Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-10-12
THB.vBRMoNT TROOPS.

Capt. Tutherley's Report on the Muster
Held in BrattlebOrO---The Efficiency
of Fuller Battery --- Criticisms and
Recommendations.
The report of Capt. Herbert E. luther
ley, 1st United States cavalry, assistant in
spector general of the National Guard of
Vermont, covering the time of the muster
in 1894, held in Brattleboro, contains many
points of interest. Capt. Tutherley as a
whole speaks in complimentary terms of
the Vermont troops. Ninety-eight per
cent of the force of 100 officers and enlisted
men were i'm camp. He remarks that there
is no band in the enlisted strength of the
regiment. but that Tan excellent one from
Brattleboro" was hired for the encamp-
ment.
The staff departments are very efficiently
and economically managed. 1t would be
difficult to apply the small amount of money
expended for the military service of Yer
mont with better results. This is largely
due to the continued services of especially
competent men at the head of the adjutant
generals and quartermaster generals de-
partments, who have carried the work along
through various administrations without
change of policy or plans.
The infantry regiment could concentrate
for service within the state in about II
hours, and for service without the state at
any of the border towns mentioned within
"a hours after orders were received. The
battery could be ready to take the field in
seven hours.
The light battery is armed with sabres
and four new SO inch steel b. l.. rife guns,
with carriages, caissons and implements
complete, all in excellent condition.
The infantry is armed with the Spring
field b. L. rifles, calibre 45-l00 The in
fantry guns are servieeable; 30 per cent are
well kept, 10 per cent are more or less
rusty A marked difference was noticeable
in the condition of the guns of the different
companies.
The uniform of the artillery and infantry
is practically the same as that of the same
''arms' in the United States army.
The Good Work of Fuller Battery.
The state owns no horses. They are
hired as occasions require. BY good ar
rangement, the battery secures nearly the
same horses for the teams each year, their
habitual teamsters going with them as
drivers, and the officers and sergeants are
able to secure nearly the same horses when
required, so that the battery can turn out
for drill, or fire a salute at very short
notice, and with almost as little confusion
as a battery of the regular army. Gov.
| Fuller had, for nearly 20 years previous to
| his becoming governor, commanded the
| battery and displayed great tact and genius
| for keeping up national guard battery.
! BY keeping along the same horses and
drivers, and drilling the sergeants and
drivers in the armOry with complete set
| of miniature carriages and CaissOns, he has
kept a well drilled battery without mourning
expense to the state for horses, except on
the days appointed for ceremonies and en-
campment The same system is nov con-
tinued in the battery, and it is in excellent
condition.
With the exception of few private sad
die horses brought to the encampment, the
mounts of field and staff officers are poor,
as it is impractcable to hire horses suitably
broken for such occasions at the various
towns where encampments are held, under
the itnerant system.
The infantry company drills in close
order and the manual of arms were very
good throughout the encampment. The
battalion drills were at first poor, but i'm
proved rapidly during the encampment
and the ceremonies during the last days Of
camp, including review, parades and in
spection were all very well conducted. The
infantry regiment at its last parade made
an excellent appearance. The battery re
view, inspection and drills, including firing
were conducted in very credtable man
ner
Improvement in Personnel and hi, ci
pline.
The personnel of the command as who'll
is very good. 1t has greatly improved dur
ing the past year A class of young men
many of them students and graduates o
colleges and high schools, and others film
responsible business positions, have bee
. attracted to the ranks, and both officer
and men have seemed to awaken to a ne'
military spirit, reaching almost to enthus
u asm in some of The companies. The disc
pline of the camp was excellent, and after
j ton of the men to military courtesies NJ
Il ticeable. Having been an observer at tw
I succeeding encampments, | think tn
t marked improvement in the personnel an
; discipline worthy of especial mention.
i Capt. Tutherey speaks of the rifle praC
= tce of the several companies and think
i the scheme of forming IA state team TO 9
to Fort Ethan Allen each year will awake
u great interest. He recommends eXamin;
:, tons for officers and a permanent cam
II ground.
e Recommendations.
II The state should have one small Gatliu
/ or IIotchkiss gun, and there should /
l. target practice with it at every encam
o ment, that troops and citizens may see i
effect. Pistol practice should also be con
Quoted for officers One small morti
10 should also be part of the states arm
e ment and its effect shown the troops
= firing.
nj lie n W.