The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-16
TO COMPETE AT ARMS.
Proposed Plans for a Big Militia
tournament.

IL olE competitive drill between tie
various militia companies of this State.
in which companies from the adjoining
States will be invited to enter, is on the
programme for Roanoke il none of the
guns which the local soldiery are load
ing miss fire.
Capt. John Bird, the popular Young
commander Of the Roanoke Light In,
fantry, who has won honors for himself
In competitions in military movements
In the North, has taken the initiatory in
the matter, and backed by his command
and with the assistance of the former
captain of the company, b. L. Rives.
has outlined his plan as thus far
formulated.
1t Is believed that competitor would
awaken an increased amount of interest
and enthusiasm in military affairs and
engender more fraternal feeling
among the citizen soldiery, who would
thus meet upon friendly rivalry.
Captain Bird believes that Roanoke
would be the most convenient place for
such meeting, and the baseball
grounds would afford fine place for tho
company man1uvering. The citizens
of the city, in the advent of the COM
petition being held here. he believes.
will give the boys in gray hearty
welcome.
The following is the letter to be sent
out today:
HEADQUARTERS,
ROANOKE LIGHT INFANTRY,
August 10, 1893.
Captain Commanding Company -:
DEAR SIR: We propose to hold a COM
peutlve drill in our city in the first
week in October, the exact date to be
hereafter determined, and we respect
fully invite your command to parti.
cipate.
The drill will be in the new infantry
tactics each company having not less
imam thlrty-two men, four sergeants,
two lleutenants and u captain, and will
consist OF field movements, manual of
arms, bayonet exercises omitted. The
judges OF the drill will consist OF United
States Army officers ii possible to pro.
cure them, but il not we will get officers
from Lexington, Va, or Blacksburg,
va. The programme of the drill will
be made out by the judges and handed
to the captains few moments before
their companies are marched in on to
the drill grounds. A premium OF 5000
will be awarded to the best drilled com.
pany and $50 to the second best An
entrance fec OF $40 will be assessed
against each company competing for
the prize.
Nice clean barracks will be furnished
visiting companies, who are requested
to bring their own blankets. If COM
panies are unable to bring their rations.
extremely low rates can be obtained
from the hotels and cafes here in our
city.
The competitive drill is strictly under
the auspices OF our company, and the
object Is to bring up tho standard OF the
different companies in this section, to
have general good time and to get
better acquainted with each other. We
think Roanoke Is the best situation for
anything OF this order, as it is very CEN
trally located, with good enclosed drill
grounds, right in the city, and we know
that such drill will be appreciated by
our citizens. We do not propose to
start it with any less than five COM
panies entered.
Kindly let us hear from you at YOUR
earliest convenience. Yours very res
pectfully, JOHN BIRD.
Captain, Commanding Roanoke Light
Infantry.
Committee of arrangements, John
Bird and b. A. Rives.