Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-02-22

ten by Charles l. Sheridan, chief
Of the highway patrol, on his re-
turn from France after the World
war. IL Is a graphic picture Of the
part played by Montana tn past
wars.
The first militia organization In the
state that could be compared to ON
present national guard was organized
Ia the fall OF 1877, during the Me-
Perces war.
Practically every community IN the
territory organized home guard COM
pany and some Of them were incor-
porated into what was known as the
Montana Volunteer Militia, the mem
bers of which subscribed to the fol-
lowing oath:
I'VE and each of us do solemnly
swear that we viii bear true faith and
allegiance to the territory Of Montana;
that we viii serve it honestly and
faithfully against all its enemies who
soever; that we will obey the orders Of
the governor Of Montana territory and
the orders of the officers appointed
over us according to the rules and reg
ulations prescribed by the commander
in-chief."
The organization consisted of the
following:
First battalion-w. A. Clark, major;
Charles S. Warren, adiutant.
Company A--JoS. A. Talbot, captain;
A. j. Clark first lieutenant.
Company B-John Noyes, captain.
Company Civilian Wilson.
Deer Lodge ompany-Thomas Stu
art, captain.
Bitter Root company-John 3. Cot
tin, captain.
Five Killed IN Battle
The Bitter Root company partici-
pated in the battle of the Big Hole on
Aug. IL, 1877, and lost five men killed,
and five wounded, out of total Of 80.
There was another battalion raised at
Virginia City in July, consisting Of
about 100 men, and this force marched
under the command of Colonel Gallo
way to the vicinity Of Henrys lake in
the hope Of intercepting Chief Joseph
there
Some of these companies were mus
tered out after Chief Joseph had been
captured, but some remained in exist
ence and as the population Of the state
grew. others we're raised, until the
spring of 1887, when number Of these
organizations were incorporated with
the LIST regiment of infantry and rec
ognized as national guard. An encamp-
ment was held at old Fort Ellis that
summer and on several summers fol-
lowing.
In the spring OF 1898, at the OUT
break Of the Spanish-American war,
the First regiment was called out by
the governor and quickly raised to war
of so officers and 1919 men
by voluntary enlistment. This regiment
went to the Philippines and served
there throughout the insurrection, be-
ing 10 months in the service. They lost
two officers and 81 men, killed and
died Of wounds; one officer and Is
men died Of disease, and 10 officers
and 121 men wounded.
Furnish Rough Riders
In addition to the regiment, Mon
tana furnished one squadron of the !
3rd u. S. Volunteer Cavaliers Trough /
Riders), 346 officers and men. These
.roops were sent to Chicamauga and |
never got out Of the states. A section !
# the Volunteer Signal Corps, consist
ng of two officers and is men, was
llso raised in Montana and served III
he Philippines; Of the detachment one
officer was killed In action.
For q time after the Spanish war
here was no national guard in Mon
ana, but in June, 1900, company A Of
he Second regiment was mustered In
It Bo7eman, followed by the muster l.
ng of other companies In various towns
mtn regimental organization was per-
ected.
During the summer Of 1914, a situa-
ion had arisen in Butte that was
raught with danger A number OF very
adical labor leaders Of the I. w. w.
evolutionary type had arrived in Butte
nd in order to gain control Of the
abor element they were attempting to
Ireck the Western Federation of Min
Inaoi fhprn I1T1i0Ya
ormed known as the Metal Mine
Workers Union, and a campaign Of
Orcible deportation of all those In OPP
oSition was started. For some time
here was a threat of serious trouble
hitch finally eliminated in the wreck
" of the Miners Union hall by dyna- I
lite on the night Of June 10. There
as much excitement and good deal I
shooting, during which one man S
as killed. AS it appeared that civil c
uthorities had lost control of the sit
alton, the national guard was ordered 9
lobilized and held in readiness at
leir home stations on June IA, but (
) the situation quieted down and S
lingS became normal on the day fol- r
wing the riot, the guard was released S
ON duty on the 18TH.
ItuatiOn Becomes Serious r
During the latter part Of August the 2
tuation again became serious and on ,
le 30th the governor ordered the .
utilization Of the guard at Helena Q
It'll all possible dispatch. The result /,
as that regardless Of the fact that =
Ie call was issued on Sunday and be- =
use Of the fine weather a great many q
the men we're out of town, 400 Of
,ers and men reported In Helena by n
o'clock the next day. The regiment r
snt into shelter tent camp near the y
ate armory. Z
When one considers that these troops q
ere drawn from a territory as large y
the old German empire 1t speaks e
ny well for the organization of the y Z,
cond regiment, that so large num- I,
r Of our men should reach the place =
mobilization within "a hours. 9
At 1880 O'Clock the troops left Helena Y
r Butte via the Northern Pacific ~
nway. They entrained tn steel ore =
rs with a fiat car on the front and 81