ANNUAL REPORT.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, BOSTON, Dec. 31, 1892.

To His Excellency WILLIAM E. RUSSell,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

GOVERNOR-I have the honor respectfully to submit my report for the year now ending, in conformity with law.

MILITIA.

Some progress has been made by the military force during the year, notwithstanding the fact that an almost entire change in the drill regulations has been adopted, which was expected for a time to retard progress. The ready adaptation to the change by the militia, and the advancement made in the new departure, shows the zeal and untiring efforts made on the part of all to place the service of the State on a footing of efficiency, and is deserving of great commendation, showing, as it does, the reliance which the State can confidently place in the faithfulness of her soldiery in any event calling for its service.

The events of the year in other States demonstrate the necessity of effective force, and in order that the troops of Massachusetts may, in the event of a call, respond in a fitting manner, they should be supplied with the equipment necessary to enable them to take the field for any service. required of them. In this equipment the State is greatly deficient.

Earnest work is necessary in obtaining proficiency, and to this end all should strive; and when an officer is found in any command who is neglectful of orders, or who is remiss in his duties, he should be made to resign, or the measures provided for the retirement of such employed.

The manner in which the conditions under the new regulations are met gives confidence that during the coming year

such progress will be made as will be the source of congratulation and pride.

The maximum strength of the militia allowed by law is 448 officers and 6,007 enlisted men. The number on the rolls at this date is: officers, 412; enlisted men, 5,487.

Two vacancies in company organizations now exist, one to fill the vacancy caused by the disbandment of Company E, Sixth Infantry, and one company for the new naval brigade authorized by the last Legislature.

Petitions have been received for new companies to fill the vacancies before mentioned, which have been duly examined by the inspectors' department, and, when the fittest have been selected, the force will be filled to the maximum allowed by law.

Three of the new companies authorized for the naval brigade have been accepted and mustered into service, and temporarily attached to the Naval Battalion, viz., one each in the cities of Lynn, Fall River and New Bedford, and have already made rapid progress, one having qualified every member as marksmen. When the remaining company of the naval militia is accepted, the new naval brigade will be organized.

The authorized long-service medals were prepared, and on February 29, with appropriate ceremony, your Excellency conferred them upon two hundred and thirty-two recipients at the South Armory, since which time the medals have been issued from this office to such as have become entitled thereto.

The suggestion of Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., that the militia of the States be called into service during the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, if the general government furnishes rations and transportation, which Congress will be requested to authorize, is worthy of consideration. Bringing together, as it will, the troops of the country under officers of the army in camp with regular troops for instruction, it can hardly fail to be productive of good results.

CAMPS.

The annual encampments of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were held as follows (General Orders No. 6, C. S.) :

First Brigade*, Brig. Gen. Benj. F. Bridges, at State camp ground, June 7 to 11 inclusive; Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. Benj. F. Peach, Jr., State camp ground, July 12 to 16 inclusive; First Corps Cadets, Lieut. Col. Thomas F. Edmands, at Hingham, July 12 to 16 inclusive; Second Corps Cadets, Lieut. Col. John W. Hart, Essex, August 9 to 13, inclusive; Naval Battalion, Lieut. Com. John C. Soley, U. S. Receiving Ship "Wabash," July 5 to 9 inclusive.

In compliance with law, annual drills were held under General Orders No. 14, C. S., from this office. For the details of duty performed at camps and annual drills you are referred to the reports of the Acting Inspector General and the commanding officers, which form a part of this report.

On your official visit to Harvard University, Cambridge, to attend the Commencement ceremonies, June 29, Troop A, First Battalion Cavalry, Capt. Addison D. Nichols commanding, performed escort duty.

General Orders No. 17, C. S., detailed the Ninth Regiment Infantry, Lieut. Col. Lawrence J. Logan commanding, as funeral escort to its late commander, Col. William M. Strachan, deceased in Boston, November 3.

Troop D, First Battalion Cavalry, by special orders rendered a like service at the funeral of Capt. Stillman B. King, December 10.

Details were ordered at the funerals of enlisted men in five instances.

Col. Michael T. Donohoe, A.D.C., on your staff, was detailed to represent your Excellency at the dedication of battle monuments at Gettysburg, June 2.

The State was represented by your Excellency and a detail from your staff at the Columbian parade in New York City, October 16.

The department of rifle practice has been conducted under the admirable management of Col. William L. Chase, Inspector General Rifle Practice, with gratifying success, and it is with pleasure that your Excellency's attention is

Excepting First Regiment.

called to his report in detail, which will be found printed herewith.

ENROLLED MILITIA.

Returns from assessors of cities and towns (with the exception of Gosnold, Greenfield, Montague, Blandford, Chester, Palmer and Scituate*) show the number liable to draft to be 373,625, and the increase over 1891, 15,912. The town of Scituate has not complied with the law requiring these returns for two years.

HEAVY ARTILLERY.

The First Regiment of Infantry, Col. Thomas R. Mathews commanding, performed camp duty at Fort Warren from August 8 to 13 inclusive, August 8 being devoted to annual drill. The usual routine of camp was carried out, and practice had with the heavy armament of the fort, in drilling at the guns and experimental firings with projectiles, in which good results were obtained, and the regiment derived benefit from this tour of duty, which has been made manifest since.

Nothing could exceed the kindly interest in, and the readiness to impart instruction to, the regiment, by Major Sinclair, the post commandant, and the officers and men of his command.

The only opportunity within reach for artillery practice is at this fort, and available only upon the consent of United States authority. The disadvantages under which this regiment is called upon to labor is consequently apparent. The attention of the Secretary of War has been called to this untoward circumstance, and a request made for suitable ordnance for the use of the regiment in armory. If said request is not granted, recourse must be had to the State for wooden models of modern guns for drill purposes. The importance of this measure cannot be overstated, and it is recommended that the State furnish the necessary equipment as far as possible for use the present winter.

These towns are estimated.