New-York tribune., 1911-12-17
NAVAL MILITIA TO ARMS
First Battalion Modified on
Short Notice for Review.
FIRST TRY AT WAR GAME
Sailors, Fully Equipped, March
Down Broadway to 22d
Regiment Armory.

For the first time in its history Of twen-
ty years the 1st Battalion Of the Naval MI
Ita of the State Of New York, that part
of the organization resident in the Borough
Of Manhattan. mobilized last night Just TO
see whether It could or not II has come
together before now for war duty; that
was in 1895 and about a month ago the
whole organization was distributed along
the Long Island coast-on paper. But this
ls the first try at the modern war game, in
which the regular army and navy have be-
come proficient by long practice.
The orders to mobilize the battalion fell
like a wrecked aeroplane into the ward
room aboard the good ship Granite state,
living off West 9sth street, on Friday night.
The officers. just recovering from the men
tai strain OF the theoretical mobilization
Of last month, expected no further work for
the glory OF their country until after tho
holidays, az least. Without warning. even
from the sentry at the gangway in strode
Colonel Regan. assistant adJutant general
Of the state, and handed an ofticial-looking
document 10 Commander Russell Raynor,
chief Of the battalion. II was signed by
the Governor, and instructed him to have
his command fully equipped for ield SER
vice. assembled at the armory OF the I'D
Regiment Of Engineers, Broadway and 66th
street. at o'clock last night
Then began hustle. Telegraph boys
made the boards of the old ship creaK with
their tread. and the plugs of the telephone
board nearly melted from many connec-
tons. The commanders Of the SIX divisions
received immediate nouhcsuon. IL then
became their duty to Inform their petty
officers. The petty Officers had To see that
all the $50 men knew the necessity or re-
porting aboard the Granite State yester-
day afternoon.
Early in the morning yesterday things
began 10 move between the decks Of the
old hulk. Tents that hadn't been used for
months were hauled out into the light Of
day. The three days rations that are al
ways kept aboard the ship were gone over
and a days rations for the whole command
set aside. Five thousand rounds OF am
munition came from the recesses OF the
hold TO await the coming or the baggage
train. Pots and pans, tent poles. and piles
OF uniforms lay about Unfortunately.
Toward dinner time. however, things be-
gan 10 clear up. All afternoon the men
poured aboard by twos and threes, and as
they came each reported his presence 70
the officer Of the deck, Ensign c. s. Hoyt.
He was ordered 10 get into his blue uni
form, pack his haversack and blanket bag,
MI his canteen and be ready AZ o'clock
to march through the mud and London fog
/ -. - . ba
jutant General Verbeck would be waiting
10 review the battalion.
Into each haversack Went the ordinary
Instruments needed in a sailors supper.
The blanket bag held extra clothing. the
regular white uniform and blanket. Jer-
seys. peacoats and ponchos were dealt out
all around. The rest OF the stuff, mainly
kitchen utensils. provisions. ammunition
and tents. went into the baggage train
which consisted OF a pair OF large closed
automobile trucks
Then four bells called the men 70 dinner.
II was the first time In the memory Of
the officers that they had all eaten aboard
at one time. Things We're cleaned mp In
hurry, sharp commands ran through the
mists and In close ranks. with rattle or
equipment. each man ready for war, the
battalion slogged down Broadway TO the
review.
Uncertain whether their destiny was to
return to the ship and warm beds or 20
spend the night under soaking canvas. the
men hled into the armory TO await the fate
ful word from the adiutant general care
fully inspecting their equipment, he eN-
pressed himself as we'll pleased with their
| appearance. and was delighted to learn
that 81 per cent or the total enrolment had
answered the call given only twenty-tour
hours before Then he broke the news.
This" he said, us not 20 be a regular
thing. but have no doubt that II VIII have
a good effect on all the other battahons'
not only OF the naval militia. but OF the
national guard also. These two organiza-
tions are now. for all practical purposes
enc. both ready 10 fight under one COM
mand for tho glory and safety or the
/ country.
| And the mobilization was over