davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-10-28
Military Corps of Early Washington
BY John Clagett Proctor

listed, some of the surviving members OF
the corps, feeling that the body should
be reorganized, called meeting for that
purpose on May Is, 1865. And the Wash
ington Light Infantry was given new
birth.
The members of the infantry did not
devote all their time to drilling and
target practice but gave much atten-
ton to various sports and its teams
and representatives were always to be
reckoned with, and particularly was
this the case with its basket ball team,
which held the championship of the
District in 1895 and 1896.
The National Rifles
The next of the local companies that
ranked close to the top in efficiency
and in numbers was the old National
Rifles, organized in 1859, and like the
Washington Light Infantry Corps. many
of its members also joined the Union
forces and participated in the great
Civil War, and, too, like the infantry,
some also served under the Stars and
Bars. Upon this occasion the order
for mastering in the rifles was dated,
April 10. 1861, and thus the Rifles was
actually, as so stated, the first to pre-
sent itself for muster, but was not
actually mustered in until April IS,
since it lacked the required number
of men for this purpose.
In 1880, the Rifles were also reorgan-
lied, and about this time. or little
later, it's chief officers included James
F. Oyster, captain, man who later
faithfully and honorably served his ma
tive city as a Commissioner; ]. o.
Manson, first lieutenant: George w.
Evans, second lieutenant, native of
Washington, who served as paymaster
in the Department of the Interior for
so years. w. c. Keech was at this time
additional second lieutenant.
Between the Washington Light In
fantry Corps and the National Rifles
there was always much friendly rivalry,
Evening star., 1945-10-28

The National Capitals tribute to Ad-
miral Nimitz here on October was
indeed stirring event. and the mil
lion people, more or less, who wit
messed the parade along historic Penn
sylvania avenue will long remember it.
But the people of Washington, espe-
cially the older residents, are used to
big parades and to compare this recent
one with former events of similar
nature would be rather difficult, since
the parades of earlier days were COM
posed largely of military groups Of other
cities and our own home companies, in
which the residents of Washington took
a special pride.
There was, indeed, in bygone days a
thrill, delight, an emotion, that cap
tured and controlled the feelings Of the
crowds that then lined the Avenue as
our citizen soldiers passed by, stopping
at times to skil1fully perform their
maneuvers to the JOY of the crowd.
The touch then was entirely different
from nowadays, for then some ones son,
or husband or sweetheart was march
ing by, dressed In his distinctive best
uniform and doing his most faultless
marching, sometimes with his company
forming a perfect line from curb to
curb. Inded, every contingent We'd with
the other in putting up its best drill,
for the home folks were there to urge
them on And the Marine Band, too,
then as now great attraction, never
failed to receive approving andtumultu-
Gus applause.
Our Home Companies
OF course, the Washington Light In
fantry for long while was regarded
as the citys crack company and, in
deed, there were many prominent men
who belonged to it, and possibly there
may still be living few members who
belonged to this military body, which
was organized over a century ago. And
for this statement we may rely upon
the Metropolitan, a newspaper once
published in Georgetown, and which,
Evening star., 1945-10-28

