Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-19
OUR STATE MILITIA.
Adjt Gen. Greenland Reviews the
Years Work of the Guard.
GREAT PROFICIENCY SHOWN.
An Eventful Year in Its Eistory Giving to
the Call to Homestead.
7 PROFICIENCY SHOWN.
THE BOYS SHOULD GO TO CHICAGO

HARRISBURG, PA, Dec. 1S,-Governor
Pattison has received the first annual re-
port of Adjutant General Greenland, and it
embraces a complete review of the opera
tions of the National Guard of Pennsyl-
vania for the year. an eventful one in its
history, owing to the entire division hav-
ing been called int service at Homestead.
The aggregate strength of the organiza-
ton is 8, S63, gain of 65 during the year.
Three companies were mustered out and
three organized. There were no changes,
however, in the various regimental, cavalry
and artillery organizations The inspec-
tions showed marked Improvement and pro-
fciency. If all the applications for per-
mission to raise companies could be granted,
General Greenland says the present strength
of the Guard could easily be doubled He
hopes measures may be taken at an early
day to remedy the injustice to certain
parts of the State in the location OF COM
panies. Owing to the Homestead tour the
annual encampments were not held as
ordered.
Plenty of Crack Shooters.
The division contains 6,507 qualified
marksmen, an increase over last year of 153.
Over three-tourths of the membership of
the Guard are now qualified and 726 are
sharpshooters Ten years ago the total
number of marksmen and sharpshooters
was 705 During the week of October %
the brigade and regimental matches were
shot at Mt. Gretna with good results. The
PENNSYLVANIA team won the chief prizes at
the International and Interstate matches,
and the Adjutant General refers with pride
to this triumph.
Owing to the adoption of the new drill
regulations of the United States Army, the
battalion organization has become necessary
and q board of officers will be called
together to consider and report such
changes in our existing laws as may be
necessary to remedy this and other points,
concerning which no provision is made in
the law. The experience at Homestead
leads General. Greenland to recommend a
permanent engineer and signal corps, to be
made up of details or independent COM
panies
Regarding armories, the report states
that there is an increased interest among
members in all sections to provide them
selves with suitable quarters A start has
been made in the direction of supplying
new guns and equipment to the artillery
companies. Sufficient material for uni
forms was purchased to re-equip the guard
for the coming year. Canvas was sent dur
station at Philadelphia, and it is recon-
mended that some legislation be enacted
giving the Governor discretion in the mat
ter of shipping canvas and supplies in
serious emergencies, other than military.
1t is recommended that the two extra
clerks in the Adjutant Generals depart
ment be continued two years more to COM
plete the record of old muster rolls.
Wants New Equipment
An extra appropriation is recommended
Ior the purpose of new equipment for
which this estimate is offered: s, 900 over
coats, So, 600; 5000 blanket hags, SIS, $40;
5000 canteens and straps, $3.50; 5000
meal cans, tin cups, knives, forks and
spoons, 81, 640; 5000 pairs of shoes, $4,000;
5000 blue flannel shirts, S19, 200; 5000
cartridge belts, $4,000
The guard was supplied last year with
McKeeVer cartridge boxes, waist belts and
plates, and the issue of new haversacks to
the troops this year with the articles asked
TOR will give them an entire new equip
ment
Owing to the continued use of the camp
and garrison equipage at Homestead,
large number of tents and other articles
will not be serviceable for another year,
and many of them will have to be replaced
at once.
The Naval Battalion.
General Greenland says the system OF al
lowing surgeons of all grades to make pur-
chase of drugs without consultation, or
sending forward a requisition through
proper channels, cannot be allowed.
Regarding the organization of the Naval
Battalion, he says there are on file in the
department applications for two companies
to be mustered in the city of Philadelphia,
and a number of inquiries relative to the
organization, from the cities of Pittsburg
and Erie. Owing to the limited appropria-
tion to the National Guard, not more than
one of these companies can be accepted at
present
The report closes with suggestion that
the Governor recommend to the Legislature
that sufficient sum be appropriated to de-
fray the expense of transportation of the en-
tire division to Chicago next July or Au-
gust, to participate in the great National
Guard encampment at the Worlds Fair.