Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-20
MILITARY NOTES.
The Last Battalion Drill, and MisceI-
laneous Matters

laneOus Matters.
The battalion drill which took place
Wednesday evening in the armory was
witnessed from the galleries by very large
and interested audience. the ladies turning
out en- masse as usual. A portion of the
four city companies engaged IN the drill,
Lieutenant Fred Birdsall in command of
Company A, Captain John Cook of Com
pany B, Captain H. Weinstock OF Company
+ and Lieutenant NJ. H. Sheehan of Com
pany q. The principal movements en-
braced IN the drill were as follows .'On
night into line" from column of compa-
MES; Right of companies, rear into col
umn - Right and left front into line"
from column of companies, with " facings
to the rear" added, wheeling from column
into line and from line into column. com
panles breaking from the right to march
to the left, etc. All of these movements
were very handsomely executed, and so
promptly that there was very little DELAY.
and scarcely any instruction needed from
the officer in command. We noticed par
tlcuiarly that the fine imposed on one COM
pany at the last drill for being tardy at the
assembly of the battalion, had an excellent
effect, every company being Oh hane We'd
nesday night ready 10 march when Adju-
tant's call was sounded. Each was in posi-
tlon as If IN its company streets in camp,
hence line was formed without DELAY.
After the regular drill eight skeleton COM
panies were formed, and instruction given
in forming column of defense in the
streets of city for the suppression of riot
Gus assemblages. etc., as laid down in the
rules and regulation. The formation is
simple, easily handled, and the only OBJ
Jectionable feature that we can see in il is
that 1t is so compact that bombs thrown
from buildings into the center of the square
would be very likely to injure many Of the
men and virtually wipe out" the officers,
who are all in the center
While this portion of the evening drill
was not SO satisfactory as the regular bat
talon evolutions, owing to want of prac-
tee, it was demonstrated that it can be
mastered rapidly. Commanders of com
panies were quick to understand what was
needed, and all seemed impressed with the
usefulness of the drill. The firings from
the square formation were most excellent.
except IN the case OF one or two of Com
paDy AS boys, who are little unsteady.
and we noticed the same men in the same
company at dress parade commence to look
about them after the command parade
rest, as If the command had been in
place rest" One of these men should
49," cSttSif lCdcts tiS ut Is AL Olu mem.
Der OF the company, and if he took as much
interest while on drill as he does when
tossing ball he would not be found fault
with. Through some oversight on the part
OF the officer in command of the color
company, the color guard had their
bayonets +" fixed" at dress parade We
noticed, also, that Sergeant Ed Sheehan, of
Company G, was puzzled in coming to the
front and center to report, as he started to
march toward the left, instead of to the right,
being IN the left wing. As a whole, the
drlH was very satisfactory, and the guides
did excellent work.
IN his resignation, his duties being such
that he cannot attend to drills. His COM
pany regrets his loss, as he is well liked and
has been a faithful officer.
one OF the Calling guns has been re-
turned to the armory by General McComb,
Warden of the Folsom State Prison. The
carriage and timber need painting. other
wise the gun is in good order. It is an
effective weapon in certain cases. Captain
Cook will have squad detailed to work it
and drill regularly.
Acknowledgement Cosby will immediately
furnish the regiment with parts of rifles.
which are sadly needed to put them in good
condition. He has also made requisition
for five target rifles for the use of the regi-
ment.
The platoons of Company C at Nevada
City have competitive drill on the even
ing of February ODD, when the company
gives grand ball at the arinorv.
The shooting range will soon be in order.
as the water is receding rapidly. We un-
derstand that Company G is recruiting with
some OF the Carson sharpshooters. The
stan team Will have to look to its laurels.
A requisition has been made for revoly-
ers for the field and staff officers. 1t
might be well for company officers to make
similar requisition and have little pistol
practice.
The Ballard rifles in use in the arInory
shooting gallery are not working satisfac-
torily, and the committee in charge should
procure good rifles, as the success of the
range depends largely on the accurate
shooting and improvement made by the
poorer shots. This result cannot be at
tanned by using rife which shoots around
q corner.