The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-07
Troop Commanders Charged with
CareIessness and the Wolverines
Accused Of Incapacity.
GRAND REVIEW POSTPONED
BRIGADEs PARADED, DRILLED AND
MANEUvERED, INSTEAD.
Indiana's Three Regiments Handled
by Col. Harry B. Smith I'm a Skill
full, SoIdferIy Manner.
STAFF Correspondence of the JOURNAL.

STAFF Correspondence of the JouFnal.
CAMP YOUNG. HOWARD, KY, Oct. g.
''There is but one standard for soldiers,
whether they be regulars or volunteers
and that is excellence" This remark or
Col. Arthur Wagner, chief of umpires at
Camp Young, and one of the most broad
guaged officers in the service. Is the es-
sence OF the spirit of the officers in author
ity at the camp. One thing is striven for
in the troops, one thing is pounded-ex-
cellence-and that covers a multitude Of
virtues.
The significance of Colonel Wagner's ex-
preston struck the officers attending the
school of instruction with especial force
after they heard him fay two regular
troop commanders for carelessness in Of
fensive work against militia regiments
More significant still it became when
Colonel Wagner made IL clear that the old
days of regular army people regarding the
guardsmen with amused tolerance are over.
Now the regulars have task set for them
by Uncle Samuel. the task of assisting to
bring the militia forces up to that re-
quired standard-excellence. II they fail
TO preserve that standard themselves. their
usefulness becomes negative; they must
stand the same fire OF rebuke and criticism
with which they were accustomed to amuse
themselves at the expense of the volun-
teer soldiery. The mere fact that they
draw government pay year in and year out.
Westpointer and enlisted man, will not
save them These inferences, so plainly
20 be drawn from Colonel Wagner's criti-
cism of yesterdays action were so patent
that they gave the regular army officers
something TO think about and the militia
commanders the keenest pleasure.
In the assembly tent several hundred Of
fcers gathered to hear Saturdays problem
discussed in detail. The umpires' reports
epitom!zed In Colonel Wagner's report.
covered the entire engagement. The most
notable feature undoubtedly was the un-
stinted praise given the Indiana troops and
the harsh, though undoubtedly deserved,
censure poured on the head of the Michi-
gan First Regiment. These forces partici-
pated in the advance guard work Sat-
urday with other State troops. They were
especially mentioned because of Hoosier ex-
cellence and Wolverine incapacity. The
other State forces, Ohio and Kentucky.
were apparently i'm the Judgment of the
chief umpire, on a dead level Of mediocrity.
SWEET MUSIC FOR HOOSIERS.
To say that the chief umpires praise of
the Indiana regiments was music in the
ears of the commanding officer and his men
is colorless way of putting it. This com
mendation. raising them above hundreds of
other State military officers in Camp
Young, has made them the happiest men
between two oceans
Colonel wagner's warmest words of
praise were for the Third Regiment, COM
manded in the absence of Colonel Stude-
baker by Lieutenant Colonel Bowman For
quickness CT movement. intelligence in exc
cutting orders. rapidity in comprehending
wholly unexpected difficulties, good train
ing and taking advantage of cover the
regiment was especially commended This
tribute is especially pleasing to Lieutenant
Colonel Bowman and his friends because
of his somewhat difficult position of COM
manding the regiment in the absence of his
senior officer Had censure been his por-
tion. no matter how mid. 1t would have
been felt keenly. Since praise is his share
his pleasure is all the more heightened
Tn First Indiana, Colonel McCoy's regi-
ment, having exactly the same problem.
penetration of enenay's country as an
advance guard. received commentator only
slightly less. Like the Third. this organi-
zation was alluded TO as especially well
and expeditiously. The Second Regiment,
Col. Harry B. Smiths was mentioned
highly by the chief umpire for precision
in executing orders. rapid movement and
effective work in outpost duty These.
with the First Wisconsin, a crack regiment
officered by men appointed by the govern
ment. We're the only ones singled out for
especial praise.
MICHIGAN MEN ROASTED
Is it any wonder that Indiana soldier
boys are drunk with glory The point of
all this is that IL is official commentator
heavily underscored. IL will be as effect
I've as IL the War Department published
an order containing the same thing. II
has raised Indiana many steps on the
ladder of State Guard excellence. But the
luckless Michiganders Jared in no such
wise Colonel Wagner's rich vocabulary
was taxed TO express his disapproval of a
colonel who would so disregard a sacred
army order as TO permit his men TO march
without a single round of ammunition
straight into the heart of an enemy's coun-
try. Col. c. W. Harrah. OF the First Mich
feau had to take a bitter dose The Mich
ican men were roasted for failing to take
advantage of cover and for standing i'm the
middle OF the road TO be slaughtered, meta.
phorfeally speaking. like sheep. He pointed
out that they went at their work I'm most
unforgivabIe leyity. taking the whole thing
as a sort OF picnic. He mentioned a Mich
fgan lieutenant by name. an officer who
stopped In the midst of heavy cavalry
IRE 20 loot an apple tree and MUNICH It's
fruit in the road.
Although lowering skies and occasional
CONTINUED ON PAGE =. COL. A.