The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-29
THE DAILY STAR
BROOKLYN LETTER.

DhVVAL1N NIIEn.
The Militia of the state Of New
Yerk-Strength, discipline amt
EfIiclcncy or the citizen selaiery-
The Brooklyn Division, the Off.
sers and Arimorfes.
tpecial Correspondence Of the Star.
s.. BROOKLYN. N. Y, Jan. e..
Since the great strike of 1877 and tn
Pittsburg riot which formed such |
lurid spectacle in that terrible scene
States have been bestowing more though
ind concern upon their militia thai
they, in many instances, formerly did
But New York had for years appreciated
the value of an armed and disciplined
body of men in time of internal commo.
don, and as far back as the sanguinary
draft riots of 1868, had q we'll drilled
and equipped soldiery IS . protection
against disorders and bloodshed. 1 be
heve, however, that even if the STATE
lad not shown this concern, the citizens
themselves, from mere love of pageantry
must have supplied the deficiency. But
the riotous demonstrations Of three years
ago in this State, Pennsylvania and Him
ois have not been without their inhu-
snce in New York, however well she
performed her part in the past and since
that time military discipline has not only
been increased, but the people, thor
oughly recognizing the value of the
militia, have shown a desire that the
State should foster and promote in every
way in its power the growth and eff
eiency Of the citizen soldiery. And well
has the State acted in accordance with
the wishes of the people, until its mill
ta In numbers, drill, uniforms and equip
nents are without rival in the United
States. This is not my opinion; it is the
opinion of an experienced officer who has
made the subject a study. Neither is it
utter@ in disparagement of the efforts of
other States in the same direction. 1t is
natural that State SO wealthy and pop
ulous as this should lead in such mat
ters. ......-.'
The organization of militia in the
United States dates back to 1892, when
IN act of Congress was passed providing
that all able-bodied white male citizens
between the ages of eighteen and forty
FIVE, except officers of Government, men,
hers of Congress, mariners in service,
and certain others, should be enrolled and
arranged in brigades, regiments and COM
panies, according to the Legislatures of
the several States. They We're to furnish
themselves with muskets, ball cartridges,
etc., at their own expense, but the gem
eral Government was to provide ord
nance and field artillery. In Ohio, how
ever, originally the arms were supplied
BY the United States. Of course great
notifications and changes have taken
Place since the enactment of 1892. In
New York, for instance, the State Gov
ernment supplies the arms, camp equip
ments, portions Of the uniforms, and
armories for purposes of meeting and
drili.! Then, In place Of all the white
males between the ages Of eighteen and
forty-fve being obliged to do duty, only
such as choose by enlistment to connect
themselves with some one of the military
commands are called upon to do duty,
though Theoretically the old law holds
good. Hence it is that while about
600, 600 men are enumerated under the
head of militia, less than $4,000 Of them
are recognized as uniformed and in the
service. sr b. ...
An examination of the Adjutant Gen
erals report shows that the State has
81 regiments and battalions, 81 separate
companies Of infantry, 20 troops Of cav
airy, and IL batteries of artillery. Of
these almost half are located in the two
great cities Of Brooklyn and New York,
viz: in Brooklyn-5 regiments and
battalion Of infantry, separate troops
of cavalry and 2 batteries of artillery;
in New York; regiments of infantry,
! regiment and 2 troops of cavalry, and
2 batteries of artillery. ,'il ,.s} - 4
F'hs general supervision of the State
Militia is carried on in 10 departments,
VIZ; Adjutant Generals, Inspector Gen
efaps, Ordnance, aEngiDeer-in-C Chiefs,
Judge ), Advocate Generals, Medical,
Quartermaster's, Pay, Subsistence and
Rife Practice. -rga 7e.1 r-.s.
tghe time was, and not 80 very long
ago. either, when Brooklyn, in point Of
efficiency and the social standing of its
soldiers, was second to the great Metrop-
oils across the river. In those days the
Regiment was exponential of
all that was choice in the National
Guard Of the State of New York; but
while that noble body Of infantry has
not deteriorated, rival has sprung upin
the Twentyrthird Regiment of Brook
lyn, while the Thirteenth and Forty-sey-
snth Regiments of this city 20 closely ap-
psoach lit'in standing that the balance 10
now largely in favor Of Brooklyn. = 'd@1
10 quote the language Of d General on
the Stat of Governor Cornelps prede-
cessor, "In point of efficiency, BROOKLYN