The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1895-10-04

In the recent publication Of the War
Department upon the organized militia
of the states ana territories. which In
cludca special reports from the inspect
ing officers who attended last years en-
campments. there are some suggestions
relating 20 instruction In minor tactics.
Last year Col A. g. Merriam seventh
Infantry. who inspected the New York
state camp no PcekFklii recommended
that one day IN each week should Do
| devoted Go field exercises. fn accord
nncc with thls recommendation. the
/ troops marched on those days with field
equipment including packs. and varl.
Gus problems IN minor tactics were
studied. fnyH the New York Sun. IN
thc war department publication u IL
| suggested that many regiments N the
| organized militia appear Go have
| reached such % degree of efficiency ln
| close order formations and interior
guard duty ag would warrant giving nt-
/ tonii1n tp moro advanced nell trnlu-
| Ing IN regular military establishments
/ such practice. u IN said. "hal become
| the most important factor 10 the train
| lnF of troops FOR war" These exercises
are not equivalent. Of course, 90 those
| spectacular performance known ar
/ sham lights. which degenerate Into
noisy exhibitions " lndiscfIminatc fr-
/ INK and impossible maneuycra" The
real object IL 10 habltuntc troops 10
/ what would be required Of them IN
actual campaigning. Field exercises. as
! thus recommended. include the methods
N attacking In order 20 attain success
with the minimum OF loss under n Gre
which may begin $500 yards away;
| practice In saving strength when
marching over dusty roads and under u
hot sun. the selection ~ proper posi-
lions In different FIELDS. both fot defense
ana attack; covering the front with
haaty intrenchmcnir; outpost duty;
throwing out sMrmishcu. and air1
strengthening them 20 rs 20 check an
onemy'a advance until the columns eau
depiny. going into blyouac. after q
march, and putting up shelter tents.
with preparations 90 cook meals. Such
are the suggestions made By the Ollie
cra OF the War Department who have
charge OF the rclathns OF the state
troops 90 tho army IN the latter, dur
Ing the summer. IN the various depart
mcnia. the garrlsons are sometimes
taken into camps. whom this n prartl-
cable. FOR instruction 10 outpost and
picket duty. the escort and dcfonso of
conveys. ncld ouFlneorlnF the duties VI
advanced and rear guard ana akrmIsh-
ing % broken ground. IN gong years
actual heii scrtlce takes the place "
these simulated operations, and rene
icrs them unnecessary There u also
some difference In the views of depart
mcnt commanders regarding this mat
ter. aud hence no great uniformity of
practice. ~ remains true, however
that such exercises ln the minor opera
lions OF war are considered by the mill
tary authorities as N very high value ir
training. and some officers have alH1
Instituted long marches cXtcndinn
through days or weeks Cen. Miles
while In command OF the Southwest. 49,
tahllshcd practice marches IN which
one detachment Of troops was sent oul
TO represent an enemy endeavorlng g
raid or escape. while other bodies. dis.
patched from different points, sought q
overhaul or Intercept them.