The record-union., 1893-06-23
NATIONAL GUARD TOPICS.
Why Street Riot Drills Should Take
Place Often.
Proposed New Drill Grounds in Capi-
tol Park-The Now Companies
Local Notes.

Local Notes.
To those familiar with the evoIutions of
battalion-and there are many here
abouts-it is getting to be somewhat of
chestnut to witness the same old
| stereotyped drills every time the battalion
turns out. The company officers are quite
| familiar with them, and one would
| imagine that they would desire change
| that would be more interesting and in
line with the revised tactics-skirmish-
ing, for instance, to which the greatest
importance is attached.
The real business for which the Ma
tional Guard is most likely to be called
out is the preservation of order in
cities: therefore, the handling of a COM
pany or battalion in the streets is of para
mount importance. This drill has been
neglected in Sacramento fer long time.
| and should be taken up. In addition to
its utility, it would certainly interest the
men more, would be a spirited spectacle
and would keep the real usefulness Of the
guard more in the public eye.
1t would also have tendency to add re-
crultS to the companies, as the exercise is
good and the drill the most interesting OF
all. Ii a few blank cartridges were used,
| 1t would make the scene still more ex-
citing and realistic, and would have
| tendency to make the men cool and
steady in real action. The police force
could be relied on to keep the streets
through which the column was to pass
clear of obstacles once or twice month,
on moonlight evenings.
There is no excuse for neglect of this
Il ht1t tha- h.. L11 T.
The streets are too narrow for the latter,
and the armories too cramped.
sKIRMIsHING.
In view of the great importance at
tached to this drill in the revised tactics.
some steps should be taken to acquire a
thorough knowledge of it. 1t will not
answer to trust to the yearly encamp-
ments, as little time can be devoted to it
then. The officers and men understand
| the necessity for this drill, but cannot get
| a proper knowledge of it unless there is
plenty of room IN which to maneuver.
The officers are mostly TO blame for this
A year or so ago Secretary of State
Waite gave permission TO the regiment to
use the extension of Capitol Park for a
drill ground, but the matter for some
reason was not pushed further. 1t is
| learned now that Captain Seymour of
| Company l. will at the next meeting of
OlllC0TS IlON6 " dppO1uG Il CO1HlllIcO 10
get the use of Capitol Park, have it
| lighted, sprinkled and the ground lev
eled. The use of the ground can no doubt
| be obtained, and in view of the fact that
! the military represent so large body Of
our citizens-that they give their time to
the State absolutely free; that they have
never asked any 1avors OF the city, and
| that these outdoor drills in the beautiful
summer evenings would afford great
pleasure to a large concourse of people
and be an object lesson to the young men
the City Fathers, if solicited to do so,
would no doubt have an electric light or
two placed in the extension Of the park
and have the ground sprinkled every
day. All that would be required further
is to level any little inequalities in the
ground, which could be done at the cost
of few dollars.
If this idea is carried out the Sacra-
mento companies Of the Second Infantry
and Battery b will have splendid sum
mer drill ground in the heart of the city.
which will be sufficiently large to admit
of the skirmish drill being fairly carried
out in all it's details. Each company
could take possession of the parade on its
regular drill night, and the entire force
on battalion night. a guard should be
posted regularly every night with its
corporal to keep the space clear for drill,
and to give the men in their turn an idea
In this manner, in addition to the ad-
vantages noted, the men would be in the
cool open air, and to the public the
sKirmish and other drills would prove
about as attractive as the concerts.
ANOTHER DIVISION CAMP.
1t is rumored that Major General
Dimond has set his heart on having
another division encampment before his
term expires. The entire State forces
would no doubt be ordered out. and suc-
cessful as Camp Columbus was, the next
would eclipse it if that officer was in com
mand. The troublesome question to de-
eide would be, Where is the money to
come from?" The troops of the Fourth
Brigade may be depended upon to stand
by General Dimond in ANYTHING he
wants.
GENERAL NOTES.
The resignation of Lieutenant F. r
Vaudeville of Battery has been ac-
cepted, to take effect June 18th. His suc-
cessor will shortly be elected.
Companies B OF Vallejo and II of Grass
Valley have received sixty rifles each
from Adjutant-General Allen. who has
been very prompt with the new COM
panies.
Company D at Auburn will get its rifles
shorlIy, ana the General has sent forty
revolvers TO Battery BIS boys, who viii
hereafter carry these murderous weapons
on parade, and probably in a fight.
The city companies will shoot next
Sunday.
The battery will elect Lieutenant on
the 18th, and Company elects its three
officers July Sd, Major Adolph P. ScheId
presiding.
Orders are out from brigade headouar-
ters for parade on the Fourth of Univ.
The battery, signal corps and stats viii
be mounted. The rule has been adopted
that unless valid excuse is presented Nv
officers for absence from parade. it will he
considered desire on the part of such
officer to serve no longer. and will be SO
construed.
Colonel Hubbard, Majors Weinstock.
douglas ana Scheld, Captain Sheehan
and Sergeant-Major Woodson of tha
brigade staff tried their fingers and ewes
at the range with revolvers last week
with the result that their efforts were moi
a bowling success. Woodson led the