Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-26
THE NEW MILITARY.
STATE BOARD DISCUSSES PLANS.
A strong Desire for only One Regi-
mcut-E:ightcen Companies VIII
ko,lv--Oppose independent Bat
taIions-Thc Financial Aspect.

The Military Board held two meetings
yesterday for the purpose OF discussing
the Reorganization Of the State volunteers.
The situation was carefully and exc
haustively discussed, and while the final
decisions reached were few, all the facts
confronting those who are attempting 10
reorganize the State military were
brought into view. ana carefully weighed
so that II will now be possible to proceed
intclllgently and at once.
The frequently expressed desire Of the
Governor that the number Of companies
I'm the State be kept down 10 twelve,
forming one regiment, was concurred in
thought hardly possible.
EIGHTEEN COMPANIES.
II was agreed that there should be
probably four companies in Richmond.
two IN Norfolk, two in Portsmouth, and
one in Newport News. Petersburg, Dan
vile, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg,
Alexandria. stanton. Lynchburg, Roa-
noke. respectively, and one at some point
in the Southwest probably at Pocahon-
tas This makes a total Of eighteen com
panies-one regiment and half. IL may
be that one Of the Suffolk companies will
reorRanize. smithneld has one already,
Petersburg may furnish two instead or
one. UamptOns company may reorganize
and Iynchburg and Roanoke may supply
two companies each instead Of one. In
such event there will be two regiments.
However II is the desire Of the Governor
that the number OF companies be brought
below eighteen rather than carried above.
one full regiment. well drilled, well equip
ped. and inspected closely. is his idea re-
garding the size Of the State military
force
The question OF money was carefully
considered it is understood that the total
Of state and national funds now at the
disposal OF the Governor for the use OF
NE military Is about $4,000.
WORK 20 BEGIN AT ONCE.
Tke Reorganization Of the military will
begin at once Several companies have
already reorganzed. Company y, of the
old First Regiment; Company i. Of The
same regiment, and Company b, Of the
Blues, have perfected organization. Conn
pany A. OF the Blues. has been partially
organized. Company X. Of the Third |
Regiment. at Fredericksburg has also |
reorganized All these companies have |
not applied for rcadmission 10 the state /
service. Permission Will De granted at |
once.
After the meeting OF the board last |
night Governor Tyler stated that he was |
hopeful of having the work OF reOrgani- |
cation completed in a comparatively short |
time. He expects to receive within tho |
next few days n great many applications |
for readmisslon TO the service Of the |
State.
THE BLUES BATTALION.
The Governor stated last night that he |
was still very DESTROYS of having the !
Blues united with a regular State regi- /
ment. instead of existing as an indie
pendent battalion. as heretofore, and that !
he hoped the members of the two COM !
panios would consent to this. 81 would |
not have them lose their distinctive or
ganlZatiOn," he said, but feel satisfied |
this could be retained just as well were
the two companies in a regiment as If
they were I'm a separate battalion" Ports |
mouth Is already clamoring for an indie |
pendent battalion. but there is a likely |
hood that the request will not be granted. |
The Military Board held a prolonged
meeting yesterday, at the Governors Of |
fee and the adjourned meeting at the |
mansion last night lasted from $50 until
ii 80 O'Clock.
The members OF the board present. be-
sides the Governor, were Adjutant-Gene-
raj Male Assis4 nt-Inspector-
Stern and Major William Il. SlmOns. Sec
rotary he Commonwealth Lawless,
the other member. was not present.
THE BLUES ASSOCIATION.
There will be a meeting of the Blues
Association tonight, for the purpose Of
approving or disappearing the election Of
officers or Company i Wednesday night.
1t is thought that Company A will or
ganize tonight. A captain and a first
lieutenant have been chosen.
Company ID, and possibly Company a,
viii appear in the Memoral-Day parade
Tuesday. The Governor stated last night
that he would be glad TO have them do
so, and that he could loan them guns.
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