Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-20

shilling beyond the ordinary DAY pay
1t will be an odd sight to the Lon
doner and one equally strange to tho
foreigner accustomed to London sights
and crowds TO see the Indian contin-
gent lined up on the day OF tho process
sion. To most Of US the Tommy Atkins
OF the Indian empire has been the crea-
ture of the novelist. We have uncon-
sclously associated him with memories
OF the Sepoy rebellion, and the thought
of the Indian soldier has brought to
mind the siege OF Lucknow and all its
attendant horrors. How little. then.
were we prepared for the calm, dignified
and very clearly appearing dark-skln-
ned men who, 10000 In number, repre-
sent that adjunct Of the British army
known as the Imperial Service troops?
Sold!erly. every inch OF them. In most
instances their fathers and their ia
theirs fathers were soldiers. There Is
something more than simple military
training in the appearance OF these men.
II Is not the work OF the drill-master,
indefatigable though he may be. 1t Is
heredity, far moro powerful factor.
The troops will unquestionably form
most striking feature Of the Royal pro-
cesslon June 22d. There will be no finer
appearing body Of men I'm the whole
contingent that presents arms when the
Empress OF India drives down the line.
They are commanded by the represen-
tatives Of the great native States OF
India, who are known as the Guard OF
Honor They consist Of the cavalry
commanders of the Imperial Service
troops. In most cases relatives Of native
princes. The arrival OF these represen-
tatives In London shows the happy solu-
ton of serious problem.
Up to 10 years ago the native State
taH Of tar Of H..
disciplined. badly-paid, Disseminated men,
some $4,000 in number. a source OF danger
TO their rulers and TO the Imperial Govern
ment. Changing this order OF things was
such a Herculean task that for years
the Government Of India shrank from II.
Viceroy after Viceroy, with his advisers,
evaded the question. and looked on any
attempt TO reform the existing order or
things as well-nigh impossible. But In
the year OF her Maiesty's jubilee, 1887
the native Princes Of India came for
ward with offers to mark that suspicious
time by preparing troops for tho defence
OF Imperial India. Lord Dufferin and his
advisers were prompt 10 seize the cp-
portunity. and were resolved TO make an
attempt to utilize the resources of the
native States to our advantage, though
at the time absolute failure was almost
universally predicted.
The Imperial Service troops, maintained
by the native Princes Of India for the de-
fence OF the empirey which have taken
the place of the old and effete native
State armies. are a magnificent body OF
men, the subjects OF their own rulers,
who maintain them in an excellent state
OF efficiency and discipline. These troops
are Differed by the mobiles OF the country,
end are under the guidance OF q British
Inspector General-Colonel ". Melliss,
who was given free hand with the pro-
tect of reforming the Indian army. at Its
inception in lss7-and a small staff or
supervising officers.
The new troops number 10000 thorough
ly equipped men, with fun transport IA
cllities and all possible details for rapid
mobilization. They can take the field at
twenty-four hours notice. IL required.
Two OF the mountain batteries have al
ready made their name in history in the
Chitral expedition. There are besides Is
sQuadrons OF Lancers, 10 battalions OF In
fantry, compapies OF sappers. camel
corps, and 2 large transport companies.
The native Princes In person command
the troops when on parade in India.
The commanders OF the Imperial Ser
vice troops, who Will appear in the Dia-
mond Jubilee procession, represent the
following IS States: Kashmir, Patia!a,
Jhind. Nabha. Bahawalpur, Kapurthalia,
Ullwur. Jodhpur. Bhurtpur, Bikanir. Jey-
pur, Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal. Rampur.
Mysore. Bhavnagar, and Hyderabad.
The following is a list OF the names,
rank. and commands OF the officers:
Kashmr-Reseldar sunayat Singh. a
near relation to his Hghness. tho Maha-
rajah. "a mir dogra by caste.)
Patiala-Commandant Nand Singh. or
tbs Patiala Imperial Service Lancers.
(Sikh) A Sirdar of the State.
Jhind-Reseldar Didar Singh, command
ing Jindh Imperial Service Squadron.
(Sikh.) A Sirdar OF the State.
Nabha-Rese.dar Kishan Singh, COM
mandant Nabha Imperial Service Squad
ron. sirdar OF the State (Sikh).
Observation-Disclosures Abdul Maid
Khan (Mohammedan.) Squadron leader.
Kapurthalla-Jemadar Hara Sindn
CSikh), OF the highest family in Kapur-
ITALIA.
Ullwur-Commandan Daud Khan, Of the
Imperial Service Lancers CMohammedan)
SIdar.
Jodhpur-Laeutenant-c Colonel Maharaj
Sir Pertab Singh. K rs. l.. A. d. G. to
the Prince Of Wales. Uncle Of the Ma
harajah.
Bhurtpur-commandant Chatru singh.
Of tina Imperial Service Lancsrs Rajpuu.
OF the clan OF Jats. '
Bikanir-Commandant Raj Bahadur
Thakur Dip Singh. Of the Camel Corps
(.ajpuD.
Jeypur-superi ending. Oflicer Raj Bs-
hadur Dhunpat Rat coumanding trans
port train (KhatrD.
owalior- Commsndapt Abdul oanny.
AK ~ ~ 411t ~