New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-24
BREVET MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE MOORE SMITH
Who reres from the active list with the years closing

Smith has been prominent in many I'M
portant projects for the efficiency and I'M
provement Of the military. chief Of which
was the introduction Of a system of rifle
practice for the national guard and the
army. the most important movement ever
taken up for the military services.
In the United States. even after the eX-
rcrlences IN the great Civil War, the mat
Ter Of rifle practice for the army and the
national guard was entirely neglected. The
War Department at Washington had not
oven enforced the system Of Major VII
Hard. adopted in 1862. and recruits entire
j. ignorant Of any instruction IN rifle prac-
tice were sent out on the plains 70 fight
Indians. our national guard was just as
badly off.
General Smith who is a native Of Maine.
began his military career early in 1860.
Joining an Independent military company
organized from young men who were MEM
bers OF the various gymnasiums in New
York City. Lieutenant Noah l.. Farnham'
then an officer of the eth Regiment and
later colonel of the 18th New York Volun-
feers Fire Zouaves). was the military IN
structor Of the company. lie was known
as an officer Of exceptional ability and a
patriotic man. and was killed at the first
battle Of Bull Run. This independent com
pany became the nucleus Of Company -
cd Regiment, National Guard Of Ne"
York
General Smith enlisted in Company B OF
the 9TH Regiment on April 20. 1851 the
company being under command of Captain
Emmons Clark. who subsequently became
colonel Of the 7th Regiment He served with
the 18th during the three occasions II was
called 10 the front during the civil War
FIRST in 1861 when the regiment went 10
Washington. and later into Virginia, in
1852, when 81 was AT Federal Hin, and in
1853, when 81 was at Frederick during the
Gettysburg campaign. at which time the
regiment was ordered back 10 New York
10 help quell the draft riots. lie was pro
NOTED TO first sergeant. Company b, in
September, 1861; second lieutenant in June
1852; first lieutenant in June, 1864; captain
Of Company G, in December 1861; major
in April. 1870, and lieutenant colonel on
March o. 1881
During the street Iailway strike in Brook
lyn in January. 1885, the present 6Sth Regi-
Inent was then a BATTALION Of six COM
Ianios. and the organization at that time
was placed under his temporary command.
in the following March he Was detailed
10 command the Goth Regiment with a
view 10 its REORGANIZATION as regiment.
which was effected in August, 1895, and he
was elected and commissioned its colonel
the same month. lie was commissioned
brigadier general. Fifth Brigade, in March,
inn of n
and Fifth brlgades on July I. 1901 he was
rendered supernumerary. and on the same
date was assigned 10 the command Of the
newly constituted First Brigade, and was
commissioned brigadier general, with orig
hal fauk For continuous and meritorious
service Of over thirty-eight years General
Smith received the breyet Of major general
on March g. 1900
his period OF continuous service I'm the
national guard, from April 70, 1861, TO De-
cember 81 1911, IS fifty years and eight
months, during which time he has spent
forty-nine years and six months AS a com
mssioned officer. in addition to being on
duty in the draft riots in 1863, he was on
duty with the regiment in the riot OF July
y. 1911; the railroad disturbances in 1871
and the Brooklyn street railway strike
IN 1895.
After the July y riots in 1871 General
Smith, with "A few others, recognized ;hC
necessity OF establishing system OF rhe
practice on an outdoor range, and the nrsl
meeting TO bring about the establishment
Of some system Of rifle practice was held
on September T. 1871, in the office of The
Army and Navy Journal" Among those
present were General George w. WingaJe
General Smith who AZ that time held inc
rank OF major; Colonel w. 9. Church oil
Asss Army end Navy Journal Captain