The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-07-22
THE STATE GUARD.
EVERYTHING READY Al
WRIG GHTSEILLE FOR THE
NCAMPNsENT.
Some Interesting Facts in the State
Guards History--What Has Been
DOne--And What is Now Doing.

SOlno interesting EdCtS III the Stdtc
Guards History--Vhat Has Been
Done--And What is Now Doing.
Especial to STATE CHRoNICLE.I
WRIGHTsvILLE, N. c., July 19.-On
the 22nd instant public interest will to
considerable degree centre here, as on
that day the encampment Of the State
Guard begins. Of Wrightsville and its
charms much has been written, but this
letter will discuss the subject of the
State Guard, force of which the State
may we'll be proud.
The older people will remember the
''militia musters," dear to the comic
writer. In those days all the men were
required to parade. That parade meant
the loss Of day. A days labor is worth
sixty cents, taking the whole population.
The cost Of such an exercise can readily
| be calculated. No wonder the system
| fell through and that the ''National
Guard took the place Of the obsolete
militia. No simpler explanation Of the
cause Of the formation Of the latter force
| could be given, and the force itself forms
! the second line of national defence, the
! little army being, Of course, the first.
| Up to 1861 this State had the antiquated
militia system. There was harder work
from 1861 to 1865. After the war there
was q return, in theory, to the old plan.
1t was a failure. In 1868 Adjutant-
General Fisher, Of the Republican
regime, organized what he called the
"North Carolina Detailed Militia" This
force was called out, and by and by it
became ''Kirk's lambs" There is a bit
of history in regard to the equipment Of
this force, which will interest people,
Gen. Fisher ''horrowed" from the State
of Vermont 2,U00 old army muskets, in
accoutrements. The authorities Of Yer
mont never got these back, as three
fourths we're lost, but received in re-
turn 600 breech loading rifles, with ser
vice ammunition.
In 1877 when the Democrats got pos
session of the State everything in the
way OF militia was at an end, save that
half dozen volunteer companies exist
{ ed. These were the nucleus Of the pres
ent State Guard. They were located at
Fayetteville, Charlotte, Wilmington,
} New Berne and Raleigh. There were
other organizations, mainly colored,
which were worthless. Jobnstone Jones
was by Governor Vance appointed AdjU-
: tant- General, and he lost no time III
9 organizing the "State Guard" under
: the act creating that force. Worthless
companies were disbanded and disarmed,
new ones formed, and in May Of that
year the force was put on a good foot
ing. The old militia system was at az
end and the Guard replaced it, coming
as nearly as possible 10 a paid force,
which the national constitution inuibiJs
i save in the time of war.
: In October, 1877, the guard, ther
) composed of II companies, went into
camp at Raleigh, during the State Fair
It encamped at Camp Russell and had
some 500 men in camp. 1t was reviewed
by Governor Vance and Wade Hampton
There was another encampment, also a
It Raleigh, in 1878, during the fair. Th'
: force grew in numbers and its equip
" ment was steadily perfected. Camp
ia equpage was procured and the first en-
te campment for which any expense wa
e. incurred was held at Yorktown, unde
III Gov. Jarvis, in 1881. The money thu
IS expended was replaced by the sale Q
obsolete arms and equipments on hand
In 1886 there was another encampment
under Gov. Scales, at Asheville, whic
was attended by 81 companies Th
cost of this was refunded, just as in th
Yorktown case.
s, In 1888 the people of Wilmington too
b. steps to secure the holding of an encami
= ment at Wrightsville. They furnished
:. great many things necessary. The co;
lis of the Transportation of the troops VIZ
ch refunded to the State by means of sa
OF of obsolete stores, which were thus {,
as hausted. This encampment was attenC
ed by 81 companies.
It was great success, although tt
troops receceived no pay and were III
rationed. The legislature of 1889 toe
step forward. 1t appropriated So,
- toward paying the expenses Of the e
are campment. The greater part Of th
ri necessarily goes to meeting the cost
for transportation of the troops
-, The encampment Of 1889, was al
held at Wrightsvlile. It was brlga.
encampment, and was under commar
of Brig. Gen. Anthony: Twenty-sev'
companies of infantry and troop
cavalry were in camp.
tbo The extension of aid by the COVER
Wv ment, under the act of 1887, permitti
ILL., the clothing of troops the Quartermast
son Generals duties became at once onero
yer and important. In 1888 four compan
Is were clothed; in 1887 seventeen, VIII
this year eight have been clothed, in f
dress ahd fatigue uniforms, issued
entire force. The equipment is that
the army, and the entire brigade is rea
tb;s for field service.
This year there will be two encan
OF ments, the first beginning on the 22d
this July, of the 1st and Sd regiments, a
the the second beginning August 9th, of
TO-, I'd and 4th regiments. There will
sixteen companies in the first camp 9
fourteen in the second, the cava
troop being attached for this duty to
I'd regiment. The thirty compar
will probably show 1900 men il can
OF The number in 1889 was 1860.
his Adjutant-G General Glenn, Inspect
K ID General Cameron, Quartermaster-G
we eral Olds and Surgeon General Hayw
lain will be on duty. Brigadier General
for thony will be present, but not on 81
bar The encampments Of 1888, 1889
1890 are held on private grounds. ki
0. ly lent by Mrs. Fannie Latimer and
Edward Latimer.
Next wear the encampment will