Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-02
ALRESERVES
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BAT
TALON HURRIED UP.
INQUIRIES FROM SECY ROOSEVELT.
He Asks Governor Tyler 20 Expedite
the Formation OF the battalion.
ana Colonel 10 Lame Stern Leaves
in "A Hurry for Norfolk.

ceived a communication from Assistant
secretary-of-the-Navy Roosevelt asking
him to expedite as much as possible the
organization OF the First Division Of naval
reserves. az Norfolk.
Governor Tyler at once ordered Colonel
10 Lane Stern. Assistant Inspector Gene
raj Of the Virginia Volunteers, to 20 to
Norfolk and If possible. to complete the
organization Of the battalion last night
Colonel Stern left on the Chesapeake and
Ohio train az $40
Division \, corresponding to a company
OF land troops, has been organized, but
the organization OF Division Il has not
been completed The officers have been
elected, but have not yet been commits
stoned. or even examined. 1t was the
intention Of Colonel Stern to conduct the
examination last night.
TO FORM \ BATTALION.
The two divisions viii be formed into
a battalion. to be known as the first bat
TALON OF Virginia naval reserves The
commanding oiliceT will have the title
OF commander. The relative rank of
this officer is that OF Northumberland
II is the Intention in the event OF war
20 use these troops 10 man the auxiliary
cruisers-Vessols from the merchant
navy-whch viii be pressed into service
These viii form what viii be known as
the mosquito fleet. They will be armored,
though. of course. not so heavily as those
built for war PURPOSES and viii carry
batteries Of machine guns. They would
prove very effective as commerce de-
stroyers. owing 70 their fieetness, and
would be of value in transporting troops
and supplies.
1t is probable that portion OF the
naval reserves Of the various States would
be assigned TO service aboard the mont
tors which are intended TO be used chiefly
in coast defence.
AUTHORIZED FIVE YEARS AGO.
The act to establish the Virginia Bat
TALON of Naval Reserves was passed in
1884. The act provides that the battalion
shall not consist of more than four com
panies, which shall be known as tn
Naval Battalion of Virginia Volunteers"
The commanding officer of each company,
or division. is lieutenant, and in addi-
ton there to, the act provides for
junior lieutenant and two ensigns The
petty officers of each division are two
boatswains' mates, two gunners' mates,
two quartermasters. and two coXswains.
The officers of the battalion, which may
be formed of two companies. are COM
mander, "a ieutenant-cOmmander to act
as executive officer and lieutenant 10
act as navigator The battalion staff
officers consist of an adjutant, an ord
nance officer, a paymaster, and sur
geon. These are appointed by the com
mander. The battalion officers are elected
by the commissioned officers of the
companies, who are elected by the
members of the companies. The petty
officers are appointed by the lieutenants
commanding the companies.
The act authorizing the formation OF
the Virginia battalion expressly states
that the men may be ordered to duty
anoat by the United States Government.
| All the cost of arming and equipping the
reserves is borne by the General Govern
ment.
GOVERNMENTS GREAT INTEREST.
The United States Government mas
manifested a great deal OF interest In the
| organization of the naval militia, and
| has expended many thousands of dollars
| in endeavoring 10 bring 1t to state OF
efficiency BattaliOns exist in all the
! Atlantic States, and probably in the ma
| iority of those on the Gulf. There are
| also battalions organized in most OF the
/ Lake States. The only organization OF
| the reserves in Virginia is that at Nor
! folk. There are several divisions IN the
| coast towns of North Carolina.
Division A. OF Norfolk, was In the
! column of State troops at the launching
of the Kearsarge and Kentucky at New
| port News last week, and attracted
| great deal of attention by their me APP
! pearance, they being frequently cheered
| by the crowds along the line of march:
Regarding the communication OF MI
! Roosevelt, both Governor Tyler ana Al
! jutant-General Male said they lnoushI
! II NOT very important and that Colonel
! storm was sent so promptly to Norfolk
because the organization Of the battalion
| had been pending some time, and II was
! desired to give the Navy Department eX-
| act information.