The record-union., 1892-10-06
OUR NATIONAL GUARD.
1t is Plainly Criticised by Captain
Barry, u. S. A.
He Says It is Top-Heavy With Officers
Good Words for the
First Artillery.

anxious to see the report of Captain Thos.
II. Barry, First Infantry, Z. S. A.,
who was detailed by the War De-
partment to inspect the California Ma
tional Guard and report his experience.
The Captain has forwarded his report to
the Secretary of War, and it has also been
printed by Adjutant-General Allen in a
twenty-six-page pamphlet.
The report is full and complete, as was
to be expected from an officer having the
deserved reputation and ability enjoyed
by the gentleman in question. 1t points
out, in unmistakable language, the
shortcomings of the National Guard
of this State, and is, therefore, a
document of great value to all
officers not afflicted with ''swelled-
head't and those who think they already
know it all. 1t points out the defects in
the present system, and how to remedy
them, which is just what is most desired.
Captain Barry's recommendations are
all good, many Of them having been dis
cussed at previous meetings of the Ma
tlonal Guard Officers Association, which
lacked the necessary nerve to push them
through the Legislature and get down to
military basis.
His statement that the California Guard
is top-heavy with general and staff Off
GERS Will meet with the hearty indorse-
ment of the conscientious officers of the
National Guard, as VIII the cutting down
of the number of brigades and the en-
largement OF regiments. He might have
gone further and made the recommenda-
Jion for three instead of four brigades; and
the changing ofthe two artillery regiments
into infantry should be brought about.
If there is a troop Of cavalry and a bat
terry attached to each brigade, as sug-
gested, the latter bodies should be un-
attached.
AS proof of Captain Barry's claim that
the Guard is top-heavy, it is only neces-
sary to state that New York, with about
$4,000 troops, has but four general officers
and fitty-one staff, while California, with
but 1000 men, has eight general officers
and one hundred and five staff. He
states that the California system may
have advantages INTENDED as sarcasm,
evidently, but they are not of a military
nature.
Captain Barry goes on to say that his
observations lead him to believe that the
duties OF Examining Boards have not
been carried out with fidelity, or there
would be more competent officers in the
Guard.
The report says that each regiment and
company should be of uniform strength
with eight companies, at least, in each
regiment. The First and Second Artil-
Iery should be changed to infantry. the
Sacramento regiment to be numbered as
the Fourth Infantry, which was its for
mer designation, and the San Francisco
regiment to be known as the Second In
fantry.
He recommends that there be four bri-
gades, as follows: One with Headquarters
at sacramento, to consist Of the present
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Brigades; one
at San francisco, to consist of the First,
Second and Third Regiments; one at
Fresno, to consist of the Fifth and Sixth
Regiments, and the other at Los Angeles,
TO be composed of the Seventh and Ninth
Regiments. This arrangement would
dlsband the Fifth and Sixth Brigades,
and take the Fifth Infantry from General
Dickinson, which would be in General
Muller's brigade.
Each brigade would have a complete
light battery of four guns, troop of cav
airy, Signal, Hospital and Ambulance
Corps; each regiment to have eight COM
panIes, with two Majors, and with only
one Adjutant and Quartermaster on each
CoIonePS staff, as in the regular arInv
The report also favors the cutting down
OF the stai1s of thegeneral officers and
OF the Commanderin-C Chief.
State armOrieS are recommended in
Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles
and San Diego.
The Captain is very severe on the deco
rations in camp made by some of the
regiments, and goes for the DANDY
Fifth" stating that such are expected in
the typical beer garden, but are unsuited
to military encampment.
The First Artillery Regiment of Sacra
mento is praised for its large attendance
at the camp; but others do not fare so
well, as the report states that if Section
20Z0 of the Political Code was lived M
TO the seventh Regiment entire would be
dlsbanded ana three companies of the
Second Artillery; also one of the Ninth
Infantry.
The drill work of the First Provisional
Brigade is spoken of in complimentary
terms, and Captain Barry speaks in un-
stinted praise of Colonel Henshaw's reg
iment. of Chico and surrounding towns.
saying: 1T was the surprise of the camp,
being the youngest regiment in the
State" etc.
The following officers of the
First Artillery are specially recon-
mended for efficiency and ability: Col
onel Guthrie, Captains Hail and Cooke,
Colonel Gardner and Major Welch, and
Leutenants Maydwell and Plant.
The entire report will repay perusal
both by National Guardsmen and citizens
generally. 1t should result in the entire
remodeling of the State military system
by the incoming Legislature.
Captain Barry deserves great credit for
His final conclusions as to the needs OF
the troops are as follows, in the order
stated:
First-Reorganizatio
Second-Proper equipment.
Third-Armories.
Fourth-Suitable camp grounds, where
regimental camps could be held three
years out of every fye-a year for brig
ade camps, and one for division camp
all the State forces participating.
Eifth-Pay for men aud officers when
out for duty or instruction.
Sixth-Some means provided to COM
pei the attendance of all enlisted men at
camp.
GENERAL ALIENS REPORT.
Adjutant-General c. c. Allen has lust
published his biennial report and it is a
model of conciseneSs. 1t is much easier
to find in it what is sought after than the
reports heretofore published and contains
d complete roster of the present officers.
The death OF Brigadier- General Frease
of the Sixth Brigade lnorth) is announced
IN General Order No. 20.
Something should be done by the Com
mander-inC Chief to compel the Clerks of
Boards Of Supervisors in the various
counties to send The military rolls to the
respective brigade headquarters. GEN
eral officers are required 10 report on the
Ist of October of each year, and they can
not do so unless the names are sent in by
the clerks.
There is fine offrom $500 to $500 for neg
lect ofduty in this matter, which could be
collected from Clerks of County Board OF
Supervisors. 4 reminder from General
Allen might be in order on this point.