The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-30
At THE ARMoRY.
The New Military Tactics--A ham Hattie
Colonel Bidgood's Reclamation

Iho New military Iactfcs--A ham Hattie
CsIonei Bidgood's Resignation.
The First regiment armory with the vari-
ous company quarters and offices brightly
LIT looked especially cosy last evening as the
cold rain drzzled away on the outside. and it
made the company dens have an attractive
air that they have not possessed during tho
heated term. The men are looking forward
20 tho busy times Of next month. whom pre-
parauons must be made on every hand for
the regular annual inspection by the
Adlutant- General during which time he will
visit aud inspect each military company in
tho State.
In preparation for that event Colonel Jones
VIII inspect tho quarters of the companies Of
the regiment 20 ascertain the exact condition Of
al the cOmm.ssarT and QuArtermaster stores.
Commencing the night of September 18th
with company A hewill continue through tho
companies III sequence each succeeding night.
The officers OF the regiment, and the men
too, for that matter, are all interested over
the new military tactics formulated by the
tactical board Of tho Unit cd States army.
and soon TO DO adopted by the General in
Chief OF the army for the uso OF the army and
militia OF the country
Through tho courtesy Of Lieutenant Iine,
Colonel Jones IS IN receipt OF q compendium
OF the extended order of drill and battle for
nation AS prepared by the army board. This
mulgated, as General Schofeld has not yet
finally approved them. owing 20 certain
points being still under discussion.
The manuscript will not be put in the hands
Of the printer before October LIST. and It will
then take three months T. supply them for
official use in theEarmy and militia
The new tactics almost entirely differ
ont from those now in use. In the drill all
the wheel movements which give so much
grace to our soldiers on parade will be dis
carded for less pretty but simpler movements.
Whistles bugles and signs will have much to
DO with tho drill and the manual of arms
applies wholly 10 hreech-loading firearms.
The system Of instruction after the officers
and men are familiar with the details OF the
manuuyros will consist in the officer who has
charge Of instruction presenting certain prob
lens 20 the several companies to be worked
out by them Such for instance. as the conf
mandaut Of q company will be ordered 10 re-
connoitre a position or semitic attack the
enemy IN the flank or TO establish the cut
posts Of q command and such other problems
of q similar character and he will then be ex-
pected 20 work out the problem, using the
system laid down in tho new drill regulations.
Colonel Jones said Inst evening that Il was
the most important thing in military circles
that had occurred for some time. and that 1t
would take twelve months OF study to be-
come familiar with the new system.
hajor Simons. IN discussing the matter.
said that all other systems OF tactics were
somewhat alike and based somewhat on those
that had gone before, but that these were
total departure from oil precedent and that
they were clear cut in their specifications
Colonel Jones says the system, while
ew IN this country, combines some OF the
features If each of the systems III use IN
France. Germany and England. Ii Is very
evident that whatever the changes may be
the First regiment. officers and men, look fOr-
ward 30 the adoption Of the new system with
any thing else than Joy.
The committee in charge OF the military
feature OF the Virginia State Fair, consisting
OF Messrs. Everett Waddey and Louis /.
Crenshaw met "a similar committee from the
military Of the city at the arInory last week
TO consult IN regard 20 q parade and sham
battle on the Exposition grounds during the
fair. The arrangements of the affair were all
left stO the military part Of the committee,
consisting of General Anderson. Colonel
Jones and Major Simons, who Will shortly
meet 10 complete the details The sham bat
tic will come off on the last day OF the exhi-
bition The companies from the other Viz
ginia cities will be invited and II will be al
important occasion incident to the fair.
NOTES.
The headquarters of the First brigade and
the First regiment have both been moved to
the room on the first floor formerly occupied
by the Military Club Of Virginia, and con,
sOhdated, The quarters arc comfortable ana
cosy.
The room formerly occupied as brigade
Headquarters is now used for the drum corps.
and the old regiment headquarters as gene
raj Office for the regiment.
II was reported in military circles last even
Ing that tho resignation Of Colonel }. Y. Bid
good, of the First Virginia cavalry, which was
handed TO the Governor some time ago had
been accepted. and that Lieutenant G. Percy
Halves was yesterday put in command
OF course an election to fill the vacancy will
follow in tho near future.