St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-17

ment; Col. Bobleter, Of the Second; Col.
Shandrew, of the Third; Capt. Masterson, of
Company X. Saltwater; Capt. Tucker, of
Hastings; Maj. Price, of the First battalion
Capt. Spear, of Company E; Capt. Robin
son. of Company G, and Gen. R. w. Johnson.
The Twin City orchestra played a number of
selections while the crowd was gathering
and departing. C5
1t was the fifteenth annual inspection, and
every member of the company was in attend
ance, with one exception, a member who
was i'll. One member came all the way from
the northern part of Dakota to be present
The whole number present was seventy-five.
Lieut.. A B. Johnson, of the Seventh United
States infantry, who Is detailed to inspect
the militia companies of Minnesota was in
specting officer, and he was delighted with
the result. The company came out first In
full dress uniform. and the inspector ex-
amined their guns and equipment. Then
an inspection of each individual was made,
at the conclusion of which the men changed
to fatigue uniform, making the change in
four minutes. a remarkably short space of
time.
The company was then drilled for an
hour or more, being put through nearly
every movement known to a military officer,
and the unanimity with which every one was
executed so won the admiration of the audi
ence that the applause was deafening at
times. First came the setting up exercises,
then followed bayonet exercises, manual of
arms, frings, school of the soldier and school
of the company in regular succession. Next
came the school Of the squad, extended or
der, but owing to the lack of room, over
half the company had to be retired, only
thirty-two men being put through the move
ments, and those of the school of the COM
pany. extended order. which followed. con-
cluding the drill.
"It was very satisfactory inspection, -
said Lieut.. Johnson to G o b reporter at
the conclusion. 'fThe inspection has been
far more rigid than it was last year in every
particular, but have found great improve
ment in every company I have inspected
thus far this year. The Improvement in this
company is especially marked, and I should
not be afraid to back it against any company
of militia in the United States. Too much
credit cannot be given Capt. Bean and his
officers and the men for the attention they
have given to everything that has tended to
have been in the arnory drilling when other
people were enjoying themselves. and the re-
suit is apparent in-the efficiency Of the COM
pary. 70 6
Il have noticed in looking over the books
that the company has. held sixty drills ex-
elusive of camp drills since L inspected it a
year ago. Three members of the company
have attended every one of these drills. Capt.
Bean and his officers, Lieuts. Metz and Mer-
rill, have been present at every one, with one
exception each. and over twenty men have
attended fifty of the drills. 1t is easy to un-
derstand, therefore, how the company has &C
quired it's present efficiency. 1t is matter
of much satisfaction to me the interest find
in the militia companies generally, but Com
pany D takes the lead in this respect"
The fifteenth anniversary of the mastering
in of the company will be celebrated by a
banquet at the Commercial club rooms on
Thursday evening, April %. An excellent
programme has been prepared, and toasts will
be responded to by some Of the cleverest
speakers in the state.