Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-14
CHANGE OF UNIFORM
The Regulation Blue Blouse to Supplant
the Gray DreSS-COat.
LIKEWISE THE STAFF.
The Military Board Adopts This Poncy In
tho Line of Practical Economy
News About the Troops.

The Military Board OF Virginia met
Friday night and adopted several Hea-
sures looking TO the Improvement Oh lne
state nIlltia. The board IS composed Oh
the Governor. the Secretary OF the COM
monwealth. the Adjutant-Genera' 'he
Assistant Inspector-General. and the
Nor officer OF the volunteers. Since ire
promotion OF General Anderson Coiohei
Male. OF the Third Regiment, Is uhe
senior officer OF volunteers. and with one
or two exceptions the board Is a new one
All the members were present with the
exception OF Colonel Male, who was ue-
tanned at home on account OF sickness
A NEW UNIFORM.
The ADOPTION Of a new uniform for the
State troops was probably the most I'M
portant feature OF the proceedings OF the
board. After q lengthy discussion OF we
racagsity for a change Of uniform, the
Governor. al the suggestion OF the board
decided TO order that the uniforms or the
virginia volunteers be changed. and that
the service COR fatigue) uniforms now IN
MS, I'm the United States army be adopted
I'm their stead The Virginia button now
a,,er will be retained. This uniform is
nat but not gaudy. II consists OF
dark-biue blouse and lighter blue trousers
blue cap with the insignia OF the army
thereon. This uniform is with one OF
two minor changes. practically the same
"a now in use for fatigue service by the
Virginia soldier lads.
MUCH CHEAPER.
The main motive for this action IS one
Of economy. az these uniforms can be
drawn direct from the government so
far rs the limited fund VIII allow. The
aDpropriatiOn by the government for the
suppOrt OF the Virginia militia Is only
gll 40 and there are 5000 men TO be
maintained The state contributes an
uually about tho same amount. The gov
errmonts appropriation can only be
drawn in ordnance or quartermaster'
stores. and by the adoption OF uniforms
similar TO those used by the regulars 1t
allows the military TO provide to great
extent f0r their entire uniform by draIt
on the Guartcrmaster at Washington.
At the last inspection Il was ascertained
that there were some 1000 gray full-dress
coats short, and about the same number
81 Llouses. The gray coats are worth
about {l3 each. while the blouses only
cost about g. each. There Is 10 fund with
which to replace the coats, and were the
men required to replace them II would
adoption OF the new uniforms this Diff
Guilty IS considerably obyiated and the
coats may Doe gradually replaced by requl-
siti0n on the national appropriation.
The order which the Governor Will issue
relative 20 this Change OF uniform Will
provide for the adoption Of distinctive
full-dress uniforms by regiments or bat
talions subject 10 the approval OF the
commanler-in-chicf.
THE STAFF UNIFORM.
The uniform Of the Governors STAFF has
been ordered changed also. 70 conform
20 the uniforms OF tho troops. The gray
drcss-coat5 VIII be abandoned. and the
staff viii appear hereafter IN full-drcss
uniforms i1entically similar 10 those worn
hy the officers Of similar rank in the
United States army This change IS emf
neutly proper, since the adoption OF the
blue bous,s Tor the troops.
Virginia IS one Of the few States whose
Governors staff has not I'm the past been
Uniformed In accordance with the United
states regulations.
TO ELECT RRIGADIER-GEN
Governor Mckinney. I'm view Of the near
rpproach OF his retirement from Office n
the death Of General Mcdonald decided
20 order that the fund at Washington, IN
the shape Of ordnance and quartermas-
torf stores, be- l"lt Tor MS successor 70
dispose Of Upon Governor OFerralrs
request the board advised him as TO the
distribution Of this fund. The Adjutant-
General submitted a plan which was
lencthly discussed. and Il was unani-
mously agreed 10 defer the distribution
~ these stores until January 9th. when
the field officers of the First Brigade viii
assemble IN Richmond 10 elect the Brigade
commander. The other officers command
ing battalons and detached companies.
viii meet with the colonels OF the bril-
plie 10 further advise and consult with tho
Governor. Each commanding officer has
been requested 10 bring with him a state
mont OF what his command IS most in
need OF.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The board also considered a suggestion
from the Adiutant-General that the old
/ Dollhouse. one of the most historic houses
I'm Richmond be repaired and used for
The general storage Of military property.
30 action. however, was taken on this
matter
n was decided to request the Secretary