The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-08
THE STATES MILITARY.
COL. 30 LANE sYERy SUBMITS HIS
ANNUAL REPORT.
1t shows a Decrease in Numbers, but an
Increase in Eficiency-A Number OF
Valuable Recommendations.

says
The annual inspection and muster Of
1885 having been completed, l have the
honor to submit herewith my report OF
tho same, with muster-rolls Of each
command.
The force is Is2 less than last year.
being 1905, of which the thirty-seven
white infantry companies, the five troops
OF cavalry, and three batteries of ar
tilery, aggregate III officers and Z'Z-b
men; and the nine colored infantry COM
panies, 40 officers and 52S men. or the
whole force, 50 per cent. were piese"s
at Inspections slight gain over last
year. and highten than ever before at
tanned.
Several weeks prior TO the muster,
letter was sent out from this Office 10
each commandant, requesting that All
useless men be discharged or dropped
This request was communicated 10 tie
several company commanders by 'he
regiment and battalion commanders, WIN
instructions 10 apply for discharges Tor
such men or for orders 10 drop thein-
The instructions were generally COM
Piled with, but some company comH'ahH-
ers. Judging from the number present at
~,
commended that the company commanders
be required 10 cut their rohs down 10
the effective force.
During the year two new infantry COM
panies We're mustered into the SER
vice-one at Manchester and one AT
Fredericksburg. The former is treated
In this report as Company 6. First Regi-
mont OF Infantry and the latter as
Company *. Of the Third Regiment. Inc
material in both companies Is very soo''
MADE ONE HUNDRED PER cKNr.
The following commands made 100 per
cent. present at inspections
Company r.. First Regiment. Infantry.
Troops A, b. and q, First Regiment
Cavalry. -,,-.
Company A, Fourth CBiues) Battalion
Infantry.
Battery A, First Battalion. Artillery
IL will be observed that large per
centage of staff officers were absent
from inspection. As they render less
general service than any other part OF
the force their absence is inexcusaole'
and should be badt the SUD-
iect of action by the brigade
commander. The lieutenant-colonei
of the Second Regiment infantry
has not resided in the state for about
a year. The second lieutenant OF COM
pany A. Third Battalion or lniahtIy
fPortsmouth) has not been present WIN
his company for duty since the III
spection of 1924.
Examining boards were created at SeF-
eral stations during the tours OF inspec-
tion. and quite a large number OF Of
ncers were examined. reports OF which
have heretofore been forwarded. IL Is
believed that there are fewer oiiicers III
this time mot passed" than ever before
The general condition OF the force mas
somewhat improved. The companies
recommended for disarmament at the
last inspection have. with the exception
of one been disbanded. Inat cohpa"s
n First battalion. Colored Fredericks-
burg. still remains, but 1t was names 81,
10 Yourself. as you were present al the
insnection this year. that it is far below
the standard. l am Obliged to repeat
the recommendation of last year.
,rl-e change in strength OF the seVerai
organizations is not very great, except
at headquarters of the First Regiment
Of Infantry. There is loss at these
Headquarters Of forty-seven men. Wen
tv-two men, were discharged, ana the
musicians have been asslsheu-loui'v eil
ia Company Il and eight TO COMPANY
ID. They still perform duty novel,,
az musicians. Ten men-tne nospllai
cOrDS-frOm OlntT pa - Va ''- 49,.
have been assigned TO Company ~, o"'
ore stnl detailed on hospital service,
ALL HAVE USDEEss UNIFORMS
All Of the force is now supplied with
the undress uniforms. but IN many CUM
mands. particularly those which aid SCI
vice al Pocahontas, the blouses anu
trousers are much worn ana soilel' anu
present a very bad appearance. In the
Third battalion Infantry. they are worn
o,,t and are unseryiceable. None nave
IN issued 10 this command for three
wears. acquisitions should be prohp,S
dlIed II a crediiable appearance Is 10 ne
maintained in that battalion.
A. all the blouses have the L. ;. bui-
con and the state regulation calls Tor
the Virginia button, there Is genera
dierocsrd of the state order. Elmer the
,Jo,,ea ehould be drawn without the Dut-
ton. and the proper button De isSue'
senaratelv. or the order should De cou"-
fernandez. .,s... 20,
only a small number Of the rihes ',0-
commended in last years report 10 Dv
,onilled have been sent TO the alscn"i
CO.. nat nurpose. The others are al
most useless. and should be sent at once
,rbe companies in which tins Is heces-
sarv need not be again desiShdieu'
rbera are vet few commadns not sup
nlied with knapsacks .haVersacAs'c s-h'ee'l',
leqoins. or some of these arlicies' anu
csnteens without straps nave receh.ls
been furnished TO Companies IS anu
= Second Battalion, at Norioih. 5fl
commands should at once be suppHcu
with these very necessary aTucies, an
those on hand needing repairs S"ouiu
ceive attention. There are many p",l1
- leqgins thaf could be put in order
at trifing expense, but II not a''e''N'u w.
will be thrown away. s-,,.....
Attention is again called 10 the lailuls
IN some commands to keep BOOKS ana
neoers properly prepared. Recommends
lion has several times been made that
roster and order-books be sent 10 re5i-
mental or battalion headquarters, ana
there put in proper condition, but thlS
moi having been done 1t IS now sus-
eested. since all the force except the
two colored battalions are in the FIRST
Brigade that the brigade adJutant-geh-
eral be directed TO perform this service
and that proper compensation be maze
to him for the labor.
DISCIPLINE GENERALLY G0or.
The headquarters books Of the Third
Regiment Infantry are not written up
The colonel commanding stated that no
appropriation for that purpose had peeh
made. Steps should at once be taken
In this matter.
Discipline is generally good. the
foundation of an effective service de-
ponds almost entirely upon the captains
of the companies. The officers generally
are alive TO their duties, but occasionally