Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-13
OUR STATE TROOPS.
col. srrnN,s REPORT on THE ~
srrcrroS JUST CLOSED.
STEADY IMPROVEMENT is SHOWN.
More Companies Made 100 Per Cent.
Than Ever nefore--Weak Places In
The seryicc-wbere a Few Compn-
mics Are Ncedcd-Commcnt.

Colonel Jo Lane Stern. Assistant In
spcctor-Gencrai OF Virginia Volunteers,
has submitted to AdJdtant-General An
derson his report on the annual inspec-
ton and muster OF the State troops,
which was completed October 20. The re-
port. which is accompanied by the usual
muster rolls OF the several commands,
With tabulated statement showing
numbers present and absent with per-
centage OF attendance at inspection. says:
II is gratifying TO be able TO report that
the percentage present this year, SIS. is
larger than IT was last year. and as here
tofore reported has continually increased
from 1884. the year this Office was estab-
lshed and the first inspections made.
The entire force consists of 227 officers
and 2,5lS men. comprising forty-six COM
panies Of Infantry two troops Of cavalry,
and three batteries Of artillery. OF the
infantry eight companies are colored.
The force is nineteen officers and three
men less than at last inspection. which is
accounted for by the dlsbandment of the
First Regiment OF Cavalry
This report does not include Company
II. Second Regiment, at Salem. nor Com
pany a, Third Regiment. at Danville.
for reasons given in special reports here
tofore made. and. with these two COM
panies added the total strength of the
force would be about 2,SS5, an Increase
over last year.
MADE 100 PER CENT.
The following companies made 100 per
cent. present at Inspections
Company l., First Regiment Infantry, |
Richmond.
Company +, First Regiment Infantry |
Richmond.
Company E Second Regiment Infantry, |
Lynchburg.
Company i. Third Regiment Infantry, |
Lynchburg.
Company X. Third Regiment Infantry. |
Fredericksburg.
Company A, Fourth Regiment Infantry, |
Norfolk.
Company 3, Fourth Regiment Infantry, |
Norfolk.
Company A, Fourth CBlues) Battalion |
Infantry, Richmond.
Battery A, First Battalion Artillery,
Richmond.
Battery b. First Battalion Artillery,
Norfolk.
Company z, Second Battalion Infantry
lcolored), Norfolk.
This is a considerable increase in the
number of companies having 100 per
cent. and is conclusive evidence that the
commandants of companies are giving
their attention to the matter of dis
or dropping useless men from
their rolls, and If the example were fol-
loved by other captains much good |
would result therefrom.
. CEN'I,D Al TCNnTTTnN TNfDDOyrIc
The general condition of the volun-
teers continues TO improve. Officers are
better informed year by year. Few tacti-
cal errors are made now in the ceremo- |
MES of inspection and muster. and in |
the limited opportunities for judging of
the drill evidences Of the Improvement
on the part of both officers and men
are apparent.
The quantity Of clothing issued is not
SUFFICIENT TO meet the wants of the SER
vice. and whereas all uniforms were
furnished BY the men before the allow
ance OF quartermaster's stores was pro-
vi6ed for by the General Government,
II is very rarely the case now that a
spends any money for that pur
pose. The quantity issued not being
enough old and untidy uniforms are
kept and used. not only initiating very
much against the appearance Of the men,
but even dssatisfying them and. to a
great extent diminishing their pride in
the organization TO which they belong.
In some cases this has led &c an indlf-
ference on the part Of the men, and they
are not as diigent In the performance of
their duties as they probably would be
under different circumstances. This dis
with the clothing and the
unattractiveness of the uniform nave. in
Hon ttast .tnl1x
RESULT OF THE AN