, 1888-10-13

BRAVE, BOLD SOLDIERS.
Company 3, Cheyenne Guards, are
Mustered In.
Governor Moonlight Administers
the Oath.
Roster and a Brief History of the
Home Militia.
A Large Number of Citizens
Attend the Exercises.
THE INCEPTION.

JNoA a. IN Noo ain
of organizing a militia company in Chey-
enne, but the project ended in talk and
the plan was for a time entirely aban-
doned. Last spring, however, the subject
was revived and a series of meetings called
by I. B. Adams, Gilbert Shapcott and
others, resulted in the organization of the
Cheyenne Guards. The company had
many trials and not a few disappoint-
ments, but through the indefatigable
energies of a number of enthusiasts and
the hearty support of public spirited citi-
zens the thing was made a go and the
Cheyenne Guards survived, thrived and
grew.
FIRST EQUIPMENT.
The problem of securing fatigue uni
forms and accoutrements for drilling was
a serious one which presented itself early
in the history of the company. Governor
Moonlight and Secretary Shannon kindly
furnished the boys with muskets and they
purchased blouses and caps from their
private funds.
THE ARMoRY
1t was highly necessary to have an ar.
mory and Keefe hall was leased to the
company at a moderate figure by its
owner.
DRILLMASTERS.
A drillmaster was indispensable, and
the company was unusually fortunate in
having two members quite competent to
teach the manual of arms, etc. These
were Capt. Sitter and First Lieut..
Adams.
DRESS UNIFORMS.
Once organized and equipped for the
purpose the guards drilled industriously
and have become a very soldierly looking
lot. But dress uniforms were required
before the company could be enlisted in
the service of the territory. This project
was the most serious yet encountered but
was, like the rest, overcome in good
style. Correspondence was carried on
with Eastern houses until a bargain was
struck. The tailoring establishment sent
out a representative who took the
measure of each man. The suits
arrived Thursday and we're
worn for the FIRST time last evening. They
are dark grey, with black stripes and
trimming and are both handsome and SER
viceable. The uniforms are perfectly sat
isfactory to their wearess and are much
admired by all.
IMPROVED ARMS.
When the uniforms had been ordered,
Governor Moonlight made a requisitlon
on the war department for military &C.
coutrements for Co. B. The guns, cart
ridges, belts and swords we're received the
first of the week and their appearance
further reused the martial spirit. The
guns are beauties. They are the i'm
proved Springfield rife direct from the
government armory, with fine sights,
wind guage and all. The belts, swords
and bayonets are regulation. The invoice
including 10000 rounds of ammunition,
5000 blanks and 5000 fixed.
PREPARING FOR ENLISTMENT.
The boys were busy yesterday. There
were buttons to brighten, belts to adjust
and final exercises in the manual of arms,
for in the evening Governor Moonlight
was to administer the oath and issue the
commissions which made them militia
men in fact. The armory was a scene of
activity. Advice was solicited and given
without solicitation and notes were com
pared. A visitor would surely have
| thpnnhf that n hottlo ~ ,,-.zo4
H MUSTER IN.
Governor Moonlight mustered in the
Cheyenne Guards as company B, Wyo-
ming National Guards, at the armory last
evening in the presence of nearly 500
spectators. The only decorations we're
displays Of stars and stripes, but the
ladies dresses and the smiles of all made
the scene gay enough for anyone.
At $50 o'clock, the appointed time to
a minute, the governor entered the hall
accompanied by his aide, Capt. f. s.
Smith. The latter presented his excel
lency to Capt. Sitter. The company had
been drawn in line, and each member
answered as his name was called by the
commander.
Lieutenants Adams and Henderson
were called forward, and the governor ex-
planned to the company that the term of
enlistment was three years-no less.
There were no faint hearts, and hats. were
DOTTED as Governor Moonlight admins
tered the following oath:
You. and each of you. do solemnly
swear that you will bear true faith and
allegiance to the government and consti-
tuition OF the United States, and
the government and constitution
of Wyoming Territory; that Won
will obey the orders of the ofiner, nlaaSi