, 1891-10-17
WYOMING MILITIA.
Concluded nom First Page.

cordance with tactics. The whole cere-
mony was exceedingly credltablo, the
passing in review in column OF companies
especially good.
The ceremony of dress parade was held
every evening, and upon two occasions
was repeated in order to correct errors or
irregularities. The same remarks are
applicable as with reference to the drills
of the National Guard; the Improvement
was marked, each one better than the
preceding. The last dress parade was
witnessed by most of the officers of the
18th infantry and at its conclusion was
universally commended.
The daily guard consists oil one officer
of the day, one officer Of the guard. two
sergeants, three corporals and sixteen pri-
Yates. In guard duty there had appar-
emily been but little. if any, previous IN
structon, and IN consequence the first
guard mounted was practically ignorant
OF all the duties required of guards and
sentinels. With a few conspicuous ex-
ceptions, the officers were as iuexpen-
enced as the men, but all were Jealous,
and even during the first day many Of
the most serious irregularities were cor
rected, and though the short period OF
the encampment allowed but one tour
each for the men, the seDtinels the last
two days were fairly well instructed and
performed their duties in a creditable
manner. The last ceremony of guard
mourning was credItable.
On the afternoon of the sixth day of
the encampment, in company with the
inspector general of the state. aud ac-
companied by the adjutant general, judge
advocate general. and other members of
the governors staff, I made a critical in
spection OF the battalion. Paragraph SIG,
United States army infantry tactics, was
closely followed. The general appearance
of the men was very satisfactory, though
there was evidence of a lack Of setting
up. which exercises have evidently been
neglected. The clothing was clean,
though in many instances the fit was
bad. The arms were all serviceable, and
II one company remarkably clean. In
one company the arms were dirty; the
other two were generally in satisfactory
condition. The accoutrements were in
very fair condition. One company (D)
had canteeps, haversscks, ard blanket
bags, which were in excellent condition,
and marked accurately as provided by
army regulations 80. The band of six
teen men, recently organized. was pro-
vided with good instruments. which were
in excellent condition; for the length of
time since organization, their proficiency
was very satisfactory.
The inspection of the camp showed an
almost perfect condition of cleanliness.
The same remark applies to the kitchen
utensils, tinware and mess tables. This
condition was largely attributable to the
careful supervision of the regimental
surgeon, Mai. Barkwell.
should srade the companies as fol-
lows: Compahy D. good, 7; company B.
sAtssfaatatv. c. oauApAn q. ~~.s t-i., c,
company A. fair, 4.
1t is to be regretted that there should
have been SO small an attendance at the
camp; even in the companies represented
there were many absentees. I am informed
that this was largely due to the fact
that the encampment was unexpected, as
it was generally believed that the neces-
sary arrangements could not be
made, and when the order was
issued it was reported impossible for
many of the men to attend, owing 10
business engagements; the failure on the
part Of others was due to the refusal of
their employers to permit their absence.
This difficulty will always prove v~exatious,
but it is believed that another season,
with more time for preparation, the
percentage Of absentees will be much
smaller.
1t is a ource of qualification to speak
of the spirit of comradeship developed
during the encampment between the
regular army aud the National Guard;
every officer of the army, from the com-
manding officer down to the junior, made
every effort to assist by advice and
encouragement, and to foster a sentiment
OF community of interest. This spirit
was met with hearty appreciation and
prompt acceptance, and one of the most
hopeful features of the encampment, so
far as its influence may affect the future of
the Wyoming National Guard, is the fact
that its officers are assured OF the hearty
cooperation and interest felt by officers of
the regular army In its organization. This
was alluded to by several officers of the
guard In terms showing conclusively that,
while they had been apprehenslve, they
were delighted with the result. The
same good feeling was exhibited by the
men in the two battalions. Whenever off
duty, the men Of the National Guard
were eager to obtain information on every
possible point pertaining to the duties Of
a soldier, which the regular troops were
quite as eager to impart. In a word, the