Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-06
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DRILL
What an Old Soldier Observed
while Looking On.

The following private letter from a
warrior of old, who practiced drilling
on the tented field in the face OF an
enemy. and was soldier for four
years, when soldering was hard as we'll
as dangerous work, is littlo late in
the day, as a matter Of news, but it
>ntains few points of interest. The
ntleman writes from Nashville,
where he lives
y. Noticing the comments of different
newspapers in regard to the military
drill lately held here, and knowing
they made their comments from inter
estcd information, thought would
write what [ know about it, and give
YOU the straight Of it. You are well
aware that ought to know something
about good drilling, and from my pO-
sition at the drill could see and hear
nearly as we'll as the judges. The
first to march on the field were the
Bluff City Grays, of your city, and
when coming on the ground they
marched splendidly. | thought thea
that whichever company beat
them would take first money.
But after inspection Of arms, they
began drilling. | then saw where
they would lose. They were too slow
in time. That was the fault of their
captain, but the company would have
to nav for it. The Porter Rifles came
next, and to give you an idea OF the
difference between the companies, |
will Just state that the Porter Rifles
did in fifteen minutes what it took the
Grays a half an hour to do. In this
connection, | will say that the Porter
Rifles did twenty movements more
than the Grays, and sixteen more than
the Crescent Rifles. The next COM
pany hankering after the big prize was
the indianapolis Light Guards. They
reminded me Of Cyrene Commandery
when they drilled here a couple Of
\ years ago. They came on the field
with drum corps and making a big
splurge. They did some good drilling,
but their time was too slow,
The next company to contest the
honors was the famed Crescent Rifles
of New Orleans. / have no words Of
disparagement to make about them,
They made a fine appearance, and
established themselves in the hearts
of a great many of our citizens. There
hos heen great deal of satire and
irony used in the different comments
about this drill, but will deal in
plain, supportable facts; 1t was
twenty minutes to six o'clock pm
when the Crescents commenced drill
ing, and when they had gone through
the manual of arms it began raining
and seemed as if we would have Q
heavy shower. At this point the
Judges asked the captain of the Cres.
cent Rifles to stop and finish his drill
next day. The captain would moi
agree to stop unless the judges would
agree to let him commence at the be
ginning next day. The company had
already made several errors in the
Manual of arms, and these were noted
The Judges agreed to the captain
proposition. The Crescent City Riael
were then taken in hand and drilled
that night and next day by the captail
Of the Chickasaw Guards, who haC
doubtless noted their deficiencies il
his contest with them at New Orleans
and who was an observerthat evening
| can't claim it as spread eagle vic
tory for the Porter Rifles, but yol
know the old adage, "A miss is a
good as a mile" OLD SOLDIER.