and both organizations always put up
the best possible display upon such
occasions as Inauguration Day. Indeed,
they never showed up to disadvantage,
irrespective of what the occasion might
have been.
All individual military companies in
the '80s and earlier had their COM
petitive drills, their hops, soirees, ball
and masquerade dances throughout the
year. A program before the writer,
dated october 26, 1888, shows the Rifles
giving one of its balls at its armory
then at Marinis Hall on E street And
here the program included: Waltz,
Blue Danube; lanciers, masquerade" !;
polka, Tip Top; quadrille, "Fiametta";
waltz, "Woman's Love; polka, "Sescu-
lap; lanciers, Centennial Alliance;
waltz, "Souviens Toi"; lanciers, Sara
toga"; waltz, Merchants Casino;
lanciers, Patience; polka, "Bejasso";
waltz, "Squatters' Sovereignty; Ian
ciers, THE Pirates" and waltz, Merry
War" The dance music was quite
to nowadays.
For this occasion the floor director
was T. Arthur Tomlinson; the floor
committee, c. E. Engles, Lee B. Mosher,
Walter Wellington, j. Louis Betz, jr.,
and H. V. Wurdemann. The executive
committee included Charles G. Ring
walt, John j. King, Fred L. Siddons,
Frank A. Hopkins, Charles S. Domer
and Mr.. Tomlinson. The Marine Band
furnished the music.
From the earliest days Washington
and Georgetown have had some very
excellent military companies. Many
have gone out of existence entirely:
some have even been forgotten, while
other, true to the spirit that prompted
their formation in the beginning, still
maintain veteran organization.
Some of these companies were known
from coast to coast, for hardly a year
passed that one or more local military
bodies did not leave home to attend
national encampment with the aVowed
purpose of returning home with the
and they seldom missed it.
Local Companies
At this late day it is hard to recall
all the separate companies here five
or six decades ago. The Union vet
Grams had several organizations such
as the Union Veterans Corps, or the
Old Guard, as it was also called, and
which had its beginning back in 1880.
Then there were the National Rifle
Cadets, the Emmett Guards, Washing
ton Continentals, Arthur Rifles, Presi-
dents Guard, the Morton Cadets, Ma
tional Fencibles, Corcoran Cadets, Ord
way Rifles, Washington Light Guard
and Hannemann's Artillery.
There were also several colored mill
tary companies years ago, including
the Washington Cadet Corps, Lincoln
Light Infantry, Butler zouaves, Capital
City Guard and the Webster Rifles, and
they received their share of applause
along with the rest when they marched
along the Avenue with clocklike pre-.
cision to the strains Of Sousa march,
Nearly all of these old companies
have ceased to exist entirely and few
even meet now at the festive board
to talk things over. One of these, how
ever. that still holds an occasional BAN
quet is the Corcoran Cadet Corps, which
was first organized in the spring OF
1882, and then, after coming to more
perfect understanding, was reorganized
on February %, 1883.
The original roster Of charter mem.
bers as printed sometime ago contain,
Evening star., 1945-10-28

by setting up shore batteries below
Mount Vernon, but the enemy got away
and the only casualty was a COW. killed
by an American soldier who "miscon-
ceived the order"
Ship Launchings
With the growth of the railroads AL
exandria lost its prestige as a seaport
and shipbuilding was at standstill
until World War I, when freighters and
nfeboats were built at the city's docks
and once again the President of the
United States, this time woodrow Will
son, attended the launching of ship
in Alexandria and was feted as George
Washington had been when he was
won't to attend launchings in the city.
During the recent war the Naval
Torpedo Station has played big part
In the civic and economic life of Alex
Evening star., 1945-10-28

on August 81, 1886, published the fol-
lowing item in its columns:
washington Light Infantry-A COM
pany of soldiers has Just been organized
in the city, to be denominated the
Washington Light Infantry. We under
stand that the number amounts at pres
ent to 40 members, who are all of them
gentlemen of respectability and good
standing. This company will be hand
somely equipped and uniformed, SO as
to make respectable and soldierlike
appearance on the 18th of September,
when they expect to meet and join
their Baltimore companions in arms.
THE following gentlemen have been
elected officers of the Washington Light
Infantry: j. A. Blake, captain; Richard
France, first lieutenant; w H. Mauro
second lieutenant and John Mills, third
lieutenant"
New Companies Planned
A few days later on September 5, the
same paper states:
I'VE understand that the number of
volunteers into the Washington Light
Infantry, commanded by Capt. Blake,
has considerably increased since we last
noticed them. The company amounts at
present to about so, all of them respec-
table mechanics or tradesmen. From
all that we have learned relative to the
military movements in the city. there
is very flattering prospect of raising
three or four new companies of cavalry
and infantry, such as will do credit
to the Metropolis and be Of powerful ad-
vantage in case of emergency"
During the uninterrupted existence
of the infantry from 1886 to February,
1861, when it went out of existence,
fairly good records were kept by this
military organization, and from the
date of its reorganization, May Is, 1871,
to 1887, when it became part of the
National Guard, its records were well
kept. In 1908, when the surviving mem
bers of the Washington Light Infantry
Corps were forced to vacate their ar
mory at Fifteenth and E streets, in the
building erected by them in 1884, and
In which was located Albaugh's Grand
Opera House, there were two members
of the corps who had sufficient pres
ence of mind to save the records, namely,
Maj. s. Porter House and Capt Edward
w. Zea.
On February II, 1861, special meet
Ing of the infantry was held, and a
drill meeting followed on February II.
These were the two final meetings be-
fore the body finally disbanded and was
mustered into the Federal service on
April 10, it being the first organization
to volunteer for service in the Union
Army, and thus became the first de-
tenders" of the National Capital in the
great crisis of l86l-1865.
Guarded Buildings
This particular company known as
Company A, commanded by Capt Lem
uel Towers, which was sworn In as
itated, was, on the following day, on
Euard at the Long Bridge, which for
many years had spanned the Potomac.
On the night of the 18th it guarded the
Treasury Building, the State Depart
nert and the White House. and until
.he first troops arrived from the North
on April Is. the District troops guarded
public departments and property and
every thoroughfare of approach to the
Capital by land and water.
All members of the infantry did not
light on the Northern side. for some
vent South and Joined the Confederate
Army, but shortly after the war was
lyer. and more tranquil feeling ex-
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

The evident failure of the London
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

Conference Of Foreign Ministers 10
settle differences between the
United Nations ss to the conquered
and liberated areas of Europe. and
the recent attitude taken by Russia
On both European and Pacific prob
lems, is giving great deal OF be-
bird !ac-seenes concern TO the Tru-
man Administration and the Con-
sstess. Frankly. the situation does
not look at all good. ard the need
f3- sia carly meeting between PraBt.
cnnt Truman. Premier Stain and
Prilae Minister Attlee, in an 81.
terlrt to straiglltsn out present
misunderstanding. becomes mors
apparent daily.
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
EDIT T0RIAl. S

te Admiral Chester w Nifnitz, and
through him 10 the entire personnel
II the United States Navy. on Fri
day of last week The doughty Ad
nir&l. Commander of our Naval
fjghting forces In the Pacific, ad-
dressed q Joint session OF Congress,
following which q great parade,
needed BY Midshipnen from the
United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis. swung down historic
Pennsylvania Avenue to the Wash
nBton Monument grounds. where
sol1c two hundred and fifty thous-
ana citizens paid tribute to Amer
ieo's top Naval hero.
There has been considerable criti-
cisin developing on Capitol Hill re-
Gently over the way the Truman
Administration has been meeting
tie present strike situation which ia
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
CO M M E N 7 S

the Congress vii. enact legislation
To meet the situation.
President Truman has asked the
Corgresa fer authority to appoint
an official commission to control the
atomic bomb, It's production, and
further research in connection
Herewith. The President also adj
vised Congress that at the proper
time he will move toward obtaining
international agreements for the
future control and use Of atomic
bombs and atomic power. Many
members Of Congress would like to
know more about the atomic bomb.
ita development and possibilities.
before being called upon to pass on
the future control or use Of this
great new discovery.
The evident failure of the London
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
w ith a Buck kcye
In Congress.

tice. The Court took no official
recognition Of the Presidents visit,
which lasted some fifteen minutes
Following adjournment of the
Court reception was held for Sem
ator Burton in his Judicial Cham
bers. The Ohio delegation ia Con-
gress were special guests Of Justice
Burton at his induction ceremony
ard reception
The nations Capitol paid honor
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
WITH a BUCKEYE
N CONGRESS-

ON Monday OF last week, for the
AIRS, time In the nations history. e
President of the United States at
tended d session Of the Supreme
Court, whcn President Truman
watched Senator Harold n. Burton
Of Ohio sworn III as Associate Jus
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

uestlon--picase explain tne "fiu
fss" In Matthew 2.:32.
sAnSwer--I.et us read It: Nov
earn q parable Of the fig tree;
When his branch Is yet tender. and
batteth forth leaves. ye know that
b1rnmer In nigh" In Luke 2l:2l
; ID written: and He spake tp
Mem a parable; Behold the fIg
koe. and all the trees" The green
bsAvea on the fig tree and alI the
syees are sign of GUNNER. So tllt'
biEns which Christ has given aie
Evidences nf the coming kingdom
A God.
| o.--What ia the meaning Of J~
tsvah-nissl.r and where 10 1t founa
II ths Bible?
Alt Ia In Exodus 17:15 and
means "ths Lord ia my banner
This name was given by Moses to
the altar built in commemoratiou
pf ths victory over the Amnlekites
Exodus 17:s-l5
0---t4sw could Moses write law,
when, according TO authorities, mer
wsrs not yet civilized enough to
write, much less make laws?
A.--What authorities? Such an
idea might have been published one
Aundred years ago. but modern
archaeology has proved state ot
tiEh civilization In the days oi
Moses. Ia 1901 De Morgan discov
sred carved on a great obelIsk tht
famous code OF laws OF Hammu
rabi. king who lived hundreds Of
Feaxs before Moses. So modern dis
Rorssies prove the Bible true.
!. o.--tshat was the mark put upoi
Ealnf
A.--Eead Genesis 4.l4. Is. Thl
asiytnai words. literally rendered
ArN. Tho Lord Eave sign. tokers
8 pledge, to Cain. that no ono VII
found him should kill him Thas
10, God assured him Of his persona,
safety. Just what that sign o.
t0ksh was. we are not told.
!. C.--Ali DO not have the same err
sisanmeni and heritage, SO how
San God hold. sheu, equally respon
able In the Judgment?
D .a.~-Yn Gods record OF mans
Hty. bis birthplace, etc. are taken
Into consideration Psalm S746: 4
Rtli make mention OF Rahab and
H&hsiDn % them that anow Me: be.
bold PhiirAtis. and Tyre. with Ethi
cpiA; this nm was born there. Aud
pf Zion i. SILL be said. This ami
tnax Eaax WAS lafn IN her. and the
Highest Himself xAa.l establish her,
a4~ Lard shah Sount when He
pgrlaAxA W thA DsOrlA HN this
80 w AsSs sAssA" 80 NJ auQ
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

ssizing and operation Of strike
bound plants is no real solution OF
the problem, but only postpones the
day Of final settlement Unless some
definite steps are taken by the Ad-
rninistration soon to bring about In
dlsttial peace, it is entirely likely
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
| bIRlE uuE5Tl0n5
,ANSWER%D ~ the
| voiCg 7fpRnpHECY
<aRsstion--Whst does Joel 2:st

o1ss.iun--Whst does Joel 2:s'
us1ne
Xiiswer---It reads: The sun shall
3as.turned into darkness, and the
iatcn into blood. before the great
Ind tbs terrific day Of the Lord
trsns." 'fhs sun was darkensd on
way 10. ltsn. and that night the
papa was as red ne blood
.o.--Where did Lsmech get his
wives, Adsh and zlllah7
rLamech ras the fret TO re
hesSs the order Of God By intro
Ia6fAs solysamr According to stu
| aAa1 OF Bible chronology. THE ssas
I i&At twt hundred years after
Irtklna, when thera wsrs many
,auris on the earth.
e.-.Wiii all tho hsathsn who
Asps never heard Of christ be lost?
a. Read Romans ! and 2. Thess
Ahartsrs mako II clear that they
yiu ne judged for their sins &C
sord;ns to the light they have
$pgho sill render to every man &C
kording I'd his deeds foi
lhSr~ il IN tespsct of persons ri'b
bod Rsmsns 20, II.
o.--t4ow could tho laraelites
knAreh around Jericho seven times
IN ono day
Al. Archaaoiogists have uncoy
brad the wallis Of Jericho, and 40
tinl meas aremeats have been made
khich shoH that seven iimei
around Jericho would ho little
more than "a miles--nct a very
sst.ous days journey.
o.--Don't you think unbelief n
acd u caused by lack OF lntelli'
yencss
.A.--Not necessarily. For ye see
vour calling. brethren. how that
not many wise men after the flesh
hot many mighty. not many noble
ira called. hui God hath choser
re foolish things OF the world te
safound tbs wise: and God HAITI
tio4en the weak things Of ths
ORD To ccntound the things which
tr1 mighty" ! Corinthians i::26. p
o.--isalah GOT mentions Sarpon
u king Of Assyria. Since there !,
~ i word In history about him.
kaiv do Ne know that he existed?
sska--Fdrst, the Bible Is histof,
Ssd II says thar he did exist. Sec
bnd SaTgon was SO much alive
that he built a large city tKhorsa
tsal and captured the city of Sa
uaria, Win, 1880 captives. ant
tofs y written record of \ IN elas
kcoas whica we have today VI
sven have his picture carved if
stone He was murdered IN 7nb sts
whoever denies that Sargoa Nas
an. actual king o. Assyria i a hlu
tired years behind tho times.
Ia. Ncfe. .ialrsss eop, quss.ioas 10
he BIBLE QUESTION C0lDBS, { /
YAcs Of PrepieeY, Bor S., rs 4 I
ssles So. C0l;. Bible qnea,ioas q
rrai iafcyes, 1ili Be ansHefes u
column a space permits,
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05
Make Jobs and Progress!

3 ron Developing New Parks and pIaysrsvnds
g FOR Nav Juvenile Court and psisnilsn Hema
z FOR Nav, Necessary Brldsss. Bridge Repairs
g FOR MsdemizInS Traffic Control system
81 FOR Opening New Thoroushiorss and ssrssss
z ron hsw city Safety Department Dy,lans
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

undoubtedly interfering with the
reconversion prog am aid threat
ening To add to the future unem-
ploymont problem. Government
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

The nations Capitol paid honor
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1945-10-05

81 poR an En,oraed noderr!1ea ssd~a'I ssnaiosIon
EJ FOR Permanent co.n.y improvements
81 foR AAukins Needed Street und Sewer irprovsrsenis
M FOR improvement Of Munepui Airport
ri YES FOR clly chuusi Amendment tIax tsyy fei
esmsnsna iMRsSysmsntI .---
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-16

