The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-18
MILITARY NOTES.

The intelligence that the authorities at Albany are
considering the proprety OF disbsadng the cavalry
Of the National Guard entirely. at least Of CONSOLE
dating It Into one regiment, Will doubtless be re-
ceived with supreme satisfaction by every member
Of the militia who has the Interest OF the service Of
heart Some time ago the after inefflcency OF this
branch OF the National Guard was pointed out in
these columns, and tho late annual inspection
showed quite plainly that the men were badly on
cered. and that discipline in the regiments was o
thing quite foreign to them. 1t would certainly
quire no great research TO find out the real cause
for the utter want OF system the absence OF sodiery
bearing-n fact OF every essential that goes make
command thorough and enlcient-which at present
characterize the cavalry or the First division. and
the division commander cannot hold himself
entirely blameless for It's deplorable condition
he should have long ago made some arrange
ment by which the officers OF the various regi-
ments could have been instructed In their duties
and goodness knows they want instruction badly
The disgrace OF the late inspection was directly OF
she offlcers' own making. for had they known what
military precision and knowledge required OF them
the men would have been under control and
the manGnvres properly executed. II the cavalry
u to DO continued, General Shaer, or rather the
Commander-in Chief himself, should see to 1t tnat
the Oflcers are schooed In the first rudiments OF
o0lulcr'B cuucallOn before are oilOWeu TO
command OF even a corporal's guard. Indeed, the
Board OF Examiners appointed some time ago would
have their hands full now II some OF the command
ants OF the cavalry regiments did their duty by
reporting the officers whom they think deficient,
and might, In more than instance, with perfect
proprie.y report themselves deficient at the same
time. II there must be cavalry In the National
Guard. by all means let there be but one regiment
ana that one OF well drilled soldiers
There is gu bject which 1t is to be hoped General
McQuade will take due notice OF when he sends his
report to Albany concerning the inspections, and
that il the ununlformalty OF the muskets used by
the various regiments. Those belonging to the
Twenty-second regiment for instance, are probably
two three pounds lighter than those carried by
the Seventh besides being much better adapted to
quick handing. Why not Introduce the existing
style Of the regular army musket9 1t Is considered
one OF the most symmetrical and available pieces III
the world. The fact or Its being breech loader
ought OF Itself TO hasten It's Introduction among all
the state troops The idea that II II were adopted
the existing manual would have to be somewhat
changed is preposteous as an argument; for when
musket needs no ramr0d the loading motions as
far as the ramrod is concerned, can easily be dis
pensed with. VIII General McQuade please make a
3 The visit Of the Providence Light Infantry last
week was productive OF great deal OF good feeling
between them and our city regiments that Is, be-
tween those whom they met at the reception in the
Fourteenth street armory and during their trip to
the public institutions There was one draw back TO
the general pleasure OF the latter occasion, however,
and the Bohemians were at the bottom OF IT. Some
how or another they got wind OF big dinner or
collation. about the way that an ilfed dog does
OF JUICY piece OF meat IN passing butchers shop
long fasting Several OF these -inthe-neel, III
hammered ours got on board the boat on the Black
wells Island trip, ana succeeded ,, as they always
came In contact, but especially the gentlemen
OF the press who represented the three
leading morning papers or the city. The
fault OF the whole thing lay directly with the Twenty
second regiment officers. They should have made
1entas their being regular Journalists specially
Invited or sent to the iestlvity and in default OF
such documents, they should have been treated as
imposters ana kicked overheard. Indiscriminate
admission at military balls, receptions &C. OF fell
came so positive nuisance last winter that the reg
plar members OF the press seldom or never made
themselves known, aud refused TO 60 into the COM
mttee rooms for fear Of being confounded with the
lmp0Sters. Reporters in attending military recep-
tons or other like occasions, attend for business pur
poses exclusively. So whenever you hear On ind-
Vidual claiming to be a member OF the press kicking
Mp row because the table does not suit him or'he
y not seated as well as might be, set him down as
fraud and act accordingly
The appointment OF the Board OF Examiners with
out the power OF being able to compel the appear
ance before them OF any olicer whom they would
have reason to believe incompetent was great
mistake. They are forced to wait until colonel
some superior ofncer taxes 1t upon himself to send
one OF his subordlnates before the board Tue
result was that the board alter Its first sitting
adjourned without doing anything simply because
amined.
There will soon be an election in the Fourth bri-
eade First division to Ill the vacancy made by the
resignation OF General Aspinwall. There are several
candidates Tor the position, but the most prominent
isDCo0nel Lux OF the Eleventh regiment, and there
can be doubt about the fact that, II the brigade
officers look more to the actual merit and faithful
services In the past OF those who aspire TO the SIN
gle star shoulder straps, that he Will win the prize
He has been identified with the National Guard Tor
over thirty years and has always been known in the
First division as one OF Its most energetic members
whenever there was any uphill work to be done to
further It's welfare. The candidates opposed to
him, only one Of whom has the slightest chance OF
getLlng ahead OF him, are comparatively speaking,
i'm n n for nrn.
motion. From present indications there WIN
be scarcely any opposition to Colonel Lux's
election In this connection 1t might be sug-
gested that IN the election or not only brigade but
Tegimental and company commandments in the
militia more regard had for the bare merits''
Of candidates than Tor their social influence or
wealth the service would be much benefited, and
many companies that are now rather shabby AFFAIRS
National Guard than they really are.