The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-16
LULL BEFORE THE STORM
DAY Of COMPARATIVE QUIET IN
STATE MILITARY CIRCLES.
All Ready and Anxious to GO-Ques-
tion OF Grand Army and Span-
5sh Vcterans-tO-Be.

There was decided lull in military af-
fairs about the state Capitol yesterday.
Governor Mount went early i'll the morning
to his Montgomery county farm to look
after some of the spring work. He will
return to-day General Mckee and Captain
Curtis are in Washington, and there were
few visitors to the Statehouse- 1t is un-
derstood, however, that there is consider
able activity among the mihtamen of the
State. Acting under advice from General
Mckee, transmitted in the regular military
way through colonies and majors, the cap
tains of the various companies of the In
diana National Guard are getting their men
in fighting trim. The average militaman's
idea of a war outfit of clothing seems to be
strangely erroneous. Members of some of
the companies were surprised when in
formed that white shirt would be an
abomination in the sight of the colonels
and that patent leather shoes would be in
appropriate for the occasion The boys
have been instructed to mako a provisional
preparation, to serve until such time as
the general government shall issue supplies
of clothing. The outfit consists of coarse
shoes, underclothing and two or three blue
or black flannel shirts and the regulation
uniform and hat.
Information received from throughout the
State indicates that every company is ready
to go to the front and anxious that the
first call he for the entire brigade. Yes
terday commissions were issued to f. L.
Ginger and Jay Phillips as captain and sec
ond lieutenant Of Company b, Second Reg
iment, at Rochester Thursday night there
was an election in Company G, at Coving-
ton, and commissions will be issued for the
new officers to-day. This company also re-
cruited up to its full quota. 1t is under
stood at headquarters that there are now
few vacancies in the companies of the In
diana National Guard.
1t is not likely that the objection made
by some officers of the Indiana National
Guard will change the Governors plan of
organizing the first regiment TO go from
the four regiments of the Guard. There
would be objection made to any plan The
talk now that this plan would disrupt the
Guard Is not nearly so loud as 1t was when
it was believed single regiment would be
taken a whole. The argument in favor
of sending one regiment entire is that the
companies forming it have served together
Tor several years and become accustomed
to the officers and to the regiment. 1t is
said on the other hand, that the officers
of the regiment that would be chosen I'M
der this plan have changed, and that there
has been very little regimental drilling
practically none-and what there has been
has not been of a nature to be of any spe-
cial benefit The little experience gained
by the companies of the Second Regiment in
regimental drill is of no more value to
panies of the Second Regiment than with
other companies. 1t is not likely that the
plan outlined in the Journal last Tuesday
will be departed from to any great extent,
unless the call is for more than one regi-
ment or it seems probable that a further
call Will be made soon.