Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-05-19

Sioux Falls. S. D., Special. May 15.-Col.
Grisby, commanding the Third regiment
OF cowboy cavalry. received notice from
the war department that a. S. Floyd of
Helena, Mont, has been appointed lieu
tenant colonel or his regiment. Floyd is
a West Point graduate. Col. Grigsby has
appointed p. b. Stewart of Pierre major
or the Second squadron, and Leigh III.
French of Washington major of the First
squadron. TIL departure of the Third
regiment for the South has been delayed
because of the n~on-approval of the army
surgeon, who is TO make the physical ex-
aminations of the men.
The money with which Gov. Lee Is pro-
yiding food and temporary supplies for
the state troops was provided by the
bankers of Sioux Falls, and is received
ana placed in the state treasury as a side
war fund. and is being paid out on spe-
cial vouchers, under the approval of the
state auditor. who is here passing upon
the accounts. This temporary loan will
be refunded by the United States govern
ment.
notwithstanding that South Dakota has
already given more than her quota OF
troops under the call for liz. 900 men, it
is believed that the United States muster
Ing officer will be retained here in antici-
patton of a second call. Enough volun-
teers nave offered their services to re-
cruit hVe more regiments, and many mill
tary g organizations are being formed
the state in anticipation OF
such a call. The mastering officer recon-
mends that In future organizations no
men be received who are not qualified for
ADMISSION to the service under the army
regulations. He recommends that a thor
ough physical examination be given each
man before accepting him i'm the com
pany. Had this been lone before. the
work OF mastering in would not nave
been so difficult. and so many disappoint-
ments would not lave occurred.
The Percentage of Reflections.
In the state troops was about 81. but a
great deal depended uron the physician
Who examined the men. Some of the
physicians were very strict. while Others
seemed not TO care very much who were
received. That there was some politics
IN Ii cannot be denied. yet the roster
shows that the officers are all RepubIi-
cans. with few exceptions. In fact 90
per cent of the state troops are Republt-
cans. One thing has been clea rly, demon
strated in the recruiting ani care of the
soldiers. The regular army officer is no
better qualified to govern than some OF
the militia officers. 1T was said during
the civil war that a regiment or COM
pany that was commanded by regular
army officers was never noted for it's bril-
liEnt work, while some os the most dar-
ing feats of the war we're performed nv
that We're commanded by civil
iais $. Every mar in the state troops is
anxious for promotion, and if their COM
nanding officer WI be as daring as his
s~uboIdinates. some coed records will be
made. Col. Frost. however. is very pop
ular with all officers and men. and ap-
pears to be an exception from the rule
during the Civil war. He is a man from
The ranks, and this is very pleasing to
his regiment.
The regimen of cavalry now going to
the front, that was recruited by Col
GriSsby, is perhaps the best organization
or physical manhood hat ever went IN
tEelr countryS defense in the United
states. RMS Is not n dude regiment. as
ire First and Second regiments are
known to be, but is composed of genuine
cowboys and range riders. who can lasso
airy animal that walks. They are Indian
nghters and Dlainsmen Who have spent
the greater part of their lives In the
saddle. with scarcely any companions hut
treir rifle and their horses. One com
pany that has been organized six years,
mas seen a great deal of service. 1t was
recruited at Milford, Neb.. and was mus
tered In as a solid company with its old
officers in command. Every officer from
the ccleIel commanding, to the corporals.
are expert horsemen and rifle shots and
II they do not distinguish themselves In
battle it Will be because there are no
battles fought.