The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-09
FEDERAL REPORT ON NORWICH.
Capt. Lincoln C. Andrews, u S. A. Gives
1t Officially.

Exract from report TO the division
OF Militia Affairs, Z, S. Army by Cap
tain Lincoln C. Andrew, u. S. A., in
spector instructor of the cavalry of New
York and Vermont.
"l5. The Militia Cavalry of Vermont
One squadron composed exclusively
of students at Norwich university,
stands in class by itself, and should
be considered separately.
The national policy Of dependence on
citizen soldiery in time of war finds its
best support in this school. That policy
will depend for success on our ability tc
supply trained troop leaders for the
volunteers, While such organizations
as the New York cavalry are training
many along this line, this school in
Vermont is prominent in doing so. All
of its graduates are we'll grounded in the
military art, and have had large meas
ure of practical experience in all the
details of field service
Their students averaging about the
same age as the West Point cadets, are
largely paying their own way through
college, more are sons of rich men-all
of which lends an atmosphere of earnest
ness and seriousness to their work which
is most advantageous.
Discipline and control are exercised
exclusively through the medium of their
own cadet officers, a helpful training
They are in United States uniform and
under military discipline continuously,
and are old enough to appreciate the
dignity and force this imposes. Practi
cally all drills and military instruc-
tions are conducted by cadet officers, |
under the supervision of the regular
army instructor.
TO. Military instruction includes
both cavalry and infantry drill, close or !
der and battle exercises; thorough train |
ing in horsemanship and care of the |
horse; signaling each troop having a
squad capable OF handling wireless tel |
egrsphy Photograph, and semiphore; en-
gineering, theoretical and practical--the
class this year went into the woods,
cut the timbers and built an so foot
bridge, II foot trestles, capable of carry
ing loaded wagon traffic; rifle practice
each troop qualifying far higher than
any infantry company in the state;
field firing problem with ball cartridges
good fire control at changing
.argets they attain percentage on the
'egular army basis well above that re-
luired for the classification Excellent"
nap making they have nearly complet-
ID a contour map of the surrounding
that viii be used for indoor
var games. They are in camp for prac-
ical field training ten days each year,
mounted on horses furnish
d by the troops at Fort Ethan Allen.
iermont-they have many practical
ield problems during the year, often
pending the night in bivouae. doing their
wn cooking, loading and driving wag-
ms, etc. They maintain an average of :
bout thirty suitable cavalry horses, I
lay polo, compete at horse shows. and /
" their own etfo-ts are now raising the
money to build suitable riding hall
nd static plans for which are com.
leted.
IL. At present these young men, gen c
rally well qualified for volunteer com c
lands in time of war. are lost to the c
ountry upon graduation. l recommend .
hat hereafter, while the school main a
aims Us present high standard of Ell a
iency. the commandant be required to il
aport upon each graduating class with
a. b the suitability
each man for commissioned or other
srvice in the volunteers. giving an ad-
ress where each may be reached; and e
rat these recommendations be made a d
lsis for future use Of these men in time X
need j
(signedl T. c. ANDREWS. a
Inspector Instructor. q