Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-19

neSs VI tuuGcn anu StuOOl OTHdHlZullOn.
Brilliant as were the first fifty years in
Iowa the second fifty will be surpassing."
A GOOD SHOWING.
Company G, |. N. G., VIII Stand Well
in Inspection.
Information has been received in
personal letter to Captain G. E. Caugh-
Ian of company G, I. N. g., from Col.
John F. Prime, assistant inspector
general of the Iowa national guard, to
the effect that company G, in it's in
spection few weeks ago, made bet
ter showing than it did last year. This
is encouraging to the members of the
local militia organization and reflects
credit upon Captain Caughlan, who is
at this time the junior captain in the
F1fty-fourth regiment. The outlook
for the future of company G is very
encouraging and the members are TAX
ing much interest in the work.
Numerous inquiries are coming into the
| office of Adjutant General Byers at Des
Moines from the war department, showing
that the department is setting out to get
the most detailed information about the
guard of the state for the purpose of car
sions of the new Dick bill for increasing
the efficiency of the militia.
What the war department is seeking in
particular is advices as to the encamp-
ments for the Iowa guard this year.
Under date of February 10 Adiutant
General Byers received an inquiry front
the war department as to the plans ms to
camp for the Iowa national guard for 1903
1t was asked:
"1f 1t is proposed that your troops shall
so into camp of instruction. and camp be
by regiment or brigade, etc, or will they
go on practice marches: and in the event
of Il state camp, is 1t your desire that
troops of the regular army participate; or
IF 1t Is your intention to apply under
section Is, for participation in the en-
campment. maneuvcrs, and field instruc-
tions OF any part of the regular army;
| and finally,
Eat what time would you prefer that
| the inspections to he made under section
| IA, shall take place.
A letter was received from Assistant Ad-
iutant General Parker, February 8, saying
| that under the new act to promote the eff.
| fciency of the militia Secretary Root de-
sired Adjutaut General Byers to report
at the earliest date possible. as to the
resources and practice of Iowa in the
matter of camp grounds under these
heads:
| Location.
| Communication.
| Area.
| Number of troops that can be accom-
modated; any permanent buildings.
| Are grounds owned by the state, and If
not, amount of annual rental
| Portion of grounds available for ma
neuvers.
| rifle range.
| How do your troops mess when In
| Campo
February 10 another inquiry was receiv.
| ed asking for advice from the adjutnnt
| general after consultation with the gov
| ernor, as to what should be fixed as 1.-THE
minimum number of enlisted men in each
| company, troop and battery" The new
act provides that the President of the
| United States may fix this number.
Adjutant General Byers conferred with
Governor Cummins Saturday in regard ia
these matters He has not vet answered
the inquiries, although he has already sent
in letter to the war department, saying
he would like to have two regiments sent
to the maneuvers at Fort Riley, that he
planned to have one regiment camp in
Iowa and one go to ST. Louis.
Major John Il. Hume assistant inspector
general. who has been out through the
state inspecting companies the past week
says he finds general desire among the
guardsmen to go to the maneuvers at Fort
Riley. These will take place next fall. and