Evening star., 1903-11-28
MAY OCCUR VERY SOON
SUGGESTED BY ASSIST
ANT SECRETARY OF WAR.
Rifle Practive Figures of Merit
Cavalrymen to Be Entertained
at Oyster Roast.

Assistant Secretary of War Oliver in
view of the fact that the provisions of
section of the new militia law, which
contemplates that the organization, arma-
| ment and discipline of the organized militia
in the several states and territories and
in the District of Columbia should be the
same as that which is may here
after be prescribed for the regular and
volunteer army of the United States, with
in five years from the date of approval
of that act, has announced that it is high
ly desirable that the military laws of the
several states should, in certain funda-
mental respects. meet the requirements of
| the general militia law in respect to the
organization of their several military es-
Establishments.
With this idea in view, an outline of
general military law has been suggested
by Gen. Oliver, as covering the most I'M
portant points in relation to these ques-
tions the fundamental principles being
embodied in the draft to which such addi-
tions and notifications should be made
as will be calculated to fit the varying
and peculiar conditions of each state III
is distinctly to be understood, says Cen
Oliver, that the outline mentioned is in the
nature of suggestion merely for the con-
sideration of the various states as being
the first step toward reaching the end de-
sired in bringing the general organization
and administration of the organized mill
tia in the several states into substantial
harmony with that of the army in so far
as it is practicable to do so.
| Will Meet the Test.
The draft embodies provisions which
have been taken from the military laws
of several states and which represent thelf
working experience in that regard during
very considerable periods of time; they
have been selected with great care and II
hot oil nj
sections submitted will meet the test OF
practical experience. 1t is conceded that
the needs of no two states IN respect "
military legislation are precisely the sane'
some codes being much more compreneh-
siye than others, but the general outline
which Is presented is believed to De sum
ciently comprehensive to meet the needS
of individual states In respect W ai oiii
cient military code. .. -
The National Guard of the District of
Columbia has demonstrated that II Is pau
gressive, and good reason eAIs's ", upoh
which to entertain the belief that reqI--
ganization, based upon the suggestion ad-
yanced by Gen. Oliver, will occur in the
near future.
Military Units Of National Guard.
Tn view of the changes in the local bri-
gade that are probable, certain or Generai
divers suggestions are of more than pass
ing interest at this time. In regard 10 or
eanization, it is advised that the military
units of the National Guard shall be COM
posed and organized as follows:
Infantry-A company to consist OF 1 cap
tain l first lieutenant 1 second lieutenant
l first sergeant, 1 quartermaster sergeant,
sergeants, S corporals, cooks = musl-
clans 1 artificer, 81 privates. Total en-
listed JOG. The minimum strength OF
company to be 80 enlisted men.
A battalion to consist of l major 1 bat
TALON adjutant Qirst lieutenanD, pat
TALON quartermaSter and commlSsary tsec-
4 oy1t n
companies. Total enlisted, maximum,
425.
A regiment to consist of 1 colonel, l lieu
tenant colonel, / adjutant (captain),
uuartermaster (captain), / comm!SSary
(captan), l surgeon (major, assistant
surgeons (captains), l assistant surgeon
first lieutenanD, l chaplain, l sergeant
ma jor, l quartermaster sergeant, commiS-
sary sergeant color sergeants, l chief
mus elan. l principal musician. / drum
major, sergeants, corporals, l COOK and
II privates of the band, % in all; l SER
geant first class of the hospital corps; )
sergeants of the hospital corps; 6 priVates, |
first class of the hospital corps; privates
of the hospital corps: battalions. Total
enlisted maximum, ], ,321.
Composition of Organizations.
When it is impracticable to assign three
battalions to a regiment it may be COM
posed of a smaller number, not less than
two, each of which should consist of four
companies; but where four companies can
not be assigned to battalion it may be
composed of three companies, with the
fourth company skeletonized
Similarly, when four companies cannot be |
assigned to a separate battalion it may be
composed of three companies. Other COM
paneS, which for sufficient reasons it is i'm |
practicable to assign to battalions, shall |
exist separate companies: and battalonS, |
incomplete battalions which cannot be |
m in 20 q n st poht
companies. shall exist separate battal- |
ions. which shall be organized in the same |
manner as other battalions, with the follow |
ing additions: One assistant surgeon (cap-
tain, one sergeant of the hospital corps |
two privates, first class, of the hospital |
corps, one private of the hospital corps |
A brigade will ordinarily, consist of three |
regiments of infantry; it may consist of a |
smaller number not less than two. or of a |
greater number, and in each case separate |
battalfons or companies may be assigned |
thereto.
The commander of a brigade is to be a |
brigadier general. He may be provided |
with the following staff: One assistant ad-
jutant general, with rank of lieutenant |
colonel; one inspector, one judge advocate,
one quartermastcr. one commissary,
ordnance officer and one engineer, each |
with the rank of major, one surgeon with
the rank of lieutenant colonel, two aids-de-
camp, each with the rank of captain.
Field Battery and Hospital Corps.
battery III nelC artillery, to consist OF
one captain, two first lieutenants one sec
ond lieutenant, one first sergeant, one quar-
termaster sergeant, one stable sergeant
six sergeants. twelve corporals, two cooks,
four artifcers, two musicians and ninety
one privates; total enlisted, 100 The mini
mum strength of the battery shall be fifty
three enlisted men.
The Hospital Corps to consist of one am
bulance company, one field hospital and of
the sergeants first class. sergeants, corpo-
rails and privates of the Hospital Corps who |
are members of regiments. separate bat
talions and squadrons. The governor shall |
be authorized to increase the number of en-
listed men in The hospital corps so as to
provide for medical attendance in batteries,
separate troops and companies and such
additional men shall be considered a part
of the Hospital Corps.
The ambulance company shall consist of: ]
For medical and bearer work-One major, |
surgeon, commanding; one captain, assist
ant surgeon; one first lieutenant, assistant
surgeon; four sergeants. first class; nine !