The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-11

yirginia's contribution of national
guardsmen to the fghting forces of
the country in the great war was all
that was asked for by the war depart
ment. and not in a single instance was
there a failure on the part of the state
military authorities TO furnish COM
mands OF the number and branch re-
quired. This Is shown In survey
made OF the national guard organiza-
lions which were drafted into the ser
vice of the nation on August and
are now being concentrated In camp
for intensive training, preparatory TO
service in the field on the western
front
Virginia is one of the comparatively
few states In the Union which was
found on the night of August with
all of its commands ready for the fed
eraf draft. Some time earlier the war
department had indicated to Adjutant-
General William Wilson Sale the or
CARNATIONS wanted from this state.
and companies representative of Vir-
GINA formed ia-eaeh- Instance
While they were not all recruited up
to the full war strength, the ranks
were weil-hlled. even after the men
had been subjected to rigid physical
examination of the war department,
which disqualified large number.
Officers Make High Record.
Only four officers in the Virginia
national guard were not mustered into
federal service. this being regarded
as record when reports show that
other states had numerous officers, as
we'll as various organizations, which
could not be taken into the service
The officers In Virginia who are still
In state service are Adjutant- General
Sale. Lieutenant Colonel 10 Lane Stern.
assistant fnspector-genepal of vir-
ginia; Major Thomas W. Shelton, Judge
advocate-generai. and Major Joseph
LeMasurier. General Sale, who holds
commission of brigadier- general,
has had several f7attertng opportunities
TO enter the federal service. but on
account Of the important duties of his
office, Governor Stuart refused to re-
lease him for active service In the
war. The same was the case of Colo
mel Stern. whose services were needed
particularly In connection with the
formation of state volunteer troops
to be used for home defense. The
war department has not seen At as vet
to appoint a. 3udge-advocate from Viz
einia. but II IL still believed that Ma
tor Shelton will he mustered into the
federal service. The muster of Major
Masurier was delayed IN order that
he NAV have the opportunity to com
piete the transfer OF the property of
the guardsnen to the government
This Is about done. and this officer
win in all probability be mustered in
shortly
Virgtnfa's total national guard
strength at the time of the federal
draft numbered approximately 1900
onteers and men. This was made UP
of general STAFF and headquarters
three regiments of infantry. one regi-
ment OF field artillery. one squadron
OF cavalry, one company of signal
corps. nine companies OF coast artil-
lery. sanitary troops and national
guard reserves. The various organiza-
tons of the Virginia guard are brigade
headquarters. the First. Second and
Fourth regiments of infantry, the First
regiment OF Virginia field artillery
the First squadron OF cavalry. Com
pany A. signal corps. the Virginia coast
defense command. field hospital and
ambulance company No /,
Faurth- Infantry Reorxandxed.
During the past year there has been
complete reorganization of the
Fourth infantry. At the time Of the
mobilization OF June Is, 1915 for Mar
lean border duty. only the First and
Second regiments were called out In
order to equip them promptly large
amount OF the properties Of the Fourth
r. t.
GOODWIN the commanding officer, was
confined to the hospital on account Of
Illness FOR Eorae tirne during which
the regiment suffered because he could
not give II his personal attention. This
left the command In such a condition
mat 1t was suggested that II be turned
into coast artillery. This however.
was contrary to the wishes of the men
who had enlisted as infantry and when
Colonel Gnnawyp
fctently to give the regiment his at
tension, General Sale directed it's re-
organization which resulted In II be-
ing the hrst to be taken into federal
service when a state of war was de-
clared with Germany
Coast Defense Co... Organized.
All during this time General Sale
companies Of coast artillery In Wiz
Efnta, Colonel 10 Lane Stern was also
active In forming these tcommands
The work progressed with considerable
satisfaction TO the military authorities
of the state. and before the draft on
August all Of the companies had been
organised. One Of them. however that
raised at Hopeweli. was not acceptable
to the government. because II had a
large membership OF n1unIfTon work
ers, which were regarded as perform
ing a preferable service
BriFadier-General Cecil c. Vaughan.
Jr.. Of Franklin. Ia commanding OFFICER
of the Virginia troons Major Clinton
L. Wright. OF Norfolk, was the bril-
rade adtutant. but he was detached
and sent to France by the government
on the American postal commission.
He was succeeded Nv Major Alfred
"a, Percy. OF LynchburF General
Vaughan is now at Camp Mcclellan.
Admission Ala whera ha