The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-26
RESENTMENT OF INFANTRY
That II Montana's Quota in the
Call for Troops.
A CHANGE MAY BE MADE
Governor Smith Receives Offers From
An Over the State - Wa En-
thusiasm Is at a Fever
Heat.


Dpecial Dispatch TO the STANDARD.
Helena. April 25.-The day al the
executive ONCE ia been one of expect
ancy waiting for the call from the pres
ident for Montans's quota of volun-
teers for the Hispano-American war.
There were some offers OF service re-
ceived and the usual inquiries respect
ing what this state is to do in the mat
ter Of responding to the call. but these
were overshadowed by conjectures on
the part of callers and others as to
what Montana is expected to furnish.
When the governor left the Office at 5
O'Clock no word had been received from
Washington, although the press dis
patches announced that the war depart
ment's call had been issued. As the call
and Instructions to Governor smith
will be long in The numbe of words, II
IL supposed that this will not be sent
until tonight, and no; given out until
Tomorrow morning.
The press dispatches account OF the
call giving Montana's quota as one reg
iment of infantry, was the most sur
prising piece of news at the capitol to-
day. In view of the kilograms from
Montana's senators and other advices.
il was believed that this states quota
would be cavalry. The news is hardly
credited. II is believed that there was
an error in the message. which Will be
rectified. One regiment would be about
twice the number of men that IL has
been announced from Washington that
his state would be expected to furnish.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon a tele-
gram was received here from Senator
Carter announcing that he believed that
Montana's quota would be five troops
Of cavalry as previously announced.
and that Battery A, Light artillery. OF
this city. would also be called upon.
The governor received to-day an
application from william Ray of Ana
conda for permission to organize a
mounted battery of eight guns. The
Anaconda man said he could raise a
battery of experienced men in eight
hours. DIR. +. w. Wilson of Twin
Bridges asked permission to get up a
troop Of cavalry In his section. j. +.
Long Of Livingston. an honorably dis
charged United States army soldier.
who left the service at Fort Keogh at
the expiration OF his time is years age
volunteers his services. forwarding a
number OF credentials. o. ID. WickiZer
II Chinook, once a private in a Penn
sylvania company of artillery, desired
permission to organize a body of men
for the war. Since II was announced
that Lieutenant Wallace would be
made major of Montana's battalion he
has been showered with applications
for a chance to serve.
The official call from Secretary AL
ger for Montana's quota OF troops ar
rived tonight n to the disagreeable
surprise of many. Il confirmed the
press dispatch as To infantry instead of
cavalry being expected from this state.
IL Is as follows:
TO Gov. X. b. Smith. Helena. Mont.
The number OF troops from your state
under the call of the president. dated
April %. 1898. will be one regiment Of
infantry. IL is the wish of the president
that the regiments Of the national
guards or state militia shall be used
as far as their numbers will permit,
for the reason that they are armed,
equipped and drilled. Please wire as
early as possible what equipment
guns. ammunition. blankets. tents. etc.
you have. and what additional you
will require. Please also state when
the troops will be ready for muster i'm
the United States service. Details TO
follow by mail"
Another surprise Is the number of
men asked of this state in proportion To
the states population and as compared
with number asked from states posses
sing a far larger population. II is over
twice the number originally announced
as expected from this state. Governor
Smith is among the surprised ones to-
night, not so much on of the
change from cavalry to infantry, but
because OF the increase over the origi-
nal quota.
1T is out OF all proportions" he said.
but of course we can obtain the men
and will do so by recruiting up the 10
companies"
me present strength of the 10 com
panies of the Montana National Guard
IL understood to be somewhere between
$50 and 500 men. probably about IS,
men. II the new army regulations
require 100 men TO the company. as is