The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-16
REPORT ON GUARD CAMP
COL. JOHN T.. BARNETT GIVES
PRAIs WHERE PRAISE IS DUE.
Discerning officer Is Equally severe
ness Is neutrality-suspicious..

Assistant Adjt. Gen. John T.. Barnett has
made his report on the last encampment
Of the /. N. G.. In the report he states that
, this years camp was satisfactory on the
whole and that all things considered it was
the most successful camp in the history
OF the L. N. G. He stated that the average
attendance was 81 per cent. and that there
was a disposition on the part of the OFF,
GERS and men TO learn. The artillery, con-
s;dered as an organization. he states. was
superior TO the others in camp. The First
Regiment was commended for the appear
ance of it's quarters. the Third Regiment
was too slow In mounting guard on it's ar
rival in camp and there is a lack of unison
In this regiment that prevents it from max
ing the showing it ought. The Second Reg
iment is given credit for its good extended
order work. ''This is a good regiment in
general and has a good colonel and adju-
tant and the general appearance of the reg
iment is good" he says.
Company c, of the First Regiment is
given especial mention as having made
more practice marches than any other in
fantry company and Battery c is rated
highly. Companies c, of the First; NJ, of
the second. X. OF the Third. and Battery <,
VI Az u AANANAcC AOA " ~
ing councils of administration during the
year.
1t was stated that about 400 newly enlist
ed men were In camp this year and 1t had
been a good thing for the new men, who
could learn more in camp than in a whole
year at their home station. The work of
the hospital corps is commended. None OF
the companies have been keeping a State
fund BOOK, as required by the regulations,
according to the report
DELAY is CRITICISED.
The delay in forwarding the s~emi-annual
pay and armory rent is criticised for the
reason that IL Furnishes good and careful
men for the dereliction OF the improvident
and causes great dissatisfaction. According
10 the report many tents were found unser-
viceable. and the guns in all of the organi-
Nations were in from fair To bad condition
IL was recommended that the various COM
panies make as many practice marches as
possible during the coming year.
The raticns were of good quality. the re-
port says. but they were a little short. This
was due To ~wastefulness and TO the fact
that men will eat more the first few days
OF the camp Less knowledge was shown
In the companies about ratiuns and feeding
the men than any other duty. The quarter
master sergeants were utterly ignorant as
% the amount or the ration or whether the
companies received their full portion. except
= few VINO have received United States army
experience. When these were issued they
were turned over 10 the company cooks 10
use pretty much as they pleased. II anyone
IN the company gave any attention 10 the
daily apportioning Of the rations il was
not In evidence. That the ignorant and Slip
shod methods prevailing did not produce
serious complaint and disturbance was due
20 the good cooks and an excellent chief
commissary. The efficiency and content
ment OF the soldier depends TOO much on OBJ
tanning full rations and its proper distri-
button TO permit the present ignorance long
ef 20 continue. IL was recommended that the
commissary department be Improved.
In referring 20 gallery and target practice
II Was stated that only nine companies In
the whole brigade report any gallery prac-
tice. Target practice Is the most important
branch OF the service. A man must have
confidence In his ability 10 Kill or he will
run away from the enemy. IL Is recommend.