Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-27

per cent. at inspection.
THr coIoREp INFANTRY.
Renewed interest has been awakened in
both the first and second battalions by the
assignment of separate companies to them. /
The arms and accoutrements have been
the subject OF previous reports. 1t IA
scarcely necessary now TO purchase any
new arms, as radical changes are antici-
pated IN the weapons 10 be used in the
army. which will doubtless be adopted In
the States.
The accoutrements and equipments OF
the companies in Norfolk and Fredericks-
burg need some additions and changes.
In the matter Of obedience to orders and
in promptness about books, papers. re-
ports. etc., the officers of the colored COM
panies set ON example that might be
copied 10 advantage by some OF the white
officers.
The First Regiment OF Cavalry.
The cavalry arm of the service does not
seem TO be able TO keep up to the standard
of other organizations. The field officers
seem 10 be faithful in the discharge OF
their duties. but the oop-commanders IN
some instances want in executive manage
ment. or have permitted slack discipline
or inattention TO tactics To impair their
usefulness. These matters are now re-
ceiving the attention of the Colonel.
The First battalion Oh Artiiefy.
Batteries A and Is are in good order.
Battery ID is not. Tho percentage at In.
spection was poor. Complaints exist
among the officers and men which are
being investigated by the major.
Very respectfully, your obedient SER
want. 10. LANE STERN,
It. Col. and A. l. q. Va. Vols.
The state Forces.
Colonel Stern gives in detail tabular
statements of the strength, attendance.
and percentage of each company In the
State and recapitulation of the whole,
which makes the following showing:
First brigade: General and stat, off,
GERS, all Of whom were present at inspec-
ton. First regiment OF q companies, 70
officers and 2i3 men, with officers and 81
men absent at inspection, making per-
centage Of S3.2; Second regiment, COM
panlss. with % officers and 2i7 men pres
emit. 10 officers and Is men absent. per-
centage 75.1; Third regiment, companies,
with ~ officers and 236 men in attendance,6
officers and 80 men not being present. per-
centsge 70. Fourth regiment, III compa-
MES. 3S officers, and 391 men, one officer
and 90 men being absent. percentage S2:5.
Total First brigade, 33 companies, ZIG OH
GERS. and III men present at inspection,
leaving 20 officers and 303 men absent, per-
centage 1873.
The brigade had more officers and 81
less men this year than last.
The troops composing the First regi-
ment of cavalry had IS officers present at
inspection and 1893 men, making 4 per-
certage of 1879. There were officers and
IS mR absent.
The First battalion of artillery, COM
prising batteries, presented ~ olhcers
and l49 men, 20 of the men being absent.
Percentage, s7.9. The. Richmond Light
Infantry Blues had officers and II men.
making 100 per cent. The Huntington
Rifles had out of 5 officers present and
only out of 50 men absent, making per-
centage of 967. Total white, 1877 officers
and 1,592 men, with an average or 80 per
cent There was an increase since the last
inspection in the white troops OF IA off,
GERS and 81 men.
Coiored Infantry: Two battalions of 8
companies with 80 officers and 1915 men IN
attendance at inspection. officers and IS
men being absent; percentage, 1913. Last
year the colored troops had 80 officers and
502 men.
Total number of officers and men in
spected, 1853. Company Ii of the Second
regiment and Company b of the Third
regiment infantry were not inspected
These organizations have SS members. The
field and staff officers of the Second bat
talon of infantry Gust organlzed) number
10, making the grand total of the Virginia
troops, 2,78l.
Notes on the Inspection.
Accompanying Colonel Storms report is
an appendix giving notes of the inspec-
lions. Regarding the First regiment OF
this city he says:
Inspected as q battalion. Information,
captain of company + slow TO give COM
mand support arms" Companies Is. 4,
ID. and +, front rank did not dress when
ranks were opened. Absent; Lieutenant
colonel and commissary.
Company Avery old and soiled uni
forms. Men awkward in handling rifles
for inspection. One fourth unable to stack
arms. Stacks not aligned. In unslinging
blanket-bags several men did not make
the half face. at least one halt OF bags
turned end for end. Command of execu-
ton in singing blanket-bags gwen too
quickly.
Company B-First lieutenant presented
sword Men handled rifles very awkward
" for inspection. Lieutenants at parade
rest during inspection. Stacks not aligned.
Guides not aligned i'll opening ranks:
Command of execution in unshnglng OF
blanket-bags given too quickly.
Company C-Rusty leather. Men do not
open boxes properly. Lleutenants take
no notice of errors. Stacks not aligned.
Ranks closed; lieutenants remained in
front.
Company D-Very rusty leather. Several
men dropped lett hand in opening boxes.
Lieutenants did not face to front after in
spection. Stacks not aligned. Second
lieutenant slow in opening ranks. Com
mand OF execution " sling Dlanket-bags"
given too quickly.
COMPANY First lieutenant command
ing. Gave one command before drawing
sword. Omitted command " arms" for in
spection. Soiled uniforms, furnished belt
plates. Several men without collars. Men
not instructed in opening boxes. STACKS
not aligned. Command of execution In
opening ranks given too quickly. Guides
not aligned. In unslinging blan ket-bags
several men omitted to make the half face.
Command "oack blanket bags was gwen.
Company F-Unrforms very much soiled.
Several men dropped lett hand in open
ing boxes. Lieutenants faced 10 front be,
fore boxes were inspected. Command
company, stack arms, was given. Men
did not obey command until repeated.
When front rank faced about TO unsling
blanket bags it did not take the step for
ward in order to do so. All leather very
rusty. and brasses very much furnished:
Drum-eorps-Ranksw were not opened for
inspection. Collars not worn by many.
Several very soiled collars.
FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY.
Acknowledgment. assistant surgeon,
chaplain, and hospital steward.
Troop A-Captain not in proper position
in giving the several commands for OPEN
ing ranks. Command was given prepare
for muster"
Troop B-Captain not In proper position
in giving commands for opening ranks.
Officers without regulation boots and
spurs. Many men without spurs. Six or
eight saddles in very bad condition and
nearly all bits rusty. One carbine in very
bad condition. Descriptive roster not
present for inspection.
Troop C--Guides did not step back at
commands for opening ranks. Carbines
were brought to support" for inspection.
Five or six guns very rusty. Several he'll
NETS without regimental number. Sevs-
raj loose belts. Boxes not properly OPEN
ed. Books not properly kept.
Troop D-Iroop was at least twenty |
minutes falling In. No regard for disci- |
pline. Captain gave command company,
right dress" Lieutenants not at atten- |
ton. One sergeant without helmet or
gloves. In drawing sabres several did not |
unlock. Several drew sabres entirely at
the preparatory command Several did |
not come to carry after drawing. In OPEN
ing ranks command Of execution was given !