The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-27

ments, which arc hardly ever attempted in
New York, and consequently are full of
mistakes when they do take place here.
This Is matter of considerable importance,
inasmuch as biigadcs arc the real units in
which troops are moved in all armies, the
eases of regiments acting independently be-
ing few and exceptional A third matter in
which the New England troops are pro-
ilcicnt while the New Workers are lacking. Is
in the details of qua I'd and picket duty,
especially by brgadcs. Lastly. the artil-
lcry arm of the militia and its cavalry have
little or no training in New York, but are
fairly trained i'm New England. especially
the artillery. The Massachusetts, cavalry
are, rs n rule. respectable riders, though
somewhat slouchy in appearance while New
York has hardly any cavalry worthy Of the
name
On the other hand, New York has made
one great step in advance Of New England
10y the cultivation of rifle practice. Her
National GuardSmcn are to-day the best
shots in the world, leaving the British Vol
untccrs. who were once the champions, far
in the rear This Is great and substantial
triumph no doubt. and one for which wcaro
primarily indebted to the cities Of New York
and Brooklyn, especially the latter
As a matter affecting militaiy efficiency.
however, 1t will not do TO cXaEgcratc the
importance of individual Workmanship at
targets. la modern battles owing to the
distance at which artillery begins to bc eff
fcctivc, two-thirls of the lighting takes
place at range of eight hundred yards.
and no good military shooting has yet been
done at Crccdmoor ut that distance. the OK
pcnsivc match rife entirely supplanting
military weapons for such practice. A class
of fancy rifle called the special military"
with the barrel Of match rifle and open
military sights, has done good work at long
range in the hands Of few experts, but its
price precludcs its general use by soldiers
In service. Moreover, even at the shorter
ranges, target shooting and battle practice
are 50 different rs to bc no very saluable
guides, the one to the other 4 white board
six feet by four. against green background
as at CrccdmoOr, il very different mark
from the tiny pun of smoke out # bushes or
from behind fences, that makes the only
guide for the modern infantry Skin
mishcr, whose enemy Is almost al
ways invisible. Moreover. the trcmor Of
nerves caused 10y running on n skirmsh
line, stopping 10 fire nj intervals, makes
the firing In battle very different affair
from that at CrccdmoOr. Nevertheless
the advantages of systematic instruction in
craftsmanship on the system invented in
France, and successfully perfected az
Hythc, Wimbledon. and Crerdmuor. are
such "a to improve the general accuracy of
infantry fire at least twenty per cent over
totally un-kiilcd fire; and this advantage.
II added To those of discipline and skill in
brigade tactics aud outpost duty. would
make a perfect infantry. Connecticut and
Massachusetts, are slowly waking up TO this
fact and training their men on Crccdmoor
principles, but New York docs not yet duly
appreciate the solid benefits gained by
brigade cncampmcnts.
To make perfectly reliable militia,
brigade cncampments, under strict disci-
pine, the men paid for their services by the
state, are the most valuable means that ex-
list. single week in such camp is worth
more for military training than whole
year of armory drills the only instruction
outside OF rifle practice now offered t. the
militia Of New York State II might be well
for our members at Albany To take pattern
after New England in this matter. rs New
England has taken pattern after Us in rifle
practice. The combination Of CreedmoOr
practice and the solid instruction afforded
by brigade encampments on the New Eng
land plan would end in making our militia
equal 10 regulars in the essentials ~ disci-
pline, and superior TO them in marksman-
ship, intelligence, and military spirit.