The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-29
OFFICERS WILL BE FEW
WAR DEPARTMENT. GIVES AN INTI-
NATION THAT CHANGES THINGS.
New Volunteers to BE Used Largely
to Fill Regiments-Enorts for
ColOred Battalion.

When Governor Mounts war depart
ment" closed last night until next Tuesday
morning-an adjournment of all work is to
Dc taken over Sunday and Decoration day
Things were in a. more chaotic state tnan
tney have been since the Presidents second
proclamation was received. Yesterday a
telegram was received from Washington
along the lines of dispatches published in
the Journal several days ago, which goes to
show that a large portion CT the States
quota under the second call will be con-
sumed In making up the numerical strength
OF the companies and regiments already in
the field until it is equal to the require
ments of the regular army service Indiana
sent out regiments containing twelve COM
panies, composed of eighty-four men, be-
sides the commissioned officers. The regu-
lations Of the regular army call for 1O6 en-
listed men in each company. The telegram
received from Secretary Alger of the War
Department, yesterday, indicates that ,424
men of Indiana's second quota of 1851 will
be required to bring the numerical strength
or the four regiments and the two batteries
already in the field up to this requirement.
The telegram reads:
1T is estimated that about 1424 enlisted
men will be required to fill to the maximum
the organizations already in service from
your State. 1t Is desired to know how far
you will be able to furnish the above num-
ber"
This means, says Governor Mount that
Indiana will not be expected to furnish more
than one full regiment, besides the recruits
that are needed for the regiments already
organized. He supposes that the War De-
partment will send one or two officers from
each regiment back to the districts of Indi-
-. .I.s-
organized to recruit them up to the strength
of LOG enlisted men to the company. 1t is
understood that there are many men in each
district eager to join the regiments from
which they were shut out originally
If this rule prevails there will be but one
regiment to be formed in Indiana, with
twelve companies None of the so-called
plans" that have been advanced will be
followed, and only twelve towns will be
called on for one company each. Governor
Mount would not undertake to say last night
where these would be located. There is al
ready talk here that the order of the secre-
tary of war received yesterday will be re-
Voked, as senator's and representatives from
every State will recognize in 1T a situation
which will cut off official commands, and
will resist it because it will prevent them
from working for their friends and provid-
ing them places.
Governor Mount yesterday made another
eIort Tor the cOlOreQ people, lie sent a
telegram asking that Indiana be allowed to
furnish colored battalion of four COM
panies, with colored officers, including ma
jor, in addition to the States quota. If
this request is granted Indiana will make
up a colored battalion from all parts of the
State There are here two companies of the
old I. N. G. Senator Fairbanks reported
that the telegram had been laid before the
War Department
AS things now stand there is nothing tam
gible to be reported. No one can say
whether there will be even one regiment in
addition to the needed to recruit the
/. N. G. regiments Men who came here to
urge the claims of various companies and
regiments went away feeling that there was
nothing to do but wait the development of
affairs. The Governors office will not be
open until Tuesday morning.