Parks of CITY
Will be Open

The city recreation program for
the summer will begin June 26. with
much the same arrangement as last
year.
All parks will be open, with con
slant supervision at Harriet, Pros
pect, Riverside, Woodruff, and Rec.
reation. The swimming pool at the
high school win be open for chill
dren every afternoon from Monday
through Friday from / o'clock I'M
Ill 6 O'Clock. and for adults, three
evenings a week, Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday. In the mornings
from 10 o'clock until noon, the pool
will be open to all children under
IA years OF age. The afternoons
will be divided among the various
groups as follows: Monday-Pros-
pect area. Tuesday. Recreation.
Wednesday. Woodruff. and perhaps
Central and Riverside, Thursday
may be given TO Belleville children.
and Friday, Harriet.
Tuesday and Thursday mornings
the pool will be used by Belleville
children.
Larry Hutchinson, Ypsilanti base
ball coach. will handle not only the
City Industrial League, but also
the American Legion League which
is open TO all boys under IS years
old. Mr.. Hutchinson will conduct a
baseball school.
The girls OF the city are invited
to Join a softball league, and may
contact the women supervisors in
the various parks. There will be
a complete line of games offered
to children, and interpark coompe-
tition will be encouraged. The pro-
gram is under the direction OF Ed
win Shadford.
The supervisors at the parks are
the following: Recreation: Larry
Dunning. Miss Elizabeth Menzi,
and Miss Rachel Houck: Prospect,
George Marshall. Miss Bernice ia
cobs; Riverside. Robert Harvey,
Miss Wilma Byers: Harriet, Mrs.
Anna Dickerson (the other super
visor has not been chosen); Wood
ruff, John Shadford and Miss Olga
Podayko. Parks will be supervised
from / p. m. TO 3 p. m.
William H. Cooney and Miss lris
Andrews will supervise the swim
ming pool.
Miss Alice Groosbeck will act as
recreation secretary, and will check
the children entering the pool.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-16

Your Consumer Declaration not definite order for
Coke 1t merely form filled out assuring you of your
share of fuel next winter You must call us and let us
know when you ready for delivery
We you to order your coke now you can have 500
of your quota Call and let us know about when
you would like it delivered 1t would help us lot if we
could take care of some of our orders in ofeason
rather than have all orders to deliver in the fall
We will appreciate your cooperation again in calling us
now for your Coke Delivery. the deliver
this the better will be next fall Phone 70 and
order your coke today
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-16
Fine Points in Bridqe

bein. then had field day. Winning
the heart return, he scored the
club A, ruffed the with the
heart 4, and ran the rest of his
hearts.
1t was no cinch for East and
West to select their discards. East
selected his spade 8. club K. dia-
mond 8 and then was on a spot.
He held to the spade J-10, dia-
mond A-10 and club 9. West tossed
of one spade and clubs, keeping
the diamond OH and the club
Q-10. When the last heart was led.
East put on the diamond 10 and
West his club 10.
Thereupon East was thrown in
with the diamond A. II he re-
turned a spade, the dummy could
cash the X and then the diamond
K to make the contract. So he
fired back his club 8 to the Q, and
West had to lead a diamond to the
dummy's X. the spade @ making
the final trick. If West had held
two clubs at the end and two dia-
monds, he could have beaten II.
but once he cut himself to one club
he was licked.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-16
Sports Roundup

the fourth straight time Comskey
double dose efhanders
Chicago twin bill marking the Benga
first Newhouser shooting for his
ninth victory and Frank subby overmre who
has Deros pitching nominees TO
oppose Johnny and Buck Ross in the dubeheade today
the Detroit grounds where
the delayed opening day program OF an
meeting Start OF the 1s5 De meeting 20 days
than delayed by the ban
circuit injunction recently set aside
temporarily pending review OF Circuit
Judge racing Mchigan is unconstitutional
third cschers by the Detroit Tigers
Buffalo option while the Tigers
a Miller route from Dallas Texas
MichAP-Northvle Downs
resumption following
Thursdays night
I'd forced cancellation Of the Friday
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-16
Tank, Grid
Heads Named

Captains OF the football and SWIM
ming teams OF l945 were elected
today at Ypsilanti High School by
members OF the 1914 squads.
James Wolter. Junior, will cap,
tain the football teams this fall,
and Daniel Campbell and Kenneth
Reas, both seniors, will be co-cap-
tsins OF the swimming squad.