The Washington times., 1904-09-14
MILITIA LEARNED
USEFUL LESSONS
CltiZen-SOldierS Had Hard
Time at ManeuverS.
LEARN FROM THE REGULARS
Complaint About Lack of Conlmissarv
Supplies Due Largely to Inexpe-
rience of Militia Officers.

There is unanimity of opinion amonf
officers OF the regular army that tho
recent maneuvers held in tho vicinity Of
Manassas, Va. We're Of incalculable ben
eft 10 the military efficiency of the
United States
For the first time IN the history of this
country large bodies Of militia and regu-
lar soldiers from the North and South
were brought together for the purpose
OF STIMULATING conditions of war. and
as general proposition. the result was
entirely satisfactory.
The selection of the particular spot
Where the maneuvers were held was due
not 10 the fact that two famous battles
were fought there during the civil war.
as most people imagine but to unavoid-
able conditions. Happily. however. the
opportunities afforded for extended drill
Were excellent, and the country pro-
Nlded unusual advantages for simulat-
ing actual war in the solving Of the
two problems given the division com
manders by the higher authorities Of the
army.
The Men Enthusiastic.
The men entered with much enthus-
lasm into the work-and It is conceded
mat II was work. too. that they had
WINE IN Virginia, and at times during
the mimic battles had the roar Of the
SItlIlery and the rattle of the musketrv
oeen accompanied by the screaming OF
sheils and the kissing Of bullets II w0uld
indeed. have been impossible to saw tI,ai
actual war did not exist
Such was the enthusiasm Of the men
Dolh OF the regular and militia organiza-
LOIS, mat on one or two coca sions had
~ not been for the watchfuIness OF the
tnlltary umpires there might, indeed
lave Seen actual physical contact which
MSuid nave had a disastrous effect upon
al prospect for future games of vv-ers
Inere IS one criticism Of the Virginia
maneuVers which may lead 10 a better
arrangement next year which ie tb.t
the men should have been given al least
one DAY rest between the two prob-
lcIls. mere is limit TO human endur-
nj, 5he oIhcers Of the regular army
.HoN- reatlze better than ever before thai
Il IS not practicable to put militia orpeni~
= uo1s IN the field and expect Thorn 10
m MAJ and fight for four days without
Unlike the men in the regular service
VINO I'VE an outdoor life and are con
:. s'i ~ rSSorung 10 physical exercise
,iiti ~ themselves ls,,Iy in the pink of con
oltloh. the militia is made up of mon
whose lie Is Of a sedentary nature
Nhen they are put in the field and
tlls1ue 10 I've the life Of a soldier under
Ine most trying conditions II must FOL-
low that they will wear out.
4 ne hardshiDs Of the Virginia n m
DalEh last week were very severe. For
I9uL DAYS and practically for four
nlehtS Inc troops We're kept on the
Iharch over some of the toughest ,.g,,,,,-
tty IN this section Of the United states
ID Mn and down dale the men
~ aFcned. and while they ALWAYS showed
the fortitude so characteristics oF 49,
Anerican when leading the life Of a
soldier' the physical condition OF some
ste15 H. Hl I! Was not such as 70
~ admitted by the authorities ~ tba
~ dI department and IL is not believed
tnat men viii again he made to work
mus hard without sufficient rest.
Food Supply Overlooked.
Reports have been received at the War
department showing that some OF the
militia organizations did not receive
their proper supply OF food while "on
the field Of battle" here Is no doubt
that this is true On one occasion a reg
iment Of militia from one Of the Sout;,-
ern States went nearly twelve hours
without a bite to eat This was not The
fault OF the Federal authorities. how
eyer. as the officers OF the regiment vvere
Willing TO admit, but 10 the lack of g.
officer '''''F'S
There was plenty of food both at Ma
haSSaS and ThOrOuRhfare. and plenty az
wagon transportation 10 take IN TO the
held but through lack OF appreciation
OF their duties some Of the militia com
mlssaries failed 20 get the food 10 their
respective regiments I'm time. This has
ed the War Department TO the cOncIt--
sion mat al future maneuvers Il would
be better from all points OF view II "a
regular commissary officer were assigned
10 duty with each militia regiment for
the purpose Of instructing the militia
commissary how 10 manage his supplies
ana TO Keep his men well supplied with
Men Went Thirsty.
The maneuvers. II is generally believed
have taught many things essential to a
soldiers knowledge to the members Of
the National Guard who participated I'm
them. In the first place the men in the
militia who took part will hardly be so
careless Of their drinking water when
they go in the field in the future.
A regular will fill his canteen I'm the
morning and harbor his water during
the entire day. When thirsty he will
mOisten his mouth. but not drink bfs
fill The militiaman. on the contrary
would drink all the water in his canteen, /
IT thirsty. before noon and run the
chances Of repleniShing his supply This
expectation OF finding good water durine,
the recent maneuvers often was disaU-
pointing. and consequently there was
considerable complaint among the militia /
that they We're not well supplied with |
good water.
Officers OF the regular army, however
speak highly IN praise OF the excellent /
made by the militia during Tho
The men. while NOT lIsed 10 |
long marches OF the kind thew were
confronted with IN Virginia. showed /
excellent spirit and worked hard TO GAIN /
the commentator Of their s-InorfCrs
They were willing 20 learn from me I
longer experience Of the regulars ana
emulated them as far as possible A.
iar as equipment was concerned tho /
rule. in excellent shape
rNp 1890