Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-27
TROOPS In VIRGINIA.
Col. Stems Report on His Recent
Inspection Of the Military.
INCREASE IN, ATTENDANCE.
Advance of 40 Per Cent. In Two Years
Sugxsssioss Made aud Some Of the
Commauds Criticised.


lished an interview with Colonel 10. Lane
Stern. in which no told briefly and in q
general way in what condition he found
the Virginia troops at his recent ipspec-
tions throughout the State.
This morning his full report. which was
handed 20 the Adiutant- General on Thurs
day last, Is given TO the public. The paper
10 full Of interesting matter. and will be en-
braced in General McDonsld's annual re-
port TO the Governor, which will soon DO
placed in the hands Of the printer.
Here 10 Whist Colonel Stern SAYS:
To Brfgodjer- General James Mcdonald, Adfu-
tant Genera! Of Virginia:
Sir.--The accompanying muster-rolls
and report OF the annual inspection Tor
the year 1891 which / have the honor 70
submit show the gratifying increase OF .
per cent. present at inspection over last
year and 10 per cent. increase over the
year 1889.
There has been quite q general DISPOSE
ton on the part OF commanding officers TO
drop, discharge, or otherwise dispose OF
worthless men on their rolls. to which
commendable action the increased per-
centage 10 doubtless due.
The second and third regiments OF IN
fantry and the regiment of cavalry have
not had the same attention paid to their
rolls, and the very low percentage OF at
tendance in those regiments 10 the result.
A more watchful care in this particular
by the commandants OF these three regl.
ments is recommended, and IL the needs
and condition OF the companies be little
more looked after by the commandments
much good will probably result therefrom'
TINE NEEDED FOR RECRUITING.
II will be observed that several compa-
uies have been treduced below the mini
mum number of men required by law.
This has been done in most cases 70 make
room for more acceptable material, and u
IL suggested that reasonable time should
be allowed these companies to recruit be-
fore any steps be taken looking towards
their disarmament.
The company roll books adopted and
sent TO the commandments of regiments
last December have proven OF great value
in giving information concerning the at
tendance of officers and men.
IL is to be regretted in the Second regl-
ment infantry these roll-books we're not
forwarded to the company commandments
in time for them to be properly prepared,
hence there is no semi-annual percentage
report from this regiment 40.
TO a great degree the same lack OF dill
gence, heretofore reported on the part OF
officers to prepare and return their muster.
rolls according to directions, obtains and
in future reports from this Office those who
neglect to make prompt reports Will be
mentioned.
The zeal and ability generally displayed
by commanding officers may be said TO be
satisfactory, but in few instances, which
have been referred to in special reports,
: such is not the case.
COMMANDMENTS of regiments and batta-
lions, as o rule. do not direct what instruc-
ton the company shall receive. or IN what
they shall be exercised. With the excep-
ton of the First regiment of infantry,
none OF the volunteers are instructed
in guard duty. Officers themselves are not
generally acquainted with these duties.
The setting-up exercises are not practlced.
Absentees from drills, parades &C.. are
not held to account for their del1nquenceS
in large majority of the commands; even
absence from annual inspection IS not IN
CURED into
NOT WELL DISCIPLINED.
Generally speaking discipline is far short
of what il should be. For this the COM
mandants OF companies are responsible.
A slack and negligent captain. In nine cases
out of ten, Is the cause OF an undiscipilned
company.
kon-commissioned officers's schools are
almost unknown, aud officerss schools are
not dreamed OF. Priyates are nowhere
required to recite tactics and drill regula-
lstions. Target practice is unknown. and
men are not required to march with the
tull kat.
Many of these things are not performed
because not ordered. Orders or regula-
tons requiring them to be done would
doubtless be ooeyed by some of the officers.
The recommendations made In the re-
port for the last two years III regard TO
the preparation of rolls are respectfully
Ii seems unjust that some officers should
be compelled to give time and attention
TO these matters and others permitted
TO ignore their duties IN this particular.
The property-lists show a continual loss
of property from year TO year. II is ur-
gently recommended that steps be taken
to hold officers responsible for these
losses.
The rifles in possession of the following
commands should be sent TO the arsenal
and remodelled:
Companies + and l, Second regiment.
Companies A, II, Z, and u, Third regi-
ment.
Companies b, G. d, F, and II. Fourth
regiment.
NEW COMPANIES.
New companies of infantry were mus
tered in during the tours of inspection at
the following places: Abingdon, Toms
Brook, and Newport News. The first two
named have been treated as companies ID
and |, respectively. of the Second regiment
,nfantry IN this report. and the last named,
the Huntington Rifles. at Newport News.
as q separate company.
During the tours seventeen officers were
examined, twelve of whom passed and five
failed. Reports of these examinations
have been forwarded.
The Infantry.
There is O monthly meeting of brigade
staff officers, but no Rotations are re-
CURED. The staff Is not sufncientiy IA
mlliar with the location of the companies
OF the brigade. their officers, equipment,
condition, &c.
FIRST REGIMENT.
Being inspected as regiment the same
opportunity 10 observe the tactical errors
OF the company officers as in other regi-
ments was not afforded.
The management of the several depart
ments seems 10 be much improved. and
books, papers, stores, &c, are III good con-
dition. There is no effort In any OF the
other regiments or battalions TO do these
things at all. but the general appearance
and personnel seem to have deprecated.
The uniforms are old. soiled, and do not
III. n lufkt BoiNoAe%DN Va s&N ~ y
small, not set mp. unsteady. and show
want of attention. Company A, in the
matter Of discipline. &C.. is IN somewhat
better condition than some of the other
companies. Companies ID and + seemed
very much lacking IN discipline at inspec-
tion of quarters.
SECOND REGIMENT.
There il vacancy again in the Office of
Northumberland. Two have been elect
cd but neither qualified. The adjutant
and auartermaster, though appointed o
wear or more since, have not been examined
or commissioned, and these Offices should
be filed by other appointments. There is
only one non-commissioned staff officer.
The percentage of attendance in this
regiment shows that there are many men
on the rolls that should be dropped or dis
posed OF.
Company b, at Winchester, was
commanded by its first lieutenant
and the number of errors committed show
that the officers OF the company have
neglected TO inform themselves of their
duties. Since the inspection new roll
has been received. which shows that steps
have been taken to reorganize the CON-
pany.
Special report Of the inspection of Com
pany 4. at Pulaski, has been forwarded,
and the captain having resigned since in.
epecfion il IL probable that stems will he