Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-03-02
TROOP A WILL
. Be COMPLETELY
RE.0RCAk|zED
Col. R. E, Twitchel Has Been Or
Tered and has Accepted Cap
taircy Of the Troop.
Captain Eward McNcnie viii Take the
Position Of First Lieutenant at
his Own Request.

Troop A, first squadron If cav
airy Of the National Guard OF New
Mexico, located In this city, win be
almost completely reorganized in the
immediate future.
Captain Edwasd McWenie has been
In i'll health for some time and be-
cause OF the confining nature Of his
work at the First National bank Of
this city, feels that he Is unable TO
give the full amount Of attention TO
the duties Of his office as commander
of the troop.
II was unanimously decided by the
officers and members Of the local or
ganization TO tender to Colonel r.
E. Twitchell the captaincy Of Troop A,
and he has accepted the honor.
Mr.. McWenie has long been mem
Der Of the National guard, and being
in love with the service, was prevail
ed npon 10 remain in the organization
as first lieutenant, where his duties
will not be so heavy and where he
can render excellent service to the
new commander.
The plan of Captain Twitchell is to
Immediately recruit the troop to full
strength and infuse new blood and
enthusiasm into the organization, 20
chop out the dead wood and make the
troop the best in the territory. He
win probably give the non-comfnis-
stoned staff shaking up and make
all promotions dependent upon at
tendance and proficiency.
The following is the letter, written
by Major r. c. Rankin, tenGering the
position Of captain to Mr.. Twitchell
in which the plans OF the troop for
the coming year are outlined.
Las Vegas Mar. l 1906.
Col. r. E. Twitchell. City.
Sir: ] have the honor to inform
you that am authorized by the OF.
flcers and members to tender you the
position of captain Of Troop A. First
Squadron Cavalry, N. G. of n NJ. II
being the desire of Captain Edward
McWenie to be relieved OF his com
mand on account of the confining ma.
ture Of his business and continued iii
health. He desires, however, to re'
main with the troop as first lieuterl-
ant. He feels that he cannot give the
attention at this time necessary to
bring the troop up to Its full strength
by April 8, the date set for the an
nual inspection by the United States
AS the government bases It's pro
rata Of funds and equipment amons
the states and territories on the
strength OF the guard at this inspec
tion, it is Of the utmost importance
that the organization be brought up tc
It's full strength at once.
With the full knowledge OF yoni
long experience In the national guard
work and your public spirit SO gener
ously displayed at various times in
the interests Of Las Vegas, the off
GERS, at Captain McWenie's sugges
tion. decided at a meeting held on
the 9th inst. 10 lay the matter be
fore you and request you TO accep'
the position of captain,
The program for the National Guard
OF New Mexico during the comma
season Is unusually attractive. Never
before In the history Of the guard has
the territory been so liberal as now.
Under the military code, passed By
the last legislature provision has been
made for competition in tage'
shooting. offering rare prizes for 1'ls
most proficient marksmen. a new
target pil ii now being built on tiif
rife range north of the city, whieF
win he large enough TO accommodate
two revolving targets. which. togeihe'
with the silhouette targets for skir
mish rms, will make this equipment
the most complete. of any in the terri
torv. an encampment will be hell
probably In July, at which all tn'
guard will he assembled. Representa-
lives from the different organization
will there compete for the honor o.
representing the territory In the ma
tional shoot to he neld at Sea Cir.
N. y. These men will be taken r
the national competition at the gov
ernment expense. and will certainty
do credit to the territory. There q
great deal of work 10 be done II
q very short time; the troop Will bav'
to be recruited to It's full strength
drilled. and work done on the targe
range in preparation for the various
events.
Il IL also hoped to have q picke