Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-03-22
LOCAL GUARD INSPECTED

kuOnL uOnnD EisOf LO LID
The local National Guard unit, Com
pany "An forth Engineer Regiment
/ fCombat) was. Monday night, Federal
" inspected by 1t. Col. Chas. j. Nell
son of Springfield, Illinois, attached to
the Inspector Generals Department
at Washington.
/ Col. Nelson arrived Monday after
noon, accompanied by Capt. Holden,
/ Commanding cfficer of the Sparta unit.
He Immediately started his inspection
of property and records which filed
his time until 8 p. m. when men were
assembled under arms on the floor of
the Opera House and officers and men
( inspected as to arms and clothing,
and were put through several maneu-
yers of the squad, Company and Man
ual of Arms. Corporals were called
out in front of their several squads
and required to instruct the men in
I different movements. The Colonel
commented on the efficiency of the
on-eommissioned officers.
A number of questions asked and
answered on subjects of First aid to
wounded, Dutysa and Orders of Sentry
on Post, General Orders, and nomen-
clature of the rifle.
After the inspection was made the
Colonel gave short talk, suggesting
that men make special effort to at
tend every drill, emphasizing the fact
that sixty per cent of drills called per
month must be attended before a man
can draw drill for the month. He
found great deal or Improvement
could be made in manual of arms and
School of the Soldier and special at
tention should be given to MILITARY
courtesy. He made very favorable
report to the Adjutant General and
left Tuesday morning to inspect the
1 Lacrosse unit
A short history of the Local Init
will help to clear up several misunder-
standings regarding it. On December
6, 1920, the unit was Federally recog-
nized and designated Troop "D" LIST
separate squadron Cavalry Wise. II.
S. Steps were made at once TO fur
nish stables and equipment for a cav
airy troop but Capt. Pickering, the
cavalry inspecting officer, found stable
conditions too poor here and the ex-
pense TO the government in building
stables would not be warranted as the
stables of the unit as cavalry could
only last until January LIST, 1928, due
to a change in organizations after the
reduction of national armament and
size Of the army.
Late in the summer of 1921 the unit,
still without equipment and the spark
of first enthusiasm burning low, was
given the opportunity to become an
artillery unit and as this seemed a
way to get new start and some ac-
tivity, it was accepted. The same diff
ficulties as to housing guns and ami
e Of nd -,
things dragged until General Holway
suggested we change to an Engineer
Company and on November list, 1921,
we were Federally reOrganized as
Company "a" forth Engineers Regt.
+ tCombatl, mavericks no longer; with
a definite designation, definite aim
ahead and a real place in the sun
Since tables of organization were not
fully made up we were compelled to
wait until March L, 1922, before any
equipment could be ordered but on
that date the first requisition was
made and on the 9th the material was
here.
The Opera House was leased as a
drill hall as the Williams building was
found to be too small to accommodate
the company and the equipment.
Steel lockers are furnished each man
large enough to hold his complete
uniform and field equipment. Men
were fitted with uniforms and rifles
and for one feverish week drilled hard
every night IN preparation of the in
spection mentioned above. And the
fact that each mans heart was in his
work is shown by the favorable CON-
ments given the company by the in
4 speeding officer.
1 The Company was differed from the
first as follows.
] Capsain--A. Heinz.
list Lieut.--M. A. Smith.
End Lieut.-W r. Spefiurl.
These officers were Federally recog-
nized Dec 9Th 1920, and remained in
same position until March 10th. 1922.
when M. A.. Smith resigned. End
Lieut.. Spellum promoted to LIST Lieut..
and John L. Bann assigned End Lieut..
A division of duties was also made
at this time whereby Lieut.. Spellum
was made property officer and Lieut..
Bann administrative officer for the
Company
i. buds from Inspection
Colonel--Corporal, if man wa s
bleeding from a wound in the temple,
how would you go about TO stop the
flow Of blood?
/ Corp G. Smith-I'd twist tourni-
quet around his neck, sir.
Colonel-What's the calibre Of your
rife?
Recruit dunno.
Colonel--Well If | should send you
after ammunition for this rife where
You had the choice of % cal, rs cal.
80 cal, SO cal, As cal or French as
shells, what would you choose?