The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-19
CITIZEN SOLDIERY.
4 Season of Unusual Activity in
the Second Brigade.
The Artillerists' Late Exhibition-speeial In
spection Report of Company C.
Notes at Random.

Rdue. NJ u u nc Ili5l WAS III
the midst Of series of spiritless battalion
drills when the order for the brigade drill
came, which has since been postponed until
next Monday evening, notwithstanding in
correct and published reports that the
postponement is for an indefinite period.
Company f CALAMITY permitted itself on
Friday evening at church fair to be out
drilled by the Kate Greenaway Guard of
young ladies, commanded by the First Ser
geant of the company.
The Nationals, besides the company and
battalion drills. have been and are further
more drilling picked Corps for the excur-
sion to Napa on the 31st, and also took part
in the review and dress parade with the
cadets on Friday evening.
The extra drilling in the Second Artillery
Sad fitting and praiseworthy end at the
exhibition on Tuesday evening. and in q
military sense it is better up perhaps to-day
than any other battalion in the brigade.
The Third is all agog over the presentation
OF colors on Friday evening" and the eXhi-
bltiOn on that occasion and tomorrow even
ing will have q rehearsal drill for the same.
On Thursday the veterans will banquet; on
Monday next, as stated before. the brigade
drill viii be in order, and on the 30th the
city troops will parade as escort to the
A. r. on Memorial day.
When the thoughts of the soldier are away
from the drills there is always the encamp-
ment as an inexhaustible topic for dis
cussiOn. During the next few Sundays the
preliminary practice for the annual target
competitions viii also take place. The Hus-
sars were at Shell Mound Park for that pur-
pose yesterday and the Third will have its
practice on the 22d proX.
IN CANDoR AND JUSTICE.
In all candor and justice, and viewed
,,,slf ,s,,N he
given at the Pavilion by the Second Artil-
lery were probably the best ever given by
that command. Numerically the showing
was also good, though the strength of the
battalion was not exhibited on the floor,
because the six batteries" were previously
equalized to twelve files front, double rank,
so that including the sentries and ushers,
and in fact all in uniform, whether they
took part in the exercises or not there
were present about $50 out of 4 member
ship of APO odd
The band numbered twenty-five and was
IN the new uniform. Under the leadership
OF /. Won der Mehden, who was until re-
Gently with the First United States Artil-
lery, the band IS musically, and as a mill
taTy organization, such great improve
ment on the former that no comparison can
De made. The new band, however, wants
more drilling in marching.
- Credit IS due the Second for the introduce
ton Of a number of Innovations. This was
especially noticeable in the honors rendered
first movement Of the evening having been
the appearance of the color guard to pos
sess itself of the cOl0rs, which were at the
reviewing stand and march off with them to
the company to which they belonged-Cap-
tain O'NeiPs.
FORMATION OF LINE.
For the formation of line for the inspec-
ton by the Colonel the BATTERIES were
previously brought on the floor sing!y, but
SO disposed, however, for this ceremony and
also the dress parade that the color COM
pany on both occasions came on the line
with lis left in front. Captain Waters of
Battery II, who has been in the regiment
Tor twenty-five years, had the right of line,
Captain Huber of Battery c the left and
Captain Slime with the Light Battery dis
mounted OF course) on his left. The bat
TALON line, equaiized as it was, though small
IN comparison, looked more solid and regu-
lar than have other regiments on like occa-
sons, with gaps and breaches. because of
large and small companies in line.
With the others also the march in review
has generally preceded the inspection, if
any was had at all, and the battalion has
entered the Pavilion and come upon the
floor in column of fours, having formed be-
fore arrival. These frequent formations on
the floor somewhat retarded the Seconds
exercises. The inspection passed off nicely,
as did the march in review. though in the
preparatory right wheel by companies, as
well as IN the march, the companies of the
right wing were not comparable with those
of the lett, noticeably among the latter hav-
ing been C and the Light Battery. The
left-intO-line wheel after the march was
had IN the right wing, break Of as much
as the front of company occurring between
the second and third marching companies.
Six details, with one supernumerary for
each, were told of on the floor for the guard
mount and were brought on by the First
Sergeants in double time thing which has
probably never been attempted before in
this brigade. 1t was not a success, possibly
on account of the very slippery condition of
the floor
RAGGED AND PUNCHED.
The details after coming on by the left
flank halted in a ragged and punched up
condition and the rear open order"
dragged. Yet the men are said TO be well
up in the open IN this double time for guard
mount With this exception and the break
OF the oldguard in marching OFF the other
details were well executed Another OBJ
servance of detail was in the non-commis-
stoned officers taking places according to
rank after stepping out to the front and
center.
In the dress parade, in which the Light
Battery did not participate, the color CON-
pany showed at a disadvantage in the
manual, due solely to the inattention of the
men In this ceremony another innovation
was introduced, after the dismissal of the
officers the Sergeant-Major assuming CON-
mand Of the battalion and marching it by
column of fours passed the officers, who
salute the colors, after which the respec-
tive First Sergesnts assumed command Of
lItlI companies, WHICH continued. now
ever, in column the march off the parade
ground, the Sergeant-Major in due time
hating the non-commissioned staff and dis
missing it.
By the way. the non-commissioned staff
was habtuany out of step, and the First
Sergeants reported by batteries" whereas
such designation in the National Guard
OF California has never been recognized
save in reglmental orders. This business
of the Sergeant-Major assuming command
OF the battalion is not in the tactics, bur il
is claimed TO be in vogue at some of the
military posts. and has been observed by
the Second while in camp at Montery last
year.
1.-THE ONLY COMPANY"
Brigade headquarters has at last per-
mltted publicity to be given the report of
the special inspection Of Company G (Na-
tlonalsl of the First Infantry Regiment, n.
u. I. The document is a remarkable one,
indicative of the complete change OF
heart and mind which has come over the
Brigade Inspector since the annual inspec-
ton in 1859, when the same state of affairs
existed as at the time of this company in
For this special inspection the assembly
was sounded at :49 o'clock and the com
pany turned over to the Captain at
O'Clock, eleven minutes being taken for for
nation. Two officers and So enlisted re-
ported and were verifed-a total of 80 out
oil l01-manual before reporting poor-siZlng
OF company Of the best.
The company had So new dress coats and
Y pairs new trousers, and was able to fit
out entire attendance. except one with full
dress uniforms, mostly presentable except
under a strong light "a closer inspection
would dOubtlessy reveal many worm-eaten
coats and trousers that should long ago
have been condemned. Under the circum-
stances, it would hardly be fair to criticize
the result of such praiseworthy efforts to
fully uniform so large company" The
same remarks are applied to the equip
ments, which, as expected, "were some
what mixed as to age. condition and useful
ness, bur spirit of determination to meet
the requirements of an inspection was man.
itest that was truly gratifying and worthy
M lott