USA > Pennsylvania > History of the First regiment infantry, National guard of Pennsylvania (Grey Reserves) 1861-1911, pt 1 > Part 35
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Colonel Bowman summed up the result of these several manœuvres in the first paragraph of his Circular No. 2, of May 22, 18SS, as follows :
The colonel commanding congratulates the regiment upon its improved appearance in the dress uniform, the great activity displayed on the part of officers and men in turning out increased strength on the occasion of the parade celebrating the twenty-seventh anniversary of the organization of the command and at the annual spring inspection, there being absent on the latter occasion but sixty-nine men on the active roll; with the same spirit and activity continued we need have no fear for the past history and record of our organization.
With field and staff mounted, band and drum corps, men wearing helmets, dress coats, white trousers, white waist-belts, State cartridge boxes, and steel scabbards, the regimental line was
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
formed at eight o'clock in the morning for parade with the bri- gade on Wednesday, July 4, 1888, in celebration of the one hun- dredth and twelfth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
A general order from headquarters of the National Guard, of May 11, 1885, announced that the several brigades would eneamp at such place as the brigade commanders might select, the Fir-t Brigade from Saturday, July 21, to Saturday, July 25. The en- campment, as subsequently directed by General Snowden, was located near Norristown, and was designated " Camp Adam J. Slemmer," in honor of Brig .- Gen. Adam J. Slemmer, the distin- guished officer of the army who held Fort Pickens in April, 1861. when other United States forts were compelled to yield to the first assaults of the Confederacy. General Slemmer, with Gen- erals Hancock and Ifartranft, made up the three distinguished soldiers that Norristown had supplied to the Union Army. Their remains all " rest in peace and honor " in the cemetery near the grounds of the encampment. These grounds were kindly placed at the disposal of the brigade " by public-spirited citizens of the town, who also daily distributed large and sufficient quan- tities of ice and otherwise in many ways contributed to the com- fort and satisfaction of the command." Fronting the Schuylkill. full opportunity was afforded for bathing, excellent water was supplied in abundance through pipes, and the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads in immediate proximity " furnished facilities for moving the troops and supplies with convenience and despatch."
The usual detail under Lieutenant-Colonel Huffington, six en- listed men from each company, with proper complement of com- missioned officers, preceded the regiment on July 19, charged with the erection of the canvas, laying out and construction of the camp, under the supervision of Major Ralph F. Cullinan, division quartermaster. The regiment assembled at the armory on the morning of Saturday, July 21, and, moving to the railway sta- tion. was from there transported to its destination.
A morning gun at 5.30 o'clock announced and the musicians sounded reveille ; a gun was also fired for retreat at sundown ; otherwise there was no material change in the hours or the char- acter of the calls for duty.
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A feature of this encampment, the better to continue uniform- ity in early training, Lieutenant William M. Bonsall, of Company A, was detailed as regimental squad instructor, and as such was directed to relieve Lieutenant Robert G. Stinson on July 21, at Camp Adam J. Slemmer. He was directed to drill the squad daily from 9 to 11 A. M., and commandants of companies were in- strueted to report all recruits to the regimental squad as heretofore required. Sergeant Winfield L. Margerum, of Company 1, and Corporal II. S. Lewars, of Company E, were detailed to report to Lieutenant Bonsall for duty with the regimental squad.
On the afternoon of the arrival of the regiment in camp, the quarters were inspected by AAdjutant-General Hastings. Com- pany commandants were directed to have their company streets and mess tents down to the line, sinks and field and staff quarters back to the line of guard tents thoroughly policed, and the men. on the approach of the inspeeting officer. with blouses buttoned were to stand at attention in front of their quarters.
The morning inspection held by company commandants in their company streets, guard mount, and dress parade were the only ealls made on the soldier for Sunday, July 22.
Drills, exercises, ceremonies, followed each other in rigid compliance with rules and regulations. At 4.30 o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday, July 26, the brigade was reviewed by Governor James 1. Beaver, commander-in-chief ; and on Monday, July 23, there was in the afternoon the annual muster and in- speetion of the regiment by the adjutant-general.
