The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
THE CITIZEN ARMY.
Condition of the Militia Force
Throughout the Union.

Washington, April 4.-The military in
formation division of the war department
has in preparation publication giving a
great mass of Information concerning the
militia OF the different states and terri
tories, based upon returns for 1897. 1t is
of particular interest at this time in view
of the possibility of this reserve army be-
ing called upon for active military duty.
For the sake of ready reference there has
peen prepared a succinct summary show
ing the more important features of the
operations OF the guard Among the facts
The total authorized strength is 1874 Alb
more than the organized strength. Okla
home has the smallest force, 500, and New
York the largest.
There are regularly organized state hos
Plt aI-i or ambulance corps in California,
ehusetts, minnesota, New Hampshire,
Island Utah VeTmon and the dstrdt of
Columbia. Many of these states have
very complete and efficient regimentaI
hospital and ambulance corps. Signal
corps are reported as organized in a num-
Der of states Official state encampments
of instruction were held in 81 states dur
ing 1897.
The duration of the encampment varied
the District of Columbia, six days being
the average. Regular troops encamped
with state troops in Alabama, California,
Kansas. Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee
Ce1as AND Esrmont SeDentsen states J
sachusetts. Minnesota, Montana. New
hampshire, New York, North Dakota,
ONO, RnOde Island, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont and Wisconsin are reported as
owning their camp grounds
&C Guard duty was performed in manner
far from satisfactory. There was a
marked increase in the amount of outpost
duty. Target practice was held in "a
nit the existence of independent com
mands, the tendency is more to discour-
age their support or organization, partic-
ularly in the near vicinity of the home
stations of the guard, for the reason that
they absorb material that would other
wise find its way into the ranks of the
ing subject to the uniform administra-
ton and discipline of the regular state
forces, they cannot be counted on in an
emergency.
In the following states and territories
the guard was called on to aid the civil
authorities in maintaining the law: Gait
fornia, Colorado. Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio,
pennsylvania, Texas. Washington and
As to armament the conditions are: In
fantry-AH of the states except Delaware,
Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana and New York
Remington rifles are now being. exchang-
Ca a cavalry ti of ali the States
is armed with the Springfield carbine
gon, South Carolina and New Mexico. The
Illinois cavalry is reported same as in
g IS ase arf as via the part sabre 9f a tn9
revolver in addition to the carbine.
Artillery1 -: ThIrty-one out OF the ~ states
or more Calling guns. Many of the states
have the 80 inch B. L: rifles, but large
proportion of the artillery armament is
old and out of date The equipment in
1897, though in slightly better shape than
the year before is still far from complete
Considerable improvement was shown in
the care of the equipment. In almost all
practically n1.ae worthless. Most of the field
and staff officers in all the states down
their mounts.
There was a slight increase in 1897 in
the number of shelter tents. The tentage
is reported as ample for the entire guard
IN, Nnln ont Tlol1 arc ar
sas, Nebraska, New York, North Caro-
lima, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington,
Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
Weekly drills by company and field ex-
ercises were held in many states and 20
states report a regular course of instruc-
ton at the home stations during the win
ter months.