Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-05-14
THE SAVANNAH DRILL.
The montgomery oroys Booked 70
Vim First Prize.

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SAVANNAH, May D. he second day
Of the Interstate drill Tor The highest
prize opened auspiciously, but hot.
The crowds arrived early ID the fore.
noon. and by II o'clock the grand
stand was damned.
The first company to drill was the
German Fuslliers, of Charleston. Their
inspection was rigid. The manual by
the numbers was fair, with the excep.
ton Of load and firing; the manual
without numbers about the samt; In
wheeling good, but In double time was
poor. Time OF drill, thirty.nine min.
utes.
At precisely 1850 the Montgomery
Greys, named for their handsome
uniform, with white cross belts and
shakos, a sturdy set of young men,
came on. and as SOC az they appeared
the cheers began and were loud and
continuous. Their inspection occupied
five minutes, was rigid, and evidently
de6ed the scrutiny of the judges. Their
first formation after inspection was
perfect. Manual, with the numbers,
with the exception Of seven individual
errors, was perfect. Manual, without
numbers, with the exceptions OF ''rest
on arms" reverse" also "swivel
stack" which where a little slow were
perfect. All formations from a halt
were perfect, but while marching they
were not so good. Wheels and tours
in circle were splendid. All obliqueing
was perfect. Their kneeling, lying
down and rising were perfect. Manual
of arms splendid, and even better
while marching than at a halt. AL
stacks with or without numbers were
handsomely done. All movements by
p~latoons were as good as could be.
Cadence and distance of step were
exact. Running into line at double
time not SO good. Time of drill,
twenty five minutes.
The Savannah Cadets next came,
and they, like their predecessors, were
heartily applauded.
Their manual, both with and with
out numbers, were a little better than
the German Fusiliers. Loading, firing
in both double and single rank, were
up to the average wheeling double
time fair. AS "a whole they stand no.
where for first place.
Next on the list came the Mont,
gomery True Blues, Capt. A. b. Gar
land, Jr.
The inspection was minute and thor
ough. The first formations were tx
cellent. Manual, with numbers, per.
feet, with exception Of several indi-
Vidual errors; their stacks with swivel
and take arms was perfect. In fixing
and unfixing bayonets, they were a lit
tie slow; their rest on arms was a little
ragged, the same as the Greys. Their
manual without numbers, both at d
halt and while marching, was splendid,
Their marching in ordinary time was
good, but at times the men would
break away from one another, Platoon
movements were fair, but the align
ments OF some were poor. Their load
ing and firing by company and in col
unln Of tours was excellent. The men
in lying down were ragged and there
was no cadence; firing In that position
was good, as was also their rising.
Distances at times were bad. Double
time movements were good with the
exception of the last three, which
were a little ragged.
Then followed the Gate City Guards,
of Atlanta. Their inspection was
rigid, manual by the numbers fair. with
the exception OF load and firing. Their
marching in ordinary time was fair,
wheeling good, double time wheeling
poor.
AT 4 pm. the Volunteer Southrons,
Vicksburg, came up and were warmly
greeted. The manual of arms, both
with and without numbers, were fair.
The marching was but fair. Their
manual was the same as in the maiden
d%rill--:oo fast and with no cadence,
They were also cheered as they left the
grounds.
Next followed the Louisiana Rifles,
of New Orleans, and though a lint
body of young men, their drill was
little more than ordinary. Some
movements they executed splendldly,
others they did not so well. Several
errors were made, and their drill alto
gethtr was not satisfactory to their
friends.