The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-11
LESSON TO
 i GUARDSMEN Wagner Talks of the
 ManOuvreS. 7
 {, HAVE BEEN BENEFICIAL
Tells Wherein the ss 2
 Troops Need Practics
Deficiency in ExtenGed as Oper Order Drills-Armo.y }rk Should Be suppleue q,
 Says Senior UmS

-tIteT teH udyS Ot N1EOTOuS mafCnlnB anu hot work on the firing line, the National Guardsmen who have been engaged in the combined manoeuvres. receiving in- struction with regulars in battle forma- tion. started for home today. The regu- lars will remain until October IS and will be engaged in a series of three manoeu- vres next week.
 Although the first troop train left at S:3O o'clock this morning, midnight found several of the twenty-seven trains nec- essary to move the National Guardmen still waiting.
 Col. Arthur Wagner, one of the best known of modern writers on military tac- tics and chief umpire during the manoeu- vres. today indicated in & general way the result of the manoeuvres.
 Colonel Wagner. whose views have been substantially concurred in by General Bates and the other military experts present. stated that the combined ma noeuvres just closed have been of grcat value to the National Guard regiments participating and the increase in efficiency is more than sufficient to justify the ex- penses incurred by the Government. The line and stan officers and the enlisted men have shown most nraiseworthy eagerness to profit by the instruction of- fered by the experts, and the example of the regulars on the firing line.
 The 1o1nts Brought Ouc.
 The chief points brought out by the manoeuvres, according to Colonel wag- ner, is the necessity for the National Guard regiments to give greater atten- ton to skirmish and extended order drlIl, while they are at their home stations.
 They should become thoroughly versed in company and battalion drill before taking part in the manoeuvres. The manoeuvre comes within the realm of tactics and 'driir bears the same rela- ton to these that arithmetic does to hiRher mathematics"
 The Indiapa troops, according to Colonel Wagner, showed by their work on the firing line that they had probably he'd
 <isi z|s ! lsId ssss sopsn eF.ssr < driil| than the Average Nafionsf Guard orEani- zation., The sth Ohio and the 1st Wiscon- sin were also mentioned as having evi- dently profted by skirfnish drill at their homes. \ I
 While on this subject Colonel Wagner stated that 1t was desirable that the Na- tional Guardsmen supplement their work at their armories by short excursions tu the country nearby for drill in extended order. especial emphasis being laid on the desirabilty of practicing the work of the advance guard, rear guard, out post and the manual of regular guard duty. Colonel Wagner also stated that increased attention should be given to target practice and fire contror' that is, in having the firing an instant response to the commands of the officers when calling for volleys, cease firing, etc., and also economy of ammunition and the avoidance of useless burning of powder.
 Pitching of Camp.
 Next to extended order Adrill, Colonel Wa 1nar Vaid aVanhaziu ou tfa atudv hy the Guardsmen, both officers and men. in pitching a sanitary camp. With the prop CT attention given this matter not only the manouvres but between whiles, Colo mel Wagner thinks that in a short while the National Guard will be able to take care of itself so that there would never again be camps like Camps Alger and Chickamauga. This matter of sanitation has been well covered by illustration and by lectures to National Guard officers du- ring the manouvres. Colonel Wagner said that while comparisons were of course impossible It was only just to state that the 1st Wisconsin had maintained a camp here in almost perfect sanitary condition.
 In conclusion he said: with these manouvres being held every year in vari- ous parts of the country, so as to give all the National Guard regiments this sort of instruction, l hay no doubt that in a short time the National Guard of the United States will be put in state of efficiency and readiness for prac- tical warfare, which 1t has never before obtained and will put 1t on a plane with the best reserves Of foreign armies. As far as Camp Young Is concerned, can not see any objection of importance to its use as permanent reservation for manouvres. The area could be increased tract by act of Congress would neces- to advantage. The purchase of the sitate the establishment of a permanent military post of sufficient size to provide for the keeping of the grounds in order"
 Ten of the umpires left today for the opening of the manouvres at Fort Riley, Kas. General Bates will leave Wednes- day Colonel Wagner. the chief umpire and the two senior umpires. Colonel Jorst and Colonel Frat will remain until Tues day next. when they will go to Fort Riley. arriving in time for the main manouVres.