As the result of the inspection, with an aggregate of 394, 566 present and but 28 absent, the regiment secured a percentage present of 95.3. Under the new system of determining values. its " general average " was 63.8, and " figure of efficiency " 60.8. The highest regimental " figure of efficiency " was 75.91, attained by the Eighth Regiment, and the First Regiment stood sixth on the list of the sixteen regiments. It stands in such marked con- trast with the figures for the next year, 1889, when the regiment, with a " figure of efficiency " of 85.4, with the Eighth the next below rated nearly as it was before, at 76.5, with no surface in- dieations to show any depreciation, that the falling off seems scarcely explainable, except that there was a mistake somewhere. In 1889, with the improvement in its rating, the First Regiment
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
18SS
was restored officially to its former prestige, not only the first numerically, as it always had been, but the first in effieieney, as it nearly always had been.
What went to make up the " figure of efficiency " and how it was obtained is to be found-different methods prevailed at different times-in the annual report of the acting inspector -- general, Col. William J. Elliott, for the year 1888:
For the purpose of determining the relative standing of the different companies and regiments a " Figure of Efficiency " is given to each and ar- rived at as follows:
A " general average," with a maximum numerical value of one hundred, has been established; it is produced by allowing a maximum of ten to each of the following headings, viz .: "School of the Soldier," "school of the company," "school of the battalion," "skirmishers," "guard duty," " ceremonies," " discipline," "target practice "; a maximum of fifteen to the combination of the two headings, "Condition of arms and equipments." and "condition of clothing"; a maximum of five to the heading, "Books and papers."
A grading under each heading with their respective numerical values has been made as follows: Very superior, 10; Superior, 9; Very good, 7; Good, 5; Fair, 3; Poor, I.
When the maximum allowance is fifteen, the grading numerical values must be increased one-half, and where the maximum allowance is five, they must be decreased one-half.
The " percentage of attendance" and the "general average" having been determined, the product of their multiplication will be the "figure of efficiency."
The official comments of note of this encampment were as follows, from the annual report of General Snowden :
The nsnal parades and ceremonies were observed. The Governor and Commander-in-Chief, accompanied by Major-General Hartranft, and their respective staffs, reviewed the brigade on Thursday, the 26th July, and led it in parade through the streets of Norristown. Although the inspection by the adjutant-general was rigid and more exacting than heretofore, it was met with entire cheerfulness and with the hope of showing increased pro- ficiency. . ..
While guard duty was not performed with the accuracy and spirit with which it might be done, it showed improvement in some respects over pre- vious years, and the evident desire to learn and put in practice necessary requirements to that end show not only the advance, but give hopes of ap- proaching a reasonable degree of perfection. It is difficult, and judging from the results so far attained, almost impossible to secure a proper observance on the part of enlisted men in some organizations of the ordinary forms of saluting. . . . If the matter was constantly kept in view in the armories. more especially by captains and lieutenants, and firmly enjoined and insisted upon, no doubt a marked improvement would hereafter be observed. .
The full drills required were constant and satisfactorily carried out. Much attention was given to the skirmish drill, which is constantly becom-
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ISSS
ing more important in view of the extended range of small arms and the consequent necessity of cultivating greater self-reliance and freedom of action in the individual soldier in open order formations.
The following extracts are typical of the more extended com- ments made by Major and Brevet Col. A. C. M. Pennington, Fourth Artillery, U. S. A., the officer detailed by the War De- partment to inspect the Pennsylvania National Guard, as taken from his official report dated Fort Monroe, Va., August 29, 18SS, and addressed " To the Adjutant-General, United States Army, Washington, D. C."
From the report above given [the Field return of the First Brigade of July 25, 18SS] it will be noticed that 93 per cent. of the Brigade was pres- ent. . . .
The personnel of all the organizations is excellent. The officers are full of zeal and anxious to bring their commands to a high standard of excel- lence. The knowledge of their duties, which they display on drills and ceremonies, is highly creditable and surprising, considering the few opportu- nities they have of practising them. The men are young, active, and intelli- gent; the average age, I think, would not exceed twenty-five years. . . . The men were generally quite well set up and they were remarkably steady in ranks.
I was particularly impressed with the willing and cheerful manner with which the men performed their duties. Not a single case of insub- ordination came under my notice, and I did not see a case of drunkenness in any of the brigades. The camps were generally quiet and good order pre- vailed.
