The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-03
COMPLAINTS OF THE SOLDIERS.


nue., this evening
COMPLAINTS OF THE SOLDIERS
Much dissatisfaction and disappointment is
expressed over the management of affairs at the
encampment, not only by local companies but
also by the militia throughout the State. The
larger part of the blame seems to rest upon the
Adjutant-general, who had not perfected ar
rangements sufficiently, and had no
stated headquarters where he might be
found and give his instructions The friends of
General Koontz try to explain matters by say
ing that the duties of his Office are entirely new
to him and that the encampment just closed is
the first that came under his supervision; that
he was i'll and did the best he could under the
circumstances. The quartermaster also receives
q large share OF the blame, the particular feat
ure of which is incompetency The
action of the Shepard Guards, in refusing
to present themselves for inspection, their sub
sequent characterization and dismissal from
camp, added largely to the agitation which already
existed. A general cause Of dissatisfaction from
the beginning was the differences that ex-
listed between Major Ross, of the Light Infantry,
and Colonel Ruckle, as to the position Major
Ross should hold in the regiment. 1t
was understood by Major Ross, on
that he was to occupy the right of Colonel
Ruckle's regiment by right of seniority, but
was assigned junior position in the regiment
which he refused to accept, saying that the ink
on the commissions of some of the officers that
had been given rank superior to his own
was not yet dry; while he had long been iden-
titled with the militia of the State, and based
his right upon length and value of service. Col.
Ruckle, claiming that the companies of the
Legion took rank of all independent companies,
refused to rescind the order, and the mat
ter was carried to the Adjutant-general,
who gave Major Ross's company quarters
at the right of the independent companies. It
is claimed that the withdrawal of the Light In
Al Ca
was the cause of the trouble, friendly feeling
not having existed between the officers of that
company and those of the State Legion.
Governor Gray was seen last evening, and
asked whether the refractory captain Of the
Shepard Guards had been reported to him,
knew nothing about the case, with
the exception that Colonel Ruckle had
deprived the officer of his sword, and that it was
altogether probable that nothing further would
be heard of the case. The Governor was pro-
fuse In his praises as to the success of the en-
campmant in point Of attendance and the skill
displayed by the different companies, remarking
that the review of Friday pronounced by all
military men present to be one of the finest
they had ever witnessed. In spite of the troubles
and differences that arose the epcamrment had
proved a success.
THE AWARDS OF PRIZES.
Governor Gray went TO Lafayette early yes
teFudy W proSeHb ab the lOEuuti Gus
ing of the State encampment. The different
companies were marched to the public square at
8 o'clock, where, from the balcony of the court
house, the awards of prizes were announced to
them by the Governor, as follows
Freefor-all Infantry Drill-Company F. First Reg
ment Kentucky Legion, 66.7;. Company A, Second
nois National Guards. 422. First prize, 81 900.
awarded to Company f. Kentucky Legion. of Louis
Vile Captain Grnstead second prize. $500 to Com
pany A. Second Regiment Indiana Legion, lndianapo-
lis. Captain G. III. McCarer.
Free-for-al Artillery Drill-Battery A, Illinois
National Guards. IS Sal indianapolis Light Artillery
95.12. Prize. $500 awarded to the Indianapolis
Battery Captain j. b. Curtis
Indiana Infantry Legion Drill-Company l. Second
Regiment, $685. Company FL. Second Regiment,
2.95; Company b, Second Regiment, 76 81; Company
A, Second Regiment, 1878. First prize, $500,
awarded to Company A, Indianapolis Captain c. FL.
McCarer; second prize, 5000 to Company b, Fort
Wayne Captain Rawles; third prize 800, to COM
pany III. Brazil, Captain Wilder.
Prize to the best company of the First Veteran
Regiment, 5000, was awarded to Company T, TT.
Wayne Captain Weldon.
Artillery, drill of Indiana Legon-Rockville Light
Artillery, o. 40; Indianapolis Light Artillery, 81 94;
Attca Light Artillery, official made. First
prize. $500 awarded to Indianapolis Light Artillery,
Captain Curtis second prize, $500 to the Rockville
battery. Captain Stevenson third prize $50 to the
Attca battery, Captain Lash.
Gatling-gun Drill indianapolis Light Artillery
first prize 800, Lieutenant DeWitt second prize,
$50 to the Peru Gatlinggun Squad Captain Porter
company in the free-for-an zouave drill and were
awarded prize of $500.
The prize for companies never competing before
(&1U0) awarded to Company B, Secc nd Regiment,
Fort Wayne, Captain Rawles Score 500.
In presenting the prizes the Governor spoke in