Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10
NOTES OF THE LOCAL
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN


mate knowledge of the conditions which
prevail at Sea Girt give them vast adj
vantage over other teams.
THE Walnut Hill range of Massachusetts
is practiced over by the members OF their
team most OF the winter and 1t has de-
make and have in the past made Massachu-
sets celebrated for its marksmen Of skill.
Team Formed Too Late.
"The order for the formation of the bril-
gade team of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia was published July 5.
and the contest for places occurred on the
18th. at the conclusion of which the team
was practically selected. There were but five
practice afternoons which interviewed pre-
vious to the brigade encampment, two Of
which were lost by reason of transforms.
subsequent to the encampment and be-
fore the departure for Sea Girt, three after
moons were most profitably spent in Skin
mish and long-range practice. Thus it will
be seen that less than the afternoons of one
week were at our disposal for team work.
There was however. some practice by the
individual members of the team on the
range whenever opportunity afforded. While
In camp a silhouette target was mounted
and considerable practice had by a portion
of the team over a range 800 yards in
length. and I attribute the splendid skir-
mish scores in the national match, which
were exceeded only by the United States
Infantry and New York teams, largely to
this.
Can 1t be said, from the unvarnished
statement and comparison of opportunities
as above set forth, that our team was hoo
dooed, when it was only 81 points below the
lowest winner?
I'm the selection of team guns for this
seasons work the only available new ones
were used, but some of them were not con-
sidered as absolutely reliable in maintain
ing eleva lions.
Preparation for 1906
For the purpose of keeping up with the
procession preparation for the match of
19o6 will be undertaken without delay The
first requirement will be new rifles. which
must be carefully calibered and targeted
and their normals in windage and eleva-
tons established and secondly, the matter
of selecting about twenty men who will be
able to devote the time necessary to qualify
themselves for team work Gallery prae tice
and winter shooting on the range, when
weather conditions permit will enter
into the question of team selection It is
the intention to have ready when Gen Har-
res issues his order for the team forma-
ton of 1906 to be able to present him the
names of team capable of unfolding the
reputation of the National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia for its skill in marksnan-
ship which 1t formerly enjoyed
Il desire 10 state that the morale of this
years team was perfect. The men worked
conscientiously and faithfully to attain a.
place with the winners, and they are de-
serving of the highest praise for the manner
In which they performed their duty
Guard Notes.
Company E. LIST Regiment. which organt-
cation won the championship in the bas-
ket ball league last season, Is making ar
engagements to take his team north during
the week following Washington's Birth
day. The team will play at Middletown.
Conn; Hartford, Waterbury, New York
and Philadelphia. Capt. Edwards is also
making preparations for the opening of
the athletic season in the National Guard.
A meeting of the basket ball league will
be held on the Goth instant. when plans for
the coming season will be made. Physical
Director Horn has recommended the pur-
chase OF certain new apparatus much
needed in the gymnasium.
Lieut. Commander Brummett, in COM
mand of the Naval Battalion during the
absence of Commander Stratton, dealt in
summary manner with the men impli-
Gated in the disorder on the monitor Pu-
iltdlH wednesday HlSnt. Inc three
placed under arrest by the police were all
enlisted men of the regular navy and
they were forthwith detached from the
Puritan and ordered to a vessel going to
sea. Lieut.. Commander Brummett made a
thorough investigation Of the case. He
found that the matter had been grossly
exaggerated by the police reports and
that while there had been some disorder 1t
had not been of the nature reported by
the police. He found the guilty men in
short order and they remained on the ship
only long enough to collect their dunnage.
Commander Brummett took occasion to
read lecture to the entire crew of the
Puritan and informed them that if any
thing of the kind occurred again those i'm
plicated would be dealt with in a manner
far more severe.
First Lieut.. William A. Duvall, superin-
tendent of the armory, will leave the city
for a short vacation on Tuesday next.
Lieut.. Duvall will visit his daughter in
New York during his absence. Capt. F.
Penrose Smith will have charge of the
armory during Lieut. Duvalrs absence.