The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-24
MARYLAND's SoLDIERY.
The Militia of That State Is Well
Equipped and Drilled.

Should war be declared between the
| United States and Spain, what could
Maryland do TO forward the cause of the
Stars and Stripes? How important a part
| could she play in the bloody drama? Is
her present equipment such as to provide
herself with an immediate defense at
home, and. at the same time, furnish the
country In general with needed sinews
of aggressive action? Is her military or
ganization sufficient to meet the perilous
demands of some early emergency? In
short, can Maryland disclose a credtable
showing in case of a crisis so dark and
dangerous?
Happily, Maryland has not consumed
the days of peace in an utter disregard
of the possibilities of war. During the in
term of absolute quiet her soil has been
the training school for splendid militia.
The time has been properly employed in
the persistent molding of a Maryland
soldiery whose reputation ranks second
to none in the United States. There are
three regiments within her territory thor
oughly instructed in the tactics of mill
tary maneuvering, formed of men with
courageous hearts and stalwart bodies,
and animated with an ardent yet con-
trolled patriotism, such as would move
them into deeds of the most glorious
yalor.
The Maryland militia presents itself as
a solid and reliable nucleus, about which
can collect and develop powerful Mary
land army. According to the statistics of
1899. there are in that State 2D5.S men
subject to military draft; but while from
such a mass of raw recruits there is be-
ing culled and drilled the actual fighting
force, the Maryland militia would have
imposed upon 1t the full burden of local
responsibility during the wars incipiency.
In the State there are 1913 men organized
under sound military discipline They
constitute the Maryland National Guard.
This number is composed of the First
Regiment. Fourth Regiment. Fifth Regi-
ment, First Naval Battalion, and one
company of colored soldiers. The total
number is divided as follows: Command
er-in-chief and aides, q; general staff Off
GERS, i; brigade commander and staff, 9;
First Regiment. 3i9: Fourth Regiment
6lS; Fifth Regiment, go: First Naval
brigade. 200; company colored soldiers
D. There are 1853 belonging to the Fifth
Regiment Veteran Corps. OF these the
two regiments located in Baltimore are
best equipped and are most thoroughly
trained in military tactics. The First
regiment is, however. in splendid con-
dition of efficiency. They are all equip
ped with Springfield rifles. The ammuni-
ton, under Government control, is so
stored that ten rounds per man can be
provided within amazingly brief pc
Rod. The Inspector general. in his last
report concerning the regiments. COM
mented in most laudatory terms upon
their soldiery bearing. their experiences
I'm drill. their orderly discipline. and the
marked standard of intelligence which
peryaded the ranks. The inspector gen
eral is among the list of the nations reg
ular army men.
These regiments are not only Well drill
ed i'm the intricacies of maneuVering but
they are thoroughly practiced ia the skill
of effective craftsmanship.