Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-30
NATIONAL
GUARD READY FOR
FIELD SERVICE
So Adjutant- General Tillotson
Declares at Conclusion of
the Annual lnspec-
ton.

The annual federal inspection OF the
Vermont National Guard was completed
Saturday by First Lieut.. John C. Water
man Of the Seventh L. S. Infantry. lie
was accompanied on the inspection tour
by Adjutant General Tillotsoh or 81
Adams and Col. Ira l.. Reeves of North
field They visited the stations OF all the
IL infantry companies and inspected both
equipment and personnel.
General Tillotson said to a Free Press
reporter before leaving Burlington for
his home in st Adams:
THE regiment Is we'll equipped and
trained for field service, and is In more
efficient condition than | have ever seen
it. The strength is above what 1t has
ever been before at this time OF the year
There are now upon the "olls about 800
officers and men. over W per cent were
present at he inspection. The absentees
were practically all accounted for. Com
pany l of Brattleboro was the only COM
pany having 100 per cent. attendance
Several of the companies are already full
and have waiting lists We found the men
everywhere taking a deep interest in the
work, serious minded, and ready to re-
spond to any demand that may be made
upon them.
There is also a marked increase in
public interest. Nearly all the inspections
were attended by representative men of
the community. a large per cent. of the
men of each company have already re-
ceived the anti-typhoid treatment The
serum is furnished by the government
and local doctors are administering it free
of charge.
The regiment is proficient in target
practice. Practically every man fired the
prescribed courses In the 1915 season
There are now qualified 226 sharpshooters
In the regiment or nearly In g.
1.-THE Vermont National Guard Is ready
when called"
Washington, March 49, In answer to
Congressman Tague's inquiry regarding
the availability OF the Massachusetts mil
itia for immediate service on the border
of Mexico, Adjutant- General Cole to-day
Informed him that 700 officers and men
of the Massachusetts, National Guard
were ready for immediate service.
The cavalry, sanitary and signal troops
are recruited up to their full complement,
and have men on the waiting list, and bu,
very few vacancies exist in the infantry
and artillery branches. These vacancies
according to General Cole. could be filled
promptly by the numerous former mem
bers who would offer their services In the
event OF war, Acknowledgement Cole.
telegram reads:
"seventy-two hundred officers and mer
Of the national guard or land forces ar.
ready for immediate service, as follows:
give regiments, one battalion infantr,
(47iO), u companies coast artillery (s5W
one regiment field artillery 800, on,
squadron cavalry (275,, sanitary troops
600. signal corps 900, additional head
quarters or attachments 1851, There ar,
no vacancies in enlisted personnel Of cav
airy. signal troops, sanitary troops, an,
these outfits have waiting lists Th
ranks of the infantry and field artlller,
are practically full. with sufficient ex
members offering their services in case o
call to completely I'LL them up"