New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-18
NEW YORK'S NATIONAL GUARD
REPORT TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT on
THE PEEKSKILL CAMP.
COLONEL LoDER COMPLIMENTS TIE STATE on

THE PEEKSKILL CAMP.
COLONEL LoDER COMPLIMENTS THE STATE ON
THE WORK OF ITS CITIZEN soLDIERY.
Washington. Aug. 1.-THE War Department has re-
ceivcd the report OF HeutenantColone r. L6der. the
Army officer who made an inspection of the annual
encampment Of the National Guard Of the state Of New
York, held at Peelskin from June - 20 August 1.
The total strength Of tie militia IS 6,252 enlisted men
and 341 officers. OF which there were present at the
encampment 41sO enlisted men and 800 officers Colo
mel Loder says he took great pains TO mingle with the
officers OF al grades, and to ascertain generally their
knowledge and capacity for their duties and whether
they jealous in performing them and capable Of
leading and arousing proper enthusiasm and discipline
among their In regard to this matter he says:
free to say that generally their willingness en-
braced all the points mentioned they were thoroughly
Jealous. rule. in their endeavors carry out all
orders issued for the National Guard which orders will
be noticed rs being voluminOus and answering almost
all requirements OF military lfe OF course ID must be
understood that there were incapable officers but they
are well known by those in authority and will in time
be removed
Continuing, Colonel Loder said he did not think the
guard duty, as a rule, a. well performed his
previous tour. lie certainly more individual cases
Of gross caelessnes and lack of instruction. lie says
In many made inquiries and found that failure
was due 10 the want Of the preliminary instructions
required, and the answer invariably was, We want 10
do our duty thoroughly. In number Of
cases the officers and nOn-commssoned officers Of the
guard worked hard and could plainly the increase
of vigilance and manner The Odd made the greatest
improvement I'm sentry duty. The ceremony Of guard
mounting I'm nearly all the regiments and battalious
was admirable throughout and in some Of the rcgi-
mens it was done with dispatch and ease that arise
ouly from knowledge.
"Parades and al marching duties were admirable
and in some cases Imposing. The time has been well
employed the camp has well fulfilled its object. and
the state Of New York has had full interest on the
money invested"
Colonel Loder says he should call attention TO
few points which he mentions follows: First
That the instruction Of officers and non-cOmmissoned
officers Is not thorough enough. Secondhand the
noncommissioned officers are not setting good ex-
ample as % neatncS they forcble enough with
the men, Thlrd-That orders not obeyed in regard
10 having men thoroughly drilled In the school OF tho
soldier before being on duty with the company saw
cases OF men coming present arms with their feet
arms and hands in any position they hncied Fourth
That the moment the commands got their noses outside
the company street where all persons could have a
full view everything braced up, but in formations
of al kinds under the nOncommssioned ofhcerS at the
assembly: the fun begins This is the one great fault.
IL was partially remcdied in the 18th and very much so
in the 22d; in that regiment l heard Tor the hrst
time the first sergeant calling the roll almost i'm
mediately after the last sound OF the assembly, nor
did the men fall In at first call"
careful examination Of the reports OF the Adlutant
General of the from l772 viii show progress 50
great as 10 make many Of the regiments entirely differ
ent in their military discipline. Colonel Loder re
ers TO the great progress made by the state Inspection
officers Their reports for each regiment and separate
company he says at first crude and Incomplete, have
IA ,- Of Particular
attention IS called to that Of 1900 by General Thomas
H. Barber lie also calls attention to the reports Of
Colonel McGrath, Assistant lnspectOr-Genera one OF
which gives the details Of cOmpanys Inspection up
to the standard, IN which everything was found nearly
perfect and another showing a company nearly up
to the standard. Colonel Loder then says that If the
inspector is a thoroughly conscientious man, the re-
ports show plainly that all the Of a company or
regiment must give attention 10 all details or the
command lie rated below the standard.
The second regiment in camp, Colonel Loder says,
was the 7th, commanded for the first time in camp
after twenty-five Years by new colonel who has held
that place for about year 1t j. well known how
ergat was the efficiency Of the regiment under Colonel
tnow GcneraD Clark, but under Colonel Appleton new
life new spring and new vim have been brought into
play and the work Of the regiment in camp from be-
ginning - end, with some exceptions, was "a nearly
perfect as could be. Colonel Appleton devoted him
self personally to all the duties and details Of his reg
ment dining the camp, by which he gained the conl-
dence and respect OF hi, men.
Afterwad came the I'D and ODD Regiments whose
duties were well and thoroughly performed, with Ger
tain exceptions. which exceptions apply also 10 the
eth The other regiments and separate companies also
did their work well. one regiment, the 18th, Will
have t. be watched for II Colonel Dowd keeps on
improving It Ut the present rate 1t will give close
cali for a very Ugh position.
With reference 10 the stan departments II Is only
necessary says Colonel LOder for him 70 refer 70 his
report I l55v on the same camp. The same officers
performed the duties In similar admirable and
Jealous manner. " But he says. as ! have pre-
vOusly stated. they have done from the inception
Of the camp, and IL l. owing TIER untirng vigilance
and care the character OF camp LIE instruction
and discipline IN the commands. ETC. have greatly
increased. | stated I'm previous report that New
York had be proud Of it, National Guard. and
/ will also add that they Will find the increase II
discipline In the last few years great thar IN case
any regiment Is called out their duties Will be per
formed in sOldcrly mauncr-sO that they can be
relied 70 the amount Of their full strength in case
Of any kind Of demonstration