National Drill and Encampment In May 1887, militia groups from nineteen states and the District of Columbia participated in a drill competition on the National Mall. They set up their tents on the grounds of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/36">Washington Monument</a> and participated in marching, drilling, and shooting competitions on the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/315">Ellipse</a>. Militia drill competitions were popular in the 1880s, but this was the first time black companies competed against white. Two white companies from Mississippi and Tennessee refused to march in a parade when they were placed behind a black company. Hospital tents near the encampment were provided by the Red Cross and overseen by Clara Barton. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004674693/">View original</a>. 05/23/1887-05/30/1887 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1860-1889">1860-1889</a>