The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-05-11
From the Lawrence Journal.
A FEW WORDS TO COMPANIES AMI
OFFICERS.

So many new companies are being form
ed and many members of the same being
entirely ignorant of the discipline and rules
of the soldiers life, we feel inclined to VEN
lure few suggestions to the companies and
officers in our State:
First, In selecting your officers tespe-
cially commissioned officers let favoritism
have as little to do with it as possible. In
your superior officers look for GOODNESS and
good temper. Where So little is known by
any member, let those who are elevated to
position in the company command your
respect, though they may not be able to
keep far ahead of you in drill. Only those
who have held the responsible position of
Captain or Lieutenant can understand the
burdens of either, especially when they are
little rusty Sustain your officers,
therefore, in all that is of benefit to the
company; and, as you have confided to them
responsibility, it is to be hoped you will
rely somewhat on their judgment in all mat
tiers of that nature.
Second, Having organized the company,
let every man enter spiritedly into the work.
On the discipline, activity and good conduct
of the body depends its efficiency. Az
there is every reason to believe that we may
be called upon to do service somewhere, let
US be prepared to do duty as only freemen,
fighting for principle, can.
Third, As company is generally COM
posed of from forty to seventy men, have
each company divided into squads of from
ten to twenty. Select some orJinary-sized
hall, and have each squad drill two nights
a week, and under the best officer that can
serve.
T.. IL l. l. f. .4tIo
ters. The position of soldier is of more
consequence than is popularity supposed,
and it is only appreciated by our citizen
soldiers when it is at sacrifice. Hence,
let it be impressed upon the recruit that be
is confined to many tedious hours of drill
in position and facings for some purpose,
which appears more satisfactory as he a1-
vances. Recruits should be drilled in the
above for at least six evenings before they
| take the rifle or musket. Say the first even
ing an hour, and then gradually rise to two
hours active drill. 1t will be found to be
hard work for almost any new beginner for
the first few drills; but in the end, he viii
be improved in physical aud even menta
ability. When a man has acquired good
understanding of company drill, he can wei
be prond of his position. So few compa
MES adhere to the true discipline Of the sol
der, that it is generally understood that I
young man joins military company 70
the fun of it. We wish it could be i'm
pressed upon the mind of every militar,
man in Kansas, that we now commence tn
organization o: military force in time
which call for earnest work and discipline
Mistakes now made may be corrected un
der more trying circumstances.
! Fifth. We sincerely believe that in til
main, Hardee's Infantry tactics will b
found best adapted to American warfare.
is nervous. exciting and invigorating- Tn
most successful and efficient regiments j
the country have adopted Hardee. anon
which we may mention the 7th Nations
Guard) and 71st American Guard) q
New York-two regiments that have com
peted for several years in these tactics, hay
ing adopted them with little variation from
, the original, foar years since. We are con
fident there is not man in either of thos
bodies, who has attended regularly tn
meetings of the company, who has not i'm
proved morally, mentally and physically
for, we may say that the morals of the ma
, have been looked 10 By theee regiments,
} being part of the discipline. Though mel
Their ara perfect. they are as near it as the!
we'll can be. No regiments in service vii
make better report than they, when callee