The regulation requiring enlisted men to salute officers was not as strictly observed as it might and should have been. . . . From my experience with the militia of other States, I know that it is possible to insure its ob- servance. The officers were exceedingly particular in this matter when meet- ing or accosting each other, and set an example to the rank and file, which they may follow without any loss of dignity or self-respect. . . .
The troops were incessantly under instruction in military duties, drills, parades, reviews, guard mounting, guard duty, etc. . . .
Regimental guards, brigade guards, and guards for the headquarters of the governor were mounted daily. I was particularly impressed with the soldierly manner in which some of the last named performed their duties. . . . They carried out their orders implicitly and reflected much credit upon their instructors. .
Sentinels generally called for the corporal of the guard in too loud a tone of voice, the next sentinel, whose duty it is to repeat the call, being but a few yards away. With one exception, all guards coming under my observation were formed promptly and without confusion on the approach of those entitled to the compliment. . . .
The inspections were rigidly conducted, generally occupying two hours. The command was first closely inspected for general appearance, after which each arm was thoroughly inspected. . ..
The military authorities of the State are fully alive to the require-
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
336
ments of the Guard, the condition and efficiency of every organization being thoroughly known. It seems to be the determination that inferiority, either in commands or personnel, shall find no place in the National Guard of Pennsylvania.
The reports of Col. Lewis A. Watres, General Inspector of Rifle Practice, and of Major Rush S. Huidekoper, inspector of rifle practice, First Brigade, show that the First Regiment. in 1888 had 2s sharpshooters, 131 marksmen, a total of 159-a decrease of six on the previous year's return. Of the field and staff, the sharpshooters were P. S. Conrad, adjutant, with the highest score, 44; George W. Coulston, inspector of rifle practice, 43; and S. N. Ware, Jr., sergeant-major, 42. Colonel Bowman, Major Good, Quartermaster Koons, and the three surgeons, Drs. O'Neill, Smith, and Martin, were marksmen. Sergeant Louis Bryan, of Company F, made a sharpshooter seore of 46- the high- est in the regiment.
Of the sixteen teams entered for what was known as the six Coleman regimental prizes, the Thirteenth Regiment won the first prize of $100, and the First Regiment, the fifth, of $40. Of the Coleman individual prizes (twenty), " Lieutenant Couls- ton, staff, First." with a score of 30 at 200 yards, 31 at.500 yards. 30 at 600 yards, total 91, won the fourth, $10.
Four companies of the First, four companies of the Sixth, two companies of the Second regiments, and two companies from the Battalion of State Feneibles, and the First Troop of Philadel- phia City Cavalry, reported teams at the new rifle range, near Frankford, on October 20, 1888, for the company contests, 200 and 500 yards. five shots each distance. The first prize was four gold badges, won by Company D, First Regiment, with a total score of 151. The individual seores made at both distances were by Lieutenant II. J. Crump, 42; Sergeant J. O. Bowman, 37; Captain H. O. Hastings, 36; and T. D. MeGlattery, 36.
" On October 27, in a pouring rain, the First Regiment, Second Regiment, and First Troop City Cavalry reported teams for the second elass regimental contests, 200 and 500 yards, seven shots each distance. Prize, four gold badges, with diamond bull's- eye. which was won by the First Regiment." The score was a total of 223, with Lieutenant H. J. Crump, of Company D, Pri- vate MeGlattery, Company D, Private M. Neffenderf, Company
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PRESENTATION OF PRIZES
ISSS
F, each making 36 at both distances, and Sergeant J. II. Pieree, Company A, 55.
The regiment was paraded at the regimental armory on Mon- day evening, November 12, 1888, in full-dress uniform, where in the presenec of the regiment and many invited guests, both mili- tary and eivie, the governor of the Commonwealth, Gen. James .. 1. Beaver, presented the prizes in both these contests to the win- ning marksmen.
Lieut .- Col. Thomas Potter, Jr., aide-de-eamp to the commander- in-chief, had offered these prizes, and at the same time also offered an elegant bronze representing a military subject, afterward known as the " Potter Trophy," to be shot for and won per- manently according to duly preseribed conditions. This year, won 'as the present property of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, subsequently this judicious generosity of Colonel Pot- ter's ereated much spirited rivalry, the useful results of which . the future more fully developed.
