St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-19
Dsy1ssoS RIFLE MATCHES.
sreat Preparations at Fort Smelling
for the Coming Contests.


for the Coming Contests.
Although, under the new arrangement,
die even years are years for department
md not for division rifle matches at Fort
Smelling, 1886 promises as much of interest
Is any former date since army competitions
we're inauguIated. a visit to the fort
shows plainly tho high expectations of the
officials having the matter in charge. Work
bas been steadily in progress for month,
and with large force Of enlisted men and
military convictS, has been pushed through
10 completion. The ranges are probably
squa! to any in the world and greatly SUI
pecior to those at Wimbledon and Creed
rloo!. The ground is level. well turfed
with the thick natural grass OF Minnesota
and as closely shaved as bankers lawn.
The protection for markers has been greatly
increased. The line of earthwork shelter
has received an added thickness of earth in
front aud of stone in rear. At the same
lime it has been perfected in outline ac-
eording 70 the rules of fertilization. Now,
with its inferior and superior slopes, scarp
aud counterscarp, it might seem to the
military engineer to be a materialized
dream Of Vauban or Noizet: but,
in ali its perfection, it is the
work of Lieut.. George Andrews.
who directed the performance, while quar-
tcrmaster and before he was raised to his
new dignity of regimental adjutant or the
Twenty There arc, behind the earth
work fifteen targets ct intervals of about
fifty feet, and the ranges are from 100 to
LOCO yards. During the match, the ele
tnent of danger by accident has been de-
creased 70 a small fraction. The range is
provided with telephones of communication
between the bats and firing-stands so
that any thing of Importance may be made
known at once. The tents of competitors
have already been pitched by details sent
Dill in advance working under supervision
Of Lie ut. ueistand, the camp quartermas-
ter. During the competition these details
will act rs scorers, markers, cooks and or
deriies. Lieut.. Heistead. besides the Of
flee OF quartermaster. has those of iutant,
treasurer, signal officer, and commssary,
so that he finds 10 extravaganza III calling
himself the camp PochBooh.
THE CAMP GROUND.
The camp ground. high and well shaded,
is the same It's that Of last year. Every
Eling speaks of comfort. The tents are
foored. and large frame building with
WIDE swinging DOORS stands Hospitality near
to serve as kitchen for the enlisted men.
The officers viii join tie mess of Mr.. Victor
Robertson. There are about thirty tents in
The officers street, and every officer may, if
he wishes. have his tent for his castle, but
It is usual for two neighbors to live together,
using ore tent for sleeping-room and the
stncI FOR reception-room and club house.
Az immense tent at the upper end of the
sficers row marks the headquarters of the
lamp commander, Col. Gaines Lawson,
.Flo, during the present summer, has had
ponors thrust thick upon him. Visitors at
The ranges will be welcome at all times dur
rng firing, and friends of those in camp will
De received until tattoo each day. The
morning firing will begin at S:45 and con-
clude at | 80. and afternoon firing will be-
gin at 1876. Morning and afternoon trains
will be found available 10 visitors from St
Paul and oninbuses will connect with the
Seventh street horse-carS twice day each
way. From the post it is but a Short walk
TO the camp or range. Lieut.. Handforth,
Who, last year, made the largest skirmish
score ever recorded, will not assist at the
present competition. but it is thought that
;he recent attention to skirmish firing will
Jesuit in eclipsing his score.