Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-30
GOSSIP AT THE ARMoRY LAST NIGHT.
Tactics Havo Been Changed and omcers
Must study Up on Them-Other Notes.

The committee in charge of the military
portion of the entertainments 70 be gwen
by the Virginia Agricultural and Mechan--
ioal Fair held meeting Thursday night ut
the Rcgimental Armory. Those present
from the society we're Messrs. Lverett
Waddey and l.. u. Crenshaw, while the
soldiery was represented by dencral An
derson, Colonel Jones, and Major, simon'.
The subject of the sham battle 10 De
given wa. discussed, and all of the details
of arrangement were left TO the military
portion Of the committee. These on1cers
will shortly meet to determine upon the
minutin Of the occas on. 1t IS expected
that companies from ell parts Of the State
will be present TO take part in the battle,
and the indications are that 1t will be one
of the most interesting features incident
to the Fair.
The officers Of the regiment who we're ut
the Armory last night were oil grooming
over the new tactics Just published. These
are in many respects entirely different
from the old tactics now In use.
The formation Of the company IS similar,
but the posts Of on-comnissloned officers
differ. Two or three fours make section.
A platoon has two sections. The corporais
are designated as the squad leaders and
the sergeants are the chiefs OF sections.
There are two distinct kinds OF drill-the
drill. In the former the terms squad "
and "section" arc used but IN the latter
tho present term of " four" is adhered to-.
The interior management OF the COMPANY
is changed TO conform to what Is indicated
for the extendcd-order drill.
The field music, when not united In the
battalion. Is in the line of fle-closers on
the right Of the FIRST lieutenant. aud con-
forms TO the movements OF the file closers.
On the march when required to play 1t
goes at the head of the column.
The wheelings have been abolished, and
in their stead turns" are used. When
ever the command hiatt" is given the
men to come to the present position OF order
arms, aud at any command given them
which requires a change OF their position
they immediately at the preparatory com
mand bring their rihes to right
shoulder" except in the iacings. when they
simply raise them slightly from tho ground
and face in the direction indicated. After
facing they bring them back to the order.
The method of instruction Is very diff
ferent from what 1T formerly was. The
officers first receive from the conmandant
Of the battalion q problem. They are
then expected to take their companies
and work this problem with them md re-
port 10 the commanding officer how they
worked it. Thus II will be noted that the
officers of the volunteer service have got to
learn their lesson anew.
The fall recruiting work Of the regiment
has been started by Company b. During
the past week they enlisted two men
Me.srs. J. Il. Talman and william A. Will
son.
Orders have been issued for inspections
Of quarters of the several companies, which
include ordnance aud quartermasters
stores. These inspections will begin on
September sd and continue each night
until completed. They are preparatory 10
the annual inspection 10y Colonel Stern.
who will begin his regular tour Of inspec-
ton next month.