The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-03-20
EXCHANGE OF RIFLES.
Soon tho state NIilitiamen VIII Have
Their New Krngs.

Adjutant- General Frost recently
visited Washington to see II lie could
not arrange with the war department.
for an immediate exchange OF old for
new rifles and uniforms for the mill ia,
saving the freight bills for two ship
mentS.
He called to see the secretary Of war
in company with Senator Latimer, and
was received by Assistant Secretary OF
War Sanger In the absence of Secrc-
tary Root. Gen. Frost says he was
warmly received and after going over
the provisions OF the new act OF con-
gress 1T was determined that South
Carolina could at once proceed to ex-
change the Springfield rifles and car
tridges for the new Krag- y Jorgensen
magazine rifles. The requisltion will
go forward shortly.
The secretary OF war has been so
busy since the adjournment of congress
that lie has been unable as yeo to
place contracts for the furnishing or
the new regulation olive drab uni
forms, consequently they will not be
issued for some time. The depart
ment, however, has allowed Gen. Frost
to make rcquisition for khaki uni
forms and campaign hntS for The State
militia for the summer. This rcQui-
Sition will be sent on at once. Tic
present blue uniforms will be con.
Linucd in the service until the olive
drab suits are available.
Gen. Frost asked for authority to
loan TO certain schools In the State,
not having commandantS OF cadets,
some Of the old Springfield rifles, lie
was informed that this could not be
done; that the law only allows the war
department. to loan rifles to military
academies having regular army officers
stationed at them as commandments,
and then only upon the filing OF an ap-
plication and bond from the trustees
of such institutions; that the State
cannot loan rifles at all. This will
mean that the CitadclS supply Of
krag-.Dorgenscn rifles will lave to be
called in BY the adjutant general snon,
and another supply secured in the
regular way.
Under the Dick act also the cx-
change OF equipments provided for
applies only TO rifles and cartridges
and not to tents or camp cQuipagc
Gen. Frost also made inquiries about
the Stationing Of an army officer in
the Office Of the adjutant general.
Upon Secretary Roots return the de-
partnlent will determine whether TO
detail active army officers To these
positions Or retired officers.
Cen. Frost talked Interestingly of
the new uniform regulations Of the
army. There will henceforth be three
styles Of uniforms for officers. The
first will he the full dress, with frock
coat and gold braid in abundance, Il
heavily gold braided cap and chap
pcau. The latter will never be worn
while the officer is in the saddle :5
The dress uniform viii be, exactly
like the present blue fatigue uniform!
with the exception that the caps will
have bell crowns. The infantry otli-
GERS will 10 longer wear white stripes
on their trousers, but lighter shade
OF blue instead.
The new olive drab uniform will be
the same for officers as for priyatcS
save that small strap will be worn
ny officers on each shoulder, and Tic
lcggins will bc leather instead Of can
vas. No tronscr stripes will he wcrn
by officers with this uniform.
1t Is the latter uniform that will
be used exclusively in the service in
this State. The members of the gov
ernor'S staff alone will wear the dress
uniform. All other officers will wear
the olive drab regulation. The State.