Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-08
NATIONAL GUARD MATTERS.
Yesterdays Field Maneuyers
at San Pedro.
Gossip About the Citizen Soldiers
and Their Plans.
The Signal Corps VIII Have to Pay
the Expenses of Its Encamp-
ment-Lieut. Hutcbinson's
appointment.

to San Pedro yesterday for battle exer-
else, the detachments being under the
command of Lieutenant Steere OF A
company.
The party arrived at 9 80 and then
the problem of the day was inaugurated.
The theory was that large force had been
in the vicinity of San Pedro and had
withdrawn leaving small rear guard
with Gatling gun in observation. The
attacking party capture two of the enc
my's scouts, and then march in the sup
posed direction of the ehemy's position.
Scouts were sent out by Lieutenant
Steere Immediately after disembarking
from the train, and started on rapid
march around the town of San Pedro
with line of skirmishers we'll thrown
out and the Gatling gun squad bringing
up the rear. On reaching the upper end
Of the town the scouts came running in,
and reported that the enemy
was ..in position at the foot
OF the hills, one mile from San Pedro.
A cautious advance was then made, the
enemy being ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by
silhouette target figures in different
positions, one silhouette representing
Gatling gun and detachment, making
target six feet by six feet, while the
other targets were of an ordinary mans
height.
The force was put in march in the
direction OF the enemy's position, and
was supposed to be discovered by them
Unexpectedly. At 1000 yards the men
were formed in extended order, with
Lieutenant Baldwin in command of the
firing line. and the reserves posted to
the rear commanded by Corporal Wells,
with the Gatling gun squad, commanded
by Sergeant Miles on the left flank, and
to the rear of the reserves. An advance
was made to 800 yards when the firing
line got the order to lie down, and
opened fire by squad volleys. After
firing several times, an advance was
made, and the firing repeated. At
700 yards the Gstling gun was
run up on the left flank and commenced
firing slowly after getting the range.
Another advance was made, and then
the reserves were brought up, and ad-
vances were made to the 500-yard limit.
Here the command was given for rapid
FIRE with the Gatlng gun, and the
squads likewise kept up steady rain OF
bullets on the enemy's position, and
then under cover OF the GatliDg gun
made series of rushes toward the enemy.
During the advance several of the men
simulated wounded men, and the litters
were quickly sent forward under charge
of Hospital Steward Alexander.
The majority Of the men engaged in
the battle exercise were recruits with
little or no field experience, and there
were different set Of squad leaders
than ON the previous exercise. AS to
the Gatling gun the ammunition used
was manufactured in 1872, and of course
was not to be entirely relied on. Taking
the firing of the squads the
men showed 14.25 per cent. of hits-a
very creditable showing. With the
Gatling guny 440 shots were fired, with
z57 hits, or percentage of 5840, all
OF the above firing being done with
strong west wind, and at unknown dis
tances, ranging from 800 to 200 yards.
Among the visitors present were Col.
Schreiber, First Lieut.. Darracott and
First Lieut.. Ogden of the regimental
staff. Quite large number of citizens
and their wives went down to see the
battle exercise from Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE ENcAMPMENT.
The action of the city council in ask
ing citizens who have employees in the
National Guard, that they be per-
mitted to attend the camp OF in
struetion at Ventura was most COM
1nendable, and will be thoroughly ap-
preciated by the boys.
The citizens of Ventura are making
elaborate preparations for the enter
tainment of the boys at Camp @. Capt.
Black and the men of Company d are
working manfully to have everything in
ship-shape on the arrival of the regi-
ment.
WANT OF MONEY.
The San Francisco Call man is froth-
ing at the mouth because the First
Brigade had the 'temerity" to ask for
any money fo- camp purposes this year.
This is q case OF "please, mister, give
me piece of my own cake" Last year
the First brigade kept within the limits
OF the appropriation in fact turned
good surplus into the north, while the
commands of the north not only used
their amount, but exceeded it, and as
consequence by some peculiar process of
reasoning the First brigade does not re-
ceive sufficient money TO hold. brigade
encampment, and the signal corps of
the brigade gets nothing. The boys of
the latter organization, with commend
able spirit and morale will have camp
OF their own at Catalina and pay their
own expenses. Despite of the handi-
caps, the Seventh and Ninth regiments
IN all Likelihood will have larger COM
pany turnouts at camp than ever before,
and as to drill, etc., under the new regu-
iations they will surprise their northern
comrades, sure.
The interest in National Guard mat
ters among the business men of South
crn California has deepened consider
ably OF late, and many prominent citi-
Gems have communicated with Colonels
Sohrsiber and Spileman and signified
Their intention Of doing all in their
power to promote the welfare of the
guard.
The companies at Pasadena and Ana
helm will make q fine showing as to
numbers at the Ventura camp.
The boys of Company F, Seventh regi-
ment, gave dancing party to their
friends at the armory on Friday even
ing. There were twenty-five couples
present
The new manual for national guards
men, issued by Major Burdick of the
First infantry, has been transmogrified
by a large batch of corrections in the