Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-04-13
THE MILITARY.


A Very Creditable DRILL NJ the
Opera House Last EVENING.
On account Of the snowstorm yesterday
the inspection and review Of the Centen-
NAL and Union Guard companies did not
take place In the open air, a. announced
would be the case. General Conklin, in
TACT, proposed TO defer the review until
some fair day in the future. but the SOL
diers came down and were 80 urgent TO
have the competitive drill over with that
he consented to inspect them, and ordered
them to appear for that purpose in the
Eureka Opera House In the evening.
without general notice or any publication
OF this event the news seemed to be pretty
well disseminated, and when by 8 O'Clock
the two companies had appeared in the
ball for drill the gallery Of the Opera
House was crowded with spectators, while
many persons, among whom were several
ladies', occupied the rear part Of the stage.
Near the f%ootlights were seated General
Conklin and staff and General Conner,
all in full uniform. The Union Guard
Band delighted the assemblAge with it,
music before and after the drill. The drill
IN the manual Of arms and company evo-
lutions lasted about an hour. Notwith-
standing the smallness Of the hall,
which made . new order necessary
almost before the first was executed.
the maneuvers were performed very cred
itably by both the Centennials and the
Unions. Both companies appeared to great
advantage, and received . world Of encour-
agement from the gallery in the way Of
applause. The contrast In the uniforms
OF the " % companies contributed very
much to b life and vividness Of the en-
tertainment, the Unions blue being set
OIL with scarlet trimmings, and the Gem
tennials' with snowy white. The drill at
every point was watched with keen interest.
We do not remember ever to have seen .
more watchful and appreciative audience
in Eureka. With many II was, OF course,
only . pretty show Of tactics that they
know nothing of--only . skilful handling
Of guns and . nice movement Of the body;
but there were quite . number In the gal
lery and on the stage, Of the crowd that
came merely to look on, that observed with
critical judgment. There were some
twenty OF more Of the Grand Army among
the interested and watchful spectators,
while there were also . sprinkling pres
emit OF those who had seen
actual service under Lee and B~eauregard.
It was . handsome display Of military
skill and order. and was enjoyed by every
body for what it actually was, and by
some, also, Tor the memories 1t called up
OF the bivouac and the weary march.
Various comments were passed upon the
appearance and skill Of the two COM
panies, each having special friends in the
crowd, but the general expression Of SEN
timent seemed to be that they are
pretty nearly matched In proficiency Of
drill; that though one excelled the other
in this or that evolution, this vas com-
pensated for by superior excellence in
some other evolution Of the company
which suffered the first disadvantage in
comparison. At all events, the parade
was creditable to both companies, and they
should feel proud Of the interest mani
Tested in them by the enthusiastic
crowd that watched them eagerly from the
first evolution TO the last. Where the SOL
der boys take 80 much pride in their
organizations IS ours do, md where they
are so thoroughly appreciated as the Union
Guard and Centennials are by the public
in this community. it is disagreeable to
think that either company will be refused
the assistance OF the State. or be obliged
to disband. As has been stated, the COM
petitive drill 10 but one-half OF the test
proposed to determine the comparative
efficiency Of the two organizations. The
target practice 10 yet to come, and it 10
this. in conjunction with the drill OF last
night, that will tell the tale - to which will
be recognized hereafter - . regular part
OF the States militia forces in this county.