When infantry meets infantry at one hundred yards, both sides advancing, and neither side takes up a defensive position, the weakest must retire. 37. Infantry, if judiciously posted behind a shelter trench or earthwork, can only be dislodged by a frontal attack, well commanded, and which shows effective fire discipline, of four to one. If unsuccessful, the attackers lose one-fourth; if the defenders be dislodged, one-fourth are disqualified. 38. If judiciously posted in a strong position, but not entrenched, they can only be dislodged by a frontal attack of three to one. In this case the attackers lose one-fourth if unsuccessful, and one-sixth if successful. 39. Attention must be paid to the advantage of flank attack, and in a well-conducted turning movement a smaller force out points a larger force taken by surprise. These should state: Reports of Umpires. (a) If the idea was generally understood. (b) The extent to which distinguished marksmen were used as range finders, and whether the ranges set by officers were properly estimated, in their best judgment; how far the sights were adjusted and used by the men at the range as ordered. (c) The formation adopted in the various zones of fire; how far the officers and men were exposed to fire; what use was made of natural features of the ground; at what stage of the attack did the mounted officers dismount. (d) Description of fire used; the manner of giving orders, and what fire discipline was maintained. (e) The coolness of officers and men under fire; any particular instances of signal skill in handling men, or ingenuity to foil the opposing force. (f) The condition of the men at the close of manœuvres, and an estimate of their staying powers for continued work in the field. (g) The thoroughness of the staff in their special department; of their usefulness as aides-de-camp to the commanding officers. Final Report. After the umpires have conferred together, and asked such questions as they desire of the officers in charge of the respective bodies of troops, they will submit a report on the tour of duty, the embarkation and debarkation of the troops, the provision made for their rations, for the hospital service, as well as the manoeuvres in detail. One report will be sent the commanding officer of the organization, for such use as he may deem expedient to explain to the officers how far they carried out his idea, wherein they fell short of his expectations, and what impression their work actually made in the decision of the umpires. From such a systematic course, begun with a well-defined idea, thoroughly mastered in its minor details before the field day, with careful and competent umpiring, a comprehensive and searching report, it is the opinion of the department that greater progress may be made, and more permanent benefit secured to the militia. INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. The new inspectors brought strength to the department, and their excellent work has earned my cordial approbation. It is too much to expect a full appreciation of the amount or the existing character of the work performed, as it is assigned to few, and is done so unobtrusively. The greater thoroughness and extent of the inspections have demonstrated clearly (1) special and marked merit of some individual cases, (2) a deep earnestness in the force, with (3) some causes which impair efficiency. In view of possible revision of the Massachusetts regulations, some presentment of the weaknesses emphasized by inspections are embodied in this report. The intelligent zeal and industry of the officers upon whom the increased work has fallen have won my hearty endorsement, and on occasion have received your commendation. The duties of an inspector are exacting, and, beyond natural tact and talent, gain in value as experience ripens. In the absence of cogent reasons, their tenure of commission should be more permanent than the personal staff of a commander-in-chief. To make the department of the greatest good to the service, there should be more inspectors, at least seven available for detail, and they ought to feel assured that their position was not subject to the vicissitudes of possible change in the administration. To develop highest efficiency calls for unremitting study, and careful investigation of circumstances common to the militia in general and peculiar to certain organizations or particular companies. Every month adds to the usefulness of a progressive inspector; and, if efficiency be vital for the militia, and depends in any part on conscientious and reliable inspection, the longer an inspector serves, the more his work will tend to improve the force and leave a permanent impress for good. It surely cannot please either higher authority, or the command inspected, to have the work of the department perfunctory or partial. The present system of reports furnishes a copy to brigade commanders and the several commanding officers of regiments and battalions, the retained copy remaining with the department. That defects have been noticed and remain unredressed suggests the desirability of having the receipt of reports acknowledged to the chief of the department, with such explanations as seem in order. There should be the utmost frankness in hearty co-operation to build the