Bismarck weekly tribune., 1885-11-13

ment. commanded by Col. NJ. w. Sheaf
i and band.
There were present at inspection, two
4 field officers, three commissioned staff off
GERS; one field officer absent on guard.
Each OF the nine companies was fully Or
ganized in accordance with the regulations
OF the army; and, of the twenty-seven line
oftlcers, all We're present. either at inspec-
ton or on duty within the camp except
three of whom two were absent on leave
and one not reported. There were present
IN the ranks S21; on guard, thirty-nine: old
guard, thirty Total enlisted present,
The Oldest Of these companies was or
ganized February IS, 1885, the Youngest
April |, 1885. For the length of time since
organization, their instruction in the COM
pany drill was very fair indeed. It is true,
numerous errors were made; but, alto
7 gether, under the circumstances, the dis
plav was extremely creditable. "
Their arms (caliber SOY were old, being
those formerly in use by the army and
lately issued to the militia. They were in
fair order, however. and in some cases, in
excellent condition. In some cases there
were defects in the locks; occasioned by
long previous use.
The acoutrements were the regulation
belt and cartridge box, and were in good
order. -
At the termination of the inspection, the
companies were exercised in the manual of
arms, and in several companies movements
by their captains, and, as stated above,
though errors were made, yet for the
length of time and opportunities for in
struction, was we'll satiied with their pro-
ficiency. The officers were most Jealous in
the discharge OF their duties, and anxious
The uniform of the regiment except two
companies, is the regulation army uniform,
with light blue facings. Two had scarlet
trimmings, epaulcttes, triple rows Of but
tons, etc. With the exception of the two
mentioned, I consider the uniforms suita-
! BILE for active service. Several of the COM
panies had but short time before received
their uniforms, which, on account of lack
of time, were not well fitted. .,
The discipline of this regiment, so far as
:! observed, was very good; especially so
for such new troops.
dress. the First regiment, d. N. G, Lieut..
Colonel VIM. A. Bentley, commanding.
The colonel of this regiment has lately
removed from the territory, and the va
cancy so created has not been filled.
This regiment presented for inspection
nine companies and a band, two field off,
GERS, three commissioned staff officers and
two nOn-commissiOned staff officers. Each
rectly, and of the twenty-seven line officers,
twenty-six were present, one being absent
on guard. Enlisted men in the ranks, 248:
on guard, thirty-nine; old guard, thirty
nine; total enlisted, 1926.
The Oldest Of the companies was organ
lied January IA, 1884; the youngest. Feb
ruary 4, 1885. This regiment being con
siderably older than the second regiment,
was as was to be expected, considerably
better instructed in the school of the SOL
dier and company. The marching gen.
orally, was excellent, as was also the man
ual Of arms.
Arms, calibre 40, in good order, accoutre-
ments, regulation belt and cartrige box
likewise. Officers we'll versed in their
duties; exceedingly Jealous and desirous to
learn.
In this regiment there was greater var
iety of uniforms than in the other They
were well fitted, and the companies pre-
sented fine appearance singly, but there
was lack of uniformity. Two companies
in the trimming. Others wore dark blue
uniform with white trimmings, and still
others, the regulation uniform with light
blue facings.
At the close of the inspection, as
with the regiment previously inspected
manual of arms, and executed various com
pany movements, all very creditably.
Discipline Of this regiment. very good.
Immediately after the inspection of this
regiment,I inspected the artillery company,
known as battery A, light artillery, Da-
kota national guards In this company
there were present three commissioned Of
ficers and seventeen enlisted men. The
company was organized March %, 1885, and
attached to the first regiment, Dakota
national guards. Instruction in the man
ual of the piece was fair. Napeleons with
out caissons had been borrowed for use on
this occasion.
in which arm the men were fairly well in.
structed. Uniforms, regulation army, light
artillery.
This was the first encampment of the
Dakota national guard, and neither regi
ment had ever been assembled before, con
sequently there had been no instruction in
any battalion movements. Nevertheless
at battalion drills, which were at once un-
dertaken, each made very considerable
progress They certainly exhibited de-
sire to learn that extorted my admiration.
think, perhaps, there was rather too great
desire to crowd too much into the time al
lowed, which prevented as thorough in
think very properly. fhe time was too
short, and the troops too new. Target
practice. was held only by teams (six
men) and from twelve companies only, at
a range OF lou yards. Want OF time pre-
vented more extensive practice. l did not
learn any regular target practice was held
by the different companies at their own
homes, but am inclined to think not.
There were several brigade movements
executed, viz: Brigade dress parade in line
of masses, review Of the brigade in line of
regiments, and brigade guard mounting.
Though some errors were made as aswhole
they were creditably executed.
I am very glad to be able to state that no
attempt was made to get up "sham bat
tie" 1t was very properly frowned upon
from the first, and all the officers seemed to
be sensible that they had no time to spare
for such nonsense.
[ have the honor to recommend for the
consideration of the territorial authorities.
that the troops of the Dakota national
guard be required to have the regulation
army uniform, to be worn whenever two
or more companies are assembled together.
Should any of the companies desire to have
a distinctive uniform to be worn when they
parade singly in their own localities, l can
see no special objection thereto. Ali COM
missioned officers wore the regulation uni
form prescribed for their respective grades.
Iwould rather recommend that the pro-
per territorial authorities be permitted to
purchase from the United States such,
made or unmade clothing (regulation pat