The Sunday morning news., 1891-11-29
OUR SOLDIER BOYS,
A Regular Army Experts
Report on the Sea Girt
EnCampment.
BRIGHT OFFICERS, GOOD MEN.
SeFyieeable Uniforms, Exeellen
Discipline and Smart Drill
Described by Lieutenant
London.
Work of the Signal Corps-Ey-
tracts From an Official Re-
port to the War De-
partment.
Special to the jersey city Mews.

Special to the jersey CITY NeWs.
TRENTON, Nov. 2S, 1s91.-One of the
most interesting features of the forth
coming report of Adjutant-Genera
Stryker will be the report of First Lieu
tenant r. London of the Fifth Cavalry.
Regular Army. Lieutenant London was
detailed by the Inspector General of the
United States Army to visit Sea Girt dur
ing the encampment of the First Brigade.
and was present during the entire en-
oampmenu. He speaks very eulogistic of
the camp ground, and says it is perfectly
adapted for its present use. Some method
of drainage may become necessary in the
future, the Lieutenant says, but as the
camp is only used for shorJ tim e, its
necessity is not yet apparent. He closes
this part of his report by saying that the
ground is in every way beautiful and
delightful place.
In speaking of the officers of the brigad e
the lieutenant says he found them in
terested in their work. and they showed
their capacity to carry the development
of the national sword to any extent de-
sired, 1t was was to be regretted that
their opportunities had not been greater.
The enlisted men generally We're active
young men. physically fit for soldiers
but There were some who were evidently
not SO. The adoption by the State of
some fixed physical standard seemed to
be necessary for the States protection.
OUR BOYS DID GOOD WORK.
The lieutenant then goes on to say:
''The uniform of both the officers and
men, except as noted, is like that worn in
the army. The officers blouse IS without
buttons and is braided something like
hnf fha IIxox,<
ago. The sword belt is worn under it,
and this blouse is an improvement on
that now worn in the army. The trousers
of the enlisted men are lighter in color,
and the blouses and trousers are lighter
in weight ana of finer quality sthan the
army standard. The men have uniform
dress coat. and. in addition to the forage
cap. both white and black helmet. The
uniform is paid for by the State. Leg
gings are not worn. Most of the blan-
kets are red, and while of good quality
are not so good as those issued TO the
army. The great-coat cape lining is also
red. There is no uniform shoe.
The guard duty was fairly well per-
formed, and some of the guards paraded
with commendable promptness when
turned out The opportunity of instruct
ing the sentinels while on post was APP
parently not recognized. When it is con-
sidered that the companies are united for
battalion drill only one week in two
years, the work done on the drill ground
was very good, and the same may be said
of the credirable performance of the bri-
gade when reviewed by his Excellency the
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
sThe guard mountings were always prop
erly gone through with, and generally it
might be said that in all those drills
where an opportunity for practice had
been had a commendable proficiency was
shown. Too much credit cannot be given
fhar lafr nt,r DO oCf ehar tC
in camp for the proficiency they have ac-
quired in the drill, which has been de-
vised within the National Guard itself
for the 3-inch breech-loading boat-ho-
witzers attached to these regiments.
When united in battery for target prac-
tice, the accuracy shown was satisfac
tory; but these guns do not form bat
terry and should not be so considered.
PRAISE FOR THE SIGNAL CORPS.
"a signal corps attached to this brigade
erected telegraph line, made connection
] between brigade headquarters aud that of
each regiment and battalion, and main
tanned communication during the en-
campment. They also practiced success
fully with flags and torches. Special
credit Is due this organization, since they
have had very little previous practice any
where, and none at all in an encampment,
and the success they attained was due en-
tirely to their zeal and enterprise.
"The target practice has been systemat-
lied and has been brought to a degree of
perfection which is limited only by the
amount of ammunition to be expended.
The range, which few years ago was q
sandy waste covered with pine scrub and
cedar, Is now beautiful grassy plain
fitted with all necessary convenienceS and
appliances. The practice is almost en-
tirely after the close of the encampment,
and is not allowed to interfere with the
duties of the troops during its continu-
ance. The object being to enable each
member of the National Guard to acquire
fair proficiency in the use of his rifle, at
a moderate cost to the State, the system
adopted and the manner in which it is
administered leave nothing to be desired.
either in the results attained or in the in
terest felt in the practice by the individ-
nal members of the National Guard of all
ranks.
GOOD WORDS FOR THE DOCTORS.
The rationS were excellent in quality
and abundant in quantity, and were pre-
pared with as little waste as could be ex-
pected.
There are mess rooms for each regi-
ment, etc., with separate rooms for the
messes of the line officers and for those
OF the field and staff. There is nothing
in this arrangement which tends to teach
the men to take care of themselves in the
field, and, as SAID before. 1t IS rather that
of temporary station than OF camp.
''The medical department has not yet
been organized, aud it did not appear
what books were kept nor what returns
were required There is probably a suf-
ficient number of medical officers in the
National Guard. The medicines are fur
nished by the Quarter-Master's Depart
ment, and any particular medicine de-
sired by the surgeon in charge for the
time being would be purchased from
neighboring drug store by the Quarter
masters department. The field hos
pital of fourteen beds was sufficient
for the needs OF the camp ana was
under charge of the brigade surgeon.
Probably in case of serious illness the men
would have been sent home by rail. The
spring wagon used for an ambulance was
more convenient for use about the camp
than Red Cross ambulance would have
been. 1t was always prompt in answer
ing calls.
charged with pitching the camp and TAX
ing down and removing the canvas after
it had ended; with moving the troops TO
and from the camp, and their payment;
with the purchase of suppliesof all kihds,
their delivery at the camp. and their Is
sac to the troops with the care ana llgnt-