Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-29
VT. NATIONAL GUARD


old State militia from which was or
ganized so many companies that went
to fill Vermont's quota in the war OF
the rebellion. The old militia, also
furnished large number Of officers for
the Vermont regiments. OF these was
Gen. Geo. j. Stannard, who is said to
have been typical volunteer soldier.
AT the time of the St. Albans raid the
State was found to be without troops,
and new militia organization was
called for. Three brigades of infantry
of regiments each, one regiment OF
cavalry, one company of Light Artil-
lery, also 4 detached sections, were or
ganized, but the State could not sup
port them and the tax upon the men
was so great they soon dropped out and
for time The interest IN the militia
tagged. 1t was only when General
Greenleaf, 1t. Col. Kinsman, Major
r. j. Coffey and other veteran soldiers
with Colonels Fuller and Estey began
to shape the affairs of the militia that
it became effective. There is now one
regiment of ten companies, a battalion
of two companies, Newport and Rich
ford, and Fuller's Light Battery filled
with welI-drilled and well-disciplined
men many of whom are veteran sold
iers. The militia is in a better condi-
ton and better equipped than ever be-
fore. The infantry is armed with the
new model breech-loading rifles, the
same as are furnished the u. 5. regu-
lars. The battery has Just received 4
steel guns, breech-loading and of the
latest pattern. This is the first battery
of the National Guards to receive guns
of this pattern. A few of the compan-
les are uniformed with gray uniforms
with cross belts, but as fast as new ones
are needed blue uniforms Of the u. S.
A. regular pattern are bought. Large
wall tents are provideds these have
boarded floors and nearly all of the
companies have mattresses. The old
soldiers having in mind the cotton ''fy
tents with soft or hard or wet floors
that were furnished them laugh at the
softness Of the ''snap" they have here.
Ii should be mentioned, also, that cam
vass awnings are stretched over the
company streets and as whatever air
there is circulates freely through these
streets they are the most comfortable
places found in camp. Large mess
and kitchen tents are provided and the
food served is excellent.
An historical sketch of the different
companies is given below;
90. &C" sPRAGUE GUARD, BRANDON.
This company dates back to the al
len Grays," organized in 1886 as the
first uniformed company under the mil
itis law Of that year. 1t went to the
war with such men in its ranks as ex-
Gov. Z. j. Ormsbee, Capt. Cornelius
II. Forbes. A. A. G.. of the old brig
ade. Capt. Chas. J. Ormsbee, Capt.
w. b. Robinson, Capt. w. Cronan,
Cant. c. w. Carr, and Capt. John W.
Chase. II kept up ifs organization un-
til il had sent to the front three full
companies. At the close of the war,
the company was recognized as the
Warner Guard, which name was sub
seouently changed to the Sprague
Guard in honor of Col. n. I. Sprague,
whose liberal gifts to the company fund
had on more than one occasion enabled
II to tide over a financial crisis. 1t is
to-day in fine condition, uader the COM
mand of Capt. Josiah w. Symonds,
First Lieutenant, B. A. Carr, Second
Lieutenant, Andrew j. Dinamick.
co. a" KINGSLEY GUARD, RUTLAND.
The history of this company dates
back to the military revival of 1856. 1t
went into service as Co. X. of the lst
regiment in 1861. In the state militia
organization of 1864 It was Co. B of
he 9th regiment, and was commanded
~ Lieut.. Col. c. c.. Kinsman. Under
he three-regiment law, it became Co.
4 of the Sd regiment; and in 1873 1t
vas one of the companies selected TO
orm the present regiment. The COM
any was originally known as the Rut-
and Light Guard, but changed to Its
resent name few years ago, in hon.
r of the then Quartermaster General
f the State, Gen. Levi G.. Kingsley.
The company is always ranked among
X, -. and Il Rutland'S net oroauiza-