State Library MASSACHUSETTS A. Return as Soon as Used. A : PUBLIC DOCUMENT. No. 7 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT GENEKAL OF TUE C&mnwnforaltjy of glassatkn&etts FOR THE Year ending December 31, 1885. BOSTON WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 Post Office Square. 1886. £55,(3 KVb J fas* A%5 h ANNUAL REPORT. commonwealth of massachusetts, Adjutant General's Office, Boston, Dec. 31, 1885. To His Excellency George D. Robinson, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. Sm : — I have the honor respectfully to submit the annual report of the Military Department of the Commonwealth for the year ending Dec. 31, 1885. The department as now organized consists of the bureaus of the Militia, War Records of soldiers and sailors, Claims, and Soldiers' Messenger Corps. Militia. The importance of the proper maintenance of an effective militia force is becoming more and more apparent to our citizens, and I am satisfied that less objections have been shown, and a more cordial support accorded it, during the year now closed. The officers of the United States Army, fully recognizing the necessity of a well disciplined force in each State, have put forth their best efforts in many instances in aid of the same. General Sheridan, commanding the armies of the United States, and Adjutant General Drum, recommend, in their recent reports, the arming of State troops with latest improved arms, and the exchange of obsolete and unservice- able for new and effective. The officers and men of the militia have, by their efforts, earnestness, and soldierly bearing, recorded a most successful year of duty for the State force; the continued interest shown by them, and the results accomplished entitle them to the thanks of the Com- monwealth. The force now authorized by law is 338 officers 4 ADJUTANT GENERAL'S REPORT. [Jan. and 4,516 enlisted men, being an increase of two commis- sioned officers and thirty enlisted men since my last report. Chapter 236, sect. 1, Act of Legislature, approved May 14, 1885, provides for Ambulance Corps to be attached to Brigades, which, originating with the Surgeon General, are placed under his supervision and instruction. I desire here to attest my approbation of the usefulness of the work per- formed by this corps at the encampment of the Second Brigade. In compliance with law, annual drills took place in June, July, August, September, and October, at which time there were in the State service 298 commissioned officers and 4,097 enlisted men; of this number 264 officers and 2,944 enlisted men performed duty, the attendance being nearly the same as that of the previous year, and largely in excess of former years. The number given is exclusive of Bands. The annual encampments occurred in the months of June, July, and August, at which time there were in the service 326 commissioned officers and 4,162 enlisted men, of which 311 officers and 3,336 enlisted men performed duty. At the State Rifle Match at South Framingham, October 6th, 150 commissioned officers and 370 enlisted men par- ticipated. The aggregate strength of the Militia at the present time is 319 commissioned officers, 4,119 enlisted men, a vacancy of one infantry company existing. The changes in companies during the year have been as follows : Company E, Second Regiment, Company K, Sixth Regiment, First Brigade, and Company G, Eighth Regi- ment, Second Brigade, being in poor condition, were dis- banded. A new company, to be known as Company E, Second Regiment, was formed in Orange, Mass., Feb. 26, 1885; one in Clinton, Dec. 7, 1885, to be known as Com- pany K, Sixth Regiment, First Brigade, M.V.M. The new company at Orange has performed excellent service, demon- strating anew the good judgment in disbanding poor com- mands and the substitution of new. The company at Clinton is composed of good material, and will bring new life and interest to the Militia. 1886.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 7. It will be my course, while in charge of this department, to continue to recommend disbandments, wherever poor organizations are found with no prospect of resuscitation. Tours of Duty. Special Orders No. 28, dated March 12, detailed one ser- geant and seven corporals, representing each regiment, under the command of Lieut. Frederick G. King, Adjutant First Regiment Infantry, First Brigade, to attend the funeral of the late Sergeant Thomas Plunkett at Worcester, March 14, as guard to the war colors of the Twenty-first Regiment Mass. Vols., which had been borne in the service of the United States by Sergeant Plunkett. Special Orders No. 61, dated June 24, detailed Company A, First Battalion Cavalry, Captain George D. Andrews commanding, as escort to your Excellency on the occasion of your attendance at the annual commencement exercises at Harvard University in June last, on which occasion Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice President of the United States (since deceased), was the honored guest of the Common- wealth. General Orders No. 6 gives dates for annual drills and encampments. Camp duty was performed at the following dates and places : — Organization. Commanding Officer. Date. riace. 