Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-08
REVIEWING THE DRILL.
How the Cadets Compared with the
Mobile Rifles.

The Ar1ag and Nary Journals criticism
of the savannah Cadets in the Mobile
drill, which was published in the NEWS
last week, excited considerable comment
in military circles. The criticism as
given by the journal conveyed the i'm
preston that il was of the free
for-all drill, while, in fact, it was
of the maiden drill, in which the
Cadets were given fourth place. Those
VINO read the criticism will read with the
same interest the criticism Of the Mobile
Rifles The impression conveyed by the
former criticism was that the Cadets were
generally defective in every part OF the
programme. 1t will be seen by the follow
ing that the Rifles drill was also exceed
Ingly defective:
Inspection-In opening ranks the right file
did not step on promptly Five guns only
one firing gun. one breach block and three
undertakes of sights. Brassce were nicely
cleaned; uniform neat and well httlnR, eN-
cept one or two coats under armplts. Cart
ridge boxes would have looked better III var
nished. set up, very good. One mans draw
ers-strng was protruding. Two helmets too
large for wcarers.
Manual by the Numbers-In forming single
ranks No. @ second set of fours hesitated
Butts Of pieces were not held back at carry
arms. Right lie and two Others slow at com
pauy load. At unhN bayOncts left guide de-
mcu left cartridge boxes open while the re-
mainder closed them. This part Of the manual
was otherwise very good,
Manual without the Numbcrs-In support
ing arms two men were slow. and Ia coming
To a carry the right two were behind the rest
la he lire llnecling, barrels were not paTai-
lei. one man fired his piece without COM
mand.
Three men were slow coming to "icft
Obhque am;' fire, ragged, one file dld not
put IN cartridge at command cease lring!
At stack arms one stack fell. In stacking
arms no. 46' one loose piece was not pat on.
we would respectfully refer TO the CAPTAIN
to the proper pronunciation of the word
"COlumu.') In fire Aneeilng 90 15l. fOur
men wore slow uriug and two likewise
ceased firing. In firing by rank, still knee-
ing, the rear rank fire wac ragged and live
men were slow in the front rank. Fire by
file, one man was slow two files left their
cartridge boxes open when the rest were
closed. There should have been uniformity.
one way or the other. In rest on arms (NO.
lC4), one man IN the centre Of the company
rested his gun on the ground. With these eX-
captions the manual was very good; manual
marching, very good.
Evolution. Pivot step a little too short
changing direction IN quick and double time.
At command turn NO. "a, ten errors were
committed by priyates coming from carry to
right shoulder. In movement No. p five guns
were not held parallel to each other.
In marching column OF platOons to the rear,
two pivots were not liked. In No. 81, the line
dld not keeped dressed on, or the proper dis
lance from, guide Of the right. ln reforming
company by right oblique, from column of
platoOns, the Second Lieutenant did not give
his commands promptly, and hence the men
OF that platoon hesitated. In ObhquinG to the
right in lire, No. 49,, the centre was out; to
the left the centre was in.
The ohlIqucs at double times were medium.
In Obllqucs in columns Of fOurs, the files did
not cover in All cases. Company was slow
dressing twice. In fours in circle, at double
time. the left guide marked time. The double
time WIS omitted in changing direction to the
right, in movement No. go. Movement No
70 was partially omitted. In forming on left
ia line mo. 500 the leading four was
marched too far before being halted.
A halt was made after movement
-, contrary 10 the programme. Marching in
column Of fOurs. single rank, rear guide was
much over l3 inches from the Tile in his front
on several occasions. Al double time the left
hand was hardly horizontal and not given the
proper swinging motion.
Platoon m0vcments-Fery good.
step, length and cadence, in both quick and
double time, perfect.