Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-24
Gallant Bearing and SOldierly Tactics
Of Both Companies.
Both Sides Satisfied with the Result
"A Happy Time All Around.

absorbed in the contest, and its surround.
ings, between the Porter Rifles, of Nash
vile, snd the Chickasaw Guards, of the
Bluff City. The prize was a costly and
beautiful silver cup, fashioned and carved
for the purposes of its award. Its own
ership was to be determined by prof.
cheney in military drill by volunteer or
CARNATIONS throughout the State, assem-
bled here for the competition. Last
Friday, the 2lst, was the appointed time
for the struggle. Several organizations
from different portions Of Tennessee
were expected to enter the list, but only
two companies came. These were the
Porter Rifles and the Chickasaw Guards.
D~etachments of otAer companies were
here, though not as competitors. The
Chickasaws entered the city early Friday
morning, and marched to the Maxwell
House under escort Of a detachment Of
the Porter Rifles in command of Lieu.
tenant Nat Brown, and headed by Ar
nold's magnificent brass baud. Their
splendid appearance, beautiful uniforms
and soldiery movements through the
streets created a sensation, aud won the
good opinion of the immense %concourse
of people which witnessed their entrance
into the hotel. The flag of the
Guards was pronounced the hand
soonest that ever aoated within the
bounds of the volunteer State" AS
you we'll know, it was the gift of the
ladies Of Memphis, and deserves the
compliment it received. The company
numbered in its ranks Allen Asher, T.
81. Allen, jr., j. NJ. Bowen, E. C. Bu-
chanan, George W. Crook, Louis DoneI-
son, A. L, Duval, Fl. F. Farnsworth, N.
I. Hannah, P. Jones, E. Fl. Martin, w.
D. Noon, Booth Malone, W. C. McNutt,
Samuel Pepper, Robert Portleck, John
Russell, F. w. Smith, ir, Malcolm
Senmes, Ralph Semmes, A. A. Smith
wick, ]. L. Smithwick, Arthur R, Tay-
Tor, Thomas A. Wright, Nc Williams, ].
A. Woodbridge and S. B. Houtchens,
and was Differed by Captain R. P. Dun
can, First Lieutenant John T. Cameron,
Second Lieutenant Sam S. Carnes, John
d. Poston, Ensign; Richard Wright, N.
B. Camp, L s. Frierson and Richard
Allen, Sergeants, and W. d. Powell,
Avis Sneed, Jefferson Davis, jr., Cor
porals. The contest took place at three
o'clock Friday afternoon at the United
States barracks, near Nashville, in the
presence of the officers of the barracks
and an immense assemblsge of both
sexes, in whom the exercises proposed
had excited the most intense interest.
While the Porter Rifles, being at their
own homes, necessarily and deservedlJ
had hosts Of friends aud welL-wisheri
present, the Chickasaw Guards we're moi
without large numbers of the immense
crowd who desired their success. In
deed, from the general expression Of tn,
multitude, it seemed that If it was to b,
the good fortune of the C~hickasaws L
win the prize, the people o. Nashville
both her fair women and brave men
among those gathered there, would
have been gratifed in their very
hearts. The Rifles led off irH the drill
and certainly displayed a high order Of
soldierly accomplishments, showing tina.
much time, close attention and hard
work had been given for the struggle
The manner in which they went through
the manual Of arms was creditable il
the very highest degree. And what d,
you think the Chickasaws did when they
witnessed this magnificent handling 0
rifles? Jealous and sullen2 No, sir
but they rose to their feet as one maj
almost, aud rent the air with cheer afteI
cheer in praise Of their gallant oppo
nents; and if the Guards up to that mo
ment had an enemy on those grounds
, he no longer remained 30. The actor
was an exhibition of such generous ma
r lures that the people Of Nashville felt a
proud Of them as if they had been thei
own boys. After the allotted time thu
Rifles gave place to the Guards, wit
I marched to tho center Of the campu.
with most soldierly precision Of move
ment, and entered upon the execution
Of their drill. The manual Of arms b.
. the Rifles was most excellently gonl
: through with. and, as / have said, shovel
: great proficiency in the prompt, rapic
I accurate use Of the musket. Any Sigh
drawbacks that they may have had il
%msneuvering vas more than overcom,
by this. And whatever %sbOrlcoming
5 the Chickasaw Guards may have shown
-aa they did-in the manual of arms
we're more than compensated for b,
! the accuracy Of their oblique move
ments and wheelings into line with
out being thrown in the slightea
degree out Of dress. And by all Of thil
| do not mean to say that the Porter Ri
q aes we're anything like slouchy in any 0
, their m%aneuvers, but only to tell you il
I what particular maneuvers | think thl
Chickaaaws surpassed them. The strue
4 ale was a holly contested one and tn,
%viclors had no easy fight. The Rifles, a
you already know, bore Of the prizs
and thew fairly won IL. The iudeea yer