The record-union., 1898-03-17
The CALIFORNIA MILITIA.
ITS PRESENT CONDITION AND
EFFICIENCY.
Report Made by Capt. (. De L. Car
rington to the War De-
partme2t.

Following is the report Of Captain F.
de l.. Darlington, First Infantry. United
States army. to the Secretary Of War, on
the condition Of the y. q. c. in 1897:
SANITARY CORPS.
Since last report the Medical Depart
ment has been organized in accordance
with the Act Of 1897. The reorganiza-
tion of this corps has not been entirely
completed, but the high state Of eff
Cheney reached IN the recent encamp-
ments aUgurs wall for the future of this
department. The equipment is so ex-
CelIent in every respect, and, believe
almost entirely the product Of the skill
and ingenuity of the officers of the San
itary Corps that / will forward detailed
descriptions, plates, etc. as soon as re-
ceived from the Surgeon General, who
has promised them.
ENCAMPMENTS.
Encampments were held for the entire
guard during the year. Two of these
encampments were by regiment and two
by brigade Duration, eight days. State
does not own camp ground. l troop Of
the Fourth United States Cavalry en-
camped with Third Brigade. and Cap
tain L0ckett OF that troop had charge
OF instruction in cavalry, Of which there
were two State troops present. No other
regular troops in camp with the guard.
The troop located at san Francisco
uade q practice march from San Fran
cisco to Healdsburg gandreturn. I secured
the services Of a Cavalry Sergeant of the
regular army to accompany this troop.
AS ia the cncampments l am able to
report lhat they were ali much better
than I have ever before seen in the Cal
iforuia %atioraI Guard. There was less
of that boisternIsress so often seen in
National Guard encampments The dis
cipliue was good in ali, and excellent in
al least Two.
AIOBlIIZATION.
Points of coucentra tiOn for service in
the State san Francisco. Sacramento
and Los Angeles For service out of
State. San Francisco, Los Angeles and
san Diego Time required for concen-
tration IN State n hours; out of State,
> 10 10 days About 50 per cent. would
turn out for go days service.
EMERGENCY
The guard has been called out during
TIE year for emergency as a test OF its
ability to respond. Results We're in
most cases. quite satisfactory. A re-
from settlers Of Shasta County some
months since as to a threatened out
break of Indians in that locality. BY
order of the Governor of the State, pro
ceeded to the scene of supposed trouble,
with directions to make Investigations
and take such steps in the use Of troops
as I saw fit.
The reports proved to be greatly eXag-
gerated and no action was necessary
other than the precautionary measures
adopted by the Sheriff. In July the
Sheriff of COlusa County called for
troops to protect a prisoner against mob
violence. Two companies We're placed
at his disposal and responded promptly
and performed their duty in q very sat
is1actory manner. The Sheriff places
great value upon the support they gave
him
EQUIPMENTS.
No change since last report, except
that all troops have been equipped with
web cartridge belts.
HORSES.
Horses are generally hired from livery
stables. and effort is made to procure
the same horses for each drin. These
horses could, no doubt be purchased in
an emergency, but while they are good
enough for the few drills and parades
in the National Guard Cavalry here, are
generally unfit for field service.
Good horses are abundant IN Cali
fornia, and I believe large supply
could be secured III a very short time
entirely suitable for cavalry purposes
IN war One troop which IS located in a
small country town. in a farming dis
trict. have fairly good horses. many of
them owned by the individual members
CT the troop.
AMMUNITION.
The small arms ammunition, cali
Der -. is purchased from san Fran
cisco firms. 1t is gcod quality and very
similar to that manufactured by the
United States Government. For target
practice each regiment reloads. Each
company keeps on hand in its Armory
LEGO rounds.
CAMP AND GARRISON EQUIPAGE
Each company has in its Armory from
ten to thirteen wall tents, mostly of
private manufacture, and in good serF-
iceabie condition. These tents are some
what larger than the army wall tent,
and furnish ample covering fer the men.
A few companies have the army wall
tent.
The supply of army hospital tents
is ample for the present force. No shelter
tents owned by the State or in the
hands of the troops. All the companies
are now provided with field mess out
fits and Buzzacott ovens.
PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY.
Captain OF companies are required to
give bonds fer $1,000 and to render q
quarterly return Of property to the Ad-
utant-General Of the State. No prop
elty is dropped from returns except by
transfer, condemnation. etc. Regula-
tions are now strictly enforced.
SUBSISTENCE.
The Subsistence Department IS mop
erative except when troops are in camp
or called into active service. In these
cases rations are supplied through the
senior commissary officer, present, gem