The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-01
TALK OF NEW REGIMENT
To Be Formed in the Four North
western States.
TO FIGHT IN PHILIPPINES
Plans to Organize New Volunteers From
Montana, Oregon, Washington and
Idaho Are Being Discussed by
Military Men.

proposition is on foot to organize
in the state of Montana, Oregon, Wash
ington and Idaho a regiment of volun-
teers for service in the Philippines. So
far the movement has been confined to
Oregon and Washington, but it is
thought it would find especial favor in
Montana and Idaho.
If call comes for volunteers it
would not be like the last one, the
total strength apportoned to the states
according to population; but would be
for volunteers from the body of the
country" and irrespective of state
lines. This has been clearly indicated
But a northwestern regiment would
find high favor with the war depart
ment, because of the magnificent record
made by the northwestern volunteers
now in the Philippines.
The following article, published this
week in the Portland Oregonan, tells
something of the plans for the new
regiment:
The proposition to organize a vol
unteer regiment for service in the
Philippines is received with a great
deal of favor by the miitiamen of rhe
Northwest. and by many who We're
able to enlist in the army when the
call for troops was issued. Many of
the militiamen, and of those who are
left over, are anxious to go to the front,
and it is thought that there will be no
trouble in raising a regiment on short
notice. To form the organization, Cap
tain j. P. O'Nell recruiting officer in
this city, and now under orders to join
his regiment, the 25th infantry, and
proceed TO Manila. is considered nv
many to be the proper man. and it is
hoped the administration will see fit to
suspend the order assigning him to SER
vice in the islands, so that he may or
ganize the regiment which will be
composed of soldiers from Oregon,
Washington. Idaho and Montana.
Ever since he arrived in Portland
he has been in charge of the recruiting
office. and his extensive experience in
recruiting and his knowledge of the
Northwest place him. in the opinion of
his friends, in q position to form a
regiment that the Northwest might
well be proud Of
regiment made up of, say three
companies from each of the four states
named. would undoubtedly be a strong
one. An equitable division of field off,
GERS could be made, as there would be
but four-a colonel, lieutenant colonel
and two majors-while the staff, con-
SlslinS Ol du1uLant, QuaftefnaGtef,
surgeon and chaplain, could be as equi-
tably appcrtioned among the states.
Idaho already has company that is
anxious to go. 1t is that recently formed
at Lewiston, Idaho, in the reorganized
national guard of that state This
company has already applied to be
mustered in to service for duty in the
Philippines
There is considerable talk I'm Mon
tana regarding the proba bility of a call
for volunteers for the Philippines and
also regarding the reorganization of
the national guard, which was men,
toned last week in the Standard
Nothing as yet has been done.
In Idaho Adjutant General Weaver
is busily at work on the reorganization
of that states guard. He is forming
what he calls a minimum regiment
which will consist of eight companies
of 80 men each, and the usual compile
ment of officers. He also expects to
organize two platOOns of light artl-
lery Of 40 men each. with two Calling
guns and two mountain HOtchkiss
hOWitzers. The companies now organ
lied are at Lewiston, Preston, St Anth-
Ony and ReXburg, and one each now
being formed at Boise, Bonners Ferry
and Moscow. Weiser has also signified
its willingness to form a company
Each company now formed is fully
equipped and has the Springfield rife.