St. Paul daily globe., 1888-04-29
MEN WHO TALK.

Inspector General E. C. MAsoN-In
the absence of official orders from
the war department. l cannot say def
nitely when the Third infantry will be
moved to Fort Smelling, bnt it will
not probably be delayed beyond the
middle of May. By the way, that regi-
ment has good record, and is one of
the oldest in the service, having been
organized May so, 1876, and in a few
years will be able to celebrate its CEN
tennial
Under the recent promotion growing
out of the advancement of Col. BROOKS
to succeed Gen. GEORGE CROOK, re-
Gently appointed major general, have
been assigned to the command of the
Third regiment as its colonel. Inspector
generals are usually detailed from
the majors and lieutenant colonels of
the army, and when my successor is ap-
pointed for this department shall re-
move to the quarters at Fort Smelling
with my family.
Speaking of Fort Smelling reminds
me that it is very likely to be made a
six-company post either the ensuing
fall or next spring. One of the latest
recommendation made by me to the
authorities at Washington urged the
abandonment of Fort SiSSeton. d. t..
and the transfer of the two
companies,l stationed there to this
city. and the indications are
that the necessary steps will be
taken by congress at it's present session
to bring about such result. Ultimately
Fort Smelling will be regimental post
with ten full companies of infantry,
asquadrOn a two or four cOmpanies) Of
cavalry and another battery of light artil-
lery in addition to the one now stationed
there. 1t is the policy of the govern
ment to cut off these small forts as
rapidly as possible and locate the army
in the vicinity of the larger cities, where
railroad communication is rapid and
easy, and thus save time and money.
Under existing circumstances it would
be much easier to transport body of
. troops, say from ST. Paul, to some point
in the Northwest 700or 800 miles distant
than to bring the same body to given
place. probably 100 miles distant
from the fort or station contiguous to
the scene where their services may be
needed. In the latter event there would
of necessity be long, tedious march on
foot, whereas with good railroad con-
nections a few hours only would elapse
without any danger of being footSore or
NOQly ny uh IloiiP oNlOoo
country to the nearest station.
Among the attractive features of the
Third regiment is band of nineteen
pieces, said to be the finest in the
Service, and they will be stationed at
Fort Smelling. Unfortunately, at this
time, however, the band is without a
eader-ZANICHELLI,W who has directed
them for several years, being now on
his way to the insane asylum at Wash
ington for treatment; and new leader
will have to be secured to fill the va
cancy thus created.
At present there are four companies
of the Third regiment at Fort Shaw, an
equal number at Fort Custer, and the
remaining companies are stationed at
Fort Missoula.
The motto of the regiment is ''Noli me
tangere," Don't touch me-" and since
it's organization nearly a century ago,
some of the engagements in which its
members have participated were:
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Cerro
Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chepul-
tepec, City of Mexico, Fort Defiance,
Bull Run '61, Santa Rosa Island and
Fort Pickens, Fla, Shiloh. Gaines Mills,
Malvern Hills, Bull Run '62, Fredericks-
burg, MurfreeSbOro. Gettysburg,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
Resaca, Georgia, New Hope Church,
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jones'
bOrO.