Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-02
INSPECTION OF MILITIA
DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMAND
Frs OF DEPARTMENTS.
Information to Be Obtained for the
Secretary of War-Execution of the
Recent Act of Congress.

Lieut.. Gen. Miles, commanding the army,
has issued general order in regard to the
inspection of the organized militia of the
country,as follows:
with a view to obtaining certain neces-
sary information precedent to the execu-
ton of certain provisions of the act en-
titled An act to promote the efficiency of
the militia and for other purposes the
Secretary of War directs that the COM
manding generals of the various geograph-
zeal departments shall designate such num-
Der Of experienced officers as may be neces-
sary to inspect all of the organized militia
Of states and territories lying within the
limits of their respective commands.
1.-THE number of officers to be designa ted
for this work in each department will de-
pend upon the number of cities and towns
in which the militia organizations are 10
Gated, the object being to perform the
practicable, with due consideration for
thoroughness and economy of transporta-
ton expense. The work will be completed
without delay.
Immediately upon receipt of this order
department commanders will communicate
with the adjutants general of the respec-
tive states and territories within their de-
partments, with view to arranging all
the details as to dates and places of the
various inspections; the number of inspec-
tors necessary and arrangement of their
itineraries; the character of information
desired, including certified returns of the
several organizations. which should be pre-
pared and submitted to the inspectors upon
their arrival at the rendezvous thereof; and
all other details which will facilitate the
work AS soon practicable thereafter
the inspectors will be ordered by the sew
eral department commanders to begin their
work and complete it as expeditousy as
practicable. In arranging the dates, hours
and places for the Inspections care should
be taken to accommodate them to the
usual avocations of the personnel of the
militia. to save time and expense Con-
centration of regiments and battalions
composed of scattered companies need not
be made where it would impose expense
to the individual or to the state.
Information to Be Gathered.
1.-THE inspectors will determine:
81. The strength of the various organiza-
tons, making full returns thereof, includ
ing classification of officers and men pres
ent and absent as shown by the official re-
turns, verifying absentees from duly certi-
fed lists, together with a report as to
whether or not all the officers and men are
regularly enlisted.
80 return showing all United States
rifles and carbines hand, with all at
tachments and equipments, ammunition
parts of ammunition therefor. (a) A sep
arate return showing all United States
standard service magazine arms, with bay
onets, bayonet scabbards, gun Sings belts
and equipments as have been issued since
December 1, 1901. (b) An estimate showing
the number of United States standard serv-
ice magazine arms (rifles and carbines)
with bayOnets, bayonet scabbardS gun
sings, belts and such other accouterments
and equipments. including sabers, pistols
and horse equipments, as are prescribed
for the regular army of the United States,
required for arming and equipping the
ganizatons based upon the numbers re-
ported in return herein required from in
spectOrs, the quantity on hand (serviceable
and unserviceable) and the quantities to
be supplied to complete equipment.
3. Whether the organizations are suffi-
GENTLY armed, uniformed and equipped for
active service in the field.
-. Whether the organizations during the
year ending June so, 1903, have participated
camps of instruction at least five consecu-
tive days, and have assembled for drill and
instruction at company, battalion or regi
mental armories or rendezvous, or for tar
get practice not less than tWenty-four
times, and shall have been inspected at
some time during the year under the au-
thority of the state or territory by an Off
Ger of the militia thereof, or by an officer
of the regular army under authority of the
Secretary of War.
BLANK forms and such further detailed
instructions may be necessary will be
furnished by the War Department upon
application by department commanders.
Reports of inspections will be sent to the
department commanders, who will forward
all reports of the militia of each state and
have completed and submitted such re-
-