools
for non-commissioned officers holding
sessions at least once each month. The
nOn-commissioned officers will be required
to study, recite and drill such movements
of the drill books and manuals as apply to
their duties and fit themselves for advance
ment TO higher positions in the guard. The
instruction will be given by the officers of
the battalion by detail, each taking charge
Of one more subjects. The majors will
make the necessary assignments. In this
school careful attention will be given to the
illustration of each minute detail in drill
the non-commissioned officers may be pre-
members Of their squads. % -'.-'.
At the regimentai school 1t is proposed to
issue schedules of drill for the following
month, so as TO secure uniformity of In
structfon and regular progression in the
movements executed.
Program for Next Month.
For the month of October the drills will
be follows:
School of the squad: First drill Small
arms firing regulations. Introduction"
Nomenclature of the Rife" Tripod drill