New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-11-24
MINNESOTA NEWS.
TIE STATE MILITIA.

TIE STATE MILITIA.
Report Of kaj. Bacon to Ad;t. Gen. Dunn on the
Inspection Of the First and Second Regiments
Criticism Of the St. Paul Troop-Praise for
Company D-The Summing up.
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 annual
report OF Adjt. Gen. Drum to the
secretary OF war. Speaking OF the
Second regiment, which rendezvoused at
Camp Hubbard, near New Ulm, on the 23d
of June, Mai. Bacon reports the aggregate
strength OF the command as GIT composed
OF 4G officers and 81 enlisted men. OF
these there were present 81 officers and
42l 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 a
new Organizat ton. as yet total strangers
to tactics and armed with the obsolete
Springfield breech-loadins rifles, caliber so.
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 neighborhood. The
time allotted was too short for them to
become familiar with the saddle. Capt.
Marhoe 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 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 if each resi-
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 a desire to learn,
but many OF the lieutenants seemed imper-
fectly acquainted with their duties, either
IN guard duty, ceremonies, or as file closers
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at their armories would
so far to remedy this defect. The regi-
| 1nent made remarkable progress in battal-
ion drill, and before breaking camp went
| through all 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 skirinish drill is recommended to be
, substituted at future encampments for
the daily company drill which can be had
at the armory. The discipline is pronounce
ed to have been good, the only criticism
| being thai 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 $50 men. OF whom
there were present for duty 25 officers and
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 Rotations held by most OF the
captains in their armories had been most
profitable. The full dress guard mounting
at a. IN. 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 reputation OF the regiment l was pre-
pared to see some excellent drilling, and
was not disappointed. The company drill
OF Capt. E. s. Bean company D) 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
skirnlishers.
, 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 crcditable showing carefulinstruction.
The men OF the reg iment are complimented
as a 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
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-
| fect was that very many OF the guns were
OF the old pattern, showing signs OF age
and decay. The report concludes as lol-
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 lberality and en-
couragement. 1t requires time, labor and
money to make good soldiers, and itwould
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.
OFFICIAL CANVASS.