The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
MILITIA READY FOR WAR
ARRANGEMENTS FOR TROOPS TO
MARCH AT SHORT NOTICE.
f. G. Darlington Appointed Master of
TranspOrtatiOn-Site in View for
an Encampment Here.

A
So thorough have been the preparations
for war that in twenty-four hours the en-
tire Indiana National Guard could be mo-
bilized and in camp here. Yesterday Gov
ernor Mount took the final step necessary
to mobilize the troops at short notice when
he appointed Frank G. Darlington to be
master Of transportation on his staff, with
the rank Of colonel. Heretofore blanks
had been sent to the captains of the vari-
Gus companies for application to be made
for transportation in case Of emergency,
but all this is unnecessary now, as tele-
graph orders from Colonel Darlington would
start the troops toward Indianapolis on the
quick step. Very careful arrangements
have been made to have the troops ready to
march at short notice, SO that after receiv-
ing telegraph orders the commanders of the
various companies could be ready to take
the next trains to Indianapolis.
Here everything. is in readiness for their
reception. Quartermaster General Richard
son has had charge of the local end of the
work, and in five hours after receiving or
ders could have his camp ready for occu-
pancy. 1t is known that a site for the
camp has been selected, so thorough has
been the quartermaster generals prepare
lions for active hostilities. He knows just
where he could lay his hands on the neces-
sary army stores, and in one days time
would be ready to deal out rations for the
entire National Guard, with it's three thou
sand men.
At the Governors Office it was said yes
terday afternoon that nothing had been
heard here of orders from Washington for
the militia of the various States to pre-
pare to march to the seaboard by the middle
of next week. While it is claimed off,
cial information has been received from
Washington to the effect that a call for
troops might be made any day. the State
officials are all on the qui vive and every
step has been taken. so that Indiana's forces
could get to the front at very short notice.
Orders have been sent to every company
commander in the State to recruit the COM
pany to it's full compliment, eghty-four
men. The recruiting has gone on rapidly
if quietly, and the State officials express
satisfaction with the result. 1t is said that
things could not we'll be better than they
are. While it has not been generally known,
arms, wagons, uniforms, blankets, tents
and other equipments have been bought, SO
that the entire National Guard would.
start out as fresh and bright if just
from a handbook. Stored in the basement
of the Statehouse are new army wagons,
ambulanceS, field and hospital equipments,
including operating tables medicine chests
and things Of that sort costing several thou
sand dollars, that have been received lately;
Quartermaster General Richardson has had
a large number of men under him at work
getting ready for nbusiness." 1t is said that
the new equipment was purchased last
summer when there was no thought of the
present emergency and that everything that
has been done would have been done in any
event, but it is not denied that the war
furry of the last three or four weeks has
FASTENED developments. Among other
things three thousand new blankets are
In the last few weeks Governor Mount
men to organize companies Some of the
men are prominent If il We're necessary
to receive volunteers for service, commits
sions would at once be issued to, captains
and they would proceed to form their COM
palies. Most of these men say that they
could enlist companies in day, so that
be ready for active service One thing has
beel noticed in this offer of service. Minor
officers in the United States arm, who
formerly resided in Indiana, have in many
cases, offered to resign from the United
States service and come home for the pur-
pose of organizing companies; 1t is supposed
with the idea that they would receive a
higher rank. 1t will be the policy, however,
to give home men the preference. Old sol
diers say that there is always more or less
friction when United States army officers
are placed III command of raw regiments.
The offers for service have been So num-
erous that a large amount has been ex-
pended for postage and kilograms IN reply.
Secretary Wilson yesterday said the office
expense account may become exhausted,
and It may be necessary to draw on the
military fund. The Legislature appropriates
$4O 900 and the United States $4,000 year
toward the maintenance of the National
Guard.
Indiana National Guard, was yesterday pro-
NOTED from sergeant major to adlutant,
with the rank of first lieutenant. Everett
f. Newly. elected second lieutenant of Com
pany l. Second Regiment. was issued
commission. He lives at Sheridan.
Although it is denied at the Statehouse
that any orders have been received from
Washington it was noticed yesterday that
affairs were more than usually active about
the adjutant generals office. 1t is reported
that in case the militia is sent to the front
the government will bear the expense OF
the war preparations that have been been made made
stationed here in charge of the Indiana Ma
tional Guard, has asked the government to
assign him for duty with the Indiana troops
in case of war.
ARTILLERY EQUIPMENT.
Among the subjects discussed by the
heads of the States war department yes
terday was the equipment of the two artil-
Iery companies attached to the militia, one
located at Fort Wayne and the other In
this city. The field pieces in possession of
these companies are obsolete and entirely
unfit for active service. In fact, as was
remarked by prominent member OF the
State militia, if an attempt We're made to
discharge one of these cannon, II would
probably work more ruin to those in the
rear than to the enemy.
The discussion resulted in decision TO
appeal to the War Department at Washing
ton to furnish suitable cannon OF the latest
pattern to properly equip the States artil-
lery companies If the government declines
to grant this request, as is likely TO be the
case an effort will be made to secure the
field pieces that are in possession OF the
military departments of certain colleges IN
the State. When fitted out with modern
COZ he arfiilarxr aO4nnauiPS Will be pre-
pared to perform valuable service, II called
into action, for they are acknowledged 10
be among the best drilled organizations of
their kind in the country. The Indianapolis
Light Artillery Company has attained con-
siderable fame by its success IN winning
first prizes IN competitive drills.