Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Interesting Report of Maj. Pollard,
Inspector Of Rifle Practice.
GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
The Contests Which Have Taken Place Have
Developed an Interest in the Study of Marks
manship Which Has Been Productive Of
Great Good-Notes.

The past week has been remarkably quiet 80
far as the District National Guard is concerned,
and the calm will probably continue until at ter
the year 1891 opens up with its program Of
rife practice in the gallery. There was one
thing OF importance which came to light yes
terday-the annual report of Maj. J. II. Pol
lard inspector general Of rifle practice. This
report has been in Gen. Ordway's hands since
November so, and is now published for the first
time. The report SAYS;
IMPETUS TO TIE STUDY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP.
''The opening Of the rifle gallery IN January
gave a great impetus to the study of marks
manship and, for the first time in the history Of
the brigade. made systematic instruction prac-
ticable or. indeed, possible. The entire COM
mand became at once interested in the work.
The attendance showed that n large percentage
OF the several companies turned out to prac-
tice. and the rapid progress evidenced the great
Etilitv of the gallery a means of instruc ton.
IL. however, became at once apparent that the
essential preliminary instruction set forth in
chapters one and two of Blunt's Mammal could
not be made part of the gallery work. The
room usually too crowded. and the con-
fusion incident to the firing. the cleaning of
weapons and formation and dismissal of squads
too great To permit careful attention to indi-
yiduals. This course of instruction requires
the isolation of small squads in the various
arnories. where the instructor can devote the
use Of the sights. the theory OF elevation and
wind allowance and easy and natural positions
for the various ranges When all have been
well grounded in these lessons aiming and posi-
ticn movements should thcnceforth be made a
part of each company drill
BETTER METHODS EAvE BEEN DEVELOPED.
After referring to the faulty ammunition used
in the gallery in February and showing that the
trouble lay IN the shells. Maj. Pollard goes on:
Better methods of loading have been devel-
o7ed sd a more suitable brand of powder has
been tested. that at present extremely accu-
ra;e work can be done 1T the longest attainable
gallery ranges
..The one essential to close shooting in the
gallery il perfect cleanliness of the weapons.
These should be thoroughly wiped ont after
each strin;; IF ten shots. as the spherical bal
lets invariably fiy wild from fOuled barrel.
Careful attention to this requirement or the
part of company officers VIII add many points
to the score AZ each regular practice.
With all its usefulness the gallery Ia made
uuate to the needs of the command. Worked
10 its full capacity each evening it barely SUI
fees for the monthly practice OF each company.
and even then is ut times so crowded rs to ne
cessitate undue haste in the firing even when
the gallery is kept open until nearly midnight.
Careful supervision of the work is. under these
circumstances. impossible, and only the most
S.,ring errors can be detected ard remedied.
IL l. hoped that q system OF armOry equipment
nav be found. adaptable TO the armories Of the
~ often as once in each week. This has been
found BY experience to be essential TO the at
tainment of the highest degree OF skill. it is
ONLY by regular OF the rifle that nervous
n,ss Is conquered and confidence and steadi-
ness attained.
WHAT TIE EkNGE WORK DISCLOSED.
The range work of the command. taken as a
whole. plainly disclosed the deficiency in the
aiming ans. position drill. and this notwith-
standing tire great advance due TO the gallery
practice. Many of the men did not know how
o. adjlSt the sights and many more did not
know why suCh adjustment or elevation was
necessary. Very few knew how to assume
proper and uHcUnStraiaed positions for firing,
~ time found 10 Re too valuable Then
facing the tIr.e-s 20 permit the instructor to
teach these elementary lessons. The defects
were even more apparent on the range than
They /. i been IN the gallery.
The iirli;e supply # ammunition. re well as
restricted raHg'- facilities. led To modification
81 the general ot,ie- 30 ~ to require each man
10 make or exceed ore OF 20 per cent az 100
yarls before being :; !yarced TO the longer
ranges. AMI under this rNperiment n conSit!C-.-
he percentage Of the command advanced no
further than I'll" first range and had no other
chance t. practice az those succeeding at
:asi wards IL Is worthy Of note that large per-
oertaEe s-ccee,;ed at the longer ranges max
ing really fine records considering the very
limited extent If the practice.
THE FORT WASHINGTON RANGE
The hastily improvised range at Fort Wash
ington was found well adapted to the purpose
during the encampment. but ii will need con-
siderable extension. became of the rapidly aug
menting requirements of the brigade. The eG-
perlence of this season upon the range. a better
system of instruction in the ar;nories and more
accurate work IN the gallery indicate tina. a
large percentage of the entire command will
next year qualify at all the ranges and that the
total of range practice will be quadrupled.
AT the commencement Of range practice it
was decided to select from the most promising
riiemen OF the command-to the number of
twenty or thirty-such as could afford the time
and expense of extra practice, to be held rs
often as once in each week. and this with a
view to their thorough instruction in long
range firing. These men would. it is believed
become available for promotion inspectors
of rife practice and. without such promotion
would be of great service to their various COM
mands- So large number responded to the
FIRST invitation that it was found necessary
owing to the restricted range facilities to de
wise a reduction process to bring the number
within manageable limits or. as was decided to
about twenty-four men, The terms WERE for
beginners. exceedingly severe--viz. q score of
20 per cent OF greater at each successive
range-but there no alternative and
they were impartia1v enforced. Many
who would have become expert rifemen were
thus shut out before they had opportunity to
demonstrate their capacity. The advantages of
thoroughly training a considerable number of
men from each battalion are apparent that it
is hoped that the plan can be extended during
the next season, and ii is suggested that two
teams or squads-one for each Tuesday and one
for each Friday of each week might be a prac-
teal solution of this problem Competition
between these teams would unavoidablv result
and would deserve encouragement. and the best
men would be selected to represent the District
at Creedmoor and in other competitions.
RAPID PROGRESS MADE.
The rapid progress made by the men who
attended the extra practice finally led to a de-
sire to test their strength by comparison with
the best rifemen Of the country and resulted
in the sending of team To the fall meeting Of
the National Rife Association at Creedmoor.
This a very risky venture. only n single
alternate was available. while quite a number
OF reliable shots were prevented by business AZ
fairs from accompanying the team Tie re-
sult. however. justified the undertaking. our
team winning the Hilton trophy iii a most stub
born contest with the teams Of New Jersey and
New York The possession of this trophy is
justly regarded "a the decisive test OF skill in
craftsmanship and Is ample encouragement for
perseverance in the course that selected and
trained the winning team. This may be briefly
stated as follows: Regular weekly practice in all
weather conditions.