On the dates named for battalion drills subsequent to Novem- ber 18, 1888, commandants of companies were directed to have all recruits reported to the medieal department at the regimental armory for physical examination. Through the winter and early spring of 1889 dates were announced when medieal lectures would be delivered and instructions given at the armory of the State Feneibles and the veterinary department of the University of Pennsylvania. All medieal officers, hospital stewards, stretcher- bearers, in their State uniform, and three enlisted men from each company, also in uniform, were directed to be in attendance.
Franklin Swayne was appointed paymaster February 2, 1889, vice Hon. Boies Penrose, resigned.
On Sunday, February 24. 1889. the regiment was paraded in full-dress uniform, officers with side-arms, men without arms, bayonet scabbards, and cartridge-boxes to attend divine service at St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church. The Rev. Isaac L. Nicholson, chaplain of the regiment and rector of the parish, con- dueted the services.
On February 26. 1559, it was announced in general orders from regimental headquarters, pursuant to General Order No. 2, of the current series from the division, that the regiment would participate with the division in the ceremonies incident to the
338
ISSO
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
inauguration of Gen. Benjamin Harrison as President of the United States, at Washington, on March 4, 1889. The command was directed to assemble on Saturday, March 2, 1889, at 7.15 o'clock P. J., in service uniform, heavy marching order, provided with three days' rations, for which, from private subscription through the energies of the adjutant-general of the State, there had been secured a sum sufficient to make an allowance of one dollar per man to all who participated. Headquarters while in Washington were to be established at the Masonic Hall, Ninth and F Streets.
The hallways in the armory were a thoroughfare and crowds had gathered on the streets, when, at the hour fixed on the even- ing of the second, the regiment, with Colonel Bowman in com- mand, " 65 in the band and field music, 600 in the line, rank, and file," amid enthusiastic demonstrations from those inside and out, took up its line of march in a drizzling rain down Broad Street to the railway station at Broad Street and Washington Avenue.
A morning newspaper of the following day shows the follow- ing officers as present with the regiment:
Colonel, Wendell P. Bowman; lieutenant-colonel, Thomas E. Huffington ; major, J. Lewis Good; adjutant, Pearson S. Conrad; quartermaster, Fred- erick P. Koons: major and surgeon, J. Wilkes O'Neill; chaplain, Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Nicholson; assistant surgeons, A. Dupont Smith, Edward Martin; paymaster, Franklin Swayne; inspector of rifle practice, G. W. Coulston; sergeant-major, Samuel N. Ware; quartermaster-sergeant, Frank Bingham; hospital steward, Charles Ouram; commissary-sergeant, Lewis F. Smiley ; drum-major, William T. Baker; bandmaster, S. H. Kendle.
Captains: Company A, Kirk W. Magill; Company B. William Ewing; Company C. Milton W. Orme; Company D. H. O. Hastings; Company E, James Muldoon; Company F. George Eiler. Jr .; Company G. A. L. Williams ; Company H. C. T. Kensil; Company I, R. G. Stinson, first lieutenant com- manding; Company K. A. J. Diamond, Jr.
First Lieutenants: Company A. C. E. Rogers; Company B, William Cairns; Company D, Henry J. Crump; Company E. Thomas Early; Com- pany F, William Brod; Company G, G. K. Morehead; Company H, W. J. Moore; Company K. F. M. Earle.
Second Lieutenants: Company A. W. M. Bonsall; Company B, William S. Allen : Company C, Wm. P. Homer : Company D, A. W. Deane; Company E, C. Frank Crane: Company F, Thos. E. Heath; Company G, Josiah Torr; Company HI, E. J. Kensil; Company K, Geo. D. Street.
The detention incident to an overburdened passenger traffic lengthened the journey many hours, and it was well along into the morning of the third when the regiment reached its Masonie Hall
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PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL
Is~9
headquarters, where it was dismissed for the day. Assembling at nine o'clock on the fourth, the command proceeded to join the column at the point designated in the general order of formation, from whence, after the conelusion of the inaugural ceremonies, the parade moved over the usual route on Pennsylvania and other avenues, passing the President at the White House, the officers saluting to the left, as it had always been, from the necessary location of the stand on that flank. The parade was dismissed on Massachusetts Avenue, and after a tedious and lengthy march through the still unceasing rain the regiment reached the train, well beyond the city's outskirts, that was assigned to return it to Philadelphia. It accepted its detention on the route as it had its other hindrances, due largely to the weather, with an endur- anee that was gratifying, but with that permissible profusion of speech, the soldier's vogue under such conditions.
