The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
VIM. j. Mckee Will BE the Colonel
rion, the Lieutenant Colonel.
GOVERNORS PRESENT PLANS
COMPANIES TO BE SELECTED FROM
EACH REGIMENT IN STATE.
Governor VIII Ask Gen. Mckee to
Make Recommendations Mt WASH
inEtOn as to State Militia.

The officers of the First Indiana regiment
to take the field in a war with Spain, ac-
cording to the present plans of the gov
ernor. and providing none of the gentlemen
named below decline service, will be as fol-
lows:
Colonel-William j. Mckee, of Indianapo-
lis.
Lieutenant Colonel-George w. Gunder, of
Marion
Majors--George II, Pennington, of New
Albany: Harry h. Smith, % Indianapolis
George M. Studebaker, OF South Bend.
Surgeon-E. H. Silver of Fort Wayne.
,Chaplain-Rev G. A. Christensen, of In
dianapolis.
Mr.. Gunder is at present colonel of the
Fourth Regiment Mr.. Pennington of the
First and Mr.. Studebaker of the Third.
Rev Mr. Christensen is prepared to go to
the front at once; and, in fact, bid his con-
gregation, that of st. Paul's Church, a
tentative farewell the Sunday before Eas-
ter
THE GOVERNORS PLAN.
Governor Mount was informed last night
of the action of the House of Representa-
tives in passing the resolution which is
tantamount to a declaration of war He
said he was glad to hear that the final vote
was practically unanimous, as 1t would put
the American people before the world in
an attitude showing the Nations harmony
In such momentous action. The Governor
was inclined to think that the Foraker
resolution would not prevail in the Senate.
He thought the plan of the majority of the
House committee on foreign relations was
the safest. The Governor was asked to
give an outline of his plan for the organi-
cation of a regiment to be sent to the front,
now that is so imminent AS stated
in yesterdays Journal, Brigadier General
Mckee will be offered the colonelcy of this
regiment and will accept it in case but one
regiment is to be sent out. This announce
ment was authorized by the Governor last
night.
My plan. of course, depends whether
the government calls for but one regiment
of infantry whether it will call out more
than ONE said the Governor. II have
been inclined recently to think that a
requistion would be made for the entire
militia in the event of war. However, if
but one regiment is to go it will be made
up of companies from the four regiments
of the State and General Mckee will be
given the colonelcy. If the regiment is to
consist of twelve companies-this to depend
upon the decision of the War Department
three companies will come from each regi-
ment."
This is the plan which was outlined by
the Journal several days ago.
Colonies WILL DECIDE.
with one regiment only to go to
war continued the Governor, II intend
to call the different colonies together and
have them designate the companies which
shall go to make up this new regiment The
ranking colonel will be offered the lieuten-
ant colonelcy. 1 do not know who holds
this senior rank. The majorships will be
offered to other colonies. The Governor
has the selection of the surgeon for the
regiment. had application to-day,
but l shall select the ranking surgeon, and
/ suppose / shall select the chaplain &C.
cording to the same procedure. The
colonel in command will appoint the adju-
tant, sergeant major and quartermaster for
the regiment, understand. will not issue
call for troops till asked to do so by the
government. When the authorities at
Washington make the requistion the men
will be brought together at once
While it is announced from Washington
that the first call for troops from Indiana
will mean the enlistment of only one regi-
ment OF infantry, 1t is extremely probable
that in case of war other regiments will be
called for in due time, and there is ex-
pectation of the least difficulty of raising
army OF some size in the State. Every
tional Guard, with here and there an ex-
cepuon for cause, is anxious to go to war,
If war is to be. Besides there are thousands
of citizens who would we willing to go in
any capacity to battle for the Nations
honor. When it comes to differing any
brigades. regiments. battalions or COM
panies, there are legions of patriots waiting
Tor the summons. There are on file in the
Governors Office no less than five hundred
letters from citizens of the State asking for
commissions to raise regiments. commits
sions as captains and as quartermasters.
Two hundred and fifty physicians of Indi-
anxious To their country
regtmental surgeons, and have applied for
positions as such. Applications for women
TO go as nurses are on record by the hundred
and there is no end of preachers and theo-
logically-inclined persons who are willing
to administer to the spiritual needs of the
soldiers in the capacity of chaplains One
letter of application is from a veteran of
the war of the rebellion who lost leg at
Gettysburg. He wants to accept a position
as staff officer. Another patriot was for
merly a member of the Indiana National
Guard but the loss of a foot disqualified
him from the service. He now writes for
permission to raise company and become
its captain in order that he may go
mounted
ELECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS.
1t is beyond the ability of the Governors
office force to reply to all these letters.
They are placed on file for future refer
ence." Governor Mount said yesterday that
ii would not be his policy I'm case of call
for more than one regiment to commission
anybody to organize company. He said his
experience in the late war was that men
appointed arbitrarily to command a COM
pany were often distasteful to the men
forming the company, and the best results
were not always attained. He expects 10
allow the men composing a company to
choose their officers. He will receive the
results of such elections as recommended
tons, and Will commission officers after
they have been chosen by the men they
are 10 command. This will not prevent as
pirants from organizing companies but
they must receive the recommendation of
When il comes to field officers a similar
policy viii probably be followed, the officers
of the several companies which to form
a battalion being allowed to make recon-
mendationS for the appointment of their
major and adjutant.
Governor Mount spent the greater part
of the day yesterday talking over the war
situation with callers or I'm consultation
with members of his official staff regarding
the approaching crisis. During the day he
received telegram from Senator Fair
banks. follows:
The secretary of war will comply with
your request as soon as formal action is
taken here. There is 10 doubt now that
war Is near at hand"
The request of the Governor was for moF,>
nodern guns for the 1ndian polls Light Ar
tillery. The formal action" referred to by
Senator Fairbanks is the declaration of war
or the adoption by Congress of some bellig-
erent resolution. The fact that Senator
Fairbanks believes that war is CLOSE At
hand" settles all doubt in the minds of the
of the present situation" Senator Fair
hanks has all alOnu hpPfl aiming MS t.nn aarxy-