Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-17

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Letter FROM m 0id sotdier-Ne 3.
TO fs Editors Of NJ Duag hreas .luh

To hs Edaors Of Ne Da1v Rrsns Tsff d.
ORGANIZATION or HOME GUARDS
Cincinnati Home Guards are drilled 81
their different armories in the city. Most OF
them provided with firearms, some with
uniforms and all are spirited, and anxious
70 do their best II summoned 70 meet danger.
But our peculiar situation requires more
than al this. Permit also a few suggestions
that may be useiul.
The number of men Of our Homo Guards
in the city Is said 20 be Eve thousand 20 eir
thousand. II one fifth or one. sixth of this
number were, for twenty. four hours, called
on to mount guard and perform military
duties, as in q garrison, and proper localities
selected for this purpore at the central ar
moiies in each ward, at the public landing,
ct the different ferry.b boat landings, at the
the railroad stations, and other prominent
points of approach to this city, these Guards,
&c distributed, having a general and easy
communication with d principal Guard sta.
tion in this city, where the chief commander
for the twenty four bours could be found.
would present An effective arrangement to
protect the city.
Bach of these different Guards on duty, as
in garrison, should be divided into three
parts; each part, from the time of sunset TO
sunrise, should be pstrolling two hours, and
allowed four hours rest. Sentries, where
such are required, on important points,
should also mount guard for two hours, and
be allowed four hours rest. After sunrise
IN the morning, one-half of the Guards on
duty might be sent home; the other hall
detained may, in daytime, under common
circumstances, be sufficient.
The advantage Of such a system, if il
Should be introduced, would be to AVE A
considerable force always ready TO respond
az any emergency, and would be enough. AS
a rallying point, to give the whole Of the
Home Guards time TO assemble and act
e1ectually.
1t should also be we'll understood, and so
managed, that every point of Importance for
tie defense of the city within It's boundary.
should have selected for its defense an ade.
Quate force, and this as much as possible
from the immediate neighnorhood, in
structed, on alarm given, TO collect in the
SEINE name as our firemen do when the
fIe-bell rings.
Proper signals for the Home Guard should
be arranged; signals for advance and re-
treat, TO make a stand, to turn TO the right,
70 the left, TO form columns, to deploy. to
spread as rangers. in regular chain, &c, sc.
Instructions should also be given how to
throw up and form barbados in the streets.
and TO defend them and the adjacent houses,
and where materials in a few moments can
lie procured. The manner of signaling
should be well understood; if drums, bugles,
bells, fireworks, or other devices, are em-
ployed, a regular system ought TO be adopted.
While we have time TO organize, il is i'm
po1tant to regulate every thing; so that
calm, deliberate action be inaueurated, and
confusion avoided. A Chief and his Staff
shonld be selected to command the Home
Guards of the city. If all these and other
proper precautions are attended to, our
families and friends would feel more secure.
and nightly alarms would be escaped. When
We know that watchful and brave men
patrol our streets, guard the avenues to our
homes, and are ready to act to prevent or
crush disturbers of the public peace, and de-
fend US against any danger that may menace
our beloved city, our Home Guard, by a
proper organization, as above indicated,
would be of great assistance to our regular
wstchmen and police, and our public func-
tiOnaries.
Much might be suggested, if intelligent
men from the Home Guards of the different
wards of the city were selected to form a
Board to consult upon measures TO employ,
in the most %etiectual manner, the services OF
our Home Guards.
The map | am constructing, and which |
mentioned in my former letter, will, if my
health permits, be soon ready. 1t will show
that, by Notifications and batteries on our
hills and at the river bends, our city can be
protected against q sudden attack, plunder
and confagration, and the exactious of o
ruthless enemy. OrTON. D.