The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-23
MILITARY CHIT CHAT.

The riot still continues to be the all-absorbing
topic Of conversation In military circles 1t is to be
hoped, now That the various regiments have mad
little taste OF the rough experience even non-paid
mihtiaman has to 90 through once in a while,
whether he likes 1t or not that the lessons OF the
past week will not be entirely thrown away. The
National Guard as whole Is well worthy or all the
praise General Shaler avishes upon 1t In his Official
report OF the riot: but there are not few OF tue
regiments who need to turn over new leaf in DIS
cipline they desire 10 be well prepared to cope
rioters or any other kind OF public enemy who
dares to defy law. order and authority. In the FIRST
place careful wedding out OF incompetent ofncers
should be the first selflmposed task OF every com.
mand which Is unfortunate enough to be at present
hampered with them and. secondly, greater de.
gree of respect and obedience for the properly
sttued officers should he infused into the men.
Doubtless great deal OF the GOODNESS displayed by
the Twenty. second In the late riot when the
men stood steady beneath the shower or shot and
missile that was rained down upon them, was owing
to thai respect for their officers IN comm ana
which every private in the regiment is
taught to regousy observe. And the same
may be said OF the admirable conduct OF
the Seventh on the same occasion. The idea that
one man Is Just as good another III militia regl
men is all very true; but for all that private should
ways understand that his superior officer is his
superior while in command, no matter what
equal footing the two may be on when not on
duty. Tue great mistake made by many officers In
the National Guard Is that to be popular they must
necessarily make free'' with their men while
duty, just though there were no distinction OF
rank between them. To have his company well
disciplined and always ready TO obey orders not
only, out TO walt Tor orders before making SINGLE
move, captain need not, certainly, make 1t APPOINT
to be as familiar with mis- subordInates nj all times
to make obedience on their part more thing
OF option than duty. In tins connection 1t may be
SAID that the Army and Macy Joaradi this week
gives some very good advice 10 the National Guard
as to how they should pront from the experiences OF
the Its suggestions to the practice or street
firing by tine regiments should De needed at once
At the same time thai the militia has much 10 gain
by the lessons OF the riot, the state authorities
draw profit from the same source by seeing TO II
that every regiment be furnished Immediately and
be constantly drilled in the use OF oreech.oadlng
the mob on the 10Th inst, and who noticed
the trouble the troops had TO load IN a
but VIII lend his voice in favor OF supplying the
troops with preech-loaders Had the Ninth not been
use the ramrod, II is quite probable that mucn OF
the confusion into wuich cCe OF the companies was
would have been Impossible. The old cry that the
militia not need tile new style VI musket because
prove very weak one from the present in the light
OF the late riots which they had to oe called upon TO
squelch.
dence tomorrow Monday, and II Providence
favors them with good weather the boys VIII
doubtless have splendid time OF IT,
The folks IN Providence always make "A
good deal of good New York regiment, and the
excursonlsts are so well known IN Little Rhody that
the people VIII be certain 10 take them In hand in
real Old England hospitality style. The Doys say
they Will be away only a couple Of days, but the
Providence militia may keep them longer II they
don't look out.
The new French regiment is getting along splcn-
didIy. Recruits are Joining by the dozen every few
DAYS and the prospects are that by Lafayettes BIRTH
day next the FIRST division Will have a real out and
out french regiment TO swell It's numbers. But would
II not be well for its organizers 10 drop that long
title they have assumed Tor the regimentr No per-
sou Will ever be aOle TO remember II after he has
heard IL a dozen times. Something short and sharp,
gentlemen, would do much better.
Why does somebody who has money enough 10
spare do good thing Tor his own lame ana that
OF others by donating fund to provide medals for
all members OF the National Guard who distinguish
themselves IN hours OF perily military medal 10
itsei isn't much, but when IL Is won Ior brave deeds
done the winner values II beyond price, even though
he he a mIitiaman. 70
MAT has become or that new cavalry regiment
In wnicn every dragon was 10 own his own moss ~
Can one OF the moneyed organizers teilE