The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-09
THE GUARD STARTLED,
CONSERVATION Among the Cit.
zen Soldiers Over the
Changes.
Officers Speak About the Grave
Situation in State Mill.
tary Affairs.

The National Guardsmen about towh
Yesterday looked as if something had hap
pened to them. All of the jauntiness
which is supposed TO hedge uniform
when there is man in it had suddenly
and completely disappeared. They were
generally IN a gloomy mood and the
moods ranged anywhere from mild dissat-
isfaction to the ultimate depths of despair.
At the armories yesterday and last night
there was only one theme for discussion,
and that was the reorganization, and the
way it all happened. Officers and men
gathered in the company quarters and had
a good long talk over situation unparal-
leled in the history of the service. Singu-
larly enough the superior commanders
had kept the matter remarkably quiet, and
the guardsmen were entirely unprepared
for the astounding news. For some time
they had difficulty in realizing that not a
single regiment exists in San Francisco.
But the Sacramento orders were satisfac-
tory evidence, and nothing was left but
material for speculation upon the sort OF
things which are now liable to happen.
The San Francisco regiments, which
were formed into battaions by the con-
solidation of several companies, have lost
ii
designations. Colonel Bush, Colonel
OConnor and Colonel Macdonald are bar
rem of their silver eagles, and any number
of officers of the staff have lost their gilt
tering jobs. observation-disclosures have sud-
denly scaled the promotion ladders as far
as independent command is concerned,
and majors are very important entities in
the administration of National Guard
affairs. These startling changes have set
the entire institution rocking upon its
foundations, and it is very doubtful If any
sort OF order will be secured for week or
more.
Within few days an order will be is
sued calling for the election OF colonel
and lieutenant-colonel OF the new First
Regiment OF Infantry. With the exception
of two vacancies in the line of the battalion
which used to be Colonel O'Connor's regi-
ment the Offices are ready to gather and
! select new commander. The choice will
undoubtedly fall to one of the former regi-
mental commanders, they naturally hav-
! ing the lead of all other National Guard
officers. The contest promises great
things, however. The colonelcy Of the
/ only regiment in San Francisco is worth
| trying for and no effort will be spared by
| the friends of the several candidates to win
! the prize. The battalions from the former
regiments are evenly divided as regards
| officers and if these officers decide to vote
suit. Some lively campaign will have to
| be done to gather enough votes for
| winner.
General Warfield was seen at the Cali
fornia Hotel last evening in reference to
the changes in his brigade. The briga-
! whatever to do with the method of organ
ization. The Board of Location and Or
ganizaton had decided upon a plan of
action before we were consulted. When
we were called to Sacramento on last Sat
urday it was to hear about the proposed
reorganization and submit few minor
propositions concerning the formation of
our brigade. We had nothing TO do.
When the Governor proceeded to read the
order which was published yesterday l
was for moment dumfounded.
This battalion business startled me,
until / afterward learned that the batta-
lions were to be formed into regiments.
About twelve-company regiment? Well,
| In other States it has been success, and l
think it should be here"
Colonel Bush, who commanded the First
! Infantry before il was reduced to a batta-
! lion, happened into the California Hotel
last night to fnd out how the land lies on
the revised military chart. The colonel
was not bubbling over with information,
and principally for the reason that he had
none. Il am quite as much at sea as any
one CO uld be-, he said. 81 have received
no orders, and, although believe the pub
lication in THE CALL this morning is from
the adjutant-genera's Office. shall have
to await something more official. Really,
/ know nothing and can say nothing about
the matter"
Colonel O'Connor of the old Third was
seen at his residence last night. He said ::
81 am certainly sorry that the condition
of things should require such radical
changes, but do not see how it could have
been otherwise. l am convinced that the
change has been in the interest of the
service, and / am satisfied. The Legisla-
ture appropriated money for a certain
number of companies, and when it was
found that the money wouldn't 60 round,
some of them had to 60. The men of the
Third Will be found ready to work for the
welfare of the new regiment in any circum-
| stances"
Colonel Macdonald, who commanded
the former Second Artillery, declined to
express himself upon the military situa-
ton. 81 have received no ORDERS" he
said 81 was not consulted about any
changes, and / have nothing to say about
the matter However. am interested in
the well-b being of the service, and am pre-
pared to help it along"