Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-22
CAVALRY ELIMINATED
!. in NATIONAL GUARDS
Tank Company to Replace This
Branch OF Service i'm Nir-
~ ginia, Is Order.
GUARDsMEN NUMBER ,,loo
New Dispatch Authorizes About
5000 Officers AMI Mcn--0rgani-
cations Authorized Must re
Formed by End of Fiscal Yea

The death kncll OF cavalry, as a
part OF the National Guard of Viz
Einia, has been sounded as tie re-
suit OF an order from the War De
partmcnt in Washington To the office
of 10 Lane Stern. Adiutant General
of Virginia. At this time there are
hut the order. which deals with The
reorganization % ilc National Guard
forh!ds the formation Of cavalry
troops In Virginia. again.
While the Old Dominion Is pro-
hibi;ed from recruiting cavalry the
order from Washington grants per-
m Ss ION to the military authorities
20 undertake the recruiting OF n
branch Of the service entirely new in
Nire ina. tank company to replace
the cavalry. luis branch proved the
most thrilling during the recent
world war and was popular with
youngsters desiring 10 shoulder arms
for democracy. liberty and freedom
Anticipate M Trouble.
Major Joseph lie Masurier. attached
TO Colonel Storms office. stated yes
terday that he anticipated no trouble
in recruiting the tank company. In
cral cities in the state in regard to
the company and several has. asked
tina; they tc allowed TO begin for
nation OF the unit The place o. the
new organization will be lcf; 10 the
adjutant generals office and will be
selected in the next few days.
Steps, which will lead to an in
crease In NirEinia's National Guard,
are provided in the order. Forma-
tion Of an infantry brigade. consist
ing Of TWO regiments and head
quarters company, have been sane
toned 10y the War Department. This
provision VIII double the present
strength Of the National Guard in
At This time the Virginia National
Guard numbers approximately l.10O
men and with the new organizations
the State will have a strength OF
nearly 5000. including officers and
men. There are fifteen companies in
the State at lie present time, eight
OF which are located in Richmond.
- Hichmon'l Organizations.
-Four companies OF the HlueS' Bat
talon. machine-Gun company. a
supply company, headquarters com
pany. and the Richmond Howitzers
represent Richmond. The last four
Grays- ArmDr! Conservative csti-
mates place the number Of Richmond
ers ut close to 500, including officers
and men,
is Probable that Richmond will under
take further organization Of nddi-
tiona! companies. There are large
number of eN-tank men in this city.
and while no bid has been filed with
Colonel Stern for formation of the
new branch in this city. the spirit of
the men may lead TO such a step.
For more than Il year after the war
ended recruiting Of military compa-
MES resulted only after strenuous ef-
forts on the par; OF those at the head
of the various companies. In the last
year though the ranks OF the compa-
MES have been filling rapidly and
many requests have been received
from cities throughout the State for
the organization OF additional units.
Want -Four Artillery Companies.
Major lie MaSur.er announced yes
terday that the new order made IL
nc cessary for Virginia TO have re-
cruitcd not later than June 30. 1920.
four coas; artillery companies. one in
fantry brigade. an ambulance com :
pany. tank company, and one signal
company. No trouble IS expected IN
meeting this requirement In view OF
the intercs: taken in the National
these cornpa mics have been recognized