Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-31
LETTER BAG.

Colonel Russell and the Seventh.
EDITORS HERALD: l fear neither the
! people nor Governor Markham really
understands the true condition of the
Seventh infantry, first brigade, N. G. c.,
in placing Colonel Russell in command
of it.
Is Governor Markham really aware of
the demoralizing and damaging effect
his acts are causing? For such the
Seventh is becoming by reason of orders
placing Colonel Russell in command of
the regiment. They strike at the very
corner stone of military organization and
discipline. Demoralized soldiers don't
make good fighters, neither do they even
make good runners.
The best disciplined, equipped and
drilled battalion on the Pacific divide is
the one here in Los Angeles, brought to
that state under the watchful eye and
immediate care of Colonel Schneider,
will inevitably scatter like quail before
the huntsmsn upon the advent of
Colonel Russell.
Personally or as an officer the COM
pany don't like him; neither does he
like them. They are not on speaking
terms. The enlisted men are nearly in
the same position. Military disci pline
requires that men and officers shall sa-
lutte and treat with respect man whom
they disrespect and for whom they have
profound contempt. The surest and
best, and the only>way to attain disci-
pline is to have good understanding
between the men and officers, and more
especially between company and field
officers. One must have confidence in
the other, both as men and soldiers.
The enlisted man must have confidence
in and respect for his commander. More
especially the non-commissioned Off
GERS, who are also enlisted men, must
have confidence otherwise, confusion,
insubordination and decentralization
follow.
l fear that if the Seventh, or any part
of it, were to be called out at this time
suddenly for active duty, it would make
a melancholy appearances, and if brought
to face an enemy the flower OF Angelic
youth would disgrace themselves by re-
treat and rout. The men will not
have had experience with and know the
not come to drill. The property belong
luk w lhC CSlAlCA6 oh0 6tdtCy faludUlC
as it is, amounting to thousands of dol
lars, will fall into irresponsible hands
and will be dissipated, which can be
done in various ways. The armory here in
Los Angeles, which alone has cost the
state thousands of dollars to equip, and
for which there is paid monthly rental
alone of $500 OF state funds, will be-
come the domicile of the owl and bat,
fit subjects for Colonel Russell's troops.
If he be allowed to remain in command
one month, that splendid btdy of young
men which appeared at Armory hall on
the 23d inst, and which was reviewed
by Lieutenant Collins and other regular
army officers, who so highly compli-
mented their splendid, soldierly appear
ance as we'll as their knowledge of the
drill, will have disappeared. The COM
pany officers will resign. The enlisted
men cannot resign under the law. The
result will be that state property be-
longing to the regiment will be dam
aged to the extent of not less than $4,000.
Why all this waste of state property and
the decentralization of the infantry that
Russell may be foisted on it? Politics
Russell is Union league man, hence
he must hold an Office.
1t is a case of rule or ruin. 1t goes
without saying that potential power
petitioned the philanthropic governor
for Russell's reinstatement, and the
consequent order followed with the same
regularity that stone being thrown in
air comes down again, without consult
ing the best interests of the regiment.
1t is sufficient to make the statement
that there were more ways than one to
keep Russell out of command of the
regiment, honorably and justly, under
Judge Clark's Interpretation of the
status of the colonelcy, but lack of space
here prevents discussion Of those ways.
1 will close by saying as a national
guardsman, that he cannot muster a
corporal's guard in the regiment at the
end of his term. PRIVATE Co. G.
Los Angeles, March 30th.