The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-02-15

in camps, maneuvers, practice marches
or any other military purpose.
The report of Colonel c. D. Cowless
Fifth U. S. Infantry, recites in detail
the part which the Connecticut Ma
tiona1 Guard played during the
maneuvers in this state last summer
in the attack upon New York city and
is followed up by number OF innpor-
tant comments In that relating 70
santa ton it is noted that the Ihealth
of the command in these rnaneuvers
was excellent. throughout the entire
period and the almost total apsence
of sort feet is spoken OF. me
fact that the cooks were. not armed
with the rifle is pointed out as de-
feet that should be remedied, for they
can render valuable assistance IN the
protection of trains and camps.
In talking about the supplies the
report says: 1.-The troops were supplied
with fdel, forage and rations from the
depot at Derby by cars sent out daily
to the railroad station most conVen-
lent to the brigade, wagons of the
field train being sent to the rail- points
to transport the supplies to the troops
The garrison ration was used through
the period with the exception that a,
haVerSack ration was drawn and USED
for one day and the travel ration was
used by troops en- route to and from
home. While no inconvenience was
experienced by the provisional imam
try brigade during the maneuVer cam
psign fov reason of the present sys-
tenn of issuing rations, it is not be-
lieved that the system would stand the
test OF war. Inc presence OIL @d14
my in theatre of operations causes
such an advance of prices OF all com
modities that, in the event of failure
to issue rations which would compel
the purchase by organizations In open
market, it is not believed the allow
ance of money would be 'sunclent
therefor. It is my opinion that troops
k' '@The troops of the command were
equipped with sixteen army field wag-
drawn by two heavy draft horses
While these two large horses might be
able to pull as much on good roads as
would four small horses or mules, II
is believed that in hil1y country or on
rough roads the four smaller animals
would be more satisfactory, for the
reason that two of them would usually
be on good ground and able to pull,
whereas the two horses acting alone
might not be able to do so. 1t was
noticed also that the city horses used
by the Connecticut troops were not as
efficient for draft purposes as those ac-
customed to country roads used by
the Maine troops, although they were
the same in appearance.
This leads to the belief that horses
hired in a country district would prove
more satisfactory than those accuse
toned to work in the cities. Wherever
practicable mules should be used for
army transportation in preference to
horses, as they are more serviceable.
There was only one auto truck with
the brigade. Others were seen with
the division, but my observation of
them was not sufficient to warrant my
expressing an opinion as to their use
fitness for army work. Some of
those observed seemed to have been
entirely too heavy for use on any ex-
cept good roads and strong bridges
The field training of the Organizations
was very good, and showed decided
Improvement over that which I have
noted among National Guard troops
in previous maneuyers.< The officers
-oo onr 1T11anda51Ia a.
miliarity with their duties and their
morale and esprit were excellent.
Troops were habituai1y formed up and
ready to march promptly at the speci-
fed time, and the absence of strag
Cling showed a state of discipline wor-
thy of emulation and praise