Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-08
FOR THE E.NQ UIRER

MILL Ia OhOhNIZAIION.
At meeting of the officers of the 47h and SSH Reg
mens oil the Virginia Militia, held at the Court House of
Abemare county, LIST December, 1892 for the purpose
considering the proposed changes in the Militia SYSTEM
ana sending delegates to the Convention OF officers TO be
holden In Richmond the I'd Monday in December
On motion Of Major +. b. Dyer of the I'd Regiment Of
Artillery, Col James o. Carr of the SSH, was called TO
the Chair and Maj James r. Watson appointed Secreta
ry On motion, the following gentleman were appointed
committee 10 report preamble and resolutions, express
ing tile views of this meeting viz Mai F. b. Over It.
Andrew Leitch, Col. David Hays, Lieut. Col David r.
Goodman and Quarter Master V. w. Southall-whO re-
ported as follows:
This meeting, deeply impressed with the importance of
well organized Militia, and its intimate come xion as
well with the peace and tranquility of the State as with
the liberties OF the people, have witnessed with much
pleasure the development of public sentiment favorable
to complete revision Of that SYSTEM Which never has
ana IL II continues to exist, as IT now Does can
suOserVe The purposes for which il designed IL is
admitted to be so defective that there scarcely fea-
lure IN IT. the tendency of which foster even that
degree OF military spirit and discipline which should cha
racterZe the citizens of free and republican form of 90
Yernmen Under the inauspcous egislaon ofsuccessve
years innovation has followed innovation, until a SYSTEM
originally bad has ceased 10 have for its object the secu
" OF The State and has degenerated into mere plan of
ascertaning the numerical force of the militia These
ae oeng universally admitted, conhde in the wisdom
OIL e Legislature 10 correct such evils in the SYSTEM
expectancy and the expression of public sentiment re-
quire This meetings however cannot refrain from urg-
ing upon the consideration of that body the importance
and necessity that exist to have our officers we'll train
ed before we expect discipline
among the great body OF the militia hemselves--for il
rally should be entirely ignorant of principles whe,
heir oncsrs whom they have depend for instruc
non are generally as unacquainted with they are
themselves This then, is the inevitable result of sys-
e which begins at conclusions and imperecty endea
Yors TO go back to first principles Hence it is me susfe
and not the officers Brigade Inspectors TO whom we
are 10 attach the blame In endeavong trace those
evils to their origin, cannot, for a moment hest
tate IN attubuiiDg them to the manner in which the
Dngaue inspectors discharge their duty--we exempt
Them however, from any censure-but il is a fact
which can neither be concealed nor denied that a
great degree OF rldicue is cast upon body, in
consequence OF the loose and awkward appearance which
the officers exhibit al the trainings; together with the
haste IN which they hurried through company and
battalion eyOlutons, mpercctIy understood and recbed
W executed, when at the time many of them are
unable TO assume the position Of the soldier without arms
or TO 20 smoothly through the faciDg We think il OBJ
vOus That the proper Of instruction 10 be pursued
by the brigade inspector would be- 10 classify the officers
according to their Acquirements-then regularly instruct
men, step by step, in the a-imPortant principles Of the
school OF the soldier, before they allowed to attempt
any evouOns whatsoever So important do we consider
this first STEP that regard il indispensable in qualify
ing militia Oficer-that he should move himself with
the ranks before he npart the necessary instruction
to those who may be placed under his command For i,
would be absurd TO presume he could impart practical
knowledge Of discipline, when he had acquired il him
seH VIC also deem important that all officers should
be trained according TO the Manual of infantry tactics
adopted by Congress and used in the United States
vice. to be strictly followed by Officers Of companies Co
onos OF Regiments and Brigade uspectors-and also that
uskes should be furnished by the Executive 10 all off
GERS OF the militia be used the trainings wherein il
should be the duty Of the Brigade Inspector not only 10
instruct them IN the school of the soldier without arms,
On, also TO drl them thoroughly in tie manual
20 na' IN case OF any emergency whatsoever militia
Wouu soon be we'll disciplined and ready to be called
OF de.al service We would further suggest the policy
o. placing The militia the MISUNDERSTANDING
company to have captain and four subaterns with the
REQUISITE number Of sergesns and corporss that the
company trainings would conform exactly to SCOTS ma
nus ana would make the rank Of leclosers, which is
uoemeo OF great Importance both in This country and Eu-
rope enufely complete. We also hope that the passed
~ o lss' Legislature Tor the encouragement Of voun-
leef companies will be amended that adequate