The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24

a. 4. ID anu IL. TtW PcOPiC "a
this city realize what proficiency the citi-
zen-soIdiers who form this battalion have
attained in their military training.
The men who form this branch of the
National Guard are very generous in giving
their opinion of the reason for the high
standard which has been maintained among
them. and say that their advantage over
the other battalions in the guard is owing
TO the fact that they are all located in this
city and that the battalion always appears
in a body and works as unit. which the
others cannot do. because throughout the
State there is only one company to each
locality and the battalion seldom gets to-
gether except at encampments.
The soldier life also appeals to many OF
the young men Of the city. which tends TO
keep all OF the companies well recruited,
and each has a long waiting list, so that as
soon as one member drops out 1t Is no
trouble to fill his place. And again, the idea
OF going into camp and practically living
out of doors for a week or ten days each
summer. with the excitement of army life.
also attracts many vigorous men 10 the
guard
There is scarcely e man who at some time
I'm his life has not longed TO be soldier
for there is a fearIessness and recklessness
connected with the army occupation. al
though the discipline is extremely severe,
which attracts him. The majority, how
ever. do not care to go into the regular
army. and so join the guard that they may
divide their time between business and the
work of the soldier.
The amount of interest displayed by the
guardsmen In this city is greater than is
found i'm most places. although in the East
considerable attention is paid 10 military
organization, especially in the large cities
A member of the National Guard is sub
tect to call at all times. and as the local
battalion can be got out with so little delay,
It is generally the first called. and. as one
OF the men said, Whenever there is any
thing doing we are always in il" The
officers of the various companies all keep
records OF where the men under their COM
mand live and how they can be got at the
quickest. so that there may be no delay in
finding them when wanted.
LOCATION OF ARMORY.
The armory for the local battalion is To-
Gated on the fourth floor of the court
house, and each company has a different
night for drill The measured tread of the
soldiers and the sharp commands of the
officers have become quite familiar sounds
ONCNf'iNN
ing the day by civil officers. for the guard
has been assembling there for number of
years.
Ii is however. thought that il will not be
many years until the battalion will have
quarters eyf-tts .ewn in some locality where
parade grounds can be had As it is now
the indoor drills are all right during the
winter months, but when the warm nights
OF summer prevail the boys take more in
tcrest in out-of-door work, and to avail
themselves of this they either have to
march over the downtown streets or get on
cars and go to the outskirts where open
country can be had. The lot at the corner
OF Sixteenth street and Capitol avenue has
long been favorite place for drilling by
the local companies.
Last year a military carnival was given
by this battion for the purpose of rails
ing funds for new armory. The affair
occurred during the last week in September,
and was largely attended by people from
all over the State. and ii quite an
event for the local society people and was
patronized very literally.
About 81, 800 was raised. and this has
been put out at interest until enough can
be accumulated to buy the ground and
erect an armory, which will be equipped
with all of the latest improvements. Some
sort OF a fair or carnival will be again
held during the coming summer. but the
exact nature OF the event has not as yet
beer definitely decided, though. no doubt.
IT Will be something in the nature of the
carnival that was held vast year.
Where the new armory is to be located
has not been determined and the exact time
of its being built is not at present known.
h.tff hot he will
armory OF its own devoted to storing it's
is a settled fact. and it will only be few
years before it is erected.
The battalion in this city is in the Sec
ond Regiment OF Infantry under Col. Harry
Il. Smith. There are three battalions in
a regiment. This city is the headquarters
for the regiment. and all of its business
IS transacted here The second battalion
consists OF Companies B, Of Muncie: l. of
Union City; F. of Winchester. and c.. of
New Castle; and the third battalion is
made up of Companies L. of Lebanon; X.
of Danville: E. of Franklin. which place
is the battalion headquarters, and NJ. of
Greenfield.
The regiment of which the local battalion
is part was organized May 81 1882 and
recrgarized July ?. 1883. 1t has been called
upon more frequently than any other regi-
ment for parades and other ceremonies
because OF it's central location. At its or
ganizatiOn the regiment had a strength of
COS men, and when the Second entered it's
first camp il had 900 in line 1t was armed
with Springfield rifles. and sixty-three of
the men were veterans of the war between
the North and South.
FAVORABLE COMMENT.
In 1896 the regiment had 625 members and
II was highly commended. especially the
first battalion for the general fine appear
ance Of the men and the way they carried
themselves through the drills and various
maneuvers. Maj. r. Loder. OF the Third
United States Artillery, who was present
at the encampment held at Lafayette. said
in his report:
The company and regimental drills were
frequent and properly conducted. l must
mention the Second Regiment. Col y. r..
Ruckle commanding. as an instance of
what the energy and attention OF a regi-
mental commander will do"
This encampment was the first time the
regiment had ever assembled in a body
and In his report Colonel RuckIe especially
commended Capt Charles H. McCarer Of