Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-29
IS HOLDING UP WELL.
FIRST REGIMENTS FRIENDS Ora
TIPPED At IFS STRENGTH.
ITS PERSONNEL Is KEPT HIGH.
Men OF Dfs.ipased Habits Not De-
.tred or Kept Long-E0osts Ia He
.,u;, More of Our city Beys-
Great Need of Fupds.

Tho inspection OF the First Regiment
OF Infantry. which has just been had. has
given its many friends great deal OF
satisfaction. II shows an earnest EFFORT
on the part Of the members OF the organi-
nation 10 keep II in "A proper state OF
efficiency for service. a fact not general
~ known SIS TO those who compose this
body OF volunteers. showing one OF
the great difficulties in maintain
Ing the proper numerical strength
in times of business depression
Is that about - Der cent OF
the men who enlist are not born or reared
in the city. but are men who come 10 the
city TO obtain employment When ousi-
ness depression occurs. these men. natur-
ally. lose their employment, and nave u
return TO their country homes rather than
remain IN idlcness In the city.
This cause some three years since be-
came operative. and began 20 reduce tho
numerical strength OF the regiment. 10
replace these losses II became necessary
10 induce enlistmeufs from men born aha
reared in the city. This. however. mas
been accomplished I'm "a great measure.
and the numerical strength. which IN 1875
was IS officers and Se5 men. making a
total Of 39i. has been kept az about thi3
strength a return 20 prosperous bNsl-
ness condition viii materially fdcilitale re-
cruhing.
IT'S PERSONNEL IS GOOD.
The personnel of the men composing the
regiment Is above the average. Men " no
are inclined TO dissipation or oiher Dsu
hahi.s VIII not be enlisted II ms Is
known. i. b. accident such are al any
time enlisted both officers and men make
ii unpleasant for thcm. and they are soon
gotten rid o.
The difficulties consequent % the mcin-
tanning OF the regiment with ia, small
amount Of funds available for This pun
pose arc mary The contrast In this D.
very marked when the income available
for the support o. the First Regiment j.
compared with that of the Fifth Mary
land. which attracted 20 much attention
and such favorable comment when IL
visited Richmond at the unveiling Of the
statue to General Robert J.. Lee The IN
come OF the Fifh Maryland in money is
from 5000 10 Sc o0) per annum The M
come Of the First Hegimont 10 money
from the STATE. Us about 500 and from the
city H.G00 making o total Of $3.50 per an
mum 10 maintain about 90 men. WI 81
the Fifth has 20 maintain about 3p men
with It's income ~ over 10000.
This marked difference of income shows
clearly tho very difficult work 10 maintain
the First Regiment. During the past two
years the regimen, has been maintained
on this income. supplemented by smG'l
amount received from few contributing
members
CAUSE FOR CONGRATULATIONS.
I'm view Of tneee focrs. the First Rcgi-
rnent is 20 De congratulated on the ability
Of ifs officers and mon 90 maintain its
numerical strength. 90 Keep the men uni
formed and equipped. ready 10 respond al
short notice 10 any call for active service.
It's commissary department. under the
charge OF Captain Charles u. Phillips
and Commissary- Sergeant il. Y. b.
Moore IS m\ complete working order 20
supply cooked rations M any time for
the entire organization.
The cuartcrmaster department. under
Captain - r.. Tenant and Quartermas-
ter-Sergeant j. y. Redlori, IS in Ike
good order Tor service.
The ordnance department. under Cap
tain n. p. Cray and Ordnance-Sereeant
J. J. Derrick. s. ready % supply all need
ed ammunition.
The medical department under the
charge al Surgc0n-Major j.. a.
Kuvk. Captain r. b. Teusler and
Acting Hospital-Steward G.. Y. Jones, Is
eoulpped only partially for service. IT has
"A supply OF medicines and instruments TO.
minor work only.
The signal corps. under Lanco-sergean
T. N. Long. T. very well instructed for Held
signalling. The prospects Of the regiment
for the future are good. and would be
especially bright with adequate assistance
from The State