The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-19

The Numerical Strength of the
National Guard OF the State
of California.
Inspections Have Been Ord red-Some.
thing Some of the Retired Officers
Do Not Know.

The proba bilities are that there will not be
any opposition to regimental camps this year
and that the request for such will be granted
Major General James, who previous to the ap-
preparation for camps had been made by the
Legislature had declared himself in favor of
division camp, has recently changed his views
on the subject and is now favorable TO regi-
mental camps, yet still holding that at some
future time a division camp would prove of
great benefit to the guard.
The announcement in this department that
Colonel II. P. Bush (retired) had been named
as 5udge-advocate the division staff, vice
James F. Smith, elected colonel OF the First
Regiment, Second Brigade. created quite an
excitement among the members of the staff
There is antagonism 10 the colonel by reason
OF matters in the First Regiment Infantry
under the old organization, and it has been
carried into the new to the extent that should
the nomination Of Colonel Bush be confirmed
there will be number of vacancies on the
division STAFF, not that those who would re-
sign have any objection 10 the nominee as a
man, but they are opposed TO him for military
reasons.
There is, however, a probability that the
colonel Will not accept the position for the
reason that ii he did it would, while he held
the position, reduce him from the rank of
colonel to Northumberland A section OF the
code regulating the National Guard says: ga
retired officer when placed on duty will wear
the Uniform OF the organization to which he is
assigned i'll accordance with the position and
rank he may hold therein. When not placed
on outy ne may on proper occasions wear the
Uniform OF the organization in which he was
retired" Another section says that when an
officer on the retired list is detailed for active
duty he shall be entitled TO the rank which
belongs to the Office the duties of which he is
detailed TO perform.
There are several of the prominent officers in
the guard appointed from the retired list who
evidently are not aware OF the existence of
these sections of the code from the fact that
they wear the insignia they were entitled to at
the Time OF retirement, but which they are not
entitled 10 wear under the appointments they
now hold. A glance at the shoulder-straps by
some ore high in authority might result in a
change IN the insignia now worn by these off,
GERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Edwards ire
tired) has been named ordnance officer on the
stan OF Ma1or-General James with the rank of
Northumberland. The nominee has ac-
cepted, and he Will fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Lieu tenant -ColonelJ H. Mangels
which occurred on the 24th OF last January.
The new appolntee was captain and aid-de-
camp to the commander of the Second Brigad e
in 1888; in April, 1889, he was mai or and
quartermaster of the Second Brigade, and on
August ~, the same year, he was commits
stoned Northumberland and assistant adju-
tantgeneral Second Brigade, and he was re-
tired May "a, 1895.
Lieutenant Coione George R. Burdick. quar-.
termaster on the division staff, has on account
OF press OF business which prevents him from
deyoting the necessary time to the duties of
the Office, asked to be relieved from duty
Colonel Philip L. Bush, aid-de-
camp on the Governor staff, son of Colonel
81. p. Bush (retired) has been granted a GER
tifcate of exemption, having served seven
Yeas continuously in the National Guard.
He is the youngest officer who has received
such certificate, being but 81 years of age
In February, 1880, he was q member OF the
Cadet Company, First Infantry, Second Bri-
gade. In 1892 he was transferred to Com
pany ii, was promoted corporalsergeant a nd
in July, 1895, was battalion sergeant He
afterward became corporal, sergeant second
lieutenant and aptain of University of Cali
fornia Cadets, and on the 22d of February of
last year he was commissioned aid-de-camp
on Governor Budd's staff with the rank of
lieu colonel
In general orders No. 8 the strength of the
National Guard on the LIST of March is given
as follows: Commander in chief nd staff, 25
division staff, 10; three brigades and stats,
80; three signal corps SO; four troops cavalry,
26G; naval battalion, 341; First Infantry zap
proximately, Company II not yet reported),
1854; Second Infantry Approximately, Com
pany F not yet re orted), $50; Fifth Infantry,
56S; Sixth Infantry approximate ly, Com
panies G, and not yet reported), $40; Sew
enth Infantry, S03; total, 40S8. Cadet Com
pany, First Infantry, SO.
Largest membership-Signal Corps, First
Brigade. Al; cavalry, Troop C, II; naval bat
TALON, Third Division, 70; infantry, Company
F, Fifth Infantry, &c.