Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-04
Permanent Cavalry Organization to
Be Effected in Colorado.
INSTRUCTION IN FIELD OPERATIONS
Board Of Governors Formed and
Call for Volunteers.
PROMOTERS OF THE SCHEME

er college or school for the formation of
mounted riflemen in Colorado. 1t is to be
a permanent cavalry organization with the
official designation THE National Rough
Rider Military Encampment." 1t is pointed
out that America will take the lead in re-
ducing all military methods to scientific per-
lection.
The object Of the Rough Rider Encamo-
ment. briefly stated, is to give instruction
in rough rider tactics, scouting, trailing,
signaling and all field military operations.
call has already been issued from the ex-
ecutive department. located in New York
city, for 500 recruits.
The board Of governors of the National
Rough Rider Military Encampment is
Gov. Charles 8. Thomas. Gen. E. V Sum-
ner. United States army; Gen. Irving Hale,
United States Volunteers; Col. S. X Hoop
er, D. H. Moffat and Charles D. Gurley.
The idea has been approved by Gov. Roose-
Welt of New York. Gov. Atkinson of West
Virginia, President Guggenheimer of the
council Of the city of New York, Henry
SCHNEIDER, past national commander of the
Regular Army and Navy Union; President
Clara Barton of the American National
Red Cross. Frederick E. Haskins. fleet sec
retary, National Association of Naval Vet
Grams; Robert B. Roosevelt, president Of
the Sons of the American Revolution, New
York city. and many others.
The Rough Rider Idea.
The promoters of the scheme give de-
tailed statement of the origin of the rough
rider idea. 1t is set forth that April 2S.
1893. the Secretary Of War authorized the
recruiting of three regiments of cavalry, to
be composed of "frontiersmen who have
the special qualifications of horsemen and
marksmen," one by Captain, Tow General.
Leonard Wood, another by Col. Jay L. Tor
rey, and the third by Col. Melvin Grigsby.
The proposed formation was remarkable
In at least two respects-the applause 1t
received from the people and the sturdy
character of the men who composed the
three regiments. Since their return many
of them have been nominated for office.
and it is not recorded that a single one has
been defeated by the votes of the plain
people.
Senator Warren of Wyoming took charge
of the legislation which made possible the
organization of the rough riders. The
idea, the senator says, was laid before
him by Col. Torrey, one of the most prom
inent and best-known stockmen in his part
of the country. who had had a large ex-
perience with frontiersmen AT Col. Tor
rey's request they went to the President,
the Secretary of War and the general
commanding the army early in March,
1898. and told them of the western men.
who were fine horsemen and good marks
men, out who in the ordinary course would
not be given an opportunity for service I'M
der the proposed law. In view of the en-
couragement given by President Mckinley.
Secretary Alger and Gen. Miles, Senator
Warren introduced bill In the Senate pro-
viding for the organization of such a force.
The volunteer army bill reached the Sem
ate before the rough-rider bill was passed,
and Senator Warren procured an amend
ment to 1t under which the three regt-
ments were subsequently organized.
Organization Made Necessary.
The National Rough Rider Military En-
tallized by the war with Spain. and is an
institution. SO it is claimed, made useful,
If not necessary, by the great changes in
military tactics which the last ten years
have recorded. At the time of the break
ing out of the civil war rough riding was
unknown in any of the armies of the
world. In every army there were bodies
of cavalry. and they were, as rule, I'M
wieldy and immobile forces, and maintained
in many cases more as an ornament than
for use. They were, of course, at times
useful, when 1t was desired to hurl a
great force in mass at the enemy, but the
brunt of fighting was done by the tnfan-
try, which was considered the real force
Of war. and that. consequently, to which
the greater attention in development should
be paid.
1t was the confederate cavalry which
first showed to military men and to the
world generally that in the rough riding
reposed force in which there were i'm
mense possibilities Of development. The
awakening came one morning when Gen.
Stuart and a small body of rough riders
swooped down upon the Union army, 100000
strong, encamped in front of Richmond,
broke down the federal outpost, drove its
reserve. a squadron of cavalry, into camp,
and, after infiicting much damage upon
the Union camp, left it demoraliZed and
rubbing its eyes in establishment and cha
grin. and. having filled their haversacks
with government rations. were out of reach
before pursuit could be made.
The encampment is a permanent one,
and eligible young men may enlist at any
time for periods of three, six. nine months
or one year. AS stated. a call has been
issued for 500 young men. preferably col
lege men, athletes or men familiar with the
use of revolver and rifle. Ten medical
students will also be accepted, who will be
attached to the mounted Red Cross train
ing station. The call also includes fifty
graduated civil engineering students, who
will receive practical training in every
thing pertaining to field operations. bridge
and siege construction, &c.
Course of Instruction.
The course Of instruction includes rough
riding, sharpshooting and military tactics,
training of the horse. taget practice with
rifle and revolver. fencing amounted and
military gymnastics. practice
for the trooper. troop and squadron, prac-
teal instruction in crossing streams, Far
rows land-taught system of swimming.
practical and theoretical instruction in
signaling, laying out temporary
field shelter. practical instruction in mill
tary reconnaissance ION foot and mount
ed), practical instruction in field telegra-
ply. night signalling and the use Of the
instruction in wireless teleg-
raphy, practical instruction in ordnance,
practical instruction in the protection and
care of the wounded on the battlefield,
special attention to cavalry drill and regu-
lations and rough riding tactics, including
transportation and packing, practical in
in scouting and such other In
as may be inaugurated from time
to time.
In the matter of tentage and equipment
the promoters say they will seek to exhibit
many improvements over what Is officially
Endorsed and used at this time. The drills
will tend to individual craftsmanship and
open-order firing. Particular stress will be
laid on the uselessness Of bayonet charges.
The men and their horses will be trained
together. Jumping and mountain climbing
play most important roles. The schoo! of
the trooper will be followed by charges and
putting the horses over hurdles, fences,
hedges, bitches and water. Every horse will
be taught to lie down at command.
COnsecrated Bishop of Savannah.
The Rev. Benjamin ]. Kelley was conse-
Grated bishop of Savannah at st. Peters.
the cathedral church of the Virginia do
cese, at Richmond. yesterday. Cardinal
Gibbons of Baltimore was the consecraIor.