The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-23
Some Practical Reforms in
the Fifth Infantry.
PROPOSED PRACTICE MARCHES
Colonel Barry Brings Good Reports
From Sacramento-FirSt Infantry
Battalion Drills This Week.


Colonel Fairbanks. whose intelligent ad-
ministration has placed the Fifth Infantry
among the most progressive of California
National Guard organizations, was very
much gratified at the reports made by the
representatives of the different COMPANIES
nj the meeting. These companies are To-
Gated in Oakland, San Rafael, Petaiuma,
Santa Rosa and San Jose. The sentiment
was very unanimous that the effect VI the
division encampment had been very bene-
fetal and that one of the most noticeable
results had been the greatly increased at
tendance at drills and the active interest
aroused in military matters. Every COM
pany had since gained aceessions to It's
ranks of a very desirable class OF recruits.
Some of the leading young business men III
the towns mentioned had signed the roll OF
active members, and the REIMBURSEMENT
was an advantage, not only numerically Out
in IA social and business sense. The bnSi-
ness administration had been vastly I'M
proved, with the result that all thescompa-
MES are out OF debt and In condition 10
stand assessments Tor many greatly needed
articles 10 complete the personal equipment
of the soldier.
The subject IF footgear was very thor
Ougbly discussed at Saturday nights meet
ing. The use Of canvas shoes was con-
demned The experience at Santa Cruz sat
is6ed the officers OF the Filth Infantry that
the canvas shoe is not adapted lor cam
pGign purposes. 1t absoTbs moisture TOO
readily, and wet feet was common CON-
plant among the men after returning from
drills and reviews. The adoption OF the
regular army shoe was recommended as the
best fooigeaT for use in field and camp ana
when on practice marches.
Ii was agreed that one of the most service
able articles was the lpggihs, and that every
ShOnl1 pNnIn Itself with q Iull
supply. They not only look well out pro-
tect the trousers from weeds, mud ana dlTt,
and help to keep the feet dry.
The regular army gray campaign hat was
also Incorporated IN the blli Oh dress adopted
by the board Of officers The men had taken
a great liking to II, and 1t was agreed mat
the soft gray slnuch hat should be worn by
every man in the Fifth.
The heavy leather waist belts did not
seem to be in favor, and after considerable
discussion the choice Of the majority le!l
Oh white cotton webbing for all belts.
The proposition that the regiment equip
itself with regulation eanteeDs and hayer-
sacks was also received with great favor.
1t was admitted that u soldier without these
indispensable portions of his kit would be
very helpless fellow if suddenly ordered
into the field. So The Fifth Regiment viii
proceed forth with TO supply all Its COM
panes with the most essential equipments
for working purposes.
The best OF feeling prevailed among the
officers. Colonel Fairbanks has the good
fortune TO find IN his command most earn
est and progressive body Of field, staff and
line officers. They are a wide-awake class
of young men. At The meeting they showed
that they were in dead earnest, and in
tended, If enthusiasm tempered by good,
practical business sense can achieve results,
to make the Fifth Infantry the best regl-
ment in the State.
Captain JuiliaTd of the Santa Rosa com
pany and Captain Elliott of the San Rafael
company propose TO cut out some active
campaign exercises Tor the coming spring.
They intend TO inaugurate a series of
practice marches, in which the Petaluma
company will probably also JOIN. Last
summer CAPTAIN JuillaTd marched his CON-
pany from Santa Rosa 20 Mark West
Springs and back again, and Ills description
of his experience seems to impress his
brother officers that here was field Of pTac-
ical military educational work well worthy
of further exempliiication and develop
ment.
In this city the quiet OF December has
extended into the new year. There is
nothing doing. The regular drills are
SHINY attended. Something like apathy
seems to have permeated the ranks every-
where. Special order l. dated January
4, from brigade headquarters, calling for
the election Of officers ID Company {, First
Infantry, stands in conspicuous isolation as
the only one laSUPu mus lhI III 1880 from
any headquarters. The fact Is significant
OF period OF marked inactiOn.
There are signs, however, OF an awaken
ing The first Saturday night in February
the boys will all be in line at their respec-
tive armorles. The men whose delegated
function IL is 10 recommend and vote for
supplies from the State treasury Will make
rOund Of the aTnOres that evening. The
committees from both houses OF the Legs
lature on military affairs are coming on
their biennial visit OF inspection. National
Gnardsmen, In view of the demands now
being made for necessary appropriations
for the support of the State militia. viii ap-
preeiate the Importance of turning out with
full ranks that night. No doubt every nerve
will be strained 10 make the most favorable
impTe ssion possible upon the visitors.
Colonel barry OF the Third Infantry, who
has made several trips 10 Sacramento since
the session opened, reports that there is a
decidedly friendly feeling among the legis-
latOrs toward tho National Guard. Governor
Markham is also very fayorably disposed
and is not likely To veto any weIl-digested
military measure. The propositions pre-
sented by the special committee appointed
by the National Guard Officers Association
have been. after q conference with the Gov
eTn0r and AGjutant-General Alien, modified
in one or two important particulars. The
scheme for a reorganization OF the brigade
districts and reducing the number of briga-
doned. If pressed there was danger Of
arouSing the opposition OF representatives
from interior towns TO all tho proposed
amendments, and rather than le0pardiZe
reforms more essential it was concluded to
allow the brigade districts 10 remain as they
are. Captain Barry Of the United States
Army in his report TO the adjutant-g eneral
OF the army made the subject of brigade
organization one of his strong points of
condemnation, but Captain Barry as he has
nc doubt since discovered. did not appre-
ciate the political complications of the STU
alton.
AS an evidence of the military Split
which prevails throughout the State, hardly
a week passes that does not bring to Second
Brigade headquarters petition signed by
citizens. asking to be enrolled as a company
in the National Guard. These are uniformly
approved and forwarded 10 division head
quarters, but, as the complement Of COM
panes is full. there Is little hope OF addi-
tiOnal muSter-ins unless, at the present
session, the Legislature increases the COM
plement. The latest petition came from
Vallejo.
Captain Blnmenthal has been unanimously
reelected to the command of the cavalry
troop. He enters upon his second term
under the most suspicious circumstances.
The troop Is out OF debt. is occupying fine
quarters, is drawing to 1t some trst-class
recruits, and has loyal and affectionate
regard for its gallant captain.
The Second Brigade signal corps turned
out yesterday for target practice.
Lieutenant Colonel II. p. Bush was out
summing himself on Market street few
days ago. for the first time in three weeks.
He has had a very serious illness. and his
condition excited much sympathy among
his legion of friends and comrades. His
doctors. however. say he is on the mend,
which is good news.
A series of two-company battalion drills
will take place in the First Regiment ar
mory this week. The drills will take place
every evening except Thursday and Satur-
day.
Rifle Shoot Scores.
In 50-shot match at Shell Mound range
Yesterday between Lieutenant William ii. II.