The record-union., 1896-08-18

$40; Company D, Second Infantry,
$40; Company H, Fifth Infantry, 3.75;
Company A, First Infantry, 3.75, Com
pany H, First Infantry, 3.75; Company
E, Fifth Infantry. 3.65; Company A,
Sixth Infantry, $780,
Poor-Company E, Second Infantry,
800; Company G, Seventh Infantry,
$50; Company c, Seventh Infantry,
$50
Very poor-Company L, Seventh In
fantry, 3.25; Company F, Second In
fantry, 3.25; Company d, Sixth Infant
ry. 3-25; Company E, First Infantry,
3.25; Company A, Seventh Infantry,
3.0O
This rating would suggest that there
should be more uniformity in method of
instruction. not only throughout the
guard. but more especially among the
companies of a regiment.
l believe an attempt has been made
in some, notably the Fifth Infantry, to
adopt system, but there is no reason
why the whole guard should not pursue
a uniform, progressive, method
throughout. In some of the New York
regiments, Colonels announce in orders
a scheme for the entire season, outlining
the scope of drill and exercises for each
drill night. In this way the scattered
companies may be kept apace, SO that
when they assemble as a regiment eacn
is ready to take it's place in the regi
mental line on an equal footing, to carry
forward the higher training necessary
to fit soldiers for the exigencies of war
in other words, to begin the course of
FIELD EXERCISES"
ious should form the principal part of
camp instruction for State troops.
These consist, in a general way, of
learning to march under the trying in
conveniences of dusty roads and burn
ing sun; the taking advantage of natu-
raj, and the making of artificial, cover
as protection against the enemy's mis-
siles of destruction; of commanding Of
fcerS learning to take proper precau-
tionS for the security of their commands
on the march and in camp, selecting
proper positions on the field of battle,
teaching men to care for themselves in
camp, so as to best preserve their
health, strength, etc They do not in
clude the picnic and spectacular feat
ures and sham battles, SO common in
National Guard camps. Such a scheme
for a weeks regimental encampment
has been promulgated by the War De-
partment, and is as follows:
SCHEDULE OF EXERCISES.
Monday-Morning: Target practice,
regimental and close-order drill. After
noon: Guard mounting and parade.
Evening: Officers school In minor
tactics.
Tuesday-Morning: Target practice,
company attack and defense on varied
ground, enemy imaginary" After
noon: Guard-mounting and parade.
Evening: School in minor tactics.
dnesday-Morning: Target prac-
tice, battalion attack and defense on
varied ground, enemy outlined" After
noon: Guard-mounting and parade.
Evening: School in minor tactics.
Thursday-Morning Regimental ex-
crcise in attack and defense, to carry
out prepared problems, enemy repre-
sented." Reports of commanders re-
CURED In writing. Afternoon: Guard
mounting and parade. Evening: Lee
ture on marching and outposts.
Friday-Regiments to assemble equip
ped for field service, men carrying
blanket roll and half-shelter tents, and
rations for one meal. Regiment accom-
panied by hospital corps detachment
and ambulance, and one or more wagons
loaded with mess kettles, firewood and
intrenching tools. Regiment to march,
covered by advance guard, for about six
miles, to a position selected (hired If
necessary for a temporary bivouac. An
experienced and competent instructor
III the art of marching infantry with the
minimum amount of fatigue and dis
comfort to accompany the command.
Regiment to go into position and cover
it's front fanks at once, by outposts es-
tablished on ground previously carefully
examined by instructor. Outposts to
conform to assumed information of an
enemy and to strength of command.
Hasty intrenchments to be constructed
at once Of authority of owner of land
has been obtained): shelter tents to be
rut up; cooks, detailed from companies,
to prepare dinner; outposts to be in
spected and positions taken, to be COM
mented upon by instructor. Return
march taken up covered by rear guard,
in time for guard mounting in camp.
Reports of outposts and advance guard
commanders, and sketches of positions
required in writing.
morning, and preparations for inspec-
ton. Afternoon: Companies inspected
by Colonel, and review by Commander
in-Chef, Evening: Reading reports of
the week, and comments of the in
structor and Colonel.
Sunday-Morning service and prep
aration for departure.
THE SIGNAL CORPS.
The three Signal Corps are all in ex-
cellent condition, and deserve credit for
their high state of efficiency as to drill
and proficiency in signaling. They are
probably equally proficient. made up
as they are of intelligent, well-informed
young men. It is difficult to arrange
them in order of merit, because there
is only a distinction without a differ
ence have seen the San Francisco
corps under every condition; they are
very soldierly in bearing. drill we'll,
r1ounted and dismounted. and are fine
soldiers I would put the corps as fol-
lows: l. Second Brigade. San Francisco;
. First Brigade, Los Angeles; ;. Third
Rrigade, Sacramento.
CAVALRY SERVICE.
The opportunity was not good for
Judging of the efficiency of the cavalry
troops The inspections were all made
dismounted. l did not inspect the Sa-
linas troop. but from the reports of the
Division and Brigade Inspectors, / am
of the opinion that it is in very good
condition. The Sacramento troop
showed to good advantage dismounted,
the San Francisco fair and the Los
Angeles poor 0 understand that this
trooD is inurOVing since inSDectiOn). /
have seen the San Francisco troop
mounted on two or three occasions since
the muster. and it is improving.