Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07

as many eagerly proffered their services.
! was requested to form this force into
three regiments Of twelve companies each.
/ anticipated trouble and perpleMty IN OF
ganzng these three regiments, as theie
was then existing in the State, organiza-
lions of, four white regiments and two
battalions of infantry. and the muir
plicity of officers and the always uehca'e
question Of rank were expected 10 give
trouble. but. thanks to the generosity oil
those interested, they met the SITUATION
with prouer feeling and courtesy, ana
made my duties as light in this respect
as possible. The next call of loO men
was promptly furnished the government.
and were used in supplying men suihcient
In recruit the first thirty-siX companies
mn to the maximum Of los men, supple
mented by turning over 10 the govern
,nent two colored battalions Of Infantry
then in the State service. These Dattal-
ions had been organized under our pres
ent State law, and had volunteered as
soon as the first call for men had Deeh
made. knowing the necessity-aye' the
almost sacred obligatiOn-resung upon d
Virginia Governor TO harbor as far as
possible the financial resources Of the
State. I endeavored by every means IN
I'm rendezvousing these soldiers; and while
other States had lavishly eXpend-
ed thousands upon thousands OF
dollars upon their volunteers, / am
glad TO state that there were no bet
ter troops more promptly offered the
Federal Government than the Virginia
soldiers. and yet the entire expense 10
the state incident to all the work VIII
not amount to over $500, or about % cents
forseach soldier and l hope to be able
TO have even this small sum returned by
the General Government.
In addition to the invaluable services
of Adiutant-General William Male, VINO
worked night and day when the stress
was upon us. wish to make special ac-
Acknowledgement of the services of Assist
t-Inspector-General Colonel 10 Lane
Stern. and also Of Colonies c. Oh. CO.
wardin. w. O. SHELTON, W. b. Tenant,
and w. NJ. Coulling. local members OF
my staff. who were present almost daily
and aided I'm every way possible 10 organ
ize and provide for the comfort of the
troops. 1 want also to make acknowledge
ment to the many employers Of the SOL
diers who reserved their place for them,
to be taken again as soon as the war
was over. / would also take this oppoftu-
nifty TO suggest that the Legislature make
a small appropriation 70 furnish edch
officer who served in the Spanish-Ameri-
can war with a suitable commission
Of service that they may preserve as me
mentos in their families. and a suitable
badge might be provided for The hoh-
commissioned officers and men.
ADJUTANT-GENER REPORT.
In this connection / would call attc1-
tion to the full and elaborate report OF
The Acknowledgement. in which VIII be
found detailed information touching the
subject of our volunteers, and l WISH to
most heartily endorse ali the recommeh-
dations therein contained. n properly
regulated militia is one Of the chief sup
norris of a republican system OF govern
ment. and every State should provide
permanently and literally for its Noiun-
;eers. Thus may our young men preserve
that martial spirit which makes tyrdlih!
impossible. and throws about our lper''eS
and sovereign rights a strong and ready
safeguard. They stand at all times III
readiness 10 prevent disorder, quell IN
eurrcction. and resist mob violence, ana.
a &c didicuit 10 estimate the Dement'S thus
,ccruino, TO society i'm the knowledge tn@t
they are on hand and at the comman"
az The officers of the law. Ano in case
o,r country is ever 50 unfortunate as q"
he menaced by foreign Zoe, the Noiuh-
,eers-the trained soldiers of the state
militia-is the great reserve force upon
which our country must call. and upon
which il must depend. To THIS emu
,yould take this occasion to suggest 'iiat
Il would be a wise expenditure on inc
mart of our State Government to provide
means for the drilling and discipline VI
bodies of State troops. about when as :"
,ucleus sufficient numbers OF men may
eorm whenever the need and cause may
rise Very meagre, if any, records Oh
oriietment of soldiers Of other wars mas
Zen kent. and the Adjutant-GeneIal at
~, snecjal request. has given fuli roster
- al, soldiers enlisted in the spanish
,ueriean war, from the state ana MS
.arorts and records will prove more anu
,apra valuable as time goes on IN oIoer
- have the organizations OF our S,a,e
',ol,,nteers conform as nearly as poS9lD.o
" oreanizations OF like arm OF the ser
'',oe 81 the United States, nave uesis-
,,a,ed a hoard Of officers VINO are eNps''-
n ned and deemed capable. TO report 4
r,oo which il is hoped Will promote VIC
pun, os ut ~ the service. 1t Will be my
,iieos,,ro IN submit their suggestions az
P''" -, ora completed.