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

Sioux Falls, S. D., Special, May l5.-CoL.
Grisby. commanding the Third regiment
or cowboy cavalry, received notice from
the war department that A. S. Floyd of
Helena, Mont. has been appointed lieu
tenant colonel of his regiment. Floyd is
a West Point graduate. Col. Grigsby has
appointed p. b.. Stewart Of Pierre major
OF the Second squadron. and Leigh II.
French of Washington major OF the First
squadron. The departure OF the Third
regiment for the South has been delayed
because of the non-approval of the army
surgeon, who is to make the physical ex-
aminations of the men.
The money with which Gov. Lee is pro-
viding food and temporary supplies for
the state troops was provided by the
bankers of Sioux Falls. and Is received
and 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 10, 600 men. it
is believed that the United States muster
Ing officer will be retained here in antici-
patton of a second call. Enough yolun-
teers have offered their services to re-
cruit hve more regiments, and many mill
tary organizations are being formed
Throughout the state i'm 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
ouSh physical examination be given each
man before accepting him In the COM
pany. Had this been lone before. the
work OF mastering in would not have
been so difficult. and so many %disappoint-
ments would not have occurred.
The Percentage of Reflections.
in the state troops was about -. but a
great deal depended upon 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 Republi-
cans. with few exceptions. In fact. 90
per cent of the state troops are RepubIi-
cans. One thing has been clearly, demon
strated in the recruiting ana 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 its bril-
liant work, while some o. the most dar-
ing teats OF the war were performed by
regiments that were commanded by civil
lei S. Every man in the state troops is
anxious for promotion, and if their com
handing officer W II be as daring as his
suboTdinates, some coed records will be
made. Col. Frost, however, is very pop
ular with all officers and men. and APP
pears to be al exception from the rule
during the Civil war. He is a man from
the ranks. and this is very pleasing 10
his regiment.
The regiment of cavalry now going Ia
the front. that was recruited bv Col
GriSsby, is perhaps the best organization
or physical manhood hat ever went ia
their country's defense I'm the United
states. This Is not n dude regiment. as
the 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
fighters and plainsmen who have spent
the greater part OF their lives in the
saddle, with scarcely any companions but
tfeir rifle and their horses. One com.
pany that has been organized six years.
has 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 cclcIel commanding, to the corporals
are expert horsemen End rifle shots. and
IL they do not distinguish themselves In
battle it will be because there are nc
battles fought.