force up. The department is at one in an earnest effort to have their every action strengthen the militia, and to be strictly impersonal. If there be friction, it should be known, and if obstructions exist, they can be treated as the occasion may dictate. The officers of the department were assigned: Col F. B. Bogan, A I. G. Col. Wm. L Chase, acting I G. Col. J. L. Carter, A. I. G. Col. J. L. Carter, A. I. G. Col. Wm. L. Chase, acting I. G. 28 companies, 3 camps, 3 field days. 15 companies, 2 camps, 2 field days. 6 companies, 2 camps, 14 companies, 2 camps, 5 field days. 4 field days. 12 companies, 1 camp, 1 field day. Col. F. G. King, 16 companies, 2 camps, 2 field days. Col. J. L. Carter, A. I. G., also reported on the military bearing of the Ambulance Corps (2). In addition to these details, the department has inspected numerous sets of petitioners for the divisions of the new naval brigade, and the existing vacancy in the infantry arm. General lines were laid down as follows: Attention should be directed to (a.) The personnel of the men. (b.) Good material to officer a company. (c.) Public interest in a company, and cordial support. (d.) An armory of sufficient size. (e.) (f.) ized. A readiness to furnish range facilities. The desirability of any location for the militia as organ (g.) Any new location should be weighed carefully, in view of possible reorganization of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. It was established that no petitioners should be accepted, unless they gave promise of furnishing a company above the average in the militia. A rigid physical examination was given every man before he was mustered in. The numerous rejections endorse importance of a thorough weeding out of the unfit men now in the service. Attention is called to the blank form used in examination. Officers of the department have served at inspections: The acting Inspector General (9); Col. Keeler (4); Col. King (3); Col. Bogan (2); Col. Carter (9). Three divisions have been recommended for the naval arm, approved and mustered into the State service. The department has had several matters out of the common course to settle the current year, and the inspectors have never been worked harder. Difficulties in the Sixth Infantry necessitated the disbandment of one company, and special investigation in three other companies. These cases have been handled by officers of the department, with much discretion. The efforts of the department averted the disbandment of one company in the Eighth Infantry. At the close of a year of trying work, the acting Inspector General desires to convey to higher authority his appreciation of the devoted interest of the officers of the department, and his hearty commendation of their every effort to further the welfare of the service. THE NEW DRILL REGULATIONS. January, February and March are notably drill months. Much valuable time was lost waiting for the receipt of the new drill regulations, and their issue with official sanction. This was probably unavoidable, but it was most unfortunate. Precisely when the militia should have been hard at work mastering the new drill, they were forced to drift. Enough was in print, and tentative practice elsewhere, to provoke criticism, which, without the necessary study to be intelligent, tended to prejudice in some quarters. The changes assured led to dropping Upton, and many drill nights were substantially wasted. OF INSPECTION. Inspections are held to find what work companies have done towards efficiency, and how well prepared they are for duty. Therefore all idea of a ceremonial function was eschewed, and inspections were ordered in fatigue, the uniform for service. Heavy marching order was prescribed, and developed occasional ignorance either of a simple military term or disregard of General Orders, that deserves comment. A change in uniform (cap and blouse) was going on, but, as the appearance of the men is more essential than that of their clothing, attention was directed to them. Armory inspection did great good in stimulating the efforts of company commanders to make a beginning. While progress was commendable in some instances, properly little stress was laid on proficiency in a system quite new to the militia. Although men no longer act shoulder to shoulder, it is still absolutely necessary that they act together. There has been a tendency to lose sight of this axiom. From a belief in radical changes in the guard manual, indifferent attention was paid to this important work, and the men generally showed little instruction. The armory is the proper school for military etiquette and guard duty. Squad leaders should be held responsible, and then the time can be given in camp to the purpose for which camp is held, the further progress of a soldier in field practice. Camp is more than an open-air drill hall. Under the circumstances, this year armory inspections were directed to points which have been referred to already. : The annual encampments of the militia were held as follows: The camp was laid out strictly in accordance with regulations. The absence of the First Regiment Infantry was felt, but the greater room for drilling was made the most of. Work was constant, and, with exceptions peculiar to both brigades, the tour of duty was excellent. |