Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-04
Trouble In The National Guard.

Trouble In The National Guard.
At the present time there is consider
able of a stir among the officers of the
National Guard, caused by the resigna-
tiOn of Col. C. c. Kinsman, commanding
the first regiment. That there has been
friction between the officers of the bri-
gade and some of those of the regiment
for some time has been well known by
those conversant with military affairs in
the State.
1t cannot be denied that there exists a
feeling of strained relations between the
regimental and other organizations and
officers of the brigade, nor that this feel
ing is not born of real and practical diff
ferenCes, which have been breeding for
some time.
They cannot be said to affect personal
relations, but they do affect the organi-
zation of the militia, and not altogether
to its benefit.
That this feeling has been increased
during the recent session of the Legisla-
tme is also we'll known, the principal
cause being the introdution of a bill, at
the possible instance of some of the gen.
eral officers, providing that any COM
missiOned officer might be placed on the
retired list on the recommendation of
board of three officers appointed by the
Governor.
1t is remarkable that no provision was
made for a hearing by the officer to be
retired. 1t simply made it possible for
an officer to wake up some morning and
find that he had been retired whether he
wanted to be or not.
The terms of this act were unknown
to the men to be affected by it until it
was up for passage. Although there
was but one day to communicate with
them, 20 of the Al interested officers
were present or represented at the hear
ing in opposition to the bill.
The result was that it was amended,
so that the retirement was conditional
upon the request of the officer himself.
hit some of the present officers of the
Guard there is no doubt, and it is said
that other resig nations are contemplat-
ed, and it is probable that the first en-
campment of the Vermont National
Guard at Fort Ethan Allen will witness
the advent of many new officers.
While there are various reasons ad-
vSnced as to the cause of Col. Kinsman's
resignation, the principal one advanced
is that his action was prompted by gen
eral orders No. 2, November 10Th, sum-
officers to meet in Burlington January
10th and 11th.
This order constituted Adjt.- Gen.
Peck, Brig Gen. Estey and Capt. H. E.
Tutherby, U. S. A., assistant inspector
general, board of officers to observe
and report the proficiency of each.
1t will be seen that no reference is
made to Col, Kinsman, who commands
the greater part of the brigade, and
whose discipline is most at stake in the
efficiency of the officers.
OF the 81 officers in the National
Guard, from the Acknowledgement to the
junior second lieutenant of a company.
80 are under Col. Kinsman as officers of
the lst regiment, and the inference is
fair that he should have something to
say concerning the examination and
grading of his men.
If Col. Kinsman's resignation is ac
cepted, the vacancies caused thereby will
be filed by election at the officers
school.
Lieut.. Col. Geo. H. Bond of Brattle
boro, will probably be called to the COM
mand of the regiment, Maj. John II.
Watson of Bradford. will succeed him as
lieutenant colonel, the other two majors
will advance in seniority, and the great
fight will occur on the selection of Maj.
o. ID. Clark's successor from the captains
of the line.
The ranking company commander is
Capt. and Brevet Maj. John H. Mimms,
Co. d, st. Albans.
1t has been limited that an effort will
be made to promote Capt. Estey of Brat
tleboro, over some of those who rank
MIN, but it hardly seems possible that
such an attempt will be made.
An effort is being made to have Col.
Kinsman withdraw his resignation, but
it is very doubtful if he will do so, as it
has been approved by the brigade com.
mander and forwarded to Governor
Woodbury..
Thousands of cases of rheumatism