Evening journal., 1889-12-09
DELAWARE'S S0LDIERY.
INSPECTOR GENERAL ARMSTRONG'5
ANNUAL REPORT.
He Declares There Is Much Dead Timber
In the n. g. D.-A accommodation
That Company ID be Mustered Out.
Burglar Bob Recaptured.
Special correspondence EVENING

1tnti0A AntbAoit AIhlHIEpHK. Inspector
Of the National Guard has Just been re-
ceived by General Kenney. 1t is the
most complete report Of the kind made in
the history of the guard in this state,
and goes into detail with vengeance.
Lieutenant Leroy Brown, U. S. A., who
aided General Armstrong, brought the
boys up all over the State and the report
shows his finger marks.
1t Is evident that a shaking up in some
quarters will follow the report Among
them IL may be surmised that Company
ID at Dover, will be mustered out Of the
service and new company, with differ
ent material, organized. Under the law
the company, according to the inspector
generals report, Is cut OF from all state
aid and 1t must go.
In closing the report General Arms
strong and Lieutenant Brown say that
there Is great deal OF dead timber IN
the guard that might with advantage be
gotten rid of. They suggest that all who
were absent at the inspection without
sufficient excuse be mustered out of the
service. Those who appear TO look on
the guard as sort of free
picnic" or circus arrangement had,
they suggest, better be dropped from the
rolls and the chances are that their sug-
gestion will be carried out. The 500 odd
members Of the guard have been anxi
ouslY awaiting this report and the fol
lowing Is a pretty full synopsis Of it:
''To the Adiutant- General of Delaware:
II have the honor TO report that in
compliance with General Orders No. 7s,
current series, the annual inspection Of
the National Guard Of Delaware was duly
made on the dates hereinafter named.
Lieutenant George lie Roy Brown, Of the
U S. Army, accompanied me aud min
utely inspected the ans, equipments aud
armories.
The several members Of the field and
staff of the First Regiment Of Infantry
and of the First Regiment of Cavalry
were inspected and all matters pertaining
thereto, were found satisfactory.
"0n November 25 the non-commis-
stoned officers; everything in their posses.
sion was found In as good condition as pos
sible, but the drum corps badly need
new outfit and drums. 1t is also recon
mended that a fatigue uniform be fur
nished the corps, and that dress uniforms
be worn only on full dress occasions
While neat, natty and SNOWY uniforms
may we'll serve TO make the service at
/ tractive and capture the hearts of fair
/ AAAtNFf sum AnN nMElAloh Vi lM1
should be done in business suits. A loose
fitting blouse and forage cap are best
| for drills and marching Each orraniza.
tion should be furnished with few suits
of canvas for fatigue details about camp
''The drum corps appears to be an ex.
cellent organization full of enthusiasm,
there time is excellent and provided with
the lighter drums and a suitable place
to practice they should be second to no
like organization in the country
Company A was inspected at Whining.
ton November %; forty-one men were
present. Uniforms, equipments, etc.
were clean and neat with but few excep,
tions. But rifles are old models anc
should be czchanged for the new mode
now issued to the regular army. TIL
execution of the manual o
arms, marching and drill @
this company was excellent, anc
the general appearance Of the members
and tone Of the company deserve specia
commendation. A generous spirit o.
rivalry animates the members and wher
( like spirit shall animate each guards
man in the service of the state she car
! justly claim not only that her sons ar,
first in war according TO population, bui
/ also first in peace, in point Of excellenc,
! of drill, soldiery conduct and esprit dJ
, corps. The company quartermaster-s
geant deserves special notice for the ex.
} cellent manner in which the company
3 stores are kept.
? Company was inspected at Milfor,
on November 90. Thirty-five member
were present; Equipments, etc. Ii
good condition; appearance of officers ant
men exceptionally good manual Of arm
was executed with precision and al
movements we'll executed Lieutenant
Townsend and Paige deserve special men
tion; should Like to mention several non
commissioned officers by name. Their,
was the ringing Of true steel all through
, This is the only company in the stat
. owning its own armory, and it deserves
: all praise for the pluck and energy exhib
tied.
Company @ was inspected at Will
mington ON November 20. Thirty.fiv
men were present; everything was foun,
in an excellent condition general appear
! ance of men and officers also excellent
all evolutions executed with promptnes
and precision; Captain Wickersham de
serves commendation for the soldierl
appearance aud carriage Of his men.
! Company d was inspected at Dove
on November 81. Twenty one member
were present and thirty-six absent; on
corporal was so much under the infiuenc
of liquor that he could not perform hi
4 duty; equipments were in fair condition
Q though many guns were rusty; thougl
there were excellent men in line the gen
eral appearance Of the company was poor
e With the material at hand an .excellen
s company should be organized at Dover
and 1t is to be regretted that the com
. panY at the State Capital is not in
: capital state.
, Company + was inspected on Novem
Der 81. Thirty-eight men were present
company was found in first class condi
I tion; bearing of men and execution o
drill movements all good. Captain Grit
fenberg has instilled new life into tn
company, and this company bids fair {,
become one of the best in the state
e More comfortable quarters arc needed
Company was inspected at Wilmington
on November %. Everything found Il
good order and had the inspection bee
made at regular army post the compan
q would have passed. New model guns ar
also needed by this company.
Company G was inspected at George
! town on November 49, Everything wa
found in fair condition. Many of tn
coats Of the men are two small The
z need larger armory. The men did no
q appear at the time named for inspection
and the officers had to wait while the
were hunted up. While the corporal VIII
i had charge Of the drill is to be commende
r - A 2. -