Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07
Glte SIRE press,
STATE MILITIA.
Meeting of the Commissioned Off,
GERS for Instruction and Drill.
Valuable Papers Read by Col. Green
leaf, Surgeon Branch and
Lieut., Tutherly.
Ceremony ofGunrd Mount Performed
by the students Battalion of tho
u. v. NJ

by the students Battalion of the
u. v. NJ.
In accordance with the act OF legislature
requiring AL annual meeting Of the commits
stoned officers Of the State militia, for in.
strucion and drill "in such theoretical, tao.
tical and practical details of military duty
and discipline as the commaudcr.in-chiei
shall prescribe" the officers of our State
militia assembled in this city, Thursday
morning nearly every officer reporting for
duty at the opening meeting at the American
Hotel The following officers of the line
were present Captains G. c. Kinsman, G.
II. Bond, w. G. Decolle, j. H. Watson,
Calvin Evans, A. w. Roberts, IL. W. Kemp,
J. G. Moulton; Lieutenants f. w. Childs,
Howes, G. w. Carr, W. S. BoYnton i. r.
Morse Geo. p. Dewey, VIM. p. Conger, G.
S. OConnor, g. b. McColum, c. r. Ste
vens, II. S. Bass, j, A. Sargent, J. IL,
Thompson, o. d. Clark, j. NJ, Mooney, F.
Chatheld.
The following regmental officers were also
in attendance upon the meeting: The colonel
of the regiment, w. L. Grcenleaf; Lieut..
Col. j. j. Estey, Adjuant NJ. d. Greene,
Qnartermaster w. NJ. Smith, Commisssry
Edward L. Greenleaf, Surgeon Charles f.
Branch, Provost Marshal r. j. Coffey,
Chaplain Howard f. Hill, Regimentsl In
spector A. A. Hail. A. b. Harley, sergeant
major (non-commissioned)
Distinguished officials and officers present
were His Excellency Gov. Barsow,
Lieut.. Gov. Pingree, Col. Mead Gen Brig
ade Commander L. G. Kingsley, Adjuant and
Inspector. General 7. s. Peck, Majors Weed
and Merrill and others.
The officers of the militia reported for duty
at the parlors Of the American Hotel at 10
o'clock a. m, and were called TO order by
Col. w. L. Greenleaf. Col. Grecnleaf, after
stating the purpose and value of such an
annual meeting, for perfecting the officers Of
the State militia in the theoretical and
practical duties of their several Of.
fees, and after announcing the pro-
gramme OF the meeting, read a very inter-
esting and sensible paper upon the subject,
What constitutes model company Our
space permits but a brief statement Of the
several points brought out. Each officer
should not restrict himself merely to the
duties Of his commission, but should become
acquainted with the duties of every officer,
as occasion may demand that he should as
sumo them. The model company should
pay more attention TO efficiency than to
mere military display. The men should be
punctual, steady, quiet, intelligent and tidy,
manltestlng due respect for their officers at
all times. To these qualities should BE-
added perfection of drill. No man should
become member of the National Guard
unless he has love for the service
aud an intelligent desire to serve
from sense OF duty rather than re-
ward. The work of developing the model
Oh,
He must be willing TO give time to his mil
itary duties. The consent of employers
should be obtained before the recruit is &C
copied. His standing and habits .houl he
investigated. Recruits should sign the blanks
provided by The Qnartermsster-G General.
All recruits should be thoroughly instructed
in the setting up drill, and should practice it
constantly. company commander should
exercise discretion in selecting commissioned
officers. Schools for non-cOmmissoned off
GERS should be frequently held. The conf
rany should be divided iuto squads, each
under commissioned officer. The roll of
the company should be posted in the armorv.
Everything should be kept neat and trim
The Quarter-master General should keep a
thorough inspection Of the armory. Wher
in camp, the company should take charge OF
its own mess arrangements, etc. The books
of the company should be kept in such way
that every man can have access to them
Complete financial reports should be issued
semi-snnually, and all bills should be pat
promptly. The company should be restrain
cd from mourning debts beyond its means.
The Adiutant then called the roll after
which the company was given into tho
charge of Col. Estey, for assignment of Off
GERS and formation for drill. The drill took
place in the large dining room of the hotel
and comprised nearly all the company move
ments with the exception Of the manual O
arms. The officers displayed very com
mendabe degree of efficiency and precision
especially in marching in line ana wheeling
Afternoon Meeting.
The officers reasscmblcd at the America,
Hotel, at 2 O'clock. The roll was called b,
the Adjutant; after which, ia the absenc
of Surgeon {. T. Branch-whoso paper wa
postponed until this morning the officer
listened 10 very excellent and comprehen
sive paper by Lieut.. A. A. Hall, on chilli
tary law aud its application 20 the Nations
Guard"
1t is the general opinion, sal Lieut. Hal
TIA, the main o. 'Ct Of the National Guar
arms. This school, upon which We are NJ,
IN ATTENDANCE, has for ITS object the perfll
ton Of our militia officers in the theOlitical
tactical AID practical details Of military dut
aud discipline. a little reae ction, however
must impress us with he idea that, h1wcvo
important in their way, these schools Of mil
tary instruction are only schools, AID tia
the duties OF the militia sometimes call u
mo very practical aud important relations
outside Of the details of tao les with wAiC
il beh)ovcs us to be familiar The Nation,
Guard occupies very important ard !,
sponslble position in this country. Unlis
the powers OF Europe, we have no lar.
standing army. Each State mus. therefor,
lock largely for defence, and fer a9sistanc
il PEI forming its legal functions, % iis ow
militia, and the government must look
the same body incorporated as a Nation
Guard, for the same defensive and txecuii
aid. We see, then, tina, il is, III the III
place, OF the greatest Importance that eve,
officer Of the militia sh nd be thorough
familiar with the law relating t. the cil
ont # the militia, aud in the srC1ld PLACE
thoroughly aCquaintc with lis own dn'!
in such an Cmcrgen y. Authority Is giv,
for calling cut the militia unG
four conditions; Fiy', for instruction al
drill; second, 10 suppress riots or qurli i
slbOrdna'ion; third, to aud 70 civil officer
ease pi opposition 10 The service O. p;ora
IS aud fourth, und'r r1uisil;on Of If
Prcsid ut Gl the United Suites, 10 qqrli ,
canzcd obcliion, or to iii in ,arryi.g o
lhe laws of the land, Oar State nlllia
subject J law to be uViisi 0rs of q
UnilrG S'a'es = vcrn .. -. IN so far as ID,
rCqi s.tiJns can y applied bIt our Oy
Sla'c aYs governing Me ma'tr are 50 d
similar from iEe national Ia .e. Wat ,ye C