Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-06
GOVERNMENT TO POLICE
RAILROAD PROPERTY
Strategic Points VIII Not BE Left Un-
guarded When Local Troops
Are Withdrawn.
CHANGES TO BE MADE SHORTLY
Virginia Regiments Now on Guard
Duty Are in Need OF Additional
Recruits to Bring Their Forces Up
to War Strength.

Railroad and public property Of
StrateEical Importance in Virginia will
not be left unguarded according to
plans now being mapped out by the
Department of the East. which. with
the help OF Acknowledgement w. w.
Sale is making survey of all points
where damage would delay or incon-
rcnicncc military movements, whether
of men or supplies. Troops now guard
ing these important points are to be
relieved within few days by others,
the Fourth Provisional Brigade. Of
New York. having been designated to
police the entire district under the
supervision of the department.
Virginia. Maryland. New Jersey and
regular army troops are now on duty
in Virginia. These commands must be
withdrawn. however. in time to pre-
pare for movement to Camp Mcclellan,
Admission. Alabama. where the Twenty
ninth Division will receive it's war
training. Some of the troops have
been quietly withdrawn and the work
taken up by private guards, as the
government will not attempt to pro-
tect private property. the loss of which
would not affect the military situation.
and which should be guarded by it's
owners.
Two companies OF the Fifth Mary
land Infantry. Companies A and b.
which have been on duty in this city
leave for Baltimore tomorrow or We'd
nesday. The Fourth and Fifth Mary
land regiments have been scattered
throughout the East for several months
and Will mobilize at Baltimore to get
in shape to leave for the concentra-
zion Camp. The regiments will need
considerable equipment which will
probably be supplied ut once.
BLUES 40 CONCENTRATE
HERE BEFORE GOING SOUTH
The Second and Fourth Virginia
regiments have also been on contin-
uous police protection duty for several
months and will need a breathing SMELL
before leaving for the South. Much of
the equipment will have to be replaced
as 1t has become unserviceable for ar
duous duties, such as will face the
troops when they reach the training
camp. The First Virginia Squadron
viii be concentrated here before leav-
consolidated with District OF Columbia
and New Jersey squadrons in a pro-
Tlsional cavalry regiment.
All OF the Virginia companies which
nave been on police protection duty
are below the maximum war strength.
ms Is due to the fact that they have
oeen absent from their home stations
and nave been unable to recruit. Col
onel Il. l.. Goodwin, of the Fourth In
iantry. stated yesterday that his reri-
tnent now has approximately 1900
men, but needs 700 more to nut II on
war footing. The present strength
was the authorized strength at the out
break of the war. The only recruiting
mat has been done since that time
mas heen to find men to take the places
sons. fea
National Guard reservists ere not
reporting with the celebrity expected
oy the Department of the East and
nirginians, who are in this class are
warned by Adjutant- sale m
attach themselves to the nearest Ma
tional Guard company as quickly as
n p9ss!o'e. Those who have not report
60 are being carried as absent withon,
ieaFe' but this charge NAV soon de-
neIoP INTO the more serious one of dc.
Scrt'on. This offcnse. in time of war
a grave one. with heavy penaIt;oc
AS Iar as possible. the reservists viii
De paced In the same COMPANY fron,
when they were furloughed and w;,h
me same rank held at that time Tha
go are subject to call for three
years after the expiration NJ ,hot.
tcFH OF active service