Daily globe., 1883-08-11
WHITE BEAR CAMP.

The Report of Capt. Lawson Relative to the
the Encampment at White Bear.
The following report relative to the en-
campment of the First regiment at White
Bear lake, was received by the governor
yesterday:
Fort SEELLING, Mimi,
July 81, 1883.
To his Excellency, L. F.Hubbard, Governor
of Minnesota:
GOVERNOR: You having requested that
an officer of the army be detailed to remain
in camp with the First regiment during
their annual encampment at White Bear
lake, and having been detailed for that
purpose by special orders No. 123, head
quarters department of Dakota, dated
July II, 1883, have the honor to submit
the following report as the result of my
observation while in camp:
Arriving in camp July 20,and remaining
until July 26, had every opportunity to
observe the drill and routine of the camp.
The only troops encamped at White Bear
were the First regiment Minnesota Ma
tional guard, Col. w. B. Bend, command
ing. A fine tactican and an officer of great
experience in the National guards of New
York, and one IN every way, so far as L
could judge, capable OF performing the
duties of his Office. Attached hereto please
find an order of the routine of the camp,
from which it will be seen that work was
the order of the day.
The company drills. were quite good,
| with tendency among the new companies
| to lose distance. Five companies of this
| regiment have been organized since the
| last annual encampment, and some of
them quite recently. The battalion drills
were conducted by Col. Bend in person,
and were very creditable.s sSome of the COM
| panies of this regiment present the ap-
| pearance of veterans, both in their drill
and department in camp. The
new companies of the regiment
| were given an extra battalion drill
which proved of great benefit, and before
the eneampment was broken up all showed
marked improvement in drill, and many
regretted that they could not remain long
er where all had been benefited by their
stay in camp. The formal inspection of
the regiment was made by Colonel Van
| Cleve, of the governors staff, a copy of which
| is attached and marked 3d." From this re-
port it will be seen that there was present
at inspection 462 officers and men. But
one company practised at the target range,
company 3D." Captain Bean and some
men of this company made good scores;
the men purchasing their own ammuni-
tion. The ''arms' of the command were
on the whole in good order. Two compa-
nies are armed with the Springfield rifle,
caliber so, the remainder with the Spring
field, caliber 45, some with and some with
out the 'safety notch" All the ompanies
have good armories and clothing. The
regiment is all uniformed alike, which
adds much to their military appear
ance. Discipline was we'll maintained.
Guard duty well performed. There were
two guard mounts daily, which gave each
| officer and enlisted man an opportunity to
| become familiar with guard duty; in other
| words, the guard was relieved every twelve
instead of twenty-four hours, which con-
slider an excellent idea for weeks encamp-
ment. I would most respectfully suggest
| that the same recommendations as were
made in regard to the New Ulm encamp-
ment be applied to this regiment, except
| that which refers to armories.
am, governor, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
(Signed), JAMES LAWSON,
Captain 25th U. S. Infantry
A. G. HAwLEY, Adjutant General.