Evening star., 1939-10-15

sions, but from the time that Con-
gress, in 1902, made 1t obligatory for
all male citizens between the ages of
18 and IS to muster once d month
during certain seasons, or pay fine
of IS for neglect to do so, 1t looked
to them more like job.
Made Ludicrous Parade.
Hence, although various military
companies were formed during the
next quarter of century, yet they
soon ceased to exist and turned their
arms back to the United States, and
by 1885 the militia of the city had
become so disorganized and de-
moralized over the slipshod and in
different way affairs were handled
by the officers at muster and at
other times that the privates de-
cided to stage ludicrous parade,
and what followed is well told by the
press of that day. The account
says:
"On the 9th of June, 1885, a fan
tastical parade took place in Wash
ington. The militia trainings prov
ing onerous to businessmen, forcing
them from their avocations, they
resolved to manifest their displeas-
ure and opposition to the same
Hundreds assembled at the City
Hall, dresSed-or. rather, undressed
in every conceivable and fantas-
tical manner.
For days previous the commons
were diligently searched for broken
down horses for the use of the
commanding officers. Old smoke
stacks were impressed for cannon,
and abandoned and dilapidated car
riages were forcibly taken possession
of for hospitals. Uniforms of Cont
nentals, shirt-tail riflemen OF the
backwoods. smack frocks, Quaker
hats and breeches, and Joseph's coats
were brought forth from their old
repositories and with every conceiv-
able costume Of past ages enveloped
the forms of the motley assemblage.
Whitewash brushes and Potomac
herrings were resorted to by the OIL
GERS In the absence of epaulettes.
Ginger cakes supplied the place Of
uniform buttons. Tin pans. wom-
ems caps and undressed skins of
various animals served as head
dresses for the occasion.
Used All Colors.
I'VE recollect one person whose
uniform consisted of every conceiv-
able color and material. Above the
seat Of his breeches, through q hole
in which his white handkerchief
protruded, was q placard with the
inscription of My Voice Is Still for
War! On the knapsack of another
was DR.. Duncan and Brandeth's S
Pills Some had masks of various
descriptions. Others had odd boots
or shoes, some with one and others
with no shoes on. The lame, the
halt and the blind, as well as rep
resentatives of all nations, were rep
resented. Even the female sex had
their representatives-in the char
acter Of nurses-attending the hos
pitals.
"The major general, armed with
a wooden sword, about 6 feet long,
and mounted on a horse which had
to be lifted up from the ground,
having assumed command, pro-
ceeded in a ludicrous manner to
drill the regiment in the manual of
arms-broomsticks. cornstalks, etc.
Having carried them through, he
gave the word to form, when every
marching evolution not laid down
in the books, and others not enumer-
ated, were gone through with.
Eventually, getting them into line,
they marched from the City Hall
through the principal streets to
Georgetown, halting on their way in
front Of the residences of the militia
officers of the District, and in some
instances, groaning them.
Salute to President.
"On arriving at the Presidents s
house (the gates having been shut
against them), they gave the Presi-
dent a salute with tin horns, kettles,
pans, etc., when they proceeded on
their march. Every few minutes
some Of the men would give out and
were taken to the hospitals in the
line. The surgeon prescribing and