The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-13
THE TIMEs-RiCHMOND Va. WEDNESDAY OCTOBER ID 1897


was suggested that some Of their short
comngs could be traced TO that cause.
Perhaps this Is so. but the personnel, the
drill. discipline. dress. general appearance.
formation, and department at inspection
were all satisfactory. II l. true that the
presence with these companies Of several
men not with arms. being detailed as
musicians and as hospitcl corps. and be-
ing formed without regard to tactics and
not instructed. added largely 10 the bad
appearance; but, regardless Of this. there
were so many evidences Of ineificlency. II
is impossible to avoid recommending that
these two companies be Inspected with
reference 10 disbandment.
The Second Regiment has been reduced.
by the disarmament OF Companies in the
southwestern part OF the state, TO eight
companies. and in a special report. here
tofore made the DISARMAMENT OF Com
pany II, at Salem. was recommended with
the sanction Of the captain commanding
under the circumstances mentioned there
In. Since this report however. the Com
msnder-in-Chief. having requested that an
EFFORT be made 10 reOrganize the company.
II has been undertaken. Much will have
to be done to raise that company to the
standard.
II is to be regretted that the health OF
the colonel commanding has been very
bad, although he has given his regiment
all the attention IN his power. and Is
thoroughly alive to the performance ot
his duties. as are also the other field Off
GERS, there has been little or no assist
ance from the STAFF. None OF the latter
appeared al inspection. The companies
comprising the regiment with the excep-
ton above mentioned. are in good condi-
ton. efficient. with serviceable equipment.
clothing. etc The Virginia Zouaves at
Lynchhurg, recently assigned 10 this regi-
meni. Is a fine company. In some OF the
companies n few men are carried on
the rolls who ought 20 he discharged.
They are absent from home and cannot
be counted upon for service.
The Third Regiment is composed Of ten
companies. but Company a az Danvlle
was not inspected nor mustered. the com
mander-in-C Chief having extended the time
for its reorganization. II having been In
state OF disintegration for TWO or three
years
The other nine companies are IN good
condition. Companies +. at Lynchhure,
and \. al FredericlSburg, are specially
Commended
Several men I'm Company r. and few
in Companies p. ID. and I should be dis
charged. The colonel commanding. by MS
own labor. and. 10 q certain extent, al his
own expense. has had all the books az
headquarters written mp, and the records
are now complete.
The Fourth Regiment Of Infantry IS
complete with ten compauies Most or
these are I'm very fine condition. and the
others are improving. The percentage
present az inspection In this was higher
than in any other regiment.
With the exception OF the major the
field STAFF and nOn-commissioncd stan az
being In Norfolk, where there Is "A good
armory. conveniently arranged. with com
petent clerks and Office force, combine 10
give this regiment advantages over the
Second and Third Regiments, and an
these advantages are promptly turned 70
account by officers and men. the result
being a most satisfactory condition Of the
Norfolk companies The interest and
management extend 10 the other com
panies IN the regiment. all Of them beins
close to headquarters. and the good effect
is very percepuble.
CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY.
The cavalry has been reduced to two
trOops-the Stuart Horse Guard OF Rich
mond. and the surry Cavalry OF Surry-
still designated in these reports as
troops A and b. respectively. Both troops
are small. Troop p slightly below the
minimum required by law, but the cap
tain commanding reported that he eX-
pected 70 recruit up TO the minimum with
Both troops are in good condition.
The artillery battalion Of three batteries
Is i'm very good condition. There were hut
two men absent from inspection In the
battalion. and both Of these absences were
caused by sickness.
The State property is well cared for.
particularly in Battery A at Richmond
Officers and men are well qualified for
their duties. well drilled and disciplined
The First Battalion Infantry (cOlOredl
as composed of three larg" cOnran'es 90
strong. stalwart men. quite number or
them having been for many years In the
service. Tney are fairly we'll Olhcercd,
the major commanding IS thoroughly COM
petent. the men seem 10 be well discl-
plined; but the general appearance OF the
commend is very bad the drill ragged
and lacking in snap. A large percentage
of the men seem TO lack In intelligence;
they are ratified by an inspection, which
they look upon with dread and awe. They
take good care Of the State property. but
their clothing is old. worn and very much
sOiled. They are by no means an orna-
mcnt 10 the volunteers. and when the
question Is asked. "On what occasions
would these men be called into actual SER
vice." IL IS difficult TO answer. for ii Is
hard TO conceive circumstances under
which they could be useful.
The peculiar circumstances or this class
Of the citizen sOldiery. their want OF edu-
cation. pecuniary inability and the lack or
assistance in the way or contributing
members, etc. can but enlist the sym
pathy Of all who feel an interest In the
service; and their willingness. even anX-
iety. TO serve the State IN the face Of 50
many obstacles that would dampen the
ardOr Of many men. must be admired.
They must however be measured by the
same rules and regulations by which the
other volunteers are measured. and UNI
less they can within a reasonable time
improve their condition &c seems TO be
inevitable that they must give way to
those who can maintain and raise the
standard.
The same remarks apply 70 the three
companies Of the Second Battalion I'm
Petersburg. They are IN all respects like
tho three companies In Richmond. Such.
however. Is not true OF the other two
companies Of this battalion IN Norfolk.
These two companies. after being for
some years not I'm good shape. have stead
ily improved for the last three years un-
al now they present very creditabe and
satisfactory appearance. and give evil
dence OF efficiency
In conclusion. respectfully suggest
that in order 10 have a somewhat uni
form distribution of forces In the differ
ent parts Of the State. AZ least three com
panies should be organized I'm the South
west-one III the Northern Neck and one
on the Eastern Shore
! have the honor 10 be. very respectfully, |
Your obedient servant.
10 LANE STERN.