Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-30
OF INTEREST TO CO. G.

We learn that notice has been re-
ceiyed by Co G from Adjt. Gen.
Boardman that in January the old
Springfield rifle which so long has been
the arm of the state militia service will
be supplanted by the modern rifle of the
service, the 80 calibre Krag -Jorgenson.
This is good news to the boys for ever
since the company was organized, ex-
cept during its brief period in Porto
Rico it has been supplied with the old
obsolete Springfield.
1t is understood that the Third regi-
ment will be the first one in the state to
receive the new rifle in recognition of
the fact that it stands highest in efficien-
cy and as an incentive for further i'm
provement A bill has been presented
TO congress, which has the approval
of Secretary of War Root which pro-
vides that all militia organizations shall
be supplied aith the Krag Jorgenson,
and there seems bat little doubt that it
will pass In fact the adjutant general
I must have yo,a tip or such notice
would notAaYeDeen given. 1t is pro-
posed to take from the returning sol
diers Of the Philippines the rifles which
they have used ia the service on those
islands, and issue to them new guns.
The old ones win be inspected, and
where repairs are needed they will be
sent to the factory for such, and after
ward allotted to the state organizations.
While they have seen service they will
be practically as good as new, and will
be Il great Improvement over the
obsolete Springfield in present USE
While only a few regiments of the
various states will be supplied with
krags at the outset, all will eventually
get them, though they will come slow,
and it may be some time before all
state military organizations are thus
equipped. In this respect the Third
Wisconsin can consider itself favored.
Another change which the Third
expects before long is the issuance of
the new uniform, that has been adopted
by the regular army. The blue. which
has been the color since the organization
of the government, will be seen NO more
but in its stead will be superseded by
an olive green uniform. The newly
adopted color does not look as well as
the old, but it is said is the more
practical from military point of view,
for in test made by the government
olive green was the least discernable of
any to the eye at given dis
tances The uniform is said to
meet the required needs for service
better than that worn by any army of
today With the advent of summer
Co. G. expects to receive the new
clothing.
There is another thing which holds
the attention of the local militia COM
pany, as it does all companies off The
state. Congressman Esch, If Lacrosse
has presented bill to congress, the
passage of which has been recon-
s,nended by the secretary of war, which
provides for the purchase by the gov
ernment of the state military reserva-
ton of Camp Douglass, which shall be
made a national reservation, but which
will continue to be the rendezvous of
state troops Ia the event of the pass
age of this bill, and there appears to be
strong hopes that it will pass, there will
be barracks erected at Camp Douglass
for permanent use of United States
troops, which will be stationed there
The state troops in going there for
drill and army manuevers each year,
would receive the aid and instruction
of the regular soldiers, and would
thus be brought up to higher state of
efficiency. With the changes above
noted it is expected that in few years
Wisconsin's national guard will be
placed on nearly an equal footing with
Uncle Sans soldiers, which means the
best in the world.