Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-04-11
The British Military F0rces.
New York Tribune

The military forces of Great Britain
as now organized are composed of Il
the standing army, ~ the frst-class)
army and militia reserve, (3) the mil
lila, AZ the volunteers, and (5) the
second army (about $4,000 strong)
corresponds in organization and duties
with that of the smaller regular army
IN this country. The frst-class army
and military reserve have no counter
part III the American system. They
are composed respectfully of men who
have served three years or thereabouts
in the regular army and the militia.
These men now form part of the civil
population, but, as soon as parliament
sanctions the royal order, they will be
expected to repair to the brigade depots
at which they are enrolled.
The militia (95,000 strong) CORES
ponds in some respects to the national
guard of this state, but the discipline is
nearly as stringent as in the regular
army. The militia is only intended for
home defense, and cannot be sent out
Of the United Kingdom. The members
of this branch of the service are paid a
small sum annually. The volunteers
NICOjOOO oOIOllSj COlICSDO1luS u1OIc
closely to the state troops in this coun-
try than the militia. The regiments
are composed mainly of young men en-
gagged in business occupations, and are
commanded by officers selected by
themselves and approved by the gov
ernment.
The second class army reserve (10,-
600 strong) is composed of old pension
ers, who are now off duty, but are ex-
pected to repair to military depots and
serve when called out. In recent arti-
Gle on the British army, Sir Garnet VOL
seley gives interesting information
which throws light on the contemplated
measures of the government. "Ac-
cording to our existing military sys-
tem," he says, upon war being de-
hands over its reserve at once to the
line, Who, together with our first class
army reserve, would give us about 49,
600 good men to bring up our line bat
tallons to war strength. Our second
class army reserve consisting of old
soldiers, although past the pine of life
would supply us with about $4,000
bayonets quite fit for garrison duty The
four companies of regular infantry now
at each of the seventy brigade depots
would at once be formed into cadres of
seventy depot bataliens, and begin re-
cruiting locally. To them would be
dispatched all the men who last
year joined the battalions it is in
tended to engage in active service. Re
garding the forces which England may
call into repuisition, Sir Garnet VOL
seley makes an interesting statement
"At no previous PERIOD" he says, "of
our history have we ever been SO strong,
in military sense, as at present: In
1854 we were very weak in the field
artillery; the military force in these
islands was under 10000 men, and
there was no reserve whatever beyond
some pensioners, who were too old for
field service. Were war declared to-
morrow, about 100000 drilled men
would fall into line if required, sup
ported by 372 field guns, manned and
horsed by the royal artillery. That
number would roughly be made up as
follows:
Standing army (at home> -. $4,000
army and militia reserve. 10000
soIunteeTs .-.....-..... .-....---. .. .lS0 @ 0Oo
rroto, 80 ooo