The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-28
FLAG And BAYONET.
Interesting Exhibition Of Mill
tary Movements.
Review rendered Rear-AdmlFal Irwin,
COmma1dalt at Mare Island.
Test Of the Proficiency Of Detachment
Of the Marine COrpS-EXeTCiseS and
Signals Sklllfully Executed.
Special to THE MoRNIN G CALI

VALLEJO, Oct. 27.-Soon after the return
Of the steamer AK from Behring Sea with
a marine detachment belonging to Mare Isl
and Barracks 1t was rumored that public
exhibition Of their proficiency in military
movements would take place before the de-
mands of the service separated them for
ever. 1t assumed shape through the grace
full tender Of a review by Major Bartlett to
Rear-Admiral Irwin, the cOmmandant Of the
station, and Monday it came off in the pres
ence OF the officers of the navy-yard and
their families, many officers and men from
the ships in port and a large sprinkling of
residents Of Vallejo.
The decorations consisted Of a grand CEN
trail con struction about the flagstaff where
the revieNing-stand was located. The lines
to inclose the space allotted to the Admiral
and staff and to the band were supported
by red poles flying small scarlet and blue
flags. The lines and poles were festooned
with evergreens, and at each of the front
ends was pillar Of green boughs, orna-
ment ed with martial crosses made Of signal
flags and the bi-eolored metal disks used
In target practice. This beautiful ensemble.
coupled with the interesting military display,
the delightful music furnished by the band
Of the Independence and the courteous at
tentions Of the officers Of the garrison and
their wives, produced an effect that will
long be remembered.
Lieutenant Bergman was officer OF the
day and the following was the programme
OF the military Spectacle: Review of battal-
ion, four companies, rendered to Rear
Admiral John Irwin, L. S. N, command
ant, by Major Henry Anthony Bartlett, U.
s. NJ. c, commanding post; music; bayonet
exercise by two companies, Captain II. c.
Cochrane and First Lieutenants James A.
Turner and Joseph II. PendletOn, U. S. NJ
c.; music; the setting up exercise by forty
men; L usic; visual signaling Of the army
code in concert, forty men, and by field
stations in charge OF nun-cOmmisSioned Off
GERS, by the Behriug Sea detachment; selec-
ton by the band If the United States
Receiving Ship Independence. Professor
Gianotti: reception by the ladies Of the
garrison.
About o'clock Admiral Irwin arrived
and was received by Major Bartlett and
Captain Byron Wilson. Immediately after
ward tie troops marched out and formed
line with the utmost precision. Captain II.
c. CUchrane, acting as Colonel, gave the
commands: Prepare for review; lear
open order, march," and when arms were
presented it seemed as if an electric button
had been touched which controlled every
hand.
The bayonet exercise by the AK detach-
ment came next and was so marVelously
performed that the men seemed to be
worked by system of cranks and levers
concealed under the ground.
A very picturesque scene was presented
when the AK men marched out again
equipped with signal flags instead of guns.
On reaching he middle of the parade ground
they were deployed in four ranks or rows,
like skrmisheTs, and gave in concert the sig
nal alphabet and numerals, the signs used
for opening and closing communication,
and then, as one man, signaled the wei
come, Admiral Irwin, to the marine bar
racks" Lieutenant PendletOn received TIE
message and delivered it to the Admiral,
and the latter replied as follows: Happy
90 welcome the detachment home and to
compliment the battalion on It's splendid ap-
Dearauce." This was skilfully sent by
Lieutenant Turner. The men read it word
by word and each instantly replied 80 K,
which means "All right, / understand"
The rustling Of so many flags In the air
at once made very weird noise. Captain
CcChTane, who was master of ceremonies,
marched the accomplished soldiers TO their
quarters. and the ladies Of the garrison
marched the guest to his quarters, where re-
freshments were served.