The herald., 1896-07-28
Annual Report OF the Division
Inspector
WEAK POINTS POINTED OUT
The Militia Of the State Not Up to tie
Standard
Rule Not Suitabie-New Arms
Are Badly Wanted

guard of California to Col A. E. Castle,
assistant adjutant- general, division N.
G. c., San Francisco.
The report comprehends the annual
inspection and muster of the division
national guard. One year ago the divis-
| ion consisted of three brigades, ten
regiments, sixty-nine companies, rep
resenting total strength of 4411, officers
and men. BY the consolidation under
| general orders Nos land IS, dated De-
cember and 9, 1895, the organizations
| have been reduced to fiftyseven COM
panies, consisting of one division organ
| lied into three brigades, five regiments,
| four troops of cavalry, five divisions of
/ naval reserve, having total strength
| of 1929. The numerical reduction, there
| fore, in the national guard has been
| only 1872 men.
| The inspections were conducted
| throughout the division by Brigade In
| spectors Major ]. w. F. Diss of the
First brigade, Major Charles Jansen,
Second brigade and Major Frank S.
Rice, Third brigade, in connection with
Capt Darlington, Ftst infantry, U. S.
A, detailed as inspector and instructor
of the staff of the communicative chief,
and also by Col. Currer The adjutant-
general of the state was present at a
large number of inspections. Every
company in the state was inspected by
one of these officers and in most cases
by three-the division and. brigade in
spectors and Capt. Darlington, L. S. A.
Inspections began March Is and ended
May 26 Every company was given some
exercises in drilling, company move
ments, in the manual of arms and eX-
tended order. This was done principal
ly in the streets, for the reason as stated
in the report:
The armories in most instances were
too small and, being used for entertain
ments and dancing assemblies, the floor
was frequently found to be so smooth
as to render marchiAy very difficult"
On this point the following recon-
mendation is made:
Whenever it is possible, the streets
should be used in drilling instead of the
armories; it would not only give greater
freedom of movement and admit of
greater precision in drill, but would en-
able the troops to execute the turningS
in quick and double time without dan
ger of falling, giving the men greater
confidence in themselves, thereby bet
ter fitting them for actual service"
The First brigade comprises the Sew
enth infantry-twelve companies sta
toned in Los Angeles, San Diego and
vicinity and two companies of cavalry
at Los Angeles and Salinas respective
ly. In the Seventh, Company b of San
Diego grades 4.S0, the highest in order
OF merit of any company in the state,
and the largest in numerical strength,
its maximum being 103
Company A Of Los Angeles grades the
lowest in order of merit. due largely to
the disappearance of its captain which
demoralized the company.
The other infantry companies of the
Seventh are up to the average. Troop
D of Los Angeles, in the language of
the report, presented rather an unsatis-
factory appearance; they showed lack
of discipline and knowledge of duties,
carelessness in their company move
ments and saber exercise Their arms
and equipments were in good condition.
The muster rolls were improperly made
out, were returned for correction, and
much delay was experienced in recoV-
ering them. Since the day of inspec-
tion both the captain and first lieutenant
have resigned
Since the inspection second eXamina-
tion of the troop was made, and much
Improvement noted in drill, discipline
and appearance.
Troop C of Salinas, under Captain
Burke, turned out sixty mounted men,
nearly all OF whom own their own
horses In discipline, drill, saber eXer-
else, etc. they rank well, and have i'm
pressed the inspectors faVorabiy.
The consolidation of the regiments in
Southern California produced beneficial
effects and materially lessened the ex-
penses of the command.
The Second brigade consists of the
First and Fifth infantry, Signal corps
and Troop A, cavalry. Company f of the
First in San Francisco ranks highest in
order of merit. 1t had eighty-seven men
on the rolls at the time of inspection.
in fjl1. Of
e. Companies D, G, [ and K had 100
per cent at inspection. out of 935 men
SOC We're present at inspection, and the
average merit of the entire regiment is
as, a few points higher than any other
regiment in the division. The report
reviews the First as follows:
This regiment since it's reorganiza-
tion has had some difficulties to contend
with in the way Of harmonizing the
! various interests thrown together un-
der new officers losing their old COM
pany letters, under which so many of
them had marched and served for so
many years. changing Of armories and
training of recruits, etc; but with a true
soldierly spirit they accepted the situa-
tion and are almost universally adapt
ing themselves to their new condition,
and loyal to their new commanding Off
Ger, Colonel Mcdonald, and are rapidly
becoming a strong and efficient reei-
cisco can have confidence and should be
proud
Acting on the suggestion of Major
Jansen, the division inspector says:
L invite your attention to his recon-
mendation as to the armory, corner Page
and Cough streets. / should be more
secure against sudden attack by a mob.
In city like San Francisco where there
is such large floating population and
unruly element, the armories should be
made difficult of access by an unauthor-
lied body of men. and the windows on
the ground floor barred
The report adds that there are serious
deficits in several companies of the First.
particularly with regard to hats panta-
looms, leggings, blouses and canteens.
The Fifth regiment. stationed in San
Jose, Oakland, Petalums. San Rafael,
Santa Rosa and Napa, was not affected
to any extent by the reorganization and
retains it's old high standard and esprit
du corps. Company F. of Oakland ranks
highest in order of merit Company e.
of Santa Rosa ranks lowest, 3G5. The
report says Of the Fifth:
The personnel of this regiment is ex-
cellent; the men as a rule are healthy and
strong and take pride in their respective
companies. The towns in which thay
are situated warmly support them. al
though the town of Napa could exhibit
more commendable pride and interest IN
their young company. which Is strur
Cling to maintain itself.
The signal corps is reported as of a.
very high standard of excellence.
Cavalry troop "A. of San Francisco is
criticised for rot having shown the