The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-11-25
MINNESOTA NEWS.
1HH STATE MILITIA.

Report Of Hal. Baeea t. AIT. Gs.. Dsn. On The
lnspectioD Of tho First and SeoeaA Reeinsats
-Critieisn Of the St. Paul Troop-Praiss fsr
Company D-The sunnilgap.
The report Of Maj. John NJ. 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 annu al
report OF Adjt: Gen. Drum to the
secretary OF war. Speaking OF the
Second regiment, which rendesvoused at
Camp Hubbard, near New Uln, on the 23d
OF June, Maj: Bacon reports tho aggregate
strength OF the command as 81 composed
OF &c officers and ST. enlisted men. OF
these there were present 81 officers and
al men. Besides the ten companies OF
the Second there were at the encampment
tho Luverne Guards and tho St. Paul troop
OF cavalry. The former is described as q
new organization, as yet total strangers
to tactics and armed with tho obsolete
Springfield breecll'loading rides, caliber so.
LITTLE CRITICISM.
oi tho st. Paul troop ofcavalry the mai.
cent origin, and WAS represented by two Of
ficers and fifteen enlisted men, mounted on
farm horses hired in the neighborhood. 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.
y we'll armed and equipped, except that
there were some old guns without the safe
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 it's own tents in
stead OF requiring both regiments to use
tho same tentage. OF the officers it is re-
marked that they generally evinced q
military spirit and q 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 to 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 ,ne battalion
with much credit to themselves and their
colonel, their marching in column OF COM
panies being especially fine. The battal.
ion skirnish drill is recommended to be
substituted ut 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 limo 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 $50 men, of whom
there were present for duty 25 officers and
S76 enlisted men. OF the officers school,
Mai. Bacon says:
The familiarity exhibited by many Of
them with infantry tactics and customs Of
service was notable, and convinces me that
the regular Rotations held by most of the
captains in their armories had been most
profitable. The full dress guard mounting
at a. m. and sunset was tactically ccr-
rect, and while perfection was not to be
expected. the officers and men were jealous
in their performance of the duty. From
the reputa ton OF the regiment was pre-.
pared to see some excellent drilling, and
was not disappointed. The company drill
OF Capt. E. s. Beams company (D) was the
perfection OF military precision, and could
and regular and intelligent instruction.
This company did not go through the bay.
onet exercise, but was we'll instructed as
skirmshers.
Every movement prescribed in tho 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 carefulinstruction.
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 Mai. 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 we're properly instructed in the duty
OF inspection, and the rifles and equipments
were in very good condition. The only de-
fect 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 il the guard men
furnish the first two requisites, the state
could we'll afford to aid them with the lat
ter, and provide them q permanent camp,
uniforms, blankets and sufficient pay to
insure them against actual loss during
their encampments or when legally call ed
out Tor any purpose.