Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-27
WEDNESDAY,. ....... APRIL q, 1893.
OUR SOLDIER ROls.

There is no little CONSERVATION among
the women Of this state who have hls-
bands. sons, or brothers i'm the Virginia
militia. and the present preparations for
war have caused tremendous flutter OF
domestic excitement. The uninitiated
mind. in times Ike these. conceives a
hurried band of troops who rush forth
at the first call of the military and leave
their homes almost before they have
made their adieuX 10 loved ones or gath
cred UP the necessaries for camp life.
In fact. We recently came across an IN
telligent but unenlightened citizen who
thought the "call" for troops would he
sounded by the fre-bells just as it was
done on the occasions of the fires at the
penitentiary.
Celebrity Of movement does not always
characterize great bodies OF armed men,
and the present situation, TO our mind,
will not necessitate the immediate sever
ance of home ties, nor will the raw ro-
cruits BE- forthwith placed upon the field
of battle. There are always many tire
some preliminaries, and months Of train
ing are required to equip the soldier for
the sudden dashes and brilliant foats
Which give eclat TO military life.
The Presidents proclamation for lSi,0OO
men has an ominous appearance, but
doubtless it will be a good while yet be-
fore our volunteers are brought face TO
face with danger. In truth, we may al
most risk the assertion that hundreds
whose departure is now 50 dreaded will
be fated never 10 face the foe The
proclamation from our Governor. while
sounding the tocsin of a war in which our
Virginia lads will be expected to partici-
pate does not necessarily imply hasty
farewells or imminent hardships. IN army
is not organized In a day, and could one
be so quickly established and placed upon
the field of battle. tho ineXperience Of its
soldiers would presage its utter disor-
gaSzatiou i'm a much shorter while
The Governor must first confer with
the officers as to the form. number etc,
of the companies that have volunteered,
their assignment TO regiments. and the
preservation of our militia as lar as
practicable in its present organizations.
Wherever possible. the existing arrange
ment will be adhered TO. and the scpara-
ton of companies ana hattaiions, etc,
from their original commands will he
avoided.
When all these things have been care
fully worked out on paper tho marching
orders will come, bu. even then the dan
ger is not Immediately at hand The vol
unteers viii be ordered to rendezvous at
some point indicated. aud then will fol-
low more delays. The men will have TO
be inspected and subjected to physical
examinations, which will cause the dis
charge of many a brave fellow whose
constitution cannot stand a martial life.
Great Will be the work of equ.ppng the
modified troops Tor the field. The
character and quality OF the clothing
may be changed, ana all sorts of camp
eQuipage, of which there is scarcely any
I'm Virginia. viii have To be supplied. The
government. moreover. must determine
whether tho Springfield rife, now I'm use
here, will be replaced by Il more modern
gun and other details connected with the
arms.
And the drllls--thc nsyer-ending drills
TO which the young enthusiasts viii 10
subjected Companies viii be drilled IS
such. and then by battaltons ana regi-
meuts. and whole brigades will manoeuvre
together The extended order drnl. or
which our militia know little or nothing,
Will be taught. and scores OF other things
Will have 10 be done TO pat the troops
I'm condition for actual war In word
It viii take 81 least fifty or sixty days,
and possibly more. 10 assure efficient SER
vice from the volunteers. And aside from
the physical training required, there
must. OF course. be thorough depart
mental organization In each branch OF
the service the commissary, the quarter
masters. aud the medical.
TO sum u up. The plans. preparations
and calculations will he Ike unto Tho
establishment Of a gigantic business en-.
terprise. IN winch the most rigorous ac-
curacy is required
by some unforeseen contingenc,, ., No..
the spaniards may effect landing an o,,,
shofes' ana then va would have IN moe,
the invaders on our own soil II j. u,
o"Die mat regiment or two win lie
kept AZ all timcs Ia this state for ,h.,
purpose Just as the Governor OF Geor,ia
announces viii be done there. such a
Wecaution would mean more work Ia,
''f military oiScials, though the present