The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-01
INSPECTED THE COMPANY
Lieut.. Col. Gardener, OF the Regular
Army Inspected Co. D Mon
day Evening.

The sending of regular army officers
into the state to inspect the national
guard indicates that the United
States government is going to see
that the various companies are in
good shape to respond to the call of
duty, if the President sees fit TO
make a demand for their services.
Monday evening Co. D was out for
inspection. Lieut-Ccl. Cornelius
Gardener, Of the 21st infantry, TT.
Smelling, Mimi. was detailed to in
spect the Mitchell company along
with the others in the southeastern
part of the state. The colonel ar
rived in the city on the EOS Omaha
passenger, and the company, under
command of Captain Briggs, went to
the depot to meet him, %escorting
him down town. The inspection
was held at the court house and the
colonel critically inspected the guns
and carefully looked over the general
appearance Of the men in their uni
forms. Practically the full force of
men was out, AZ responding to roll
call made by the captain. Col.
Gardener was surprised as we'll as
pleased when informed that the
average attendance Of ~privates and
officers at drill meeting was 80, and
he expressed the opinion that with
an interest Of that character the
company ought to reach a high degree
Of proficiency.
At the conclusion Of the inspection
Colonel Gardener took occasion to
say a few words to the young men who
stood before him. He said substan-
italy: my inspection at this time
is not for the purpose particularly of
finding out how much you know
about drilling, but Of what you are
lacking in accoutrements in order
that you may be well equipped for
whatever the government may re-
quire Of you. l regret very much to
learn that you have nc armory, and l
should think that your citizens
would take the matter in hand an
provide you with a suitable room 81
that during the winter months you
could keep up your drilling, and also
afford you a range for target practice
i'll an enclosure. Local pride in a
company ought to urge the citizens
to respond to this necessity. / want
you should commence to practice IN
shooting. That's one thing the
government wants of a sOlider-to
shoot well. You are a sounding brass
and a tlnkling cymbal as a soldier if
you cannot shoot. Another thing:
you must learn how to march for a
long distance and not fall out of the
ranks. One thing more: you must
learn bow to live in camp and not
get sick. Your stomach is the best
friend you have and still you will
abuse it and bring On sickness. Now,
when you boys so into camp in June
do not try to eat a whloe lot of
things that you would not think of
touching at home. This is the way
80 per cent Of the volunteers act and
l believe a word Of caution at this
time will keep many Of you well.
1.-The government has appropriated
something like 81. 900, 900 for the
equipment Of the national guard. It
is proposed under this appropriation
to equip the volunteer soldiers with
everything that the regular army
has. Before you go into camp you
will be provided with the new Krag-
J0rgenson rifle, and everything else
that will 60 to make your outfit COM
plete. When you have taken the
oath you have given the government
the right to depend upon you. The
President can now call upon you to
enter a nine months service in the
field to resist invasion. and if you
don't respond when you are called
out you will be tried by a court
martial just the same as a private
in the regular army and punishment
will be melted out to you according
to the circumstances. I tell you
this so that if there are any married
or Others who feel different
about the matter you can govern
yourselves accordingly.
II want to say a word about disci-
pline. Your captain is the man to
obey, and there should be no hest
fancy in responding pleasantly to
every command he issues. Without
this your company will not amount
to much and a poor company is worse
than none at all. l want to urge
you to attend the drill meetings of
your company and reach a proficiency
will excite the admiration of
your citizens and receive the COM
mendation of your superior Officers
lnP r0nnHnV wac thpn Gicn,iccnI