Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-05

| these guardsmen have ever seen. II their
| testimony Is true. Even today does not
seem quite warm. The men did not
move from their tents yesterday unless
| absolutely necessary.
!nose who lay on their cots with tent
| walls rolled uD so to allow the breeze
10 blow through thanked their stars they
| were not so unfortunate as to be called
out for guard mounting. and also that
| they were not members of the drum CORPS
who paraded up and down the length of
the camp for the guard mounting of the
"a battalion. I'd Regiment and the 1st
Battalion. 1st Regiment
1t was really a scorching day. One
| would hardly think it could be hotter
anywhere. even on Pennsylvania avenue.
Ihere Is one way of keeping cool at
| TINS post That is to buy a quart of ice
cream at the post exchange and eat it I'M
der the cold-water shower bath. That
Will keep a guardsman cool until the ice
cream is gone and he steps out from I'M
der the water 80 -
deal of praise has been bestowed
upon the 1St Separate Battalion by its
| instructors and others in camp on ac-
count of the soldierly bearing of the
men and also on account of their dis
cipline. The history of this organiza-
| ton is not unlike that Of many other
| units Of the National Guard which had
| their inception in the independent mill
tary organizations formed in Washing
| ton in the early seventies.
| Infantry and the National Rifles were
formed the colored men of the city or
ganized the Butler Zouaves. Washington
Cadet Corps and the Capital City Guards
B. Fisher Capt. Thomas S. Kelly and
Maj. c. A. Fleetwood.
These organizations were all merged
into the list Separate Battalion when ad-
mitted to the National Guard Maj Fred
erick c. Revells served as commanding
officer until 1897. and was succeeded ny
Capt Arthur Brooks who. although the
youngest company commander, had SO
distinguished himself on the drill field
and in encampment as to merit the du-
vance to the rank of major.
He is a born soldier and has added
much to his natural ability by training.
His command is characterized by neat
ness, good order and soldieriy pearlns'
and is largely the result of the example
of the major himself. He has been IN
command for twelve years. and Is re-
spected and loved by his men.
Lieut.. Davis Makes Hit.
The officers and men are pleased this
wear in having Lieut. B. Ollie Davis. 10Th
United States Cavalry. colored omcer'
detailed by the War Department at the
request of the commanding officer. as
military instructor. Lieut.. Davis Is a
product of the Washington public schools,
ana received HiuCl VI ms
academic training when a student. at the
hands of Maj Brooks and Lieut. wilson
Bruce Evans of the Armstrong Manual
Training School.
He was captain of a company OF cadets
of the Business High School; was private
and second lieutenant of Company ID OF
the list Separate Battalion; organized
Company G of the 9th United States Vol
unteers: was mustered in as second lieu
tenant July 8, 1898. and served with them
at Fort Thomas and Chickamauga PARK
being mustered out as first lieutenant
March 6. 1899.
Enlising as a private in Troop 1, 9th
United States Cavalry, he was advanced
to corporal sergeant and sergeant major
and was recommended for examination
for second lieutenant. Being ordered to
the Philippines. he did not hear the re-
suit of his examination until in Manila
bay, when he was notified of his promo
ton to second lieutenant. the first man
of his race to rise from the ranks to that
Of commissioned officer.
While in the Philippines he served In
the eventful campaign at Samar, and per-
formed effective work in pacificating the
natives and gaining their confidence
Lieut.. Davis is at present the instructor
in military science in Wherefore Uni
versity. where he has been detailed for
the past three years.
Visitors in camp yesterday. as guests
of the I'd Battalion. I'd Regiment. were
Mrs. E. III. Brian and daughter. Mrs. ].
E. Earnest Mrs. c. V. Sayer and daugh-
tiers, Miss Annie Macdonald. Miss Edna
Baden, Mrs. Walter Lawson. Mrs Fer
guson. Mrs. H. f. Burton and son and
Mrs. +. F. Parent. E. G..