Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-09-26
Field Training for Militia.

In the recent publication of the War
Department upon the organized militia
OF the states and territories, which in
cludes special reports from the inspect
Ing officers who attended last years en-
campments, there are some suggestions
relating to instruction in minor tactics.
Last year Col Fl. c. Merriam, seventh
infantry. who inspected the New York
state camp at Peekskill, recommended
that one day in each week should be
devoted to field exercises. In accord
| ance with this recommendation, the
troops marched on those days with field
equipment, including packs. and vari.
Gus problems in minor tactics were
studied, says the New York sun. In
the war department publication 1t -
suggested that many regiments of the
organized militia appear to have
reached such a degree of efficiency in
close order formations and interior
| guard duty as would warrant giving at
| tenton to more advanced field train
| Ing. In regular military establishments
such practice, it is said. has become
! the most important factor In the train
| ing Of troops for war" These exercises
are not equivalent. Of course. to those
| spectacular performances known as
| ~
noisy exhibitions of indiscrminate fir
| ing and impossible maneuvers." The
real object Is to habituate troops to
what would be required of them in
actual campaigning. Field exercises. as
| thus recommended, include the methods
of attacking in order to attain success
with the minimum of loss under a fire
which may begin $500 yards away;
| practice in saving strength when
marching over dusty roads and under a
hot sun; the selection of proper posi-
| tons in different fields, both for defense
| and attack; covering the front with
| hasty Entertainments; outpost duty:
| throwing out skirmishers, and also
| strengthening them so as to check an
| enemy's advance until the columns can
deploy; going into bivouac. after n
march, and putting up shelter tents
| with preparations to cook meals. Such
are the suggestions made by the oiiic-
ers of the War Department who have
| charge of the relations of the state
troops to the army. In the latter. dur
ing the summer, In the various depart
| ments, the garrisons are sometimes
| taken into camps, where this is practi'
| cable, for instruction in outpost and
| picket duty, the escort and defense OF
| conveys, field engineering, the duties OF
| advanced and rear guard, and skirmish
| ing on broken ground. In some years
| actual field service takes the place 81
| these simulated opera tons. and rem
| ders them unnecessary. There is alst
| some difference in the views of depart
| ment commanders regarding this mat
ter. and hence no great uniformity OF
| practice. 1t remains true. however
that such exercises In the minor opera
tons of war are considered by the mill
tary authorities as OF very high value il
training, and some officers have ais,
instituted long marches. extending
through days or weeks. Gen. Miles
while in command of the Southwest. IS
tabllshed practice marches in which
one detachment Of troops was sent on
to represent an enemy endeavoring t
raid or escape. while other bodies. dis
patched from different points, sought t
overhaul or intercept them.