The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-09-22
THE STATE GUARD.
COL. DODGE MAKES HIS RE
PORT OF INSPECTION.
Extracts Taken From the Same
Concerning the Lite Encamp.
nlent at WriRhtSTiIIe-FOu
Regiment COIMplirn ented.

ment at WriKhtSTtIle- e-FOurth
Regiment COmpllInented.
The rank and file OF the State Guard OF
North Carolina is composed of the very
best material of the State, mostly young
gentlemen of good family and established
social position. One company tone OF
the oldest in the United Statesl is so ex-
elusive as to select its recruits by ballot,
as in club, one or more black balls to
reject; yet, in spite of this most OBJ
icctionablc method of recruiting, it is in
drill and discipline one of the best if not
the best, company in the State. But as.
sured family and social position are not
always accompanied by pecuniary indie
pendcnce The State of North Carolina
not only does not pay her troops, but
she does not feed them. Transportation
alone is provided by the State, uniform
equipments and tcntage being furnished
bv the United States. A company is
called on for a ten days sojOurn in the
encampment. Some of the members OF
the company may he clerks IN stores or
tobacco warehouses. Their employers
refuse permission for them to attend the
cncampmcnt unless they furnish other
persons capable Of performing their
duties. The member of the company is
Obliged not only to lose his own salary
during the time of his absence, but to
hire an acceptable substitute at his own
expense, and from the time he leaves his
home until his return, he is Obliged
(though under orders OF his commander
in-chief the governor OF the State) TO
supply his own subsistence. | doubt II
there be community outside of the State
of North Carolina which could furnish
Young men of such military zeal and
lervor as to stick to their colors under
such advantages.
The discipline was exceedingly lax. The
commanding general seemed to think
that the colonies were responsible for,
and should maintain, discipline i'll their
regiments, while the colonies with the
exception of Col. J. 7. Anthony, OF the
Fourth Regimcntl appeared to think
that no discipline was necessary except
that enforced by authority superior to
theirs. The change in the
hours OF morning drill necessarily modi-
fed paragraph VII of General Orders
No. 8, and from 8 a. m. to p. M, the
the troops not on guard or other special
duty were absolutely free from all re-
straint, going and coming as they pleased.
This was supposed camp CONSTRUCTION,
and the heat OF which much complaint
was made was not more uncomfortable
than that to which the troops OF any
State are subjected in summer, yet here
were seven good hours of each day alb
Solutcly thrown away.
At night there was the same absentee
ism. Immediately after evening parade,
crowds hocked to the Island Beach hotel
and other places ofamusement and resort,
and spend the night in dancing and fiirt-
ing with the charming ladies there as
sembled.
In strong contrast to this general laXity
was the firm and excellent discipline
maintained in the Fourth Regiment by
Colonel !. 7. Anthony. His camp, which
was model of good order, was sur
rounded by chain of sentincls, and his
officers and men left camp only by his
permission
The last few days of the encampment
were almost entirely given up to reviews.
receptions and ceremonies, while well
enough in their way, ought not to take
up the very limited time which should be
devoted to instruction.
regret to be obliged to add that, from
the laxity of discipline, the very little
time of each day devoted to the wor of
instruction, the presence of crowds OF ad.
miring friends and ladies, who required
snow rather than work, and the general
disposition of all concerned to have a
good time, the encampment OF the North
Carolina State Guard was this year more
OF a seaside frolic than a field OF instruc-
ton. And it must remain so until the
North Carolina Legislature recognizes
that men will not work without com
Densation. Every member of the North
Carolina State Guard who attends the
encampment must do so at considerable
personal expense. He seeks compensa-
tiou in the sea-shore trolic, the ladies, the
music, the dancing, surf bathing, &c.
These are good and loyal men; II paid to
work and required to work they will
work; but men rarely work tor the sake
of work, and these can scarcely be eX-
pected to work without compensation OF
some kind. Under the present condition
their only compensation is the pleasure
they can extract from their surroundings.
The amount of instruction now re-
ccived is not worth the money expended;
vet these encampments, il pr"perly con
Quoted, are of the very greatest heneht
to the whole country in provi'iinga thor
ourhly instructed and disciplined army
in case of danger.
Whether for instruction or for service
in the field troops should never be forced
tolcave their homes at their own expense.
If the State will not pay the expense OF
.I,,,,, o,,,, n,,1aptS that PNDPnSe ShOulO
be assumed by the general government
GUARD DUTY.
There was no brigade guard. Each
colonel was permitted to order such
guard duty as he pleased. The result
was that in three regiments the guard
duty was a mere form or rather farce.
did not see a sentinel on post in either OF
the First, Second or Third Regiments,
and was informed that they were only
posted from between 8 to IL O'Clock at
night until daylight
Each regiment had guard mounting
each morning, which, owing to the lack
of instruction of the officers, was gener-
ally badly performed. After this cere-
mony the guards were marched back to
their regimental grounds, and, except IN
the Fourth Regiment, were then virtually
dismissed. Officers and members OF these
Slnrds being, of course, excused from all
OLner duties, were free to absent them
selves from the camp, with absolute GER
tainty of not being called on for any duty
until late at night. AS under General Or
ders No 8, these men were excused from
all duty until 4 p. m. next day, 1t can be