The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-19
The MARKSMEN'S NIGHT
Presentation Of Governor Browns
Badges at Infantry Hall.
REVIEW AND DRESS PARADE.
Gov. Browns Address To the Successful
Militia Marksmen- Gen. Dyer Dis
tributes the Prizes-Crowded Galleries
The Evening Closes With Dancing.

Hall last evening was one which deeply
Interested the whole of the Rhode Island
militia. from the commander-in- chief
lown TO the privates. At the beginninr
Of the simmer season OF 1892 when Gov.
Brown so generously offered To present
badge 10 each member OF the brigade VIII o
should qualify as a marksman at the
state rife range, il was predicted thar
there would be much interest manifested
in the art Of rifle shooting throughout the
brigade, but even he most sangnine were
not prepared for the rivalry that arose
AMONGST the companies
AS the season drew toward its close the
Naval Reserve Torpedo Comnany Of Bris-
toll and the First Machine Gun Battery
became rivals for this honor and went
again and again to the range TO compete
for the badges. Other companies were
actively interested also but not so many
OF their membership were able TO make
the 35 out of a possible 80 points nj 200
yards, which was required as marks
mans qualification.
The First Regiment, however, won
large percentage of the total number Of
badges, and so Col. Thornton offered TO
give n com nlimentary review aud dress
parade to Gov. Brown il His Excellency
would on this occasion present the badges
to the winners, all OF whom not belong
ing Co the First Regiment. would be in
vited to be present. The offer was ac-
the field and staff officers OF the First
Regiment.
In the Hall
The whole OF the great floor was cleared
for the review and dress parade and the
galleries were crowded with spectators,
hundreds being Obliged 20 stand during
the entire performance. The stage was
filled with the ladies ana friends of the
officials and officers.
AS the companies marched in Capt.
FORSYTH, with his Company G.. Lad the
right of the line and was followed by the
other four Providence companies and the
Pawtucket company. The two battalions
formed around the east and south sizes
of the hall, the band played Hail to the
Chief" and Gov. Brown, with his full
staff, accompanied by Gen. Kendall. also
with his staff, appeard. coming from the
side room.
The review was given with "A good de-
gree of precision and satisfactory promp'-
ness after which the lines were again |
formed on the east aud south sides OF the |
hall
The line was then formed in the drill |
hall above, as directed, consisting OF all |
the men who were entitled to receive the |
uldFksUleU DduktN, anu uuutT but
tion of Lieut.-Col. Walker marched down |
and into the hall. A ripple OF applause
went around as the column moved down
the hall toward the stage near which the |
Governor stood. The column formed in |
the following order; Brigadier general, |
brigade. field and staff; first regiment, |
field and staff: second regiment, field and |
staff. first machine gun battery; Bristol
naval reserve torpedo company; Com
pany G.. first regiment and squads from
the other companies o. the brigade in the
order Of the number of badges deserved.
Gov. Browns Remarks.
Gov. Brown then made short address
TO Gen Kendall and the other fortunate
winners of the trophies. speaking in
subtance as follows:
Iiand Mlitia; ''
am highly gratifei with the credtable ap-
pearance and soldierly bearing of the men A |
ceremony equally agreeable and significant OF |
the healthy development OF the militia now
requires our attention.
The first general order of this new year will
remain memorable one in the history of the !
militia, for IL repres ents spirit as gratifying
10 me scommander-in-chiefa it Is of i'm |
portance TO the Commonwealth 20 which we
belong. IL represents the result of volun-
tary and faithful work, undertaken amid |
many difficulties and prosecuted with a vigor
that SHOWS YOU are resolved that Rhode |
Islands militia shall earn as excellent n repu-
tation at the rifle range as 1t now bears on the
parade ground.
congratulate you Gen. Kendall. that dur.
ing your first year as commander OF the bri- |
gade you have seen the Inauguration of n |
TO make your men better acquaint-
ed with the use of the rifle, and cannot speak |
too highly OF the praiscworthy efforts of your
self aud your adjutant to stimulate the inter- |
est OF the companies in this matter.
IL is my pleasure 10 decorate you officers and |
mon stand before "A al nj In 4
In design but emblematical of your skill and
merit and the enduring influence OF your ex-
can so gracefully perform that function, to
pin upon your breast the medