The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-27
BETTER PREPARED FOR WAR.

The present situation recalls to those who
scenes of 1861. If there is no such great up
rising and intense excitement now as there
was then it is because the occasion for it
does not exist. Everybody feels that the
present war is not likely to be very Sc
rious affair." and will not tax the military
resources of the country to any appreciate
extent. 1t is probable that the first call for
troops, embracing the organized militia of
the States only may be the only one. The
promptness with which that call is being
responded to and the character of the
troops furnished shows that the country is
far better prepared for war now than it was
In 1861 in respect of land forces, while our
naval preparation is beyond comparison
better. At the beginning of the civil war
there were no organized militia to speak of
in any State. There were few volunteer
company organizations, two in this city,
nearly all Of whose members enlisted, but
there was no organized militia. There was
splendid response to President Lincoln's
first call for 5000 volunteers, but in point
of promptness it did not equal the present
response, and the troops now responding
have greatly the advantage in respect of
organization, drilling, equipment, etc. The
Indiana volunteers of 1861 came to this city
an unorganized mob-full OF patriotism and
high purpose, but with very incomplete or
ganization or none at all, ignorant of the
first rudiments Of military service-and
without any equipments whatever Most of
the officers, if any had been elected" knew
no more about military affairs than the
men did, though there were a few excep-
tons, and the work Of converting them into
soldiers had to be done from the beginning
Within three days after Governor Morton's
call 24OO of these raw volunteers were as
sembled here in camp. Now, within one day
after the issuing of Governor Mounts call
there are 1000 troops in camp, all organized,
uniformed, armed. equipped, fairly well
drilled and disciplined, and with some prac-
teal knowledge of military life acquired In
annual encampments. True, they are not
seasoned soldiers, and have never been I'M
der fire. but the volunteers Of 1861 were
quite as unseasoned and without any of the
advantages which the present troops have
In the way Of organization and drilling. The
volunteers had no arms. while the present
troops are not only armed but drilled in the
manual and in company regimental and
brigade movements. 1t was nearly ten days
after the volunteers Of 1861 arrived here be-
fore they were formed into a brigade, and
not a regiment left the State until May %.
and then only two. The National Guard
could go to the front. if necessary, to-mor-
row. The same is true of the National
Guard Of other States, some of which are
much better drilled and disciplined than
those of Indiana The National Guard Of
pennsylvania, whose quota under the call
is ten regiments of infantry, are uniformed
and equipped exactly like regular army
troops and in respect of drill, discipline and
marching can easily compete with regulars.
The great advantage which the country has
now over 1861 in a first call for volunteers
is entirely due to the wise action of the
States under the national militia law, and
the lesson is not likely to be forgotten. The
country will never again be as unprepared
for war as it has been.