The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-22
MILITARY NOTES.

The Summer Encampments and What
Ought To BE Done by the Militia.
The question Of encampments Is already begin
ming to bother the hardy warriors who make up the
bone and sinew OF the militia. The experiences of
the Ninth regiment at Long Branch, when colonel
Fisk was the head and front Of its offensive and de-
fensve operations In times Of trouble and likewise
Of peace, were not of the most bitter kind. while
the brief sojourn Of the gallant Seventh at Saratoga
two years ago has left an enduring impression upon
the minds Of the gray coats, which even the sweets
Of Glen MITCHELL with its numerous rude charges
OF bayonet and bar have not as yet wholly oblite-
rated. It seems that the main point to be decided
just now By those regiments whose members are
fondly hoping Tor week OF lie in the tented field Ia
the locality. is said that Colonel Spencer and his
swarthy nine hundred are seriously pethinklng
themselves of disappearing suddenly from our
midst some dne morning IN August, before ordl-
nary Christians nave rubbed the sleep out Of
their eyer, with the Interior view OF turning up
some indefinite time afterward In lonely spot
on the Adirondack Mountains, far away from the
naunts Of lager, pretzels and womans smiles.
The Twensy.second, too, II Is rumorsd, on the
strength Of . private conference had lew days
ago by some Of the sharpshooters OF the organiza.
ton, are determined, II they cannot 20 out OF
town Tor camping OUT at least to 90 to Creed.
moor or Jersey on q ride practice expedition, to
been disposed Of. As to the gallant Seventh, 1t
must be borne in mind that last summer it was q
little out OF humor with itself and stayed in town
during July and August, just as though country dir
was as dear as II only sold in small quantities to
private families. It may be that it takes the
Seventh full two years to get over one years. en-
impeachment, anu contend That the reason why
the regiment dld not camp out last year was.
tnat the treatment they received at Saratoga was
set their loot down against any fashionable resort
being selected thereafter as camping quarters.
But seriously the question OF regnental encamp.
ments this summer ought to be given q little more
SOBER attention than has as yet been paid to 1t.
heretofore Lot regiment IN any OF the divisions
which make up the STATE forces has ever made
move looking to an encampmen6 where instruc-
brcech-loading rires should be considered as even
necessary evii OF the camp. The Seventh, during
in ride practlce. Indeed there are members OF Of
this regiment to-day and there are members to be
found az present in every regiment IN this city.
five and SIX years, and who have never yet
known what 1t was to discharge musket with
ball cartridge. 1t Is all very well on show days for
regiment TO make splendid display OF Uniform,
sash and sabre, and to show itself accomplished IN
marching and countermarching; but II as mucn
consideration was paid 70 the use Of the musket
as IS paid to keeping step to good music, the value
OF the regiment would be enhanced In the pubic
eyes, 1t behooves the commanding Officers and
oil others concerned, therefore, one would think,
when the question OF encampmens squarely comes
up Tor disposal to consult less the cpicurean tastes
OF the dainty members aud little more those
OF the wou!d-be practical soldiers in camp. The
TACT Is that no good can come or any encamp-
ment that has Tor Its main, II not its exclusive
object, the thorough enjoyment Of the manifold
drills and parades ana guardmounts becomes
a mere farce when at the fashionable sum-
regiment and past experience has shown that
company often comes home knowing more about
e wea pa e we he en a new s
lesson that the members thoroughly mastered was
how to give the satut anutaire 10 the ladies with
more finished grace and elegance than ever. what
IL really wanted Is new departure In the matter
OF encampnlents, and there are no two regiments
In the militia who can inaugurate it with good ell
feet better than the seventh and the Twenty-sec
ond II either one OF these regiments really intends
going into camp TINS summer let the encampment
be thing OF military TACT and pracrice Let It Ce
carried out as the West Point cadets were made to
carry out their encampment three years ago-by
choosing the camping ground far away from the
usual resorts OF fashion and by strictly enforcing
every rule and regulation laid down III tue
BOOKS Tor the observance OF officer and soldier IN
the tented field TO be sure this way Of doing the
rhinr win make certain class OF members feel
but the idea first and its practical carrying out
afterwards. viii laluse spirit into those who do
impression that they really belong to military
body and not to q rowing band OF pleasure seekers,
cary by their gilt buttons anu nicely polished but
never used muskets Encampments, in TACT, here
alter should be made bona Tae encampments, not
opportunities FOR military spree. as most militia
encampments have been IN the past.
1t is said that Colonel Conkhng VIII soon succeed
General Funk, VINO mas been allowed to resign as q
brigade commander. Tne Colonel IL now tempo
rarity IN command, but there are many nspirants
Tor the brigadicryhlp, and Ii tho Colonel wants 10
''stlck', he needs TO bostlr himself.
Tie Examining Board appointed last January
have recommended that Captain William II. Cox
and Second Lieutenant Emile Cardoze he ds.
charged from the service. 1t also recommends
that Tor disobsdience in not appearing beiore the
Board lot examination the COMMISSIONS Of Second
Lieutenant David y. Brown,ec, Eightyfourtn rerl.
mant, and Captain lnofnas mccarthy, Separate
Troop cavalry, second division, be vacated.
The Twenty-thtrd intends TO visit "tne Iubu IN
June, and they say 1t Will cost between 50, 600 ana
81, 00o An expensive visit that
The Forty.seventh infantry last week had an In
spection which received the following compliment
from one oil the military crltics:-nlhe inspec
was any tnlng but credtable to the regiment, the
unsteadlness and care!essnsss OF the officers aud
men being PAINFULLY nanilcst.o And the same
critic thus SPEAKS Of the inspection oil tho Twenty
second on the l6tn Inst. 1.-THE musical progra me
bv al ban was iAr more uornta and