The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-11-25

Report Of Maj. Bacon to Adjt. Gen. Dunn on the
Inspection Of the First and Second Regiments
Criticism OF the St. Paul Troop Praise for
Company D-The Summing mp.
The report OF Maj. John M. Bacon,
Seventh cavalry, OF his inspection OF the
First and Second regiments OF the Mime
sofa National guard has been received,
having been included in the al
report OF Adjt. Gen. Drum to the
sccretary OF war. Speaking of the
Second regiment, which rendezvoused at
Camp Hubbard. near New Ulm, on the 23d
OF June, Maj. Bacon reports the aggregate
strength OF the command as 617. composed
OF 46 officers and 571 enlisted men. OF
these there were present 81 officers and
AL men. Besides the ten companies OF
the Second there were at the encampment
the Luverne Guards and the st. Paul troop
OF cavalry. The former is described as q
new organization. as yet total strangers
to tactics and armed with the obsolete
Springfield breech-loading rifles, caliber so.
A LITTLE CRITICISM.
OF the st. Paul troop ofcavalry the mai
or says that it appeared also to be OF re-
cent origin, and was represented by two Of
ficers and fifteen enlisted men, mounted on
farm horses hired in the eneighborhood. The
time allotted was too short for them to
become familiar with the saddle. Capt.
Markoe deserves credit for the energy he
displayed for the benefit OF his troop. The
regiment is reported to have been general.
ly well armed and equipped. except that
there were some old guns without the sale
ty notch and badly worn. which should
be replaced with serviceable rifles; and
there was an utter lack OF haversacks
which are absolutely essential for active
service. 1t is also stated that it would be
better and more economical il each regi-
ment were supplied with its own tents in
stead OF requiring both regiments to use
the same tentage. OF the officers it is re-
marked that they generally evinced
military spirit and desire to learn,
but many OF the lieutenants seemed imper-
fectly acquainted with their duties, either
in guard duty, ceremonies. or as file clOsers.
Tactical Rotations at their armories would
60 far Ito remedy this defect The regi-
ment made remarkable progress in battal-
ion drill, and before breaking camp went
through al the open column movements
prescribed in the school of the battalion
with much credit to themselves and their
colonel, their marching in column OF COM
panies being especially fine. The battal-
ion skirmish drill is recommended to be
substituted at future encampments for
the daily company drill, which can be had
at the armory. The discipline is pronounc-
ed to have been good. the only criticism
being that the line between officers and
enlisted men should have been more dis
tinctly drawn.
THE FIRST REGIMENT.
The First regiment is rcporte with an
aggregate strength of 553 men, OF whom
there were present for duty 25 officers and
376 enlisted men. OF the officers school,
Maj. Bacon says:
The familiarity exhibited by many OF
them with infantry tactics and customs OF
service was notable, and convinces me that
the regular recitations held by most OF the
captains in their armories had been most
profitable. The full dress guard mounting
at 8 a. m. and sunset was tactically cor
rect, and while perfection was not to be
expected. the officers and men were Jealous
in their performance of the duty. From
the reputa tion of the regiment was pre-
pared to see some excellent drilling, and
was not disappointed. Tho company drill
of capt. e. s. Beams company Ol was the
perfection OF military precision, and could
only have been acquired by enthusiasm
and regular and intelligent instruction.
This company did not go through the bay.
onet exercise, but was well instructed as
skirmishers.
Every movement prescribed in the school
OF the battalion was most creditably exc
cuted by the regiment. The drill OF the
Emmett light battery was also pronounced
most creditable, showing careful ulinstruction.
The men of the regiment are complimented
as fine body OF men, exhibiting the desir-
ed military spirit and regimental pride, and
performing every duty with alacrity and
to the hest of their ability. The daily re-
views and parades were conducted in the
most approved manner, the errors being
no more than are liable to occur with a
command in constant practice. At the re-
view preceding his inspection Maj. Bacon
reports that the marching and wheeling OF
the companies, both as to the cadence OF
the step and the alignments, was
very good. The inspection itself showed an
excellent state OF affairs. The men and Of
ficers were properly instructed in the duty
of inspection, and the rifles and equipments
were in very good condition. The only de-
feet was that very many OF the guns were
Of the old pattern, showing signs OF age
and decay. The report concludes as fol-
lows:
Any state or nation would have reason
to be especially proud OF such organiza-
tions as the First and Second regiments OF
infantry. They are an honor to their great
state, and deserve it's liberality and en-
couragement. 1t requires time, labor and
money to make good soldiers, and it would
seem but reasonable that if the guard men
furnish the first two requisites, the state
could well afford to aid them with the lat
ter, and provide them a permanent camp,
uniforms, blankets and sufficient pay to
insure them against actual loss during
their encampments or when legally call ed
out for any purpose.