had not even applied to utilize funds for the support of the militia which had recently been approved of by Congress. Captain Thomas' visit apparently spurred the state into action because he indicated that the following order had been issued prior to his departure from Little Rock: The following regimental officers were appointed by Adjutant General Files: Colonel John D. Waldron, Commander of the First Regiment Arkansas State Guard, effective October 1, 1891. Lieutenant Colonel John M. Dungan Major G. C. Schogg Captain C. M. Wing appointed as the Regimental Adjutant Captain Chas. E. Taylor appointed as the Regimental Quartermaster Col. Waldron was ordered to take necessary steps to completely organize and equip his regiment, making all necessary appointments of non-commissioned officers. He was authorized to make such visits and inspections as he deemed proper in the performance of his duty. First encampment In the winter of 1892 the Arkansas State Guard conducted its first annual encampment. An encampment was also conducted in the summer of 1893 at Hot Springs. The favorable publicity for these militia encampments led to efforts to improve the organization of the Guard probably resulting in the organization of new military companies: The Morrison Rifles were organized in Newport Arkansas on August 30, 1892. The company received its financial support from a committee of local businessmen, including Lancelot Minor, a Newport attorney and civic leader. However, the organization failed to complete the state military requirements, and its officers were never commissioned. The Newport militia company was reorganized May 8, 1893, as the Hurley Rifles, in honor of Captain G. W. Hurley, a veteran of the Mexican War, and the pioneer citizen of Newport. Eugene B. Douglass, for many years an officer of tue Chickasaw Guards, a militia company in Memphis Tennessee was elected Captain. The company met every Monday evening for drill. This company eventually became Company F, 2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards. The company officers were: Eugene B. Douglass, Captain George A. Hilihouse, First Lieutenant Rush H. Davis, Second Lieutenant Charles L. Minor, Third Lieutenant Sam R. Phillips, Fourth Lieutenant Adam Bach, Quartermaster 2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards, is formed Brigadier General George Presley Taylor, of Forrest City, was appointed commander of the Arkansas State Guard in 1894. As Arkansas State Guard grew in number of companies, and plans were made to divide the state into two regiments shortly after the summer encampment of 1893.