Evening star., 1922-07-23
GUARDS IN SNAPPy
DRILL AND REVIEW
Final Function of TWo.Week
Encampment Wins Round
of Praise.
TO RETURN HOME TODAY
Striking Appearance Commented
Upon by Camp Simms
Crowd.
TO RETURN HOME TODAY

With the snap and military bearing
OF regulars. the l2lst Regiment OF
Engineers, National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia. as the final function
of two weeks Of intensive instrdc-
tion, passed through an nspec-
ton, parade and review last night
which brought forth most favorable
comment of distinguished officials and
scores of citizens. The encampment
at Camp Simms will end this morn
ing when the troops proceed TO their
armory at 472 l. street northwest, /"
be relieved from active duty.
1t was the final parade and re
view of this encampment. AS Mai.
j. w Oehmann. commanding the
regiment. ordered various move
ments in the manual of arms, the
troops executed them with a snap
that sent an echo over the parade
grounds When they passed in re
view before officers Of the militia
bureau. the Sd Corps Area. Of which
the District troops are a unit. other
regular officers and officers of the
guard. their quick cadence and per
feet alignment was an object OF con-
siderable favora bic comment
Inspected After Review.
Following the review the troops were
halted on the parade ground for an in
spection by Lieut.. Col John s. Fair
assistant chief of staff of the Sd Corps
Area; Maj. Finch, engineer assistant
to the chief Of the militia bureau: Lieut.,
Col r. d. lie Garde, commandant Of
Camp Simms, and Mai. Oehmann. com
manding the regiment. The inspection
included uniforms and equipment.
Others in the reviewing party were
Maj. c. Fred Cook. adjutant generals
n dffapy vt Nat It
District of Columbia Maj Louis G
Wilson. United States Army, and for
mer officer in the National Guard OF
the District of Columbia; Maj. William
T. Galliher. Capt. c. Fl. Parkin. com
mandsnt of the post at Fort Washing
officer Of the post al Fort Washington
Despite their two weeks of hard
work, drilling as infantry. construct
ing bridges and abutments. which in
cluded the procuring and transports
ton of the various materials. and
ending with two-day hike to Fort
Washington. where they camped in
pup tents, the troops were in lively
mood on the eve of the breaking OF
camp. Many of their wives and girl
Of color 10 the somber uniforms of
khaki, and to liven the closing hours
OF the camp.
Games and Camp Sougs.
Following the concert by the 12Ist
Regiment Band. the troops gathered
In groups. played games and sang
camp songs and kept the post in
lively mood until taps sent them to
bed for muchearned rest. There
was little on the program YESTERDAY
except mastering for pay and clean
ing of equipment
Everything is in readiness for the
breaking of camp.
The troops. according to plans last
night. will leave camp about $50
O'Clock and march to Congress
Heights. where they will board street
cars for the city. leaving them at sth
street and Massachusetts avenue
northwest, and marching to the
armory.
Upon arrival at the armery the
troops will be paid for their two
weeks of duty and then will be dis
missed to resume their civilian occu-
pations.
While IN the camp last night Capt
Parkin took occasion to comment on
the excellent condition in which the
troops left the camp site which they
used during their practice hike 10
Fort Washington. He said that he
made an inspection Immediately after
the District troops left the post and
that he had never seen camp left %
clean as the one from which the Dis
trict troops departed. He could not
find an evidence of debris anywhere.