Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-10-10
Reported for the Standard.

Reported for the Standard
OAK-CITY GUARDS.-TARGET PRACTICE.
This spirited Company, under the command of
Capt. w. H. Harrison, made their first attempt, as
company, at target practice, on Friday evening
last in presence of large concourse of spectators
and with decided success The prize beaut-
full silver goblet presented for competition by Chas
H. Thompson, jeweller of Fayetteville street, who is
also Orderly Sergeant of the company. The mus
kets supplied to City Volunteers are of very
Indifferent character-being the old worn out flint
and-steel altered to percussion, and very imper
feet in their range. Better weapons ought to be
placed in the hands Of these public-sprited young
men. With these Indifferent muskets the firing
was excellent Out of 1O2 shots fred at a target
SO inches diameter from distance of eighty yards
81 took effect. The average of twenty averages of
three rounds each go shots) is fraction over I3
inches. The average of the best ten averages go
shots) is 81 inches, which is good shooting. The
prize by Pioneer Howle, whose average
shots A inches; second best, Sergeant Iron
monger, u inches third best, Private H. L. Cooke,
So inches; fourth best, Private j. H. Bggs, So
The best single shot was made by Pioneer Howle,
it being one quarter of an inch. The shooting on
the whole may be said to be excellent.
The following gentlemen acted as judges the
occasion, viz: Seaton Gales, E. L. Harding, G. B.
Root Esqs, and DIR. L. c. Manly.
The company being drawn up in line Pioneer
Howe was announced the best shot, and w. w.
Holden, Esq, presented the prize in address sub
stantialy as follows, and was warmly applauded at
it's conclusion
Mr. HowLE 1t affords me much pleasure, the
representative ofhe gallant donor and ofthe OakCS
Guards present to you this beautiful silver cup,
which has been fairly and hOnorably won by you i'll
a trial of skill in craftsmanship.
When man, in public social life, makes
good hit, he is applauded by his friends, and is
teemed for the time more fortunate than others.
You, Sir, have also made your hits and that too in
the right places-showing steadness of nerve,
well-directed judgment in handling your piece, and
giving promise OF reliable sodlership in the day OF
trial.
There is something exhilaratng to US all in " the
quick step of the soldiers march, and music of the
trump and drum" But more especially is this SO,
when, as now, about US, clustered under the
folds of that much-loved banner, citizen soldiers,
united with in the pursuits of peaceful industry,
and yet ready for duty the field of war; should their
country call for them. The bayonet, it is conceded,
is the soldiers brefeSt and most effective argument;
yet without some skill in craftsmanship no body Of
troops can be expected to perform important SER
vice. 1t the boast of Gen. Morgan, of Revolu-
tionary lame, that he had three hundred picked
ritlemen, each of whom was dead shot at any dis
lance within range of his piece; and all remem-
Der the Injunction of " Old Putnam" at the battle
of Bunker ll-"take good aim, boys, and don't
fire till you the whites OF their eyes. An, gen
tleInen, there in those days-men who
handled the instruments of war if born to the
use of Them and who, after the smoke of battle
cleared away, founded in almost superhulnan wis
dom those liberties and those Constitutions of
government which have been full of blessings to
us all, and which ours to enjoy, and ours to
transmit intact and untarnishcd, to the latest pos
terity.
Sir, you have right to feel proud of this days
achievement; and l know you feel proud also to
belong to this noble Company, in whose ranks you
have won this beautiful cup. Keep it, Sir,
know you will; and in after years, when the silver
of an honorable old age is cleaning ill your hair
you will look upon it, and you will think of this
day, in this peaceful valley, and of the manly and
gallant hearts now beating around you; and you
will remember with qualification this occasion and
this scene, to the last day of your life.
One slight admontion, Sir, and have done. Be
sure always-especially when handling these
kets-never to shoot too high nor too low; and be
sure, also, in using this goblet, to drink too
deep, nor yet too shallow.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the compa-
ny and several invited guests partook of collation.
which was served up in handsome style by Sergeant
Ironmonger of Social Hall. Shortly afterwards they
formed and returned to the capitol by the principal
streets, highly pleased with their afternoons pro-
ceedings.