The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-09
A NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT.
Adjutant- General Carnahan's Scheme tC
Bring Together tile Militia of
the Country.

Acknowledgment Carnahan has addressed the
following letter, proposing national military
encampment on neutral ground, to the Adju-
tant-generals Of the different States, the Secre-
tary of War, Acknowledgement and chief of
ordnance of the army, and to the prominent mil
itary officers throughout the country:
"In view of the present and growing interest
m militia or national guard ORGANIZATIONS ,,ls
that if we could bring about a national meeting
of some of the best military organizations of this
country it would be OF very great benefit to each
State and the militia generally
''My idea of the course to be pursued Is briefly
this:
held at Washington d. c. some time during the
month OF May, 1884. To this encampment let
us gather some of the best companies. batta!ions,
regiments, batteries, troops OF cavalry of our
national guard from each State.
80. Let the encampment be managed exclu-
sively by our national guard or military organ
shall be appointed by the War Department,
SO. The encampment, in its management,
embracing all arms of the service should be con-
Quoted on strictly military rules; performing all
camp duties, drills, guard mounting aud guard
duties, parades ETC.. also prize drills for in
fantry, cavalry and artillery.
Now, as to the objects and purposes OF the en-
campment:
81. All who are interested in the militia of the
Congress- rendering more material aid to the
militia than is now given. Can We not in this
than has heretofore been done, by thus showing
to Congress just the high degree of efficiency to
which our national guard may be brought 1t
will also show the interest felt by the young men
| of our nation on This subject.
"2. 1t will he proof positive to Congress that
the people of our try are in earnest in this
work, regardless of party or local lines and in
that way he the means of giving us the Con gres-
sional aid and encouragement we need.
"3. It will show that the mil itia of the nation
fully appreciates the efforts that have been made
| by the War Department and the Adjutaut-gen-
era and Chief of Ordnance, U. S. A, in their en-
beavers to have congressional action taken in
behalf of the militia, and will add weight to the
| recommendations they have made in this mat
| ter, and give us greater hope OF having some
| thing done.
81. To my mind one greater object than all else
| to be gained IN this encampmenJ will be the pro-
motion OF grand national eomradeship between
all sections of our nation. breaking down all biz
terness or partisan feeling, and bringing us to-
gether in a friendship stronger than can be at
| tsined in any other way, aud l need OILY mem
ton this last reason to any old soldier for him
| to understand the full force and power there is
TO be derived from this comradeship. believe
just such an encampment would lead all sections
OF the country to a better understanding OF one
another and produce more lasting feeling of
good will and friendship throughout the length
and breadth of the land.
Il have simply given you an outline Of this
matter, and would like to have an early express
sion of your views tho subject. l shall send
a copy of this letter to the Adjutant- general of
each State. to the Secretary of War, to the Adj
jutaptegeneral and Chief of Ordnance of the
army, and | most earnestly ask yOur views
thereon. If the subject is faVOrably considered,
then we can go more fully into details, and ar
range for conference on the subject, where we
can devise the plan Of operation"
In several of the States prize military con tests
are not permitted, but it is believed that all the
best companies in the country could be drawn
together in national encampment on neutral
ground. In addition TO the benefits which
would result from a national encampment OF
the militia, it would show to Congress the need
| of aid to encourage the work throughout the
country. A bin will be presented at the next
session of Congress asking aD appropriation of
5000, 900 for militia work in the different States,
and, General Carnahan views it, the encamp-
| ment would demonstrate to Congress 1.-THE high
degree of efficiency to which our national
guard may be brought"