Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-05
VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD.
Text OF Capt. Hoyt's Report of Inspec-
ton at the Recent Encampment.

From the report of tho inspection OF
the Vermont National Guard made by Capt
r. w. Hoyt, 18th infantry, U. S. A., the
following extracts are made as being of
special interest TO members Of the guard as
well as to many others. The portions OF
the report which are omitted deal principal
ly with the Bennington celebration, the ac-
count OF which is familiar to all. The re-
port commences with Capt, Hoyt's pre-
liminary inspection of tho several com
panies at their homes.
went to st. Adams on July 90 to in
spect the company stationed there, and con-
Guided with the light battery at Brattlc-
boro on tho Sth of August, visiting all the
armorcs in the State and seeing each or
ganization drill with hut one exception.
At several places it rained, so that the drill
was confined to the armory, and there was
not much room for company movements and
skrmish drills. When requested 10y the
company commander, drilled the company,
both in and out Of doors, some for several
hours Several companies wero fairly well
drilled In the manual OF arms and school OF
the company, and showed considerable in
terest and enthusiasm, turnir2 out with
full ranks. Others were sadly deficient.
| was informed in several cases that there
had been but one full company drill lin
june since the last annual encampment.
The excuses given or made were thai their
armories were not suitable that they
could not be made comfortable in winter
had no means for doing so that they were
too small for company movements, and the
men could como to drill only in the
evening thus the members Of the company
were widely scattered and could not afford
the loss Of time or expense of attending,
ETC. all OF which seemed reasonable under
the circumstances.
| None of the armories are what they
should be- All could be improved with
small allowance OF money for that purpose
and it il believed that il the rent paid was
sufficient to warrant the expenditure adj
ditonal quarters and improvements would
be provided Company +, at Barre, had
the best equipped and most comfortable
rooms, the greatest number OF men present
for drill, and was the best drilled in the
manual of arms showing that attrac-
tive quarters help to build up company.
| The company officers are elected by the
votes of the members of the company. Dc
casionay so much feeling is shown at these
elections that it subsequently proves pre-
judicial to the discipline OF the company.
Tho company commander has by all odds
the most responsible and trying office In the
extent OF authority he is able to exercise
over the individual members of tho orgaaiza.
ton, the study work and expense OF fit
ting himself for tho position, and knows
that the pay and emoluments OF the private
| and captain are equal, the wonder is that
any person can be found willing to accept
the position. But | am now ready to testi
fy that from General Peck to the youngest
recruit all seemed cheerful and Jealous in
the perfor nance of duty and were actuated
or influenced by patriotic motives display
ed by no other class of men.
The camp was located at Bennington and
named Camp Vermont in honor OF the ccle
biation of the one hundredth anniversary
of the admission OF Vermont iuto the
Union. The site OF the camp was on the
grounds of the Vermont Soldiers Home, in
a fine meadow, about 40 by 50 rods, OF
cleared land, adjoining and south Of the
home. There was plenty Of additional
room in the fields and timber surrounding
this meadow. The camp was pitched by
hired laborers under the supervision of tho
officers of the quartermaster's department.
| was told that this was an experiment thai
was not satisfactory. Heretofore the camp
has been made by details from each com
pany reporting at the place selected
several days in advance of the en-
campment, similar detail remain
ing behind to strike the tents and
secure the property. The troops were or
dered into this camp from Friday, August
IA, to 2l 8 days. and all reported the first
day except the light battery, which arrived
the following afternoon, having marched
over the Green Mountains from Brattle
boro. a most excellent band of 40 piece.
arrived with tn" regiment, camped with it,
and formed pleasing feature OF the camp
From tho morning reports it was found tina
80 per cent OF the authorized strength oil
the guard was present at the camp, and tina
less than per cent of these were on sicl
report and excused from duty.
The camp equipage was ample, in goot
condition. owned by the State and wher
not in use Is stored at the State arsena
at Montpelier, and carefully looked after by
Capt Z. n. Wright, military storekeeper
Wall tents by feet were principally used
A men to a tent. Most of the tents wer,
foored cots and straw ticks used. Their,
were two wall tents for the company officer
, and two tents for each field and staff officer
There was also large stable tent for the
horses of Fuller's Battery.
A general mess for officers located neal
, brigade headquarters, was run by a caterer
hired for that purpose. Each company
subslsted itself In satisfactory manner
they have large mess tents, some capable Of
, seating hundred or more people, besides
tents for portable houses ior kitchens. Tn,
+ table furniture was excellent aud tn,
: kitchens provided with ranges, portabl,
ovens or steam cookers. The food was o
good variety, excellent quality and quaint
a ty, ard well cooked and served Company
, officers mess with their men. Water wa
, abundant the entire camp being supplied
. by iron pipes laid for that purpose, Thcr
+ were no facilities for bathing. The water
n wa soft ana caused considerah.a scknes
= among those accustomed TO the ard waite
/ general found In the State. The detail
of the hospital department were we'll ar
ranged by Surgeon General Rutherford
The sick and injured were carefully treate,
and looked after by Surgeon JENNIE, assiste,
II by Assistant Surgeons Webster Hunting
y ton and Lee. Hospital Steward Chapman
"a fled dispensing chest was thoroughly teste,
\ and found equal to the occasion. 1t wa
VI estimated that 10 per cent of the comman,
II were treated for some complaint in u hours
. The men detailed for the purpose, from tn