Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-03
THE COWBOYS READY
THE PRESIDENT WILL REMEMBER
THEM III THEY ARE NEEDED.
JUDGE TOaREY has 4 HOVEL SCHEME
To Utilize These Denixens of the
Plains-Governor of Wyoming AM
proves the Idca--something About
Their Modus OperandL

written by Judge Jay L. Torrey)
At the beginning OF the last war the
Zouave regiments, which wore first orga-
nized. were received with great popular
enthusiasm and did much TO arouse the
martial spirit. Now, that war with Spain
seems imminent. the military enthusiasm
seems likely to be aroused for quite
different kind OF organization, and yet
one which bids fair to bs equally pic
turesque. 1 refer 10 my voluntary
offer to organize a regiment OF cowboys
for service against the Spaniards. was
presented by Senator Warren. OF Wyom-
ing, the other day. TO the President, and
asked authority TO Immediately organize
twelve troops OF cowboys, urging their
known loyalty and admitted bravery as
a reason why they should be called into
service. and referred 10 them as hardy
men. perfect horsemen. and able to cope
with all difficulties and competen. TO
provide for themselves under all circum-
stances. The President expressed his
thanks, and without making any pro-
misses, assured both Senator Warren and
myself that I'm any case OF necessity. tho
cowboys should be remembered.
We also called upon General Nelson A.
Miles. commanding the army. and can
vassed the situation and considered at
length the subject Of the organization
OF the cowboy rangers. Upon the subject,
General Miles said: THE services Of
such a regiment would prove invaluabls
to the government The cowboys are
able, in a pre-smnent degree, TO take
care of themselves. They are always at
home and know where they are; even
blizzard Is unavaiing 10 lose one OF them.
They are the best horsemen IN the world
and do not know what fear Is
THE GOVERNOR APPROVES.
In reply TO the inquiry as TO what
might be done in preliminary way 10.
wards getting ready. he said: PICK out
your subordinate officers and find out
where your men are In the event they
are required"
telegraphed Governor Richards, OF
Wyoming, asking II he would approve the
organization OF a regiment OF COWBOY
rangers. and the Governor answered thar
he would.
1t is not proposed by the organization
OF the new regiment, TO interfere In any
way with the wyoming militia for actual
organize the additional regiment so thas
there may be a distinct cowboy organiza-
ton FOR mounted service wherever needed.
IL it transpirss that special legislation
Is needle In order to provide for the de-
sired regiment, j have no doubt IL VIII
be passed with tho same unanimity as
the appropriation for So.Ooo0oO.
As 10 the probable effect of such legisla-
ton. II will. no doubt. provide for
the election OF the troop officers by the
men. They are all men OF independent
characters, and would not consent TO be
commanded by officers other than those
OF their own choice. Tho field officers
should be chosen by the troop officers. In
this way every officer would be the choice
OF the men, and IN consequence, would be
much nearer to them than they would DO
II appointed.
The usual newspaper cowboy is quite
different from the real article. when
rowdy puts on spurs and acts In dis
graceful way he is sometimes improperly
heralded in the newspapers as a "nad
cowboy" In this way wrong impress
sion is given out OF the true character
Of the genuine cowboy. AS class, they
are fearless. adventurous, absolutely
truthful, and always reliable. never
have known class OF men who can be
so thoroughly relied upon. When II Is
time to have fun they have 1t; but when
the time for business arrives they attend
to It thoroughly and well.
A DISTINCT UNIFORM.
Concerning tho uniforms and equip
ments Of tho men, the plan Is TO have a
distinct uniform, which will be both ser
viceable and ornamental and Characters
tic OF them They are men OF taste and
appreciate good clothes. In my Judgment
their equipment--that is, saddles, brides,
etc.-are the best that the world has
ever seen, and have no doubt but thar
they will be permitted TO retain them.
As TO arms. | shall endeavor 10 avoid
everything that is useless. except for or
nament, including sabres. and have the
men furnished, IL possible, each with a
couple Of six-shooters and long-rangs
rife. In close quarters they can guide
their horses with their knees and handle
a slx-shooter In each. hand. In this way
they would be more effective than II they
were required TO use a sabre.
As 10 the time needed TO get organized,
1 have already communicated with GOOD.
true men in all parts OF Wyoming, ana
they are busy, in a quiet way, getting tho
names OF the boys and making ready go
as 10 respond Immediately, II occasion
shall require.
Regarding the horses likely 10 DC useu'
they would, OF course, be native Wyom-
ing horses. our boys would not ride
We have, j believe, tho
best horses on earth. Last year deputy
sheriff summoned an outfit or our boys
To 60 with him as posse; they rode
grass-fed, bare-footed horses, and COW
cred thirty miles In hour and 30 minutes.
The would pro TO be ideal nghters.
Thy have all had experience on Tho
frontier. and first and last, most OF them
have had experience in charging and re-
treating under difficult circumstances.
and know all about Indian fghting. III
the method OF warfare OF the Spaniards
I'm Cuba Is a fair sample OF their fighting
capabilities they would be able TO secure
a liberal education by facing our boys.