Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-26
THE VERMONT MILITIA.
Report of the Adjutant COMMUNICATIONS
Changes Recommended.


In his biennial report of the State mill
tia Adiutant General T. s. Peck shows
considerable progress and thriving con-
diton of affairs generally. Special effort
has been made to collect relics of the late
war; and number of photographs of
! Vermont officers in he war of the rebel
lion have been obtained and placed in the
state-house at Montpelier. This matter
will be vigorously pushed, and it is sug
eested that a cabinet he placed in the cap
ito' tnr the better preservation Of these
! valudOIe ,r.lcs. General Peck can
d ,a's,u every town in the State to learn the
number of veterans dependent on the
town for support. Replies from 1873
towns show III without destitute persons
of this class. In the other &C there were
81 families with 20 individuals depending
on the town; % soldiers orphans were
supported, while eight veterans were in
| poor houses and three in insane asylums.
Col. Estey of Brattleboro urnisnes the
reports of the State musters in 1887 aud
lSSS, which show large attendance, good
discipline and fine appearance. Col.
Fuller of Brattleboro reports the appear
auce of his battery at two musters The
tine condition of the artery is largely due
to Col. Fuller who has given his own time
in the country. Brig. Gen. Greenleaf
sums up the two years, paying particular
attention to the discipline of the troops,
which he considers commendable.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MILITIA
Gen. Peck repeats the suggestions con-
tanned in his former report regarding
changes that are demanded in the inter
est of greater efficiency in the National
Guard. He says;
/. Provision should be made for iucreas
ing the force to two-eight company regi-
ments and the completion of the brigade
organization. This can be done with but
little if any additional expense, as 10y re-
cent action of G ngress the Appropriation
tor arming and tqulpping the militia has
been doubled, ana the indications are that
it will be still further increased. 70 each
congres siOnal district a regiment should
be assigned and each district sub-divlded
into company precincts and a careful en-
rollment made of all persons liable to per-
form military duty.
2. Organize half company consisting
OF first lieutenant, two Sergeants, foul
corporals, one bugler and "a mem and
equip same with two Calling guns and
limbers for street riots and other service
they are uneXcelled. | also think 1t would
be advisable to have one troop of cavalry
connected with the National Guard OF
WulCU SllOlltl COuSlSI VI bt pr
Yates, 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 Il serviceabie condition.
3. A permanent ground for holding the
annual encampmeuts should be selected
at some central point and fitted up for the
convenience of the troops An experience
! of 90 years has demonstrate that it is pos
sibe to find in but few places ground of
sufficient size, that is in every way adapt
ed TO the requirements of military EN-
campment Such grounds would be found
of great value in case of troops being call
ed into service as depot for the organize
| ton and drilling of recruits.
| H. Rifle practice Is subject of the great
est Importance in The Instruction OF the
| National Guard, and provision should be
| made at once for systematic and
thorough course of such instruction. The
troops being now armed with modern
and effective arm, it Is most essential that
they be taught how to use ii to the best
advantage. There should be an inspector
of rifle practice with the rank of colonel
on the general staff, and an assistant in
spector on the brigade staff with the rank
OF major. These officers should be an
| poin ed 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
! 70 It's adaptability to the establishment OF
ranges up to 900 var Is