Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-21
DISTRICT TROOPS,
OVER 1000 STRONG,
ASSEMBLE IN CAMP


or better uniformed and equipped lot
Of men gathered together in SO short
time. To an attache of the government
against whom the troops might be
used it was mute evidence of the kind
Of men that stand back of the words
contained in the diplomatic note, when
it was known that all over the coun-
try thousands and thousands more or
such men were ready to start TOT the
border on the receipt of telegram.
They marched with precision that
brought forth praise from those USED
to seeing men in uniform. Ihelr aisn-
ment was perfect and not ,to a sou nf th ht
metal parts of the twenty POUNDS OF
equipment which every man carried on
his back for the march of several miles
to the concentration camp: .otora
1t was a few minutes be1ore
o'clock this afternoon when the
buelers in the several armories sound.
ed "flrst call" which is the signal
given before assembly. followed few
minutes later by that call. Ihe troops
behind them many friends and rela-
tives who had stayed with them all the
morning.
Regiment Headed by Band.
It was but a short march for the
Sd Infantry, headed by its band. TO
reach the rendezvous point at 18th
street and New York avenue, where a
brief halt was called for the other or
ganizations Behind the Sd Infantry
came the LIST Separate Battalion, col
ored troops, which arrived about l'lo'
followed by the mounted organlza-
tons, Signal Corps company, Batter
les A and B of field artillery. Troop
of cavalry. on foot. and held nospl.aa'
Thus formed, and with Brig. Cen
William E. Harvey, commanding the
District of Columbia militia, at the
head of the column. the men proceeded
up New York avenue to Pennsylvania
avenue, thence to 18th street.
When the troops reached the State.
War and Navy building. Secretary
Baker of the War Department was
standing there to review them AFTER
passing the reviewing officer the forces
passed down 18th street, along the
speedway to the Highway bridge and
crossed to the military road leading to
the concentration camp. They Will re-
main in this camp until called INTO
service for duty along the border-Hr
until the tense situati"'
there is no longer need for the citizen
troops.
AS soon as they arrived in cam
troops Immediately set to work pre-
pa ring their tents and getting ready
tary arrangements of which had all
been completed by the advance details.
Gen Harvey said today he had re-
ceived his orders from the War De-
partment calling him into service with
his troops, and calling the local guard
a technical brigade" He was inform
ed at the War Department. it was said.
that the matter of ordering MN OUT
was a detail that had been overlooked
in the issuance of the general mopIli-
zation orders. He also was told to take
with him into camp such OF mis- stan
officers as were needed in the admin
istration of the camp.
Relatives Call to Say Goodbye.
When the word was spread around
the armores this morning that there
would be no more delays and that the
actual order for the advance movement
had been issued. relatives and friends
of the guardsmen began to mobilize
around the armories. They came
hurrying from all directions, the moth
ers wives sisters, sweethearts. fathers
and brothers-all to bid a farewell to
those near to them. and many times to
give them a bit of advice.
There were tears in the eyes of many
as they stood around and talked to
the miltiamen who soon VIII ne regu-
lars and directly under Uncle Sam. The
boys STOOD ABOUT III tHe SoHlpef hHfthi,
most of them with their full field
equipment on their backs: They had
quarters, where many OF them 1or
years have gathered on one or two
nights a week to get the training which
will stand them in good stead in their
service on the border and below it.
While 1t was hard for the women folks
to stay at their homes. bidding farewell
there for the last time, many of the
militiamen said the service was made all
the harder for them by the presence of
their relatives at the armory- Mothers
stood by their sons and wept, while wom-
en- with babies in their arms pleaded with
their husbands not to go. but there was
no way to avoid service, for the men
had enlisted and the only chance Is in
a rejection when the rigid physical ex-
animation is made at the concentration
camp by the regular army medical
officers.
Subject to Strict Discipline.
From now on the men will be subject
to the strict military discipline which is
,opliad tiypes of When the lone