Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-10-01
Mandan, N. D., Sept. 20.
To the Adjutant General, Bismarcl

To the Adjutant General, Bismarck
N. D.
Sir: Pursuant to General Ordel
No. 8, Adjutant Generals Office dated
July Goth, 1910, have the honor tc
sumbit herewith the following rept j,
of my inspection and observation Of
the First regiment, North Dakota in
fantry, while at camp Bruce E. Mccoy
at Sparta, Wis.
The regiment was modified at Far
go, N. d., July Goth. Too much credit
cannot be given to the organization
both officers and men, for the man.
her in which they conducted them.
selves on this occasion. At the gov.
errors review, which was necessar
lily an impro.nptu affair, the regiment
presented an admirable appearance
forming into line, as they did, without
confusion, and passing the review with
the swinging step of veterans. Dur
ing the entire day the men behaved
like the gntlemen that they are and
won much favorable comment. The
showing of the troops throughout the
stay at Fargo was such to increase
the esteem in which the guard has
been held by the citizens of North
Dakota. The writer however ques-
tons the advantage to the national
guard of day as was spent at Fargo
on July 30th. 1t was a day of hard
work for the men and was of little
practical benefit to the organization.
The regiment entrained about noon
on July 81 for Sparta, Wis, one Sec
ton going over the Great Northern
and the other over the Northern Pa.
cific. On this trip it was noted that
the men continued their good behav.
ior of the day before, fact which
was a source of much satisfaction to
those in command of the trains. Both
sections arrived at Sparta about six
o'clock Monday morning, Aug. LIST,
and shortly aftef detrained at the
camp grounds in splendid order.
The regiment was Immediately
marched to the camp grounds assign
ed to it and preparations were begun
for establishing camp. In a short
time however, orders came for the
North Dakota regiment to change it's
camp site. This fact, together with
the fact that an insufficient number of
wagons was placed at the disposal of
the regiment for hauling supplies and
baggage, was rather disheartening.
Officers and men, however, worked
and established camp in
quick time. 1t may be said in favor
Of those of the regular establishment
in charge of the quartermaster's de-
partment that the North Dakota
troops were the first arrivals among
the militia regiments, following close
ly upon the heels of the regular troops
and before affairs had been put into
good running order.
OF the work in the camp it may b.
said that this was essentially ma.
newer camp and camp of instruction,
and as such it proved of great benefit
to the officers. Tactical walks were
neld during which problems were dis
cussed. In this age of scientific war
fare the officers should make every
effort to keep abreast of the times
and as an aid to this end these walks
we're beneficial. During the actual
the men N,re held under
excellen control.
In the matter of guard duty there
was room for much Improvement.
Many of the officers and most of the
men seemed to have little idea of
what was required Of them. The cere-
mony of mounting guard showed that
the men had apparently had little in
struction along these lines. Too much
stress cannot be laid upon this branch
of the regulations by company COM
manders. They are primarily respon-
sible for the poor showing made in
camp. During the drills throughout
the winter months instruction should
be given in guard mounting, the men
should be taught their general orders
and the proper manner of showing
honors while on duty. The men are