1st Brigade, Brig. .... Gen. Wales, . June 9, . State Camp Ground. 1st Corps Cadets, Lieut. Col. Edmands, July 13, . Hinghara. 2d Brigade Brig. Gen. Peach, . July 21, . State Camp Ground. 2d Corps Cadets, Lieut. Col. Dalton, . Aug. 11, . Essex. Enrolled Militia. The total number of enrolled Militia as reported to this office from the returns of assessors of cities and towns is 272,003, being an increase of 7,472 since last report. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S REPORT. [Jan. Heayy Artillery. Progress has been steadily made in heavy artillery instruc- tion, and I would respectfully call your attention to the re- port on the subject by Col. A. C. Wellington, Commanding First Regiment Infantry, M. V. M. Too much importance cannot be attached to this branch of military duty, and every encouragement should be given it. I would recommend that the State allow extra tours of duty to the command now engaged in this work, to facilitate its perfection in artillery drill. This department is under obligations to Major La Rhett Livingston, U. S. A., commandant at Fort Warren, and to his officers, for the interest taken and kindness shown our troops, and for the opportunity given the First Regiment Infantry to visit the fort and receive instruction and practice at the guns. Quartermaster's Department. The legislature, by Resolves 26 and 40, 1885, appropriated $84,000 to be expended under direction of the Commander- in-Chief by the Quartermaster General, for the purchase of overcoats, trousers and other military clothing ; from this appropriation new overcoats of a very neat pattern, and more soldierly in appearance than the old and unserviceable army coats discarded, have been purchased and issued to the en- tire State force. The encampments and annual drills occur- ring so early in the season, it was found impossible to pro- cure suitable cloth or determine upon the style for Infantry trousers, consequently it was decided to make the old ones answer for the balance of the year, and issue new early in the coming year. New trousers were furnished to Artillery and Cavalry. The estimated cost of new overcoats was $55,000, which have been purchased for $46,053. Tents are in fair condition ; fifty new ones have been purchased during the year. Much repairing of camp equipage has been done by the regular employes at the State Arsenal. Continued improvement in the manner of the care for State property by officers accountable, is noticed, and losses, 1886.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 7. 7 as compared with those of former years, diminished. Where losses are excessive, I have refused to certify to the Auditor the amounts allowed to commanders of companies for re- sponsibility for and care of State property, provided by chap. 45 of the Acts of 1884, until properly accounted for or satisfactorily explained, and until so adjusted no allow- ance under said act is placed to the credit of a delinquent officer. This act should be so amended as to enable this office to deduct the money value of unnecessary losses from the annual allowance, and to pay the balance to the officer entitled. The State property at the arsenal, under the careful super- vision of Superintendent Luke R. Landy, is in good condi- tion. Your Excellency's attention is invited to Table No. 5 in Appendix, which shows in detail the property in charge of this department. Of the allowance for ordnance and ordnance stores placed to the credit of the State by the gen- eral government as its proportion of the annual appropria- tion, $1,100.60 has been expended for shot, shell, and rifle parts, the balance remaining credited to the State, including the apportionment for the year, is $9,150.24. A number of cities and towns have returned in part the property loaned at various times by the State ; but this office still carries on its account with such cities and towns con- siderable property which has not been accounted for, and which to my own knowledge cannot be found. Having no authority to discharge the same from the accounts of the office, I would recommend the collection of the money value of such property on the bonds given, or that legislative action be had, relieving them from the responsibility, and enabling me to drop the same. Rifle Practice. Much progress has been made in this important branch of the service, as will appear from the increase of the number of qualified marksmen during the past three years. The supervision of this work has been in the hands of that ener- getic and painstaking officer, Colonel Horace T.