Daily globe., 1883-08-10
THE NEW ULM CAMP.

Capt. Lawson's Report as to the Conduct
and Proficiency OF the Militia Recently
Encamped at New Ulm-A Flattering
Estimate of Their Character.
The following communication was re-
ceived by Gov. Hubbard yesterday rela-
tive to the conduct and bearing of the
Second regiment, M. N. S. g., recently en-
camped at New Ulm:
Fort SMELLING, Mimi. July 80. 1883.
To his ExcelleucY L. f. Hubbard, Cover
nor of Minnesota:
At your request and in compliance with
special orders No III, Headquarters De-
partment of Dakota, dated July 1883,
l have.the honorIto submit the following re-
port of my observation while in camp with
state troops at Camp Hubbard, New Ulm,
Mimi, from July 10, to July Is, 1888. The
troops encamped at the above place were
the second regiment Minnesota National
Guards and Emmett light artillery, all
under the command of Colonel
Joseph Bobletter of the second Minnesota
regiment, an officer of considerable ex-
perience in the war of the rebellion and
also in the regular army since that war,
and one who seems to have a proper ap-
probation of his duties and responsible
ties. The camp was we'll selected on an
elevated piece of ground near the Min
nesota river, about one mile from the town
of New Ulm, and while the camp was not
laid out according to tactics, yet it an
swered the purpose for which it was in
tended, VIZ: one weeks encampment.
have hereunto attached copy of
the order of the daily routine of
the command, from which it will
be seen that much work was performed
during the encampment. The company
drills were fair in the manual and com
pany movements and two of the compan-
les GA" (Echstime's) and 3d." (Shinter's)
drilled quite well in the skirmish drill on
several occasions. The battalion drills
were good considering that five of the
companies were new troops, having been
organized since the last annual encamp-
ment as follows: Company "F," Capt.
Burgess stationed at Mankato, June %,
1882; Company &C." Capt. Anderson sta
toned at Austin, Sept. 8, 1882; Com
pany "H," Capt. Goodrich stationed at
Blue Earth City, Feb. 16, 1888; Company
81" Capt. Donahower, stationed at st.
Peter, March IA, 1888; Company "k,"
Capt. Simmons, stationed at Little Falls,
MES were never in camp before, conse-
quentlY it was not expected that they
would be as proficient as older companies.
But during the latter part of the encamp-
ment they made great progress, and
showed that the weeks work was not in
vain. What these new companies need
most is thorough drill in the
"School of the Soldier" 1T will teach the
fn ho sta in
their soldierly appearance. The battalion
drills were conducted by Col. Bobleter,
whom [ consider a very good tactician.
Target practice was held daily from p.
m. to 5p. M, distance field 200 yards.
The shooting was not very good on the
whole, but some individuals made very
might be made if the state
would purchase for each man
sixty rounds of ammunition to be used at
target practic at the annual encampments,
instead of the soldier having to purchase it
from his own means as is now the case.
Gallery practice during the winter months
would also be of great benefit to many
men who have not had practice at the
regular target range.
Discipline in camp was fairly main
tanned. Guard duty was we'll per-
formed. Police of the camp good.
Each company purchased its own sup
plies through non n-commissioned officer,
and the tables were most abundantly fur
nished with most excellent food, which
had to be paid for by the men out of their
m eagre salary. All officers messed to-
gether.
UNIFORM.