The morning call., 1892-12-19
NATIONAL GUARD.
A Neglected Feature of
Field Instruction.
VALUE OF PRACTICE MARCHES.
The November Report of Attendance at
Drills of the Companies of the
Second Brigade.

December is an "off" month in the ar
mories. Drills are Tor the most part sus-
pended. During the season OF holiday trade
the retail stores are kept open until late in
the evening, and it would be, therefore, i'm
possible for National Guardsmen employ ed in
these establishments 10 find the time TO at
tend drills. This is one reason for the sus-
pension of drills in many of the companies.
The Army and Navy Journal in its Deem
Der 10th issue, devotes two closely printed
columns to the Markham Barry controversy.
The Governor fares badly on account of his
having insisted on Withholding his letter
from publication. He might have Jared
worse had the whole document been before
the editor. AS it is, only Captain Barry's re-
port and rejoinder receives attention. The
Army and Navy Journal refers 70 some of
the Governors structures as sweetly sar-
castle. and adds. I" 1t Will be observed that
the Governor answers well-intended cTiti-
cism made in the line of duty. and which he
admits to be true, with al assertion which is
obviously untrue. We would suggest that
having made this charge, 1t would be be-
coming in him, as an officer holding high
official position. to furnish list OF regular
army officers whose duty calls them into
camp, and who are usually not found in
their camps, but in the most comfortable
coomS in the best hotels of the land" The
raptaiD simply obeyed orders in submitting
his report to the Adjutant-General of the
Army. He furnished the Governor with a
copy.
There Is one line of instruction in the art
of war which can he pursued with great ad-
vantage in the National Guard, but which
IS generally overlooked. In practical value
the neglected exercise may be considered
superior as 4 means OF adding 10 TIE effec-
iiveneSs OF battalions for field service to
all that can be accomplished in ANNUAL
camps. We refer TO practice marches
Whatever changes have taken place to bring
about what is called modern war none have
been, nor are likely TO lie. suggested to dis
pense with marching and counteTmarching.
The extensive movement OF troops on foot
Will con tnue to be involved in all great
operations. Unfortunately when troops
are called into the field for actual service
the lack OF experience in handling them on
the march is accountable for not only the
loss OF battles and campaigns, but is also
attended with serious results to the men of
the marching column. They are needessly
tortured. Their physical energies are
wasted and their health undermined. The
progress Of the times demands that marches
be conducted on principles in harmony with
advanced military thought upon all other
subjects connected with field operations.
National Guard officers and men should un-
derstand that there Is a science OF marching
and that ii has its processes of practical
schooling.
The Second Battalion OF the Fourth Regi-
ment, Maryland National Guard, recently
marched ont from Baltimore Oh the Phila-
delphla road. Scouting parties were thrown
out TO recOnnoiteT for an imagined enemy.
After the first half hours march halt of
ten minutes duration was made. Marches
of fifty minutes alternsted with ten minute
halts until Northeast Grove, about nine
miles from the city. WAS reached shortly
after noon. The movements OF an army in
the presence of an enemy were then exc
cuted. Dinner was served at the Grove,
and after a suitable time for rest the return
march was commenced.
few such practice marches by the
battalions or regiments in the city would
very soon satisfy the officers and men that
there is great deal 10 learn on the route
that cannot be picked mp either in the camps
or armOries. Besides they would soon learn
TO like the practice and enter into il with a
great deal OF enthusiasm. The exercise
would be beautiful ard invigoratng. and
pariake OF the character Of recreation for
men cOoped up behind desks aud counters
most Of the week. Many movements Of
actual campaigning could be illustrated TO
the advantage Of all; Tor instance, the
organization ard conduct Of rear guards,
the convoy Of trains, the passage of defles
and rivers, the disposition OF bankers and
the intervals 10 be maintained between
columns assigned 10 different duties on
reeonuoisanees. There are rules laid down
are well worth practical exemplideatiOn.
But these would only be incidental TO the
main purpose. which would be the exercise
Of the column according 10 the principles of
marching. These principles are incorUor--
at"d In rules, which, If Observed, insure the
health and comfort OF the men on the
march, keep the column intact and minim-
ize the element of fatigue.
Competitive trials OF endurance should
not be encouraged, because this tendency
MI a ha fn.x til
would prove injurious. Tire marching pos
Utilities OF troops should never be put to
the supreme test unless dictated by some
supreme need.
What can he achieved by long-distance
marching competition was illustrated in A
contest held In England last month. The
following account is from the London Vol
unteer Review:
The long. distance marching competition
among the regulars, militia and volunteers of
tie East Surrey Regimenidl District was com
nenced on Saturday morning November 3, con-
Guiding in the earlier hours Of Sunday morning.
November q, ~ generally satisfactory man
BeT. The competition had been organized by a
committee of officers belonging 10 the East Sur
icy REGIMENT, with Captain Wynyard as secre-
lazy, Tue conditions being that any num-
Der OF teams, eaeh consisting OF eight
men, with non commissioned officer I'm
command, representing the regulars al the
depot, Tie militia. aud the volunteer baltslians
attached to The East Surrey Regiment. should
march from Kingston TO Gulldford and back. by
every hour from A. NJ. 10 2 p. NJ, one 10 Guild.
ford via Cambeily. the other direct to GuildfOrd,
and thence 10 Cambelly on the return Journey
III was provided That no struggling be permitted
In The event of man falling out the team 10
halt until he reJoined it-tue dress TO be what is
known as held,day order" every man having
his gTeaicoat rolled On belt behind canteen on
top wafer bottle. haversack and two pouches
containing forty rounds OF ball cartridge ana an
oHleef 10 accompany each team as umpire The
trial was fegsi ded as very severe one, The dis
lance from Kingston through Cranberry and
Gnidiord being rcckOned at fifty-four miles
There were eighteen teams entered, one te I'M
was composed OF regulars two OF Militia and
fourteen oil volunteers, aud all OF these started
except one.
Eight out Of The seventeen teams ne rformed
The task, the best having mad a little more
ihan three miles an hour, and the worst nearly
TWO niles and half, Including stoppages
liged. HON one cause or another 10 give ill., had
covered. IL Is satd, less than thirty miles of
ground before doing so. The teams took the
ROAD al hour intervals IN TO TWO In The after.
noon. In order that all might be sufficiently
apart 10 prevent anything like racing. No run
ming was allowed. The condition OF ihe roads
had been greatly effected by the recent rains
The first piiZe GAO was won by Kingston men.
NO team OF The third V. b. East Surrey led by
Color -Sergeant Warren, who, starting al noon on
Saturday, and marching through Cranberry first
ana thence by Guilf0fd home, had completed
the distance In IL hours SO min,
an average OF about three miles one
TO the team OF the Fourth (miliiia) Battalion
Sergeant Beasleyl. which going to Guildford FIRST
finished In 17h. 4S min, only IL minutes behind
The best squad and the third 10 No 3 team OF
the 1hird V. b. Sergeant Wilams). 1Sh. % min
Inc Tines OF The other squads which competed