The sun., 1891-06-28
CoxmENrs ON THE sEvKsrH.
The Camp or the Regiment Criticised by
nm Ex.Rcgulnr.

portance OF the 60. called National Guard to q
nation that hns n standing army hardly large
enough to be called nucleus for the tremen-
dous body Of fighting men IL will have to put
in tho field in case OF war 1t is remarkable.
by the way. how little attention is paid to this
subject by the people at large and by tho State
authorities in the different States. Indeed.
the stale of New York seems to be the only
one that has o reasonable appreciation OF its
responsibilities in this regard. Its militia b.
and hos always been. tho most efficient and
the strongest. numerically. In the country. and
the celebrated Seventh is its representative
organization. Certainly then. may be par
doned for presuming to criticso 1t even in q
New York paper.
word or two about tho camp to begin with.
1t is beautifully situated In n great many re-
spects and hns some natural advantages that
nro apt to excuse its defects. 1t is not without
tho latter, however. One who hopes to SEQ bo-
fore long tho day when the militia OF the State.
or good part OF It, will be occasionally con-
centrated for field manuuvres would wish that
1t were very much larger. Tho ground seems
hardly fitted for the operations Of more than
ono regiment at time. and It is rather
cramped then for On elaborate skirmish drill.
What is worse ia that 1t cannot DO increased In
size to any appreciable extent.
Besides this, Immediately surrounded as It
is by hills. 1t is insufferably hot during the
day time-a very serious drawback when 1t Is
remembered that the regiments wish to avail
themselves OF every possible moment OF time
for practical work. Indeed. Col. Lodor. the
present Government inspector at tho camp.
told me that he would not think for momont
OF working his regulars In such heat rs they
seem to have there every day. can certainly
testify myself to the fact That 1t was too hot to
r,ar lonu bo Io T
except in tho early morning. Nor do see
why men should be drilled at any
other time when the morning is avail
able. 1t Is most remarkable that
the men themselves made no complaint
whatever, but seemed to be only too willing to
get all tho practical adyan ages possible from
their WORK. 70 E This enshusiasm a. NV was everywIere
of the Now York militia. the fact ought to be
very gratifying to tho state authoritiee. was
he %aks c4
Thomas. Arizona who upon going to sheol
eent beck the next day Tor his blankets. 70.
60 to the latter place.
50 good that venture to say the average reg
ular would much prefer to be auartered there
nan in amy % s the s Ses es
West Point. The tenting accommodations are
getting the same amount Of room that Lieu
tenant in the regular army is entitled to. The
ma,tressss But alter ali. Why not They viii viii
Ioa ys5y nre b Win as tseE sSoes
act actual Service. Service Eve Everything about the the camp amp
rs as nsa as thin %
10 Civilians and .ne fact that civilians: oliesTs.
sentinsis sent I Posts than Witch there is hardly a
greater breach OF military courtesy. few
vor @o oecby o
thank one OF the priyates for politely getting
ipg ip9: The, the camp with little accommodation Of
" Xs 70 10 the regiment i,sslf the f,rst thing that
s1.nck h ny attention was ths Snsraetsr @ o. ths
ranks and out was gentleman and sch oiar
obey ,i their ofissFs from love o[ obsdisaee:
to some bodies Of regulars that Know. + hey
oil seemed intent on doing their duty Just AS
conclude that the mon personally were bey ond
criticism: 1t seems So strange thnt 9 Governmsnt
a common common deienes. but loo % psnurious Is t" do #.
should be furnished whether or no with SUCH
%ss Sn nSad S s. Was ana shas s hs
greater part OF the expense. The German
leaves his country to escape military service.
sole dsr-yet they call the Germans military
people and say that we are not.
above the average physically. They handle
Ts as 5sey say In ths and
s@ass With hs
fenee OF cleanliness. The West Point cadet | !
made a still hunt around punphy's to see II |
Seventh. but could NOT. find a graycoat any |
where in the VICINITY. % 2 fact that must be very
Commanders i was tempted to ask some Of |
the ess sbs1 q ne Seventh asd
that that The negative Went without he t saying ''a
9s TED IN s dSaG ,bs not
the modern soldier but because / have often
heard them cG%mpareAd % A 70 the REGULARS and , the
very we'll indeed. certainly well enough to de.
vote the greater part OF their time to more
ihoy compare unfavorAbiy with q great por:
tion Of the regular army although they could
ss saa t. s s par With the
may perhaps Le forgiven for mentioning q iew
cism. In review that saw the markers were
not properly placed. az q result OF which. the
%hss hsy lad pe %hss On
an I es sd auy Ehss for
q able to wheel Without a flaw flaw. Then the changes
Of direction Mt double time were mndo ut tho
sty ' the reciansle had Increased n SIC
The double timing showed lack Of
hat !aaf'tS: tn. resimsat did not Keep IA step
better when the band was not playing. This
the West Point boys do, each com pan y Keeping
Syhas w,h ae Ssd Sss ssys SR q
ms looks are conce,ned than the cadenced step
without music. There were u few mistakes.
the mos, Important of which wus ON incorrect
command. but they are hardly worth noticing.
and are quite likely TO occur occasionally even
with tho regulars. The manpnl seemed to be
.low left hands bell g the only noticeable do.
te.t, and thoy probably belonged TO recruits.
As have said before. the regiment Ia SO
competent in the driIl that wonder why more
duty, grand guards. practice marching. scout
ing. and advance and rear guard duty. In
wondering what the efe.t q a the recently de:
ae promulgated. In all probability they will
10 away with the larger part OF the details Of
lrill. and may even be so advanced as to fol-
low tho lead OF the Germans aud abandon all