The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-11
The MILITARY NEWS.
Discussion Of the New Tactics in the
Army and Navy.
GENERAL MILITARY NOTES.
The Theater Party Has Been Postponed
for the Present-social Events and
Elections In Various Branches Of the
State MiIitia--F. l.. L. Chowder.

The attention Of every officer and man
of State militia to-day is centred on the
new drill regulations for infantry and
some Of our more conservative men are in
doubt as to whether we have gained by
the change, and for the benefit of all in
terested in this matter we would say
that the practical benefits gained by the
new regulations were Enthusiastically
demonstrated at the recent fall field day
at Annapolis where the new drill regula-
tions were used, the new regulations for
navy being the same as the one used in
the army. 1t proved to be more than
successful, the principal features being
the rapidity with which movements
were executed and its extreme simplic-
ity. The soldier has less to remember
than before, and much of the red tape
in the form of markers and general
guides has been entirely done away
with. The companies dressed with
arms at an order the greatest difficulty
being shown in getting proper align
ment.
After aligning their companies the
company commanders went by the
shortest way to their proper positions
at the front and centre, which saves
much time. AS an instance of the
celerity possible under the new drill
twelve movements were executed by the
naval battalion in less than thirty min
utes about half the time occupied by the
same movements under the old drill reg
ulations.
The work of the naval battalion also
showed that street riot work was one of
the strong features of the new drill in
this particular it is especially adapted
for use in the State militia, the old
tactics paid little or no attention to this
most important branch of the service,
one in which every officer and enlisted
man in the militia should be thoroughly
posted.
The work of the battalion also showed
that one prominent feature of the new
drill was its battle formations, the fight
ing line being fed very rapidly and the
men working with greater freedom of
action and celerity than formerly.
In point of effect the new drill has in
no wise lost its martial show, in chang
ing direction it has been supposed that a
very pretty sight has been done away
with substituting the turn for the
wheel, on the contrary the turnings as
seen when changing direction in column
of companies is strikingly fine, by the
turning methods the change of direction
is rapidly performed, and is great i'm
provement over the old wheel, without
losing any of the grace and snap of the
old system
Everything considered, it would seem
that there has no mistake been made in
the new tactics, whatever changes may
be ordered will be more in the way of
change in phraseology than otherwise.
Military Notes.
Battery A held their first social last
night, which was very successful.
The Theatre party has been postponed
by the +. l.. |. regiment until the first
of the year, on account of the change to
be made in care of the new scarlet coats
and also because the new coats will not
arrive in time, and not at the request of
the manager of the theatre, as was stated
in one of the local papers.
The election of officers in the first
separate company will III all probability
result in the reelection of the present
efficient first and second lieutenants, f.
A. Rollins and +. l.. Bowen. The cleo
tion takes place Jan. 7th. 1892.
Last Tuesday evening the +. l.. /.
Veteran Assertion held very success
full chowder, at which sixty of the mem
bers were present. After the supper was
over the evening was spent in the most
informal manner, and very enjoyable
evening il proved to be, the party break
ing up about midnight.
Company A, L. L. A, Capt. l.. b.
Hunt, held a very enjoyable campfire
at their armory on Canal street, last
Tuesday evening. The hall was hand
somely decorated for the occasion, and
the supper was excellent. Lieut.. Col.
Danforth and several of the staff Of
ficers of the battery and past officers of
the company were the guests of the
evening. About fifty men sat down to
supper, after which a very pleasant
evening was passed in most informal
manner. The entertainment included
music and athletics, which lasted until
about midnight. This company is now
in a most prosperous condition, owing to
the energy of its officers and the great
interest manifested by the men.
The u. T. A. have commenced work
on new drill regulations.
Co. b, u. T. A., had very successful
fair at which a very handsome amount
was added to the company treasury.
Capt. Baker has instituted system of
weekly drills for non-commissioned Off
GERS of the battery.