, 1891-10-17

ton to the fact that during the entire en-
campment Zen. Stitzer, adiutant genera
Of the state; his assistant, Mai. Shap'
colt; inspector general. Col. Medium,
judge advocate general, Col. Baird, and
Capt. Kabis, aid de camp for Gen. Bar
Der, were present in camp living under
canvas, and were understandable in aiding
and forwarding BY every means in their
power the object of the encampment.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
As the first essential, a careful course
of instruction by company officers of
their subalteTns and noncommissloued Of
icers in the school OF the soldier and
company. This should include reclta-
tons in tactics as well as exercises in the
drill room. The Importance of the set
ting up drill as a SINE qua non. Thorough
soldlerly bearing is impossible In troops
lacking this instruction. | would recon-
mend that every drill be preceded by FIVE
minutes brisk work in the setting up ex-
e~rcises.
All companies should be. required be-
fore the next encampment is held to be
fairly proficient 10 tkirmish drill. So far
as | could learn this has hitherto been
neglected; its importance is vital.
The importance of guard duty in any
course OF instruction seems, also, to have
been largely lost sight of. | recommend
careful instruction in k%ennon's Manual
and in simulated guard duty in company
drill rooms.
A systematic course Of instruction in
target practice should be begun without
delay. The preliminary aiming, pointing
and position drills, and also gallery prac-
tice, are practicable in any of the company
drill rooms.
These various courses OF instruction
would prove interesting and vary the
monotony of constant practice in the man
ual and the practicable in the
company armory. The standard of eff
cheney should be raised; an average at
tendance at weekly drills of SO per cent.
required by the state statute, is too low
for efficiency.
In addition to the annual inspection by
the inspector general of the state. l would
recommend legislation requiring the regI-
mental commander to infinitely inspect
every company of his regiment at least
once each year at some time other than
that of the annual encampment.
The National Guard of the state should
be thoroughly equipped with tents and
other camp equipaRe as well as such field
equipments rs blankets. bags. haversacks,
meat-ration cans, knives. forks and
spoons, canteens aud tin cups, the Mills
field belt, also some form of intrenching
tool. At present lone of the companies
are thoroughly equipped for field service.
Wyoming is a new state, and if the
means are not forthcoming then congress
should make necessary appropriations for
this purpose.
From my experience during the en-
campment | desire unhesitatingly to
recommend the camping of the regular
troops and National Guard together. |
believe such camping to be mutually
beneficial and instructive in many wavs to
officers and men. and certainly no plan
can be devised through which Instructions
can be so easily impaired to the National
Guard. Example is a much better
teacher than %precept," and | was
surprised by the amount of information
obtained by the National Guard by care
fully watching the drills by the regular
troops at Camp Barber.
In making this report L have en-
deavored to recapitulate briefly. L refer
for details to the foregoing answers To the
printed questions which are exhaustive
and seem to cover every possible point.
NV visit was in every way possible
made pleasant to me, and | shall always
warmly cherish the memory of the many
courtesies extended to me by the officers
Il H. Uz..-i.- Rsysou~a ouuro. vo.y
respectfully. your obedient servant
G. s. ROBERTS,
Captain. 18th Infantry.