St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-01-14
The Officers School.

The animal sessions OF the school for
the officers OF the First Regiment,
v. N. 6. began, at Company DIS new
and convenient armory, on Monday
night last, with about 70 officers in at
tendance.
The school was called to order by Gen.
Estey, who presented to the officers the
commander-in.chief, Gov. Grout. The
latter spoke briefly concerning the inn
portance of a good soldiery and its value
to the commonwealth, and congratula-
ted those before him on the excellent con-
dition of the Vermont National Guard.
Gen. Estey then introduced Major
Jocelyn and Lieutenants Howe and
Bailey of the regular army, the first
named having been detailed as instructor
at this school, and the other two being
present to assist him in his work; all
three Of these gentlemen had word to
say by way of preparing the officers for
the details connected with the school.
Following this came half hour of
sword exercise and other drill for the
captains, lieutenants and field officers,
which lasted until nine o'clock and was
witnessed by quite number OF specta-
tors.
A private session Of members of the
school was then held, for the election OF
a colonel of the regiment, to succeed Col.
Bond, resigned. This resulted in the
choice OF Major o. D. Clark of Montpel-
Ter, Major J. NJ. Mimms of St. Adams
being elected lieutenant colonel. Capt.
]. Gray Estey OF Brattleboro and Capt.
c. M Bonett OF st. Johnsbury were
elected majors.
Three sessions were held on Tuesday
and one on Wednesday, and the interest
in the work of the school was lively from
the outset. The presence OF the regular
army officers was of course OF great
value to the Vermont militiamen, and it
was gratifying to listen to the favorable
comment made by these representatives
of Uncle Sans military proves concern
ing the general fine condition of our state
troops and the Improvement noted from
year to year at this officers school.
Aside from the company commanders
present, these staff and regimental officers
were in attendance for either portion
or the whole of he time: Brigade Com
mander Es;ey, Quartermaster General
Gilmore, Adjutant General Peck, Judge
Advocate General Bates, Cole. E Clark
OF Bradford, Surgeon General Lee Of
Wells River, ard Col. ]. { Clark of st.
Johnsbury. Mrs. Grout, Mrs Gilmore,
Mrs Lee, Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Baldwin,
and Mrs. and Mrs J. B. Pickett of Brad
ford were also here.
The New Officers.
Mai. Osman d. Clark, who has been
elected colonel OF the LIST regiment, enlist
ed in Co. H at Montpelier in 1880. He
served in every position in that command,
being seven years its captain. He was
commissioned major in January, 1898,
and was given command OF the Sd bat
tallion. Major Clark is member OF the
Loyal Legion and Sons OF Veterans.
John H. Mimms, who is to be the new
lieutenant. colonel, was born in Surrey.
Eng, and was educated at a school
where military drill was a feature of the
instruction. He came to Vermont when
Young man and enlisted in the RAN
som guards" in 1875 He was elected
I'd lieutenant of Co. in June, 1888. and
captain two months laler. In October,
1891, he was appointed by Gov. Page to
represent the state as delegate at the
convention of national guard officers OF
the United States at Chicago for the
presence of the state troops there during
the worlds fair. He was breveted major
by Gov. Fuller in August, 1898, and
later elected major