The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-04
MAY REsT EASY AWHILE.
No Immediate Changes Likely 20 Be
Made in the Military ORGANIZATIONS.

No Immediate Changes Likely 20 Be
Made in the Military Organizations.
The article in yesterdays MORNING News
on the possible military changes that the
reorganization OF the state troops on the
basis adopted by the new military tact les
might bring about. created considerable
comment among military men.
The idea that the old organizations nigh.
be changed about entirely and present rela-
tons OF companies and commanders altered
was surprise to many. 1t was an unpleas-
ant surprise In fact, as with few exceptions
tie members Of the various companies are
strongly attached TO their present regi>
mental and battalion ORGANIZATIONS
Lieut.. Col. Peter Reilly Is one OF the best
posted men IN the state on all military mat
tiers, both general and tactical In talking
upon the subject last night he said that
the article in the MORNING NEWS was
entirely proper and correct, as the
question OF reorganization ia one that will
be raised sooner or later. IL is not likely TO
disturb the troops for some time yet, how
ever, as there are many things 30 be consid-
cred, and 10 will require a special enactment
OF tnestaee legislature to bring about a
change in the present organization.
Under the new tactics" said Col.
Reilly, "a regiment is composed Of three
battalions. These battaliOns may have
from three to six companies, however,
though the movements as laid down In the
tactics are planned upon the basis Of four
companies to the battalion. A regiment is
commanded by a colonel, a lieutenant
colonel and three ma jors. There is a major
TO each battalion, the major being in COM
mand Of the battalion"
As to whether the First regiment would
have to come down to bat alton or would
have 70 be consolidated into the Guards
battalion aud some other battalion else
whers 10 tia stste, Col. Reilly was not pre-
pared to say. Tho First regiment is incor-
porated by special act of the legislature
AnG Is upon different footing from any
other regimental command ia the state.
Col. Reilly Is in favor OF adding one or
more companies to the regiment from towns
near by. whether the organization remains
regiment or becomes q battalion. He
thinks It proper that the military compa-
MES in towns nearer Savannah than any
other regimental headquarters should be at
tached to the regiment here, and that this
would be Of much greater benefit to the
companies themselves. As it Is now with
almost every regiment except the
First the companies are scattered
over such territory that they never got
together for regimental drill at all. except
IL camp. nor for battalion drill either, ex-
Cepb III Iue ClLle8. COl. reilly would ike to
have the Waycross and Brunswick infantry
companies attached to the regiment, as
they are both good companies and would
have opportunities of attending parade3
and drills occasionally.
AS the matter stands at present. said
Col Reilly, "a reorganization cannot be
ordered by the adjutaht general nor the
governor even, but it will require a special
act OF the legislature to that effect"
This question will. of course. be discussed
in all its bearings before it is decided. Col.
Reilly himself, from a military point OF
view, favors the battalion Organization for
the state troops as preferable to an organi-
zation upon a reRimental basis He says
that while it will be almost impossible in
nearly every case to bring together for
drill the twelve companies of regiment it
will be comparatively easy matter in most
instances to get together the four companies
OF battalion for drill and practice When
ever three battalions come together in
camp or elsewhere they could be thrown
into regiment
The military will have plenty of time TO
consider this subject before the question
comes up for final action. In the mean
while all the Savannah co npanies are hard
at work learning the new drill regulations