New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-27
The FIRST DIVISION.
THE COUNTRY'S FINEST BODY OF MILITIA.
oNE-HALF OF ALL THE CITHEN-soLDIERs OF THE



oNE-mALr OF ALL THE CITzrN-soLDIERs OF THE
STATE
There are indications that the determination Oh
number of vexed questions concerning the state
Militia by the enactment of the Military Code at
the last session of the Legislature will soon bear
good results in the infusion of warm blood and new
zeal into the citizen-sodery of the State. The law
is the result of an agitation that has been going on
for wears with an aim to fix clearly the status
of the Guar,smen and the reciprocal duties OF the
State AMI its militia. Great changes in the or
ganization of the National Guard have not been
made by the code, but the encOuragements
to serious minded .cltizens to take
an active interest in the citizen-soldery
have been strengthened and reforms have been
introduced which look to the placing of the whole
body of militamen more military basis than
that on which ii has hitherto rested, and to relieve
the men of a small portion of the burdens
which they have been forced to bear Major
General Shaler, the commander of all the
militia Of the city, said few DAYS ago toa TRIBUNE
reporter that within the last two months there had
been an accession of 200 men to the National
Guard of the First Division and he was inclined to
credit the fact to the changed feeling
brought about by the adoption of the
new law The life OF Guardsnan
is at best one of self-sacri6ce and ill-rewarded
labor and it was made worse under the old law by
uncertainties concerning his duties and privileges
The code has simpfed the State military regula-
tons and has placed the National Guard on prac-
teal and efficient footing. 1t has added. it is
thought, about $4,000 per year to the expenses oil
the state. but it has opened ways to strengthen
the organization numerically increase its efficiency
and enable 1t to gain and hold that respect from
the people to which its record shows it to he en-
titled.
The system of discipline and exercise of the Ma
tional Guard of the State of New-YOrk is modelled
generally after that of the Army of the United
States There is similar assignment of the
troops TO companies, battalions, regiments brigades
and divisions. and likeness III the administration
of affairs. The divisionsshave geographical bound
aries. New-York and Richmond counties make up
the First Division, of which all the troops belong
to this city. In this division there are
eight regiments of infantry, divided into two
brigades, and two batteries of artillery which are
assigned to Division Headquarters. At present
there is no cavalry. much to the regret of the COM
mandant, General Shaler, who Is hoping soon to be
able, under the advantages brought by the new
law, to call a troop of horse into existence
In the FIRST Division there nearly 600O men
--onehalf of all the militia in the State-and with
the 5000 Guardsmen of Brooklyn added the army
of drilled soldiers within few hOurs' call of the
civil authorities of New York City includes three
fourths of the cltizen-sOldiers of the State. The
number is hardly half large as that
which grew under the stimulus OF the
military feeling aroused during the war, but the
practical usefulness of the force is as great now as
was that of twice its numerical strength IN 1866.
There has been, naturally. some decline III
zeal and enthusiasm. but the Guardsmen are
better instructed now than they were then,
81 go~f he of col iarq
Further efficiency, as well greater interest, it
is believed by the friends of the National Guard,
will be secured so soon as the urgent need of
armories for some of the regiments is filled. The
posi- bty of an improvement in existing conditions
in this respect is promoted by the new law. Under
the code the Inspector General, Division Com
mander and chief financial officer of county are
constituted board to erect or rent an armory for
an organization entitled TO one the cost OF the
armory and the expense of its maintenance to be
levied, collected and paid like any other county
charge. At present the city pays rent
for the arlnores, and it believed that the
amount paid for rent by moderate increase might
be made sufficient to pay the interest on tie invest
ment that would be required to construct all the
needed arinories in the city. The chief drawback
is the great cost of real estate in localities where
At is thought desirable to have the armorles. The
State has not shown itself specially grudging OF
appropr atons but has heretofore conditioned its
gifts upon the securing of the needed land. There
arc few armories that offer sufficient training facil
ties and some are positively dangerous. There is
NO question that If the wants of the National
Guard in respect to armores were to he met In
becoming spirit by the people the weak regiments
would speedily be strengthened and healthful
spirit Infused throughout the division.
The encouragements to enlistments in the Ma
tional Guard are very few. Members exempt
from jury duty. and antil the enactment of the
new law also exempt from taxation on
81 900 of property. The frs. exemption Is the
only practical inducement but it is paid for. in the
case of faithful Guardsman, by great deal of
onerous work in the drill room and q not iuconsd
erabie expense. The city furnishes the armories
the State pays for the uniforms of the pIivates
makes an allowance for those Of the officers. and
pays the men at about the wage-rate of the United
states during service in camp and when called on
by the Commander. in Chief. The State allows
small sum for music, and the city and county pay
81 per day to the armorers. The rest of the cost
IL met by company dues and assessments on tho
officers and runs from 20 cents 70 So month. Tho
division and brigade headquarters are allowed an
appropriation TO pay for stationery and clerk hire
and ammunition and arms Of course provided
whenever the Guard are ordered on duty they
receive the following sums for every day OF actual
service: Musicians and privates, 81 %; non
commissioned officers 81 90; commissioned officers
OF the line below the rank of captain. 81 so; COM
manding officers Of companies. 49, field officers be-
low the rauk of colonel. 81 commanding officers of
regir ents or battalons, So; brigadier- generals,
90; mauor-generas. So; staff officers the same as
ofhcers OF equal grade in the line
Ihroe regiments from the first division will 60
INTO the state camp at Peekskill this summer The
7lst will open the camp on June 10. remaining
TIL June 20; the 9Th Will follow during the week
from June % to June 80; the 9th will be in camp
from July ii to July II. The arrangements arr
practically tine same as those of last year. Gen
eral Shaler, who commands the division. Is an old
duardsman, having bean member continuously
tnaa NH in,