The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-01
GEoRGIA's MILITARY FORCES.
Capt. Oscar Browns Report TO the
War Department..

War Department..
Capt Oscar J. Brown, assistant adju-
tant general of Georsis in his report 70
the war department of the condition Of the
state troops. gives some facts ana figures
of interest to the military.
The report shows taat in time Of peace
the volunteer forces shall consist Of not
exceeding seventy-two companies of in
fantry, white and twenty companies Of
infantry, eolored; twenty-four troops Of
cavairy white, and one troop Of calvary,
colored; two batteries of artillery, white,
and one battery Of artillery. coloIcd; not
exceeding six machine sun Diatoons,
white; medical department, white; "a hos
pital and ambulance corps, white; and 10
each regiment OF Infantry and cavalry,
white, signal corps and a band OF music.
In case Of war, invasion, instruction, riot,
or imminent danger thereof the governor
shall have the power to increase the said
forces and organize the same, as the ext
gencies of the occasion may demand.
The authorized strength Of the state
troops is fixed by Jaw as follows, the
white troops being known as Georgia Vol
unteers, and the colored coored troops be-
ing known as the Georgia Volunteers,
colored
Georgia Misunderstanding, 294 off,
GERS; 6,552 enlisted men; total, 6,Sl6 Cav
airy, IS officers; 2.1Si enlisted men; total,
6.2S2. Artillery, officers; IT'S enlisted
men; total. 1856. Machine gun batteries.
Is officers; 534 enlisted men; total, 552 Gem
eral staff, II officers; no enlisted men; 90
tai, II. Signal corps, officers; 3H IN
listed men; total, 35l. Medical depart
ment, p officers; no enlisted men: total,
q. Hospital and ambulance corps, no
officers; IS enlisted men; total, IS. Total
white troops allowed by law, 463 officers;
q Oi0 mon. fOfal N 979 The total Of Cteor-
gia Volunteers. colored, allowed by law, 10
81 officers, 1873 enlisted men, and a tosal
of 2O72. The grand total of all the troops,
both white and colored as allowed by
law, are 557 officers, ll,7SS enlisted mes,
l2.345.
The organized troops are considerably
below what is authorized by law, and IS
as follows: Georgia Volunteers. 81 Off
GERS 1872 enlisted men; total of white
troops, 8,3l9.
Georgia Volunteers colored, as at pres
ent organized, So officers, 1,l3S enlisted
men; total of all coored troops in state,
LOO. The total of all the troops. both
white and colOred, now enlisted in the
state, are 4S9 officers, Ais enlisted men;
total, 1855.
Capt. Brown speaks of the encampment
held last year at Griffin and of the work
done there. From the beginning" he says,
there was activity and interest displayed
by the officers and men in these drills,
and there was decided progress up to the
end of the encampment Hard, honest
work was the rule, and the results of the
encampment were as satisfactory as could
have been hoped1 for for the limited time
allowed for it,
Speaking of the personnel of the troops
the report says: 1.-THE personnel of the
Georgia Volunteers is all that could be
desired in making up a conservative, in
telligent and strong military force. It's
members are representatives of all profess
sions and employments in the state. There
are few organizations where applicants for
admission are not subjected to close scru-
tiny as to character and habits.
discipline is generally good, where 1t
seems to be lacking in minor details 1T
can easily be corrected by officers taking
the proper action. The men show desire
10 conform TO all regulations, and when
they do not it is usually for lack of proper
instruction.
The recommendations made in the state
ment are as follows:
For the state authorities.
i. That an appropriation be made suf-
ficient to put all the troops in camp for at
least seven days every year.
-. That an appropriation be made suf-
ficient to provide each enlisted man with
an overcoat and blanket and one fatigue
suit, consisting of blouse, trousers and
cap
nat al APPROPRIATION ne Hldut SUI
ficient TO equip each regiment and indie
pendent battalion with a medical chest
properly fitted out with medical supplies,
and for the purchase of limited number
of stretchers.
-. That an appropriation be made for
armory rent, allowing each company
troop and battalion not less than $3.50 per
year for this purpose.
IS. That sufficient clerical force be al
lowed the adjutant generals office to
properly keep up the business of the Of
fee.
&c. That the period of enlistment be
changed from one to two years.
u. That funds be appropriated sufii-
Client TO equip properly the two signal
corps now organized with the necessary
signal equipment.
For the general government.
Il. That the appropriation for the
states be materially increased and to not
less than 100000.
20. That the states be authorized to ex-
change all unserviceable arms and equip
ments for new and serviceable ones.
20. That the laws relating to the kinds
of property issued to the states under the
present allotment be amended to include
medical stores and property and signal
property.
"Remarks-The Georgia volunteers are
generally speaking in good condition, so
far as instruction and discipline are con-
cerned. The larger number are well arm
ed and equipped, though some of the
arms are very old and worn. With a
small outlay of money for overcoats,
blankets and certain articles Of camp
equippage, they could soon be put in con-
dition for active service. but notwith-
standing the lack of these. itl is believed
that In an emergency at least, so per
cent. could be turned out.
'''rhe expenses of keeping up the mill
tary establishment falls mainly on it's
members, the state so far has provided
no uniforms nor made .any provision for
the various incidental expenses connect
ed with the keeping up Of military or
ganization.