Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01

Until the material found in the cor
ner stone of the old washington Light
| Infantry Armory has dried out suft1-
GENTLY to permit inspectors to deter
mine its value for preservation, Maj
| Gen. Anton Stephan, commanding the
| District Of Columbia Militia, will be
unable to decide upon the final dis
position of it. The box found within
| the corner stone was turned over to the
militia oficials last week in accordance
with q stipulation in the contract be-
tween the Government and the f1rm
engaged In razing the old building. The
corner stone also was turned over TO the
officials.
It was said at the brigade headquar-
ters that the contents Of the box were
so watersoaked that it was impossible
to make any minute examination until
it had been thoroughly dried. A book
found in the box, believed now to be a
postal guide, 1t was said, was so badly
deteriorated that corner of 1t fell on
when some one attempted to pick 1t up.
The box with contents now Is resting
| in the generals headquarters at the
armory at Sixth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue. Lieut.. Col. Peyton G.
hewitt, assistant adjutant general OF
the militia, said that Gen. Stephan
department was in position to handle
| the Job Of restoring the material in the
box, and II ii could be done 1t would
be put on display in the armory and
elsewhere, following consultation with
former members Of the old militia or
ganization, In the present condition OF
the contents, IL is said to be impossible
to determine just what is In it.
The Washington Light Infantry was
one Of the pioneer militia companies
predating by many years the organized
militia. The local Guard has issued the
following historical statement Of the
unit:
The washington Light Infantry was
organized in 1886. It was 1850 before
another military organization was
| formed In the District of Columbia
Such organizations were frequently
/ called upon for escort duty, military
paradeS of all kinds and were function
| ed as the District Of Columbia Militia
These militia companies in military
sense were very popular in the District
and elsewhere. The Washington Light
Infantry Battalion of the District
Militia went into q military encamp-
ment at Fort Washington, Md, for five
thereby obtained substantial as well as
practicable military knowledge and ex-
| perience. The organization was under
the command Of Mai. James Y. Davis
When the Civil War broke out in 1851
President Lincoln, on April Is, 1851
issued his first proclamation calling fol
| $4,000 militiamen of the several States
and the District of Columbia for three
months. service. The militia companies
of the District Of Columbia were the
first to respond to the call and within
five days after the issuance Of the
proclamation, 1000 officers and men
ice and were assigned to the duty Of
guarding the approaches to the city
| from the south and the protection OF
Government property and buildings in
and about Washington. Col. Charles p
Stone, u. S. A., commanded the District
Volunteers In the three months service
At the expiration of the three months
term of enlistment of volunteer militia
Of the District of Columbia, many Of
its, officers and men responded to the
second call, issued May 81, 1861, the
District Of Columbia sending two full
regiments of militia, each regiment
numbering approximately 1,500 men.
From the close Of the Civil War, iT
1865. until 1875, the Militia of the DIS
trtct Of Columbia was, practically, in ar
almost disbanded state. In the latter
year the military spirit again prevailed
and the Washington Light Infantry
Corps was reorganized as well as many
new companies soon formed. From 1875
to 1887 the militia companies gave
much time to perfecting themselves ir
military tactics and the school of the
soldier, as well as In competitive drill
contests here and elsewhere. In the
year 1887, by order Of the President o.
the United States, q National Guarc
Militia was organized, under the law Of
1885, and all Of the independent militia
companies then existing, among then
the washington Light Infantry, joineC
the Guard, and soon thereafter a full
brigade of militia was the result Of such
an organization.
In 1898, in response to the call o.
the President for volunteers, the Ma.
tional Guard of the District organized
from its ranks q fun and complete regi.
ment Of Infantry, which went TO Cubs
in June, 1898.
The National Guard Of the Distric
was again called into military servict
for duty on the Mexican border durinI
1ol5-l016.
For service in the Army during tn,
World War. the District Of Columbii
National Guard furnished los ofilcer
and 2,216 enlisted men.
The District of Columbia Nationa
Guard has arranged for a school TO
cooks and mess Sergeants of the organi
zation, in order to prepare them TO
their work during the coming encamp
ments Of the Guard this Summer.
The school will be conducted b,
Sergt. Richard s. Cassidy, Headquarters
Troops. Sd Cavalry, Fort Myer, Va
and will be held once a week from Apr
! to June 80, at the National Guar
AImory, Sixth street and Pennsylvani
avenue. The cooks will be taught tn
proper preparation Of food for larg
group Of people and the mess sergeant
viii be instructed IN the advantageou
. purchase OF foods, the preparation o
properly balanced menus and method
Of handling mess accounts.
The National Guard Is allowed s.
, cents per day ration money per mar
and It was said that with due care OF
the part of the mess sergeants and tn
cooks in the procurement and prepare
, ton of the food, generous servings o
wholesome, appetizing food may b
given the soldiers during their stay Il
camp.
A similar school was held last yea
prior 10 the field training camps and
= was felt that the results were such q
I TO Justify holding such q school thi