The record-union., 1891-09-19
NATIONAL GUARD.
Captain 0'ConneII's Report of the
Various Encampments.
What He Says About the First Artil-
lery acknowledgement to
the Inspector-General.

Captain j. j. O'COnnell, OF the United
States Army, who was appointed by the
Inspector General at Washington to in
spect the camps of the California militia
this year, has written his report and for
warded it to headquarters. His criti
cisns are severe, and are made with the
intent to show the defects and good
points that he has observed. Regarding
the First Artillery Regiment, he says:
''The First Artillery began its annual
encampment on the Sth of August, and
aggregated $50 officers and men. The
material of which this marching regi-
ment is composed is not of the very
best, the ranks III many companies be-
ing largely composed OF puny, narrow
chested boys, totally deficient in military
bearing.
''In guard duty, skirmish drill and
military courtesy a decided Improvement
was gained over last year S rating. Senti-
nels performed their task cheertully and
with a commendable degree of accuracy.
There was good work done in battalion
and SkirniSh drills, subject, however, to
the following exceptions: Distances
were at fault, lines broken, i'll some in
stances the men were huddled together
in q heap or scattered with large inter-
vening gaps: generally the step was too
short and little or no attempt was made
at correcting errors by the fle-closers.
A few Captains appeared to have been
perfectly at a loss what to do when GER
tain movements were ordered, and there
fore gave their orders in Il Vacillating
manner, trusting their companies would
get into position in some shape. hardly
knowing what to do with themselves.
The excellent behavior of this canmand
and the almost universal obedience to
orders manifested, was remarkable and
gratifying. They showed a degree Of
self-respect worthy of high praise.
| Officers and men performed their duty
| with alacrity and to the best of their
ability"
The Captain has these suggestions to
make regarding the National Guard in
general:
81 do not believe there is another State
| organization superior to that Of California
liz the essential features of a military
| body. The National Guard of the State
| will compare fayorably with the oldest
and best organized guards in the Eastern
and Middle States. California can put in
| the field in thirty days 80 000 fairly armed,
equipped and drilled men, who after a
couple of months service, would be as
| steady and efficient as regulars, and
could be depended upon to render q good
account of themselves. In forry-eight
| hours notice 1000 men can be concen-
tratGd at any threatened point within the
/ y
which this fact imparts 10 personal prop
! erty and public institutions lies the re-
ward of the taxpayer who maintains tins
absolutely essential force. | trust the
merchants and business men of CalifOr-
mia will rise above mere mercenary in
| tereStS and permit, as a duty. the attend
ance of their employees at the annual en-
campments, which in an emergency
might prove their own salvation in the
/ protection Of the special business in which
/ they are engaged, besides bringing to the
| service an intelligent and effective class Of
young men always to be relied upon for
! the protection Of life and property
81 heartily recommend that an officer
! of the Inspector-GeneraPs department of
! the army be detailed to inspect at such
| time as he may see fit the records, arms,
clothing and equipment of the National
! Guard and submit a report of the condi-
| ton and strength of the guard yearly to
| the Adjutant-GeneTal of the army. The
| War Department should have its repre-
| sentativein every camp ofinstruction held
| yearly in the several States of the Union
1.-The term Of enlistment in both regu-
| lar and National Guard service should be
| reduced to three years. / recommend
| that the militia of this State be organized
| into one division of three brigadeS
namely, the first brigade in San Fran
cisco and vicinity, the second brigade in
| Stockton, Sacramento and adjacent terri
| tory, and the third brigade at Los An
! geles San Diego and surrounding coun-
| try. There are at present too many
rigadier-Generals and merely orna-
mental staff officers. Only officers who
do the work should have the rank
'All the regiments should be fully
| equipped with leggings, campaign hats
and woven belts for field service of the
patterns now in use in the regular army
/ The length of the encampments should
be two weeks, or at least ten days, for un-
der the present system, no sooner have
the men settled down to earnest work
than they are called upon to get ready to
go home. The range for target practice
ought to be extended to 600 yards so as to
| embrace the 200, 800 and 600-yard ranges
and the promiscuouS practicing at the
/ butts Of officers and men should be dis
/ couraged. / invite the attention of the
colonels to the great Importance of set
! ting up drill. and recommend a Stricter
compliance with tactics in this connec-
ton.
THE time has come for a stronger and
closer union between the Federal Gov
ernment and the National Guard of the
country. To promote and foster this re-
Iatlon and increase the efficiency of the
guard, | recommend that the captains
and first heutenants of the skeleton COM
panies of the army be detailed as adju-
tants Of the different regiments of the Ma
| tional Guard, so that every militia regi-
ment Will have q regular army officer TOR
its adiutant, which detail will last four
years. As a further step toward this
more intimate union, [ recommend that
the central Government completely arm,
clothe and equip the guard in every State
IN the Union, and that the said States de-
fray the cost of transporting the troops to
and from the summer encampments, sub
sisting them while in camp, and in adj
dition pay the soldiers fair days wages.
allowing the officers the pay Of the grade
actually held by them as prescribed by
the army"
O1r Lovely NYeatIor