The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-06
State SOLDIERS SCORED.
Captain T. q. Barry Makes
Some Remarks.
NOT UP TO THE STANDARD.
Improper Tents, Incompetent officers, Cover
nor's Stats, Poor Physique, Camp Conduct
and Other Evils Mentioned.

From report issued by Captain Thomas
II. Barry, First United States Infantry, it
is apparent that the gentleman is not pleased
with the conduct of the National Guard of
California from n military point OF view.
The captain was appointed by the Secre-
tary of War as inspector and Instructor Of
the National Guard. and went along with
the boys in his official capacity to the re-
cent encampment at Santa Cruz.
While there he saw many things unDe-
coming an officer and soldier, and the re-
suits of those observations are carefully pre-
served in the report. 1t appears that the
defenders Of our flag behaved more like
picnickers than soldiers, and the captain
speaks his mind very plainly.
Officers as well as men are scored for con-
duet meriting rebuke, while special mention
Is made of those whose department and
military bearing was above reprOach
Am oDg the datiOns made by the
captain is one to the effect that the guard
should be reorganized. Battalions are called
regiments, and companies OF Infantry have
been posiDg as artillery. They drilled as
infantry and have never done any artillery
work, either light or heavy. There are too
many brigades in the State, and no ambu-
lance or hospital equipment to speak OF.
Instead OF six companies to regiment
there should De eight, which would give
each regiment two majors. Further along
the captain says:
"The staff of the colonel. as now author
lied by the code, consists OF an adlutant,
quartermaster, eommissary, ordnance Off
Ger, Inspector of rife practice, surgeon and
chaplain, with a corresponding non-cOm-
mission statf-eight officers in all. Regl-
ments in the regular army have but two
staff officers, the adjutant and quartermas-
ter, and they are sufficient to perform all
the staff duties. Why, then, are eight nee
essary to a militia regiment? All unneees-
sary staff officers entail corresponding un-
necessary expense TO the State. These
remarks apply with greater force To the
staff OF the major and brigadier- generals,
and pre-eminently to the staff of the Gov
ernoT. Strike of everything in the orna-
mental line and put the stats, organizations,
ETC., on a practical working basis"
The dOings of the men at Camp Columbus
come in for a tull share of criticism as we'll
as the tents in which they lived. Captain
Barry was not favorably impressed with the
Governors staff, which consisted Of a crowd
of cODyiylal colonies, who preferred having
good time in town TO living on the tented
field. The Governor himself stuck to a
tent and Is therefore deserving OF the
highest praise due the soldier in times OF
peace. This Is what the captain says OF
Camp Columbus
The State does not own suitable camp equip
age. and that of any regiment is not uniform and
the particular fancy OF the colonel or captain IL
dscernible. While the canvas VIII ansWe tor 4
weeks encampment. 1t is mol generally suitable
for field service, is partly unseryiceable, IN many
Instances too large and bulky and not adequate.
Generally The brigade commanders, colonies OF
regiments aud their respective STATS are super
nuously provided, whereas iEt rank and ME az
over crowded. A complete equipment OF service
able canvas, such as Is provided Ia the army, and
IN almost the same allowance should be pro-
cur by the State and furnished 10 each Tegi-
ment.
II does not look well 10 see the rank and file
huddled together. and the colonel with several
large tents, some OF which are used for Height
mate pui poses. Ii is not necessary TO patiicu-
larize IN this respect; the criticism applies 10 a
few who should be c0gnZant OF the fact, and
who should city the matter at once.
There Is no uniformity in the furniture OF the
tents, even In the same regiment. Some COM
panes have cots lockers, gun racks, etc. the
others none, ana there is generally superabun-
dance OF baggage. 10 does not impress one
fay0rably 10 officers tents fiOo ed and hand
somey furnished with fancy mating. carpets,
siGeboards, dressing cases. decorated toilet sets.
etc.. and then SCI the men OF the organization
sleeping on The bare ground with slight cover
Pianos. Chinese lanterns and umbrellas pyro-
technics. etc, are expected 10 the typical beer
garden, bur are unsuited TO military encamp-
ment.
The criticisms rs to the furniture OF the
officers tents and decorations apply solely 10 the
camps OF The First Third and Fifth regiments Of
infantry, The Second Regiment OF Artillery.
especially lis Light Battery, and 10 the First
Troop of Cavalry. The sign which marked The
camp OF tie Filth Infantry, large transparency
about feet high by feet long, with large black
lett, rs forming The Dandy Fifth" and The
dancing-plalfofm OF this regiment, should not
have been tolerated Money wasted for decOra-
lions, dancing platforms, signs. etc, might we'll
be plied TO better purposes aud for the prac-
Iieal benefit of the organizations
Not enough individual instruction is given
the men, the captain thinks. and the recruit
should be thoroughly drilled in the school of
the soldier. The uniforms were also eriti-
czed, and the physique Of the city soldiers
is not up 10 the marx.