The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-01
THE INDIANA MILITIA.
Report of the Adjutant-G General Concerning
the Condition of the States Soldiers.

hoPVis " tuo duJdtoht- ucheioi OouOc,hanR
the Condition of the States Soldiers.
Acknowledgement N. r. Ruckle yesterday
completed his report for the fiscal year end
ing Oct. 81, 1891. which Will be submitted
to the Governor. The report is very
voluminous and contains many important
items which affect the State militia.
Under the act of March 8. 1889, an appro-
p~riation of s37. 900 is annually set apart on
the first of each year for the support of the
Indiana Legion. The expenditures from
Jan. /, 1890 to Oct. 81, 1890. were $27, 318.s4.
During the months of November and De-
cember, 1890. warrants were drawn
against the military fund for S9,5S9.53.
leaving an unexpended balance Of
the appropriation for the year ending Dec.
81. 1890. OF S96.63. During the year ending
Dec. 81, 1880. there was returned to the
State Treasurer the sum of S629.S IS on &C.
count of fOrfeitures by loss of property,
erroneous accounts, etc. The moneys re-
general fund. under the law, but reduced
the actual expenditure of the State for
the maintenance OF the legion for the year
1890, to SIC. 2S4. II. For the ten months of
the present fiscal militia year Jan. l. 1891,
To Oct. 81, 1891 warrants have been drawn
against the militia fund to the amount of
S3l, 210.1l, leaving an ~unexpended valance
at this date of S5,7S9.e9. A considerable
portion of this amount IS due to railroads
for the last -encampment. The amount
due the railroads, armory allowances for
the fourth quarter of 1851 and clothing al
lowances due companies entitled to new
uniforms will exhaust the appropriation
for the year ending Dec. 81, 1891.
For the year ending June 30. 1891, the State
was entitled to receive from the general
government as It's prorated share of the
annual appropriation Tor the support of the
militia, payable only in articles issued for
the use of the United States army. the sum
of Sl4. 2S9.02. Of this amount the State of
Indiana received, prior to Oct. 81, 1890.
stores to the value of Sl2, 3S6.40 The gov
eminent has since issued to the State of
Indiana on account of appropriation, for
the year ending June 30, 1891. stores amount
ing to 81, G42. "a. making total issues to the
State of S13.S7s.6k.
With reference to tho matter of inspec-
tions, the Acknowledgement urges an in
crease IN their number. he q advises at least
two r~egimental or battalion inspections
every year, and recommends hat special
inspections by the Inspector general be Or
dered where the reports show a lack of in
terest or the system OF instruction or ad-
ministration faulty. All companies failing
TO maintain a fair standard of proficiency
should be d~isbanded, and thus relieve the
State of the burden of their maintenance.
Under the head of Arms" the Adjutant-
general reports that the rifles in use. TO the
number of 100. are of the latest Springfield
pattern, with the improved sights. The
other gums while classed as servIceable
will not bear critical military inspection.
Before the organization OF the present
military force of the State these arms had
been badly abused in sham battles, care
less handling at camp duty and in other
ways. The probable early adop-
tion of o small caliber magazine
gun by the United States army
=. - Z. q nnAoA IN, 4f 49,
annual allowance for new arms at this
time. The equipment of batteries is 0bsO-
lete. Tho old three-inch muzzle-lOading
rifle of the pattern of 1SGl-65 being still IN
use. the Adlutant-genera thinks IL highly
necessary that the State should have at
least one complete siX-gu battery of the
latest pattern, but has no hope of securing
it. as the cost. Sl4,0O0 is beyond the present
reach of the fund.
Referring TO the clothing of the State
militia the report says that the annual
clothing allowance for the year 1891, was
$3.50 . man. The new companies uniformed
are as follows: Button, Aurora and Mish-
awake and the bands of the Third Infantry
of South Bend, the Fourth at Marion and
part of the First at Evansville. The Old
companies reinforced were: Company f, of
the First Infantry at Evansville; i, of the
Second Infantry at Charlottesville; q, of
the Third Infantry at Rochester. and A. of
the Fourth Infantry at Marion. These
uniforms are designed to last three years
under usual conditions. The material for
them is supplied from the government
issues.
The camp and garrison equipment of the
State. including tents, tarpaulins, cooking
utensils. camping tools. etc., together with
blankets and bed-Tacks. making an outfit
for 2. AGO men. and all u%nissued. are stored in
the basement of the Capitol. The ammuni-
tion is stored in the government arsenal in
this city.
The Acknowledgement devotes much space
to the discussion of the last annual State
encampment, held near the city of Fort
Wayne July 20 to %, 1891. The ~consOli-
dated statement of the attendance at the
camp shows the following, by regiments:
First Regiment of Infantry. 35l; Second
Regiment of Infantry, 456; Third Regiment
of Infantry, AGO; Fourth Regiment of In
fantry. 2l5; First Llght Artillery. l27; total
attendance. 1,6G9.
The Acknowledgement recommends that
hereafter the camp be held near the center
of the State, and not in the immediate
vicinity of any large city or W The
site should he on q stream sufficiently large
to admit of bathing, and there should be O
good field at hand for q rifle range. Another
important requisite would be to lave the
site on a railroad, so that the camp equip
ments could be readily unloaded and re-
loaded.