The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-27
THE BOSTON ARTILLERISTS.
The Drill and Review of the First Mas
sachusetts Battalion Of Artillery, at
TOmpkins Square, Yesterday After

Tompkins Square, Yesterday After
There was an immense concourse OF spectators
yesterday afternoon at Tompkins square to wit
ness the drill and review Of the First battalion OF
Massachusetts artillery. Nearly every regiment in
the National Guard was represented by few
members in citizens dress, who we're anxious
doubtless, to see for themselves just what the
famous Bostonians could do in the way OF drill II
they came with the idea that any battery in our
own militia service could Guido the strangers they
went away convinced that the visiting battalion
was far ahead oil any battery even the First division
can boast. Their drill was perfection itself, and
from the beginning to the end not single serious
mistake was made by either the men or the Of
fcers IN the various eYolutions that were gone
through with, although at times 1t was quite no
tlceabe that the men were rather slow in mount
ing or dismounting from the carriages and the
caissons.
However, when it Is taken into consideration
that they had experienced all the fatigues of
formal reception the night previous, and lnat dur
ing the drill the heat was intense, this was q very
slight weakness. The handling OF the guns and
the various changes OF positions the formations
every manGuvre, in fact, was executed with Won
derlul precision and exactitude. All the orders
were given by bugle. In the wheelings the men
occasionally lost little OF their exactitude, and
in several instances their anxiety 10 do their work
with rapidty was the very cause OF a
at the proper time. 1t was evident, how
ever, that the men had been not only trained
10 WORK with rapulty ana regularity, but
also with the utmost care ana regard Tor the
general safety. IL often happens that In the
trngs tor instance by militia artilerIsts acct
dents more or less severe occur by the gunner5
getting over nervous aud pulling the lanyard be-
lore the rammer Is entirely Withdrawn rom the
piece or the second gunner IN sale position TO The
right. Still this dr OF the Bay State battalion did
not end without an accident. II was not a serious
matter, however, and the member who was the
victim OF 1t was only famed slightly, and had alter
wards the satisfaction VI witnessing the fine ma
nnuvrings OF his fellows from comfortable car.
rage seat.
When the drill was over the guns we're parked
and the men went to their hotel, where good
bath aud something for the inner man
put them In good trim for the review. This took
place at two O'Clock, and by the time the pieces
were got.into position the crowds surrounding the
square had become so large as 10 necessltate the
cord0nng out along the north, south, and west
borders OF the square quite formidable number
OF policemen. General Shaer, accompanied by
his stan, all In Uniform ana mounted, arrived on
the ground and took up position on the west side
OF the square. The battalion then drawn up
In order Of battle and was thus formally inspected
Dy General Shaler.
After the General and stat had taken up their
old position, the battalion passed IN review, two
guns abreast, and Then afterwards passed the
point OF review IN double quick time, the men
man tanning their respective positions magnf-
Gently. the pole OF one OF the gun carriages
broke during the dash, right In front OF the re-
viewing oficcr. and TWO Of the men were sent