Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-20
THE THIRD REGIMENT n. q. OF
VEkMONT.
col. Tutl,erly's Report.


A. the recent annual muster and encamp-
ment of the First Regiment National Guard
of Vermont, at Brandon, Lieut.. II, f. Tuth-
erly, L. S. A., military professor in the uni
versity. was in attendance at the request of
Adjutant General Peck aud by authority of
the Secretary of War. He subsequently,
made report Of his observations which has
been published 10 circular by Col. Green
leaf for the information and improvement of
his command After remarks upon the ar
rangemcnt of the camp, the condition of the
uniforms and the character OF the arms, which
he found mot very clean" and generally SER
viceabc, though of an old model and not as
good as the arms of the improved model now
issued, Lieut.. Tuthcry says;
The soldicily department OF the men was
commcndablc; good order prevailed through
the iivc-day's encampment, without Il pris-
oner in the guard house, and no annoyanccs
were reported by the citizens of the town
facts that speak well for the troops. A well
arranged list of calls was strictly followed
aud the men were generally prompt and or
derby at formation. Some of the companies
observed admirable police regulations in the
company, streets and tents, others neglected
many OF the details essential to discipline,
and which require no material expenditure
except labor; for instance, uniform, clothes
racks and gun racks can be constructed
though of rough material, bedding uniformly
piled, orderly boards posted, etc, so that of
ticers can have supervision, aud the men
properly care for their guns and clothing
without confusion.
Schools for officers were held daily at
which were pointed out individual mistakes
and faults as they occurred, which of course
have not place for mention here There
were two battalion drills daily dnring the ell
canpment, with guard mounting each nern-
ing md dress parade in the evening. The
battalion drills comprised all the movements
necessary to manTuvrc regiment on the
field of battle, including firing with blank
cartridges aud skirmish drill. Marked I'M
provcment was made in each successive drill
and ceremony. Good attention had evident.
ly been paid to company drill before Assem-
bling and some companies evinced accuracy
and thorough traiuingas they manGuvered In
battalion. The Governors review on
Thursday, and the last dress parade on Fri
day evening, were especially well executed.
The military band with the regiment did
excellent service and is entitled to much of
the credit gained for fine marching.
The drills and exercises generally showed
a careful attention to the details of tactics on
the part of the officers, and high order of SOL
dicrly pride throughout the regiment.
Guard duty, requiring more practical en-
pericnce to perfect than the single round Of
an cncampment affords, should not be sub
ject for severe criticism. 1t is u test for the
professional soldier that it would be unfair
TO apply to men standing so seldom in the
most responsible post of duty that the soldier
has fill 1t sufficient to say that the officers
devoted themselves faithfully to learning their
duties and instruc,Dg sentinels while on
guard, and that there was marked improve
ment in the appearance of the guard from
day to day. If some circular compiled from
regulations on the subject of guard duty
could be distributed among the companies
before going into camp, it would be of much
assistance to the officers in imparting instruc-
tons and tend to produce uniformity in the
manner of performingths important duty
In view of the present effective weapons,
and the tendencies of modern warfare to
fight at long ranges, individual skill IN
craftsmanship is more than ever i'm
portant, and rifle practice would I'M
doubleday become popular as well as a
highly beneficial feature of these encamp-
ments, attracting to the ranks the class Of
men who would naturally volunteer in case
of war This, In connection with other con-
sideralions, would point TO the importance Of
having a permanent camping ground for the
regiment, where rifle range could be fitted
up ndstorehouses erected, so that the money