Wednesday, August 9th, an inspection was made of all the company kitchens and quartermaster-sergeants with a view of determining whether or not the rations issued and still due the companies would be sufficient. Only a few complaints of shortages were received, and these were adjusted by the regimental commissaries. No extra rations were issued. With one or two exceptions, the quartermaster-sergeants seemed to be interested and alive to the importance of their work, but many of them are unable to get the best results through lack of instruction and co-operation by the company commanders. It is an injustice to not only the quartermaster-sergeants, but to all the enlisted men, who suffer for their mistakes, to allow the quartermastersergeants to trail along from year to year with practically no instructions except what is received at camp, and still expect them to handle the rations in an intelligent and proper manner. They should be as thoroughly drilled in their duties as any other N. C. O. If there was any improvement in the handling of the rations this year over last year it was so slight as to be unnoticeable. Only one organization, the Second Infantry, conformed to the Field Service Regulations as regards the location of kitchens. This is much the better location, as it enables the company officers to keep in closer touch. with the kitchens and a better supervision over the meals served. All organizations should follow this plan in the future. The following recommendations are respectfully submitted: I. That by means of correspondence through this office during the coming year, the quartermaster-sergeants receive such instruction and drill as will enable them to perform their duties in handling the rations in an intelligent and business-like manner whenever called upon. II. If, at the next Camp of Instruction, a field day is provided for, a prize be offered to the quartermaster-sergeant who can pass the best examination regarding his duties in handling subsistence. That all officers and enlisted men interested be notified of this event at the earliest possible moment. Very respectfully, WM. H. KERSHNER, Major, Assistant Commissary-General, Indiana National Guard. REPORT No. 7. HEADQUARTERS INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD, OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, ROCKVILLE, IND., August 28, 1905. The Assistant Adjutant-General, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.: Sir-Pursuant to your G. O. No. 9, 1905, I have the honor to submit the following report relative to this department during the annual Camp of Instruction at Fort Benjamin Harrison, near Lawrence, Indiana, held August 2 to 11, 1905. The published schedule of exercises was carried out to the letter in my department and the following shows the time spent in entrenchments, gun-pits, etc. August 3d, morning, entire Regiment 2d Infantry. he location of the trenches and gun-pits was the same as last year, viz., about 2,000 feet northwest of Division Headquarters. The work this year was done for an object lesson in construction, and not for any tactical benefit.. Instructions were given in making small sections of shelter trenches for the men lying, kneeling and standing, also, instructions in hasty entrenchments under the fire of an imaginary enemy, by use of bayonet only. There were constructed about one-half mile of these latter entrenchments. It was remarkable how complete a cover some of the men would get in a short time. Sergt. M. Rushen, Co. M 2d Infantry constructed a trench, with bayonet only, which completely hid him from view, in a minute and a haif, the soil being loose and favorable. Various forms of revetments were made, each regiment making gabions, hurdles, etc. The gabions were made by the use of nine-hole forms, and the pickets and watling material consisted of small bushes and grape vines, taken from the Spees ravine nearby. Some good gabions were made and all were completed within the time specified in Beach's manual. Instructions were given in laying off angles, drawing parallel lines and in estimating distances. Obstacles were made and carefully explained, consisting of abatis which was constructed from nearby trees (see photograph, Appendix "Q"), also high wire and low wire entanglements. The interweaving of the wire was explained together with the main objects to be attained, viz., that the entanglements or obstacles should be within effective range of fire; that they must offer no shelter to the enemy; that they must be hard to remove, and should be concealed as far as possible. Other methods of entanglements were explained but were not actually constructed. On account of our army having not adopted any system of our own, the following gun-pits were constructed: Battery A, Russian gun-pit for 3.2-in. gun. Battery B, French gun-pit for 3.2-in. gun. Battery C, German and Austrian gun-pits for Hotchkiss guns. (See photographs, Appendices "R," "S," "T," "U" and "V.") The cannoneers were placed in the two latter gun-pits and General Shaler rode from 400 to 600 yards in front of the guns and whilst there, the pieces were fired a number of times and the men kept themselves so well hidden behind the epaulements that they could not be seen at all while they were loading and firing. After each gun-pit was constructed the gun was put in it to test the height of the epaulements and whether or not the pieces could be seen. All gun-pits as well as entrenchments were covered with weeds, grass, brush, etc., to conceal them. The interest taken in the engineering work by both officers and men was unusual, even more, than that shown at last year's Camp of Instruction. Battery A, under Captain Heiskell and Lieutenant Tyndall worked until 1,30 p. m, upon Russian gun-pits, and both officers and men showed great anxiety in the completion of this gun-pit without going to mess. On account of the extremely hard soil, picks and mattocks had to be used to loosen the soil for shoveling. In this connection I desire to say that on account of the difficulty in constructing this pit and the little protection it affords for the piece and cannoneers while firing, it is impracticable. Concerning the practice march and deployment of the entire command. the 8th and 9th instant, I wish to advise that Major Conde's battalion constructed some most effective entrenchments, affording splendid cover. Entrenchments were thrown up by the entire 2d Infantry, with the exception of one company on the extreme right of Col. Smith's firing line. This company had no protection by natural cover and should have constructed entrenchments by all means. The First Infantry, the North Column, had orders to bivouac near Baker's Bridge and establish outposts and a complete service of security against attack from the north or east that might be possible; the enemy having been reported in superior force advancing from the east, making a retreat necessary. This regiment approached Baker's Bridge from the north and west, and in my opinion should have bivouaced west of the bridge, leaving Fall Creek between it and the enemy, instead of crossing the creek as they did. The positions of the other commands were well taken, especially the locations of the various batteries. Concerning the laying out of the camp, I think the method used in the 2d Infantry the best one, viz., in locating the kitchens on the line of the company's tents next to the Company Commanders; this gives the latter an easy opportunity to observe the kitchens from their tents, and facilitates in their cleanliness and the keeping of the men out of them and would recommend its adoption. I would again respectfuly recommend that sufficient money be appropriated to fully equip an Engineering Corps and that it be organized in time for the next Camp of Instruction. Should this meet with disapproval I would recommend the expenditure of sufficient money to purchase material for instruction during the annual camp, as with the expenditure of a little money a great deal of benefit can be had in the Engineering Department. I would again recommend that there be purchased for the Engineering Department, the plane table, Batson sketching case, prismatic compass, aneroid barometer, and sets of drawing instruments. Very respectfully, FRANK E. STROUSE, |