Again, and for the third time, the Pennsylvania division was in Washington for a presidential inaugural. Criticism and com- ment on its service uniform followed as the instinet of the ob- server inclined him. The years were getting away from the soldier for the field and returning to the soldier for parade. Ac- eordingly as the spectator knew most of the years of the then or the days of the now was he disposed to appreciation or disparage- ment of the Pennsylvania Guard. It was a sorry day for full dress; the weather was out of sorts; ineessant rain, soaking but not a deluge, prohibitory for exposure in such a garh for citizen and soldier alike. The " men in blouses " had the best of it.
In the report of Adjutant-General Hastings for 1889 official note is made of the occasion as follows :
The division was paraded in the city of Washington on the 4th of March last, in the ceremonies incident to the inauguration of Pre-ident Harrison, being commanded by Major-General Hartranft, your Excellency [Governor Beaver] occupying the position of chief marshal of the inaugural parade. The State incurred no expense, either in the transportation or sub- sistence of the division, while absent from the State on this occasion.
The day of the inauguration being exceedingly inclement, the greatcoats were worn, and the necessity for a full-dress uniform was not apparent, hut the overcoats which have been in use for more than ten years are almo-t worn out and should be replaced.
And General Snowden in the annual report of the operations of his brigade for the same year said :
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT, N. G. P.
ISSO
The brigade took part with the division in two notable occasions of ceremony. It appeared at Washington and, with a total strength of 2.349. excepting the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, which did not turn ont, participated in the ceremonies attending the inauguration of General Harrison, President of the United States. Notwithstanding the severe and continnons rain, the troops performed their duties in a cheerful and obedient spirit, and at least detracted nothing from the reputation for soldierly quali- ties which they had theretofore acquired at the federal capital. It is to be regretted that all of them, after a disagreeable and ardnous parade, were compelled to march to Bennings station, a di-tance of several miles from the point of dismissal.
It was spirited times for the Pennsylvania division. But a brief interval and it was summoned to be again on the move, this time in celebration of an event of national import. its features so significant as to warrant recognition by our own State through a legislative appropriation of $12,000 that Pennsylvania might have official place in the demonstration. The thirtieth day of April, 1889, was the centenary of the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States. New York, the city of the inauguration, was properly designated as the place for its centennial commemoration. Other events, naval, eivie, industrial, were allotted to other days. Tuesday, the thir- tieth, was set apart exclusively for the military. It was well that it was so appointed. With the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania National Guard there in their entirety, Ohio almost so, in its troops from sixteen other States, from New England to Texas, and the Grand Army of the Republic, making a grand total of 46,254, there certainly were enough soldiers there to en- title them to a day for themselves. In faet, before their denion- stration was concluded they had indeed " made a day of it."
The regiment, with Colonel Bowman in command, in service uniform, heavy marching order, left the Ninth and Green Streets station at 6.30 o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, April 30, 1359, landing in New York within four blocks of the place of forma- tion, returning in the evening after the parade and a full enjoy- ment and high appreciation of the social and substantial courtesies that followed.
The regiment was the guest of the hosts of whose hospitable attention it had so frequently been the recipient, the Twenty- sceond Regiment, National Guard of the State of New York.
-
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CIRCULAR AND PRESS COMMENTS
Colonel Bowman, in his circular of instructions publishing the movement, said :
In view of the national character and importance of the celebration and the elaborate preparation made by our hosts, the Twenty-second Regiment, for our pleasure and entertainment during the afternoon and evening of Tue-day, it hecomes the duty of every member of this regiment to respond on this occasion.
It will be a national holiday, our friends have spared no expense to make the trip a memorable one for the First Regiment, and having ex. pressed the hope that every man will be present to receive their hearty wel- come and hospitality, the colonel commanding desires that the command will report in full strength.
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