Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-09
Detailed Account of Fifty-Fifth
Iowa's Work at Fort Riley
Encampment
THE REGIMENT coMPLlMENTED
Its Readiness to Prepare For Army
Maneuvers. Etc, Was Noticeable
Entire Satisfaction With the Com
missary's and ouartermaster's De-
partments-criticism on Sanitation.
sial to Times-Republican

Iowa National Guard, has tiled
With Adjutant General Byers his Off
clal report on the work of the Fifty
| fifth Iowa at Fort Riley, or CamI
Sanger. last month. He gives de-
| tailed account of what was done there
He states that the transportation and
mobilization of the regiment at Coun-
ell Bluffs was directed and controlled
by the adjutant generals department!
and that this service was promptly
and efficiently performed was evi-
denced by the fact that the several
companies of the regiment and the de-
tails from other regiments that were
assigned to them to complete their re-
Quired strength for this tour of duty
arrived at Council Bluffs on scheduie
time. and without accident, with the
single exception of the detail from
Company E, F,ifty-third regiment, sta
toned at Cresco. which missed connec-
tons on account of belated train, and
did not join until the regiment reached
Fort Riley Regarding the actual
work at Fort Riley General Prime
states:
On Wednesday. Oct. 81, the reg,-
ment participated in Its first maneu-
YER. which consisted OF problem in
defense of outpost. The entire regl-
men, with platoon of artillery, was
posted ON Ogden flats near the river
as an outpost for an imaginary attack
by the Tenth United States cavalry.
The disposition of the several bartai-
ions was we'll made and the location
of the Cossack posts, supports and re-
serves excellently chosen. The defense
was well maintained ard successful.
the only criticism have TO make being
that In some cases there was, not prop
err fire control on the part OF company
commanders and that in one case. just
before recall was sounded. company
unnecessarily exposed itself In retir-
ing under fire. Thursday, Oct. %, the
regiment took part in the deploymen,
of the entire division. This was sim
nly movement to demonstrate the
facility with which the different units
OF the organization could get into po-
sition and did not include any battle
exercises or contest with the enemy.
Friday, Oct. %. the regiment took part
in problem No. 6. which was the prin-
cipai field maneuver during the week
and included contest of all arms of
the service. The Third battalion I'M
der Major Hume was detailed to sup
port a battery, of artillery. The First
battalion under Major Mentzer COM
and the Second battalion.
Major FINLEY commanding, under Colo
mel Lincoln, being engaged in the ex-
IRENE right of the blue line. Saturday,
Oct "a. occurred the review of the en-
tire division. including 81 arms of the
service and transportation. This was
a most imposing spectacle and the reg.-
ment acquitted itself with credit. After
the review the muster for the United
States pay occurred. Sunday, Oct. Is,
divine service was held by Chaplain
Walburn in the morning and the regi-
ment was mustered for state pay. In
the afternoon the regiment received
their pay from the United States pay
master.
up to this time the regiment In all
had been assigned as part
Of the blue force and on the line OF de-
Tense. On Monday, Oct 26. they were
assigned to the brown force and took
part In the attack on Fort Riley. In
his maneuver Colonel Lincoln COM
handed the provisional brigade. con-
sisting Of the Twenty-fifth United
States infantry and the Fffty-fifth
Iowa regiment, under command OF
Lieutenant Colonel Bennett. This ma
neuver contemplated q general attack
On Fort Riley. but was called of be-
fore the final assault was made. Dur
ng this maneuver the Third battalion
was acting as rear guard until such
time as the lines were formed, when
!; was ordered to reioin the regiment"
General Prime complimented the
-egiment on its readiness to get ready
'or movements. etc. and expressed en-
ire satisfaction with the commissary
md quartermasters departments. IN
he reported on the work done: !,
During the six days IN which they
we're engaged in the maneuvers a:
Fort Riley, in addition to drills and
lamp duties performed. the regiment
marched about sixty-five miles. or an
average of about ten and one-half
niles per day. The maximum distance
covered in one day being approximate
v eighteen miles. This, considering
ne fact that they were in measure
troops, think very cred
table record. There was little or no
struggling. and the men endured the
'atigues OF the march and field work
Without complaint, and apparently |
without any physical injury, which |
ustifies the careful physical selection
which has been made in recent years
or enlisted men in the Iowa National
Guards.
while the regiment was in every
way credit to the state and national
,uard of Iowa, in all its field work, 1t
vas greatly lacking in some points of
Internal administration. notably in
hat of guard duty. This is the ranking
luty that soldier performs and should |
eceive the most careful attention from
egimental and company commanders |
rhe lack OF the regiment In this req
pect was all the more conspicuous by |
eason Of its efficiency in field service, |
being evident that little or no in /
truction had been received by com
'anies at their stations in this duty and |
he matter seemed to have been entirely |
eglected by the commanding officer in |
his camp.
81 also have occasion to call attention /
o the fact that while the general APP
earanee of the camp was very good |
nd the company streets were generally /
gel peliced. that there was lack of |
proper cleanliness in the tents them |
elves, and that a careful inspection |