Telegram-herald., 1891-12-12
BRAVE soYs IN Blue.


Thsy Stand Before ,as Iaspsetor GeE-
sFai Ia Proud Array.
There are several red-letler days in
tho annals OF state military companies
and one IS the yearly inspection. For
weeks previous 10 the day upon which
the high m0gn!s announce their inten-
ton 10 b present members OF compan-
les employ tIemseiye, IN SHINING up
their armor. brushing their uniforms,
polishing buttons and buckles and
otherwise preparing for tie time.
When IL finally arrives and the soldiers
give themselves preliminary inspec-
ton before the mirror, they satisfy
themselves in their own minds that they
are Just about as "nice as they MAKE
EN-" When the bugle gives them no
uce TO fall IN, each individual lmaglnes
that he is the special mark for pair OF
pretty eyes IN the gallery. How mean
one feels when IN an unqualified mo-
nisnt tue captain sings out shoulder
arms" ana "order arms" is executed.
One thinks his reputation as soldier
has been swept away BY a fatal blum
der. Remorse disappearsl however,
when q comrade in the -four" IN front
wneels 10 the left on an order oi
'fours right" The confused soldier
retrieves himself by stopping before
anyone else when the officer in COM
nlsnd calls "hait." But when the ln-
spection officers arrive upon the scene
there IS a change. 1ney all march,
"sutfer than starch" and assume sol
dierly bearing which is new to them.
In Grand Rapids the state can boast
of possessing three creditable COM
pxuI.s. The frat inspected last night
WAS Company L, formerly Conn., a ~ |,
or Custer Guards, with Its armcry on
the corner OF Bridge and trout streets.
The officers OF inspection We're: IEspec-
tor General Butler, Captain Clinton
Gardener OF the United States army,
located at Detroit, Colonel Rose,
Colodel McGurren, Captain Kinney,
and Captain Bennett or Muskcgon.
There were forty men n line, including
officers. The inspectors passed through
the lines and then examined each
piece. Captain Bennett, First Lieu
tenant Vos and Second Lieutenant Gid
dings took turns at drilling. and each
d d we'll. Colonel Butler COM plimented
toe company upon its appearance, the
precision with which it executed the
foot and manual movements and con-
dition OF its accouterments. Captain
Gardener spoke favorably of the CON-
psny aud said he WAS SO well pleased
that when he made his report he would
hsud In the name OF each member.
The company congratulated itself upon
receiving sucn commendatnry remarks.
After all was over, music and dauclng
was Indulged in by the members Of the
company and their lady friends.
From Co. + armory the inspectors
erased the Grand 10 VISIT Company B
armory on South IonIa street. In this
hall Company II, formerly Company
h, also received attention. Co. BIS
guns were found to be IN tirs class con-
dition. The officers made the usual
examination, after which Inspector
General Butter complimented the com
pany on its fine appearance. In addi-
tiou he gave some pointers rs 10 indl-
vldusl duty. Considerable stress was
laid upon the fact that all the Mich-
gan tr inps will be massed in Chicago
during the Worlds Fair. He urged
the comp y 10 put In good work so
that the wolverine state would be- IN
the van as tar rs excellency was con-
cerned. Co. II created favorable Im-
preston when inspected and received
much praise for the precision with
wn:ch 1t executed the various evoIu-
tons. Capt Gardener addressed the
boys in complimentary manner. say
ing during the course of his remarks
that his first military work began as
| member of Co. Il years ago while
resident OF this city.
At the CONCLUSION Co. r RECALLED the
officers of inspection with collation.
spread IN one of the psriors.