Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-30
DEFENSE'S
FINE SHOWING
Had Important Duty to Fulfill
In the City and Did It
Exceptionally Well

Although the local battalion Of the
New Jersey Militia Reserve was not
organized to see active war service
the object being to protect the private
and public property here i'm case of an
outbreak. the result of actions by Ger
man agents or otherwise-it saw real
war conditions during the days of the
Morgan explosion. The work of the
local militia reserves-together with
that of other units from different parts
OF the state-during those days of ter
ror here last October is something
which the residents of Perth Amboy,
South Amboy and nearby places shall
eve forget.
With the first explosion at the big
Gillespie plant Major Frank L. Antisell
sent out the call mobilizing the local
battalion. The response was imme-
date and in record time the situation
had been studied and a definite plan
of action decided upon.
On Police Duty
As the police force of the city was
inadequate to patrol the entire city
the reserves were assigned to patrol
duty In different sections, preventing
any from entering homes without their
being recognized as the residents.
Although there are always to be
found those who will take advantage
of confusion such as was prevalent
here at the time of the explosion, to
enter and loot homes which are de-
serted by the inmates, the sharp look
out kept by the reserves resulted in
these marauders being frightened
away.
In addition to p~atrolling the streets.
aid was also rendered to the refugees
who were fleeing from South Amboy
with n few crarCa hal0n Cipna
Worked for Two Days
This work of the reserves was con-
tinued for two days and nights. many
of the men refusing to take time off
to sleep during this period n stick
ing to their posts as would the regular
soldiers who were taught and drilled
to remain on duty until relieved.
With the arrival in this city OF out
of town reserve units and Red Cross
workers, some of the work was taken
from the hands of the Perth Amboy
men but after a short rest they again
resumed their work of p%atrolling the
streets. guarding stores and houses
and rendering any assistance possible
to those who had been made homeless
by the catastrophe.
Efficient Work
The efficient work of the reserves
during the Morgan explosion would be
sufficient to warrant its high recon-
mendation by the people of this city
but its scope went even further than
that.
instruction in military training given
to the members of the reserves proved
to be of great value to the members
of the reserves who later Joined the
army, the instruction received as re-
serves qualifying them for non-com-
missioned officers when they arrived
at the training camps.
Many of the men who hav returned
with corporal and sergeant chevrons
on their sleeves have given the credit
for their position to the preliminary
training secured in the reserves.
When the militia reserves were first
organized they were known as the
Home Defense League. Later they
were enlisted as militia reserves of this
state, their ranks being increased to
about $50. Although the ranks were
depleted considerably by the draft,
many OF the city's men above the draft
age Joined the reserves and they still
continue to drill, the Now Jersey re-
serves having receive no instructions
to disband.