The record-union., 1892-03-19
NATIONAL GUARD MATTERS.
The Recent Annual Inspection and
Muster.
What the Inspectors Say of the Brig
ade Subdivisions-Sugge
About Target Practice.

IN this city last MONDAY evening was the |
best that has been witnessed for several
years. The battery OBJ, commanded by
Captain John Cooke, had only one man |
absent. The attendance at Nevada City |
and Woodland was also excellent. Off |
GERS and men presented a very creditable |
appearance, which would be greatly en-
hanced if there were not so many shabby |
uniforms. This cannot be remedied un-
til the Legislature meets, as the uniform |
fund is exhausted.
The inspection made by the brigade
staff officers-Majors Houghton, Vein
stock, Gilchrist, Leake, Dillman and
others-was conducted in q most thorough |
manner, and, as evidenced by their re-
ports, no favoritism was shown.
The inspection this year demonstrates
that the rigid inquiry instituted by Adj
jutant- General Allen in 1891 into the con-
dition of the National Guard of Califor-
MIA, has been productive of real good to |
the troops-hereabouts, at least-as
great improvement has been noticed over
last year in the inspection just concluded. |
Judging from Major Houghton's report |
there is yet much to be done by Captains
of companies, chiefly the appointment of
competent Quartermaster-Serge |
such as Companies B and G have, who |
will take proper care Of the uniforms and
accoutrements in the armories, and who
will see to it that uniforms are not placed |
in lockers ana allowed to remain there
without being properly aired and the
mud and dirt brushed off them after pa
rades, camp duty, etc.
COMPANY A.
Extracts from Major Houghton's re-
port state that the Quartermaster-Ser
geant of Company A is more than care
less in the discharge of his duties. Uni
forms are soiled, torn, buttons gone, and
the entire outfit in bad condition. He
states that the material of which the
uniforms are made was Of the fimsiest
character, in fact shoddy lot OF the worst
kind. For this, of course, the company
is not to blame. A complete outfit is in
each locker, and the company can be
turned out at short notice.
COMPANY B.
In regard to Company B the Major
states that everything is kept in high or
der, and he highly complimented Ser
geant Bauquier. Re recommends that
the company be supplied with waist-belts
as soon as possible, as those on hand de-
tracts from the merits of the company.
lie states also that the company should
have revolvers, and that the battery har
ness is absolutely unsafe.
COMPANY E.
Company E's uniforms show only nat
ural wear-and-tear, and an improvement
is noticed over that of last year in the man
ner in which they are taken care of.
There were only eighteen lockers con-
tanning complete outfits for each man,
and only portions Of uniforms were found !
in the other lockers, although these miss
ing parts we're scattered about the
armory. The company could not turn
out, therefore, without considerable de-
lay.
COMPANY G.
This company is complimented on the
improvement shown in the c3re of its /
property over last year, and credit there
Tor is given to Sergeant Klein.
THE SIGNAL CORPS
Is raped sharply by the Inspector, who
states that 1.-The dust Of disuse and the
grass of Santa Cruz were on the uni
forms" The belts were not neatly dis
posed of, and the corps failed TO retain its
high standing of a year ago in this re-
spect.
OTHER CRITICISMS.
Major Houghton states that the uni
forms of the regiment procured at home,
and that have been used for ten or fifteen
years. are in better condition than those
furnished by the State two or three years
back.
A vast improvement in the care of
property has been noticed during the
past year, and Majors Leake and Dillman
were agreeably surprised at the i'm
proved method of keeping the book ac-
counts.
WOODLANDS COMPANY.
Major Weinstock states of Company +
of Woodland: 1.-The personnel of the
company is excellent, and is made up of
sterling, earnest, active young men. The
Captain is faithful and conscientious, and
on excellent terms with his men. The
latter have not yet got insight sufficient
into the new drill to make much OF
showing, and the same may be said of all
the companies"
NEvADA's COMPANY.
Captain Edgar NJ. Sheehan states of
Company G Of Nevada City that at the
inspection he conducted last Saturday the
company made an excellent showing,
and that there would not have been an
absentee from the muster but for the fact
that q few of the members were abso-
lutely compelled to work on night shifts
in the mines. Out of a membership of
sixty-five men, fifty-six were present,
and the company presented a neat and
tidy appearance at the inspection.
The guns and uniforms were scrupu-
Iously clean, and there was not an un-
serviceable rife in the entire outfit
The great attachment the men have for
Captain Nihell and Lieutenants Simonds
and Rich Is one OF the secrets of the COM
pany's success. The company officers
entertained the visiting inspectors roy
ally, showing them through the mining
districts. Captain Nihell escorted Major
Gilehrist and Captain Sheehan on novel
ride down the shaft of the Odin mine, of
which the Captain is superintendent.
MAJOR GILCHRIsT's REPORT
On the condition of the arms is quite ex-
haustive. He states that very many of
the rifles are unserviceable, and gives
the factory number of each Others can
be put in tolerable condition by placing
new breech-blocks, cam-latches, firing
pins, eXtractors, etc.. in the pieces. He
states that the battery's Parrot guns are
useless, as the carriages are rotten and
liable to break down, even on parade.
The Major recommends that guns of
new pattern be issued, and that the COM
pany should have revolvers also. He
found Company C's rifles Nevada City
in first-class condition, with a few excep-
tions, and that the company is credit to
the National Guard. His remarks on
target practice, ranges, etc., are partly
reproduced for the benefit of the guard,
as this is probably the only manner in
which they will see the light of day.
In this connection it may not be out of
place TO suggest TO General Allen that he
have published some extracts from the
reports ofthe inspectors, together with the
recommendations made, for the good OF
the National Guard generally.
RIFLE RANGES AND PRACTICE.
Major Gilchrist goes on to say that
during the past year the First Artillery.
at considerable expense, established a
new range near the American River
which is safer snd embraces more ground
than the old one. The appointments are
complete, but the sheds for the accommo-
dation of the rifiemen when not in the
stalls are not ample enough. Greater in