The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-31
REPORTS REGARDING
NATIONAL GUARD
Observations by Regular Army Officers
Who We're at I.ewistown.
VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE
An Additional Troop Of Cavalry Is
Needed..The Medical Department
Not Equal to the Demands of War
Service..A Signal Detachment OF
Skilled Bicyclists and Electricians
Recommended.

IA. Aug oV-oTueTS just
issued from National Guard headquar-
ters contain reports of the regular army
officers who were present and took notes
of the division encampment at Lewis
town in July. They are published for
the information of the guard. Upon
the whole the observations are favor
able and the war department at Wash
ington is fully advised as to details Of
the organization and equipment of the
guard. Colonel $. 5. Sumner, of the
sixth cavalry, says:
1T would seem advisable to have one
additional troop of cavalry added to the
guard. This would give that arm
tactical organization (squadroD with a
permanent commander. and could be
used either as unit or by troop as
occasion might demand.
He concludes as follows:
I'm conclusion, / wish to say, that in
my opinion the National Guard of
Pennsylvania is a body of well disci-
plined and efficient soldiers. Active SER
vice would, OF course. rub off some
awkwardneSs and peculiarities that
must always exist in men unaccustomed
to daily military life. but in all essential
matters they are prepared for any call
made upon them. The general tone and
feeling is noticeably high. and the man
ly respect for rank and position shows
a proper appreciation for Obligat tions
voluntarily assumed. The gradual pro-
motion and the careful supervision over
all appointments. is perhaps the great
est factor i'm making this guard pro-
ficient. and with such a system. it may
be safely stated that the guard is
strongest as a unit under its own Of
ficers, and when commanded by the
generals they have learned to respect
and obey.
Major John Van X. Huff, surgeon of
the regular service. gave much atten-
ton to the medical department. He
recommends many things. and recon-
mends that all the medical officers and
the enlisted men of the hospital corps
be organized into a sanitary depart
ment, with a field marshal and ambul-
ance.
a SIGNIFICANT PARAGRAPH.
significant paragraph in Major
Hoff's report is the following: while
undoubtedly the UrgarliZation of the
medical department is adequate to meet
the current requirements of the division
under present peace conditions, it is not
in accordance with the recognized
scheme of modern battle field SANTA
ton. is not equal to the demands of war
service. and is. therefore. to a limited
degree only, the model upon which the
sanitary department must he organized
should the time come--and it probably
soon will-for the 500. 900 unorganized
and ununiformed soldiers of the COM
monwealth to be called into active SER
vice.
Captain James A. Ieyden, of the
Fourth infantry. says so far as he had
opportunity to observe there was un-
hesitatiug obedience to orders on the
part of the enlisted men. He recon-
mends for purely military considera-
tions:
a three battalion orSa nization for all
infantry regiments. The formation of
"A calvary squadron and an artillery bat
talon having no connection with the
brigade organization.
The organization of Il signal detaclr-
mont of one officer and twelve men in
each brigade. These men should be
skilled bicyclists and beside the usual
torch service. they should be instructed
in establishing field telephone lines.
Full itineraries and Typographical
maps should be required of all such eX-
ercises.
That the enlistment Of privates be
limited to not more than two terms of
three years each. That the re-enist-
ment of non commissioned officers who
have worn chevrons for Il year prior to
the expiration of service. he authorized
until such non-conmissioned officer
reaches forty years of age.
Gnl