The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-28
WON IN FIFTEEN MINUTES
THE oGLETHoRPEs' PRIZE DRILL
THE QUICKEST ON RECORD.

SerRt. Rockwell Carries OF the
Company Medal in q Remarka BILE
Contest-The Oglethorpes Make q
Fine Showing In Drill-Compliments
Showered Upon Them - Lieut..
O'Byrne's Presentation of the Prize
TO the Best Drilled Mantle Com
pany's Hop in Honor of Its Lady
Friends.
Infantry at Odd Fellows hall last night was
a most successful affair, as well as being
probably one Of the shortest prize
drills ever witnessed in Savannah. 10
lasted but fifteen minutes. A large number
OF spectators witnessed the drill, and ap-
plause at the right time was not lacking.
At Sis O'Clock Capt w. 8. Rockwell
ordered the corps to fall in for a company
drill, preparatory to the prize drill. There
were twenty-eight men in line For ten
minutes they were drilled in the manual
with and without numbers. As a company
they showed up sxcellently, and the splendid
cadence in the "order arms" drew frequent
applause from the spectators.
At 9 o'clock Capt. Rockwell ordered those
not wishing TO enter the prize contest to
drop out Of the ranks aud several stepped
to the rear. Then the work began in earn
est. Capt. Rock gave his orders rapidly,
alternating with and without numbers, In a
manner which compelled the closest atten-
ton on the part of the soldiers to keep from
being caught mapping.
THE FIRST TO FALL OUT.
Private L. w. Goodwin was the first to
fall out. He made a break in the right
shoulder" by numbsrs Private G. q.
Richardson followed him promptly on
coming to carry from a right shoulder.
Private Dunn then stepped 10 the rear on
carry. arms" by numbers, and Private
Cohen kept him company for being too fast
In presenting arms. Sergt. Law and Private
Macon went down together on the right
shoulder from carry. Sergt. Cox was re-
tired on the ''load, +" Private Oakman on the
fire, Private Sneed on the carry from
fire" Private Berry on "kneeling firing"
and Private Gassman on cease firing"
while in knseling position.
When the order "restn was given, Capt
Rockwell had left only eleven men for
Lieut.. McHarrie to handle, but the lieuten-
ant went through them in quick shape.
Private Evans retired on Garry" by num-
bers, Private A. P. Goodwin and Seret.
Mcmillan on fright shoulder, )" Corpl Griner
on ready Sergt. RAIN on the fire" and
Corpl. Burns aud Private Elliott Myers on
cease firing"
THE FINAL STRUGGLE.
When Capt. Rockwell took command a
second time but four men were standing,
Privates Hartman Myers and q. Y. Richard.
son and Sergts Rockwell and Gertie. Private
Richardson went down first on "secure
arms" and Private Myers quickly followed
him on the "Ioad."
The two sergeants had battle for the
prize. For about three minutes they exc
cuted the orders with the precision Of ma
ohinery. The spectators were excited, and
let themselves loose several times with
cheers. 10 was anybodys contest Both
men moved like clookwork, and both looked
determined. All the difficult and intricate
maneuVers of the manual were gone
through with and without numbers, and
there wasn't the slightest hitch. Finally
the command load" was given. Sergt,
Gertie. in his excitement, made ono motion
too many and was ordered to the rear,
leaving Sergt. Rockwell facing the cheering
spectators. The young sergeant's popular
ity, both with the corps and spectators, was
plainly evident by the long-continued ap-
plause which was accorded him for his
hard-won victory.
AWARDED THE MEDAL.
After a fe " minutes rest the company fell
in and Sergt. Rockwell was ordered to the
front and center. Lieut.. O'Byrne of the
regiment, who was guest Of the corps, at
the request Of Capt. Rockwell presented the
medal. Lieut.. 0Byrne spoke Ia highly
complimentary manner of the great i'm
provement made by the Oglethorpes under
the command OF Capt Rockwell 1.-THE
progress of the corps" he said, ''has been
splendid and it is an honor, Sergt. Rock
well, of which you may well feel proud in
being the best drilled man in the Ogle-
thorpeLn
After the drill the floor was cleared and
the hop complimentary to the ladies who
assisted the Oglethorpes at the Regimental
| bazaar was inaugurated. The Harmonic
orchestra furnished the music.
Lieut., Col. Reilly of the regiment and
Capt. Brooks of the Cadets, together with
members of nearly all the military organ
izations of the city, were guests Of the
Oglethorpes.
Fashionable Drink