The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-20
TIVE Pesr csnpan,ss Of Militia.

To THE EDITOR OF THE sUS-slr: Last evening, out
OF curiosity, I dropped into the armory OF q west side
uptown regiment to witness q company drill 10 "a
nve or ak years since I have seen any OF the infantry
regiments Of the National Guard drill. with the ex.
ception Of one regiment. and I must say that what I
saw greatly surprised me.
There were two companies and . squad Of about
one dozen recruits on the floor drilling. The com.
pAnies were small. aud the r,ar rank In each had
about one-half the number II men composing the
front rank. the evident obJest being to give % largo
. company front as possible. Such an arrangement
IL not conducive to the best results. The men were
almost all untidy. and their uniforms wero ill.nttinE
and worn. Many Of them were unshAven.a and their
shoes were unpublished. Their drill was % ragEed
and bad a. to cause serious doubt a. to whether
the affair WAS not q buriesaue. When marching
whistled . two-step. which was audible thfouehouI,
the hall. No remembrance seemed to have been made
NO pretence was made 10 maintain the prop-r
cadence in marching. and the mon were habitualy
bad. ana the distances worse; the four were s,ras.
e ea,n s.d dhs sg PssSe ns %eI Is,n main.a'P Ss a., a. all spglss. and
ing. and skylarking OF the men in ranks when exc
euted by Hotn companies in a aissraeefal msnase.
and showed entire absence OF proper instruction in
and at each command several men would execute
in q slovenly manner . different order from that
standing at attention, and the men raised their hands
ct will 20 adjust caps and blorses or to rub faoes.
Ah' "tIo IlUCu D6Iy0
behaved and more attentive than the men In the
companies, and gave evidence OF a desire 70 acquire
some proficiency in and knowledge OF the drill. but
the example SET by the Others must certainly have q
bad eject on them There was no Instr given
by the onicer TO either company. They simply
drilled their commands In the manual of arms and
permitted a rest. Some marching would follow and
then another rest. Mistakes were not pointed out and
corrected. 1t WAS remarkable TO note the length OF
the rests given the men and the shortness OF the
spAsmodic periods OF drnl.
The men OF the - regiment. II they arc all in the
same state OF inefncisncyi In drill as the men OF the two
companies mentioned. can little AFFORD TO rest. Their
time should be fully occupied during d riIl period in
receiving Individual instruction in the school OF The
soldier. The Officers Of the best drilled regiment In
the State allow their men an average OF but three
rests OF three minutes each during the courre OF 4
highly Instructive and enicient drill.
A change should be made by the military author1.
ties In the discipline and instruction of some OF the
reainents, for no doubt the companies which drilled
At the regiment armory last evening are no worse
than many Others in the National Guard. The STATE
e1pends annually large sums for armorles and Inc
maintenance OF the National Guard. and IL does aeem
that better work should lie done by the personnel
Al this time. when the public is gre atty intprested
IN the state OF the National Guard. because Of possI.
BILE trouble with Spain, IL IL pertinent TO reyiew ia
enciency. trust you will see nj TO publish this let
ter, as IL may have a beneficial eject. This IA INV
only object In writing 10. Every citizen OF New Yori
should have the good Of The Nations Guard at hear
for. In an efficient condition. II IL capable OF render.
Ing proper service 10 the State and TO the nation
when called upon. ObsERyHa
FEB, Is,