St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-10-25
THE VERMONT MILITIA.
Report of the Adjutant General.-Val
Gus Changes Recommended.


GUS Changes Recommended.
In his biennial report of the State
militia Adjutant General L. 5. Peck
shows considerable progress and a
thriving, condition of affairs generally.
Special effort has been made to collect
relics of the late war, and number of
photographs of Vermont officers in the
war of the rebellion have been obtain
ed and placed in the state-house at
Montpelier. This matter will be vigOr-
ously pushed, and it is suggested that
n cabinet be placed in the capitol for
the better preservation of these valua-
BILE relics. General Peck has canvassed
every town i'll the state to learn the
number of veterans dependent on the
town for support. Replies from 1873
towns show III without destitute per-
SONS of this class. In the other &c
there were 81 families with 70 individ-
nails depending on the town % SOL
dieTs' orphans were supported, while
eight veterans were IN poor houses and
three in insane asylums.
Col. Estey of Brattleboro furnishes
the reports of the state musttrs in 1887
and 1888, which shows large atten-
dance, good discipline and fine ap-
pearance. Col. Fuller of BrattleborO
reports the appearance of his battery
at two musters. The fine condition of
the battery is largely due to Col. Full
Ter, who has given his own time and
money to making it one of the best in
the country. Brig. Gen. Greenleaf
sums up the two years, paying partic-
ular attention to the discipline of the
troops, which he considers cOmmehda-
BILE.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MILITIA.
Gen. Peck repeats the suggestions
contained in his former report regard
ing changes that are demanded in the
interest of greater efficiency in the ma
tional guard. He says:
|. Provision should be made for in
creasing the force to twO-eight cOmpa-
ny regiments and the completion of
the brigade organization. This can be
done with but little if any additional
expense, as by recent action of con-
gress the appropriation for arming and
equipping the militia has been doubled
and the indications are that it will be
still further increased. To each con-
gressional district a regiment should
be assigned and each district sub di-
vided into company precincts and a
liable to perform military duty.
2. Organize a half company ICON
sisting of first lieutenant, two SER
geants, four corporals, one bugler and
"a men) and equip same with two Cat
ling guns and limbers for street riots
and other service they are unexcelled. |
| also think it would be advisable to
have one troop of cavalry connected
l., 4 Of
which should consist of GA privates,
two buglers, five corporals, five SER
geants, one second lieutenant, one first |
lieutenant and one captain. With
these additions the national guard of
Vermont would be in a serviceable |
condition.
3. A permanent ground for holding |
the annual encampments should be Sc
lected at some central point and fitted |
up for the convenience of the troops. |
An experience of 20 years has demon
strated that it is possible to find in but |
few places ground of sufficient size,
that is in every way adapted to the re-
quirements of military encampment. |
Such grounds would be found of great |
value in case of troops being called in
to service as depot for the Organiza
ton and drilling of recruits.
4. Rifle practice is a subject of the
greatest Importance in the instruction
of the national guard, and provision
should be made at once for systemat-
ic and thorough course of such instruc-
ton. The troops being now armed
with modern and effective arm, it is
most essential that they be taught how
to use it to the best advantage. There
should he an inspector of rifle practice
with the rank of colonel on the general
staff, and an assistant inspector on the
brigade staff with the rank of major.
These officers should be appointed for
their peculiar fitness for the position,
and during the winter months should
visit each company for the purpose of
instruction. The permanent camp
ground should also be selected with
view to its adaptability to the estab-
lishment of ranges up to 200 yards.