The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-27
THE BATTALION DRILL.
-FOUR COMPANIES REPRESENTED AT
THE PARADE GROUNDS.
An Hours Drill in the Presence OF q
Large Crowd-The Chickasaw Guards
Show Up in Great Form and Mako a
Distinct Hit.

There was a battalion drill last night at
the drill grounds, corner OF Jefferson and
Fourth streets, aud half the town was
there to see it. The ladies were there in
great numbers, and their presence, as
usual, had an inspiring effect on the
soldier boys, causing them TO put up
very satisfactory drill. This was especially
true of the Chickasaw Guards, who were
fit to drill for a mans life The drill they
put up last night would have won them
the first prize at Galveston hands down.
So say those who were there, and they are
good judges. Lieut.. Cornish, OF the regu-
lar army, who witnessed the drill last
night, said OF the Chicks" "They drill
like regulars" That's high praise, CON-
ing from so critical a source.
Col. Hugh Petit and staff were FIRST on
the grounds. Their new uniforms became
them handsomely. Lieutenant. Colonel
Taylor, Maj. l. +. Peters, Adjutant r. b.
Armour Assistant Surgeon Miles Willett
and Sergeant Major Barlow Treadwell
made a fine looking group OF staff officers
as they stood around their Colonel waiting
for the companies to arrive.
The Merchants Zouaves were the first
TO show. They only turned out eight
strong, and were commanded by Lieut..
Sawtelle in the absence OF Capt. DeHrey,
who is in Little Rock.
The next TO appear were the Chickasaw
Guards, with twenty.eight men, three
~ officers and two guards. commanded by
= Capt. Harry Allen. They were greeted
with enthusiasm by the multitude OF small
boys present, who are no mean Judges OF
military precision and strictly impartial in
the bestowal OF either praise or blame.
The Schorr Zouayes, with sixteen men,
two sergeants and one lieutenant, COM
manded by Capt. lawson. were the next
10 show, and following them, after brief
interval, came the Montgomery Guards,
who made fine appearance, and through
out the battalion drill and alterward in u
separate drill after the parade was dis
missed, showed marked proficiency.
In order to give the Merchants Zouayes
q sufficient number Of men to form COM
panys complement, eight men were de-
tailed from the Chickasaw Guards. This
caused some confusion, and Lieut.. Sawiellc
Is not accustomed 10 drill according to
Upton and the Chicks don't drill any
other way. However, the company man
aged 10 squeeze through the drill, but the
experiment was not bowling success.
The Menkon Rifles did not show up.
Ii was aiter9 o'clock when the battalion
was former by Adjutant Armour and
turned over TO Col. Petit, who put them
through a series OF evolulions that lasted
for nearly an hour. The Chicks had the
left OF the line, the Merchants the right.
Whenever the line dressed 20 the left il
was good, whenever Il dressed to the right
1t was-well, ragged. The truth must be
told though the heavens fall. A company
OF eight men under command OF an officer
not accustomed 10 drill them, reinforced
by eight men trained under different tao.
tics, cannot be expected TO move rs one
man. and il didn't.
The drill proved one thing very conclu-
s5vely The two Zouave companies will
sither have TO learn TO drill by Upton's
tactics or their presence In battalion drill
Nll always appear inconguous Upton
ociics and Zouave tactics won't mix any
betier than oil and water. IL wouldn't be-
bad idea II one OF the Z0uayes companies
would abandon the go-as.you-plcasc sys.
p, ten and come down TO -pan-bed.rock
scientific and common sense Upton. One
Zouave company in q regiment ought u
be enough. The Schorrs have fine material
for q good,company drilled up 10 the Up
ton standard, and they will be wise II they
drop The Iouaves foolshness and 90 In ioI
straight goods.
After the battalion was dismissed. Capt.
Harry Allen remained on the ground.
with tweniy-eight men aud put the com
pany through drill that called forth th,
firt applause OF the evening. The stat
nilirers witnessed Il and led In the ap
plausc. Col. kellar Anderson, OF Gen
Carnes's staff, who was present. was do
lighted with IL, and the ubiquitous, keen
sighted small boy, the most iastiJious o
all critics, went wild over H. Thci
marching was almost perfect. and whether
in double-quick time or regular step
they moved ms one man. 1hci
wheel movements elected the unanimous
plaudits OF all who witnessed them, even
the ladies checnully giving hand. Thei
manual, also, was almost iaultless. tn,
firing was ms II Une trigger instead o
twenty.eight had been pulled, and =,
with every other feature. The Chick
made palpaple hit last night and ihi
universal opinion was 'thoy will win III,
next drill they enter 10 dead certainty.
Those OF our readers who cherish thl
hope that Memphis will again be at TN
l head OF the military list, aud what Mem
phian does not? are invited 10 20 out Il
the battalion drill next "Wednesday an,
watch the Chicks. II will do them good
The Montgomery Guards also stayc,
after the battalion was dismissed and pu
upa fine drill. Their wheeling was n
good that Col pcttit remarked Of one O
=, their cyoluiions, That's as good line q
, you'll see anywhere"
! Keep II, BOYS. Tho Bluff City expect
Il OF you. and the name you carry shoul,
always show In front.