Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-09
LAST DAY OF THE DRILL.
THE WINNERS or THE PRIZES
STILL IN DOUBT.

Hard to Determine-The Judges TO An
nounce the Result This Aft rnoon.
MOBILE, ALA, May S.--The attendance
at the drill grounds was larger to-day
than at any time during the encampmeut.
The weather was fine, but the sun was
very hot. The Louisville Legions came
/ on first this morning at $3.50 O'Clock TO
contest for the $4,000 prize. They made a
! fine appearance, but only passed a fair
! inspection. The manual without num-
bers was poorly executed, the loading
| being very ragged. The marching in
/ double time was irregular. The kneeling
and firing was good, the firing lying down
was bad. This company seemed to be
off, not doing as well as when executing
the programme for maiden companies.
The Columbus Guards followed. The
manual by numbers was ragged Their
wheels were bad. In making swival
stacks while in single rank three stacks
of guns fell. The double-time wheelings
by platoons was good except msjudg-
ment of the distance. The oblique move
ments were good. The company went to
pieces in forming single line from file of
fours. Individual errors throughout were
frequent. During the latter part of the
!
ratified. Their time was one hour.
THE HOUSTON LIGHT GUARDS.
The Houston Light Guards succeeded
the Columbus Guards and made a hand
some appearance, wearing the English
regulation uniform. They were loudly
applauded. They passed a neat lnspec-
tiOn, but in the execution of the manual
individual errors were frequent. The
loading and untixing Of bayonets was
good. The manual without and with
numbers was good. The marching
was only fair. Their drill as a whole
was not what was expected from them,
but it is the impression that they will get
place.
The drum corps competition followed.
There was but one entry-the Dubuque
drum corps. They did pretty movements
well, and were up in their business.
THE LOMAx RIFLES.
The LOmax Rifles followed, coming on
| at 2:45 O'Clock. This company did good
drilling throughout as body, but indi-
vidual errors were often detected. They
were applauded several times. 1t is
thought that the Captain omitted one im-
portaut command. This com@@ny is
quoted for place.
The ChicRasaw Guards came on amid
laundering applause, made handsome
! appearance and drilled twenty minutes
| with very few errors, executing the com
mands in fine style, Capt. Carnes drilling
the company forty minutes. Capt.
| Curry, of the Houston Light Guards,
| took his place and continued with the
| company for about five minutes, when five
| prIvates tainted in rapid succession, after
| which the company retired without finish
| ing the programme. Capt Carnes is
threatened with congestion of the brain.
This calamity is attributed TO over work
in preparation for the contest.
$4,000 LOST ON THE CBICKAsAws.
1t is a conceded fact that they would
have taken first prize had they concluded
like they commenced the programme.
Fifteen Thousand dollars was lost on the
Chickasaws. They had sold favorites in
the pool from the beginning of the week,
often as the choice against the field. The
winners will be announced tomorrow
afternoon on dress parade. The Mobile
Rifles and Montgomery Greys are spoken
of for first place. The Lomax Rifles and
Houston Light Guards are also men-
toned for places.
A grand promenade concert was given
on the ground tonight by the McCOsh
Musical Aggregation, of 1870 pieces.
Brev. Maj. William Powell, of the Uni
ted States army, is arranging the pro-
gramme for the sham battle, which comes
OFF tomorrow.
A LETTER FROM MIR. DAVIS.
The board of management received a
letter from Jefferson Davis to-day ex-
pressing regret at his inability to accept
the invitation to visit Camp Drum. In
the letter he said: II am gratIfed to see
increased attention by citizens to mill
tary training. Our forefathers were dis
trustful of standing armies, depending on
militia for the defense and safeguards Of
the State. Competitive exercise is the
highest elementary education"
The Individual competition for the best
drilled soldier was held to-day. All the
companies entered men ranging from one
to five.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT,