The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-31
General Cameron Gives Cheer
ing and Clear Review.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
The Naval Reserves Have Done
Good Service.
ALL DEBTS PAID AND A SURPLUS
The Adiutant General Should Receive
a Greater Remuneration---Me
Should be Paid While IN
Camp Retired List

Though Nortn CaFollhd Aas hVt d G1~'S
Guard as large as some of her sisters, IT
is to be doubted whether any of them
have better one, aud few of them have
a citizen military equal to ours-so wen
organized and equipped Despite the
fact that the State appropriation to this
right arm of the State government has
been very meagre, almost beggarly, the
general condition of the State Guard is
excellent, and Adjutant General Cam
eron. in his annual report to the Gov
ernor. points to the fact with pride and
affection And well he may. During his
four years in command Of the Guard he
has spared 10 pains or personal expense
to make its organization and efficiency as
complete as possible. lie has made the
National Guard Of North Carolina sec
ond to none in point of practical ef-
fciency. in spite of the hostility aud OPP
position Of those who ought TO have been
its best friends.
On seven different occasions during the
F.. past year, at the call If the civil author
tiles, the State Guard has been called
upon 10 preserve order. enforce the law,
and prevent riot and bloodshed. In every
instance the calls were promptly met, or
der preserved and serious consequences
prevented boy the efficient and soldierly
conduct Of the troops. There can be
no stronger. argument in favor of foster
Ing and maintaining a well organized
and efficient State Guard than the OBJ
iect lesson presented by the increasing
demands for their services every year.
ENCAAPMENTS.
Owing 10 the action of the last Gen
eral Assembly in cutting off the annual
appropriation hitherto made for the pur-
pose. it has not been practicable for the
past two years to hold the regular annual
encampment Of instruction as heretofore
contemplated and provided for by law.
Consequently an effort was made to hold
regimental encampments within the
bounds Of each regiments territory.
This was successfully done by the Sec
ond Regiment, Col. Bruton commanding,
who went into camp at Wrightsyille,
near Wilmington, and by the Fourth
Regiment. commanded by Col. Armfeld,
which made a practice march from
Statesville to Charlotte, camping at the
latter place for four days prior to return
ing home A battalion composed OF COM
panies of the First and Third Regiments,
who went into camp Of instruction, under
command of Brigadier General Gotten,
near Raleigh. There was also a very
successful practice cruise, under the COM
mand Of Lieutenant Commander George
T. Morton, on the monitor Nantucket.
In this connection, General Cameron.
after referring to the facts in his report
says:
II have for long time been satisfied
that the most useful course Of practical
instruction for the National Guard was
to be obtained through practice marches.
In this opinion / have been amply sutain-
ed by the experience and results obtained
through the practice march of the Fourth
Regiment. Despite the adverse report OF
the commanding officer OF the United
States Steamship Amphitrite, relative
to the Naval Reserves Of this State, the
reports of others, coupled with known
practical results of their practice cruise
TINS summer, would clearly indicate that
they had accomplished fully as much
if not more than ever before"
CONDITION OF THE GUARD.
The report then goes ON to say that
at the close of the year 1895 the Guard
consisted Of twenty companies Of
Infantry and three companies of Naval
Reserves, mastering field and staff i'm
cluded) 1860 men. During the present
year two companies of infantry have
been disbanded and three new companies
admitted-so that the present available
force consists Of % companies of infantry
and divisions OF Naval Reserves
gregating with staff and bands includ-
ed)-oficeTs and men.
1.-THE troops are fully armed and
equipped, and supplied with abundant
clothing, oyercoats, blankets, leggings,
campaign hats, tents, campaign equipage,
ammunition and are so distributed that
the entire force can be concentrated,
armed and equipped for at least six
months service, at any point in the State
ON line of Railroad communication with
in twenty four hours. The present arm
ament OF the guard is unsatisfactory ow-
ing to the defective condition of many of
the guns, which are Old and practically
lnserviceable. Every effort has been
made by this department. to replace
them with new and serviceable Spring
field rifles zeal. 49, Of which the govern
ment has an abundant supply, but with
out success. 1t is to be hoped that Con-
gress win come to the relief of the Ma
tional Guards of the country in this mat
ter; for as the army is now being equip
ped with an entirely new and different
gun (the Kraig Jorgenson rife.) There are
thousands Of Springfield rifles in excellent
condition lying idle in the government
arsenaIs, that could easily be turned
over to the National Guards of the diff
ferent States for their better equipment
and usefulness"
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Gen. Cameron makes the following re-
concentrations for the proper advance
nent of the interests Of the service:
/. An annual appropriation of a sum
sufficient to not only pay for armory
rents, but also when in camps, or on
r,-acticn marches 10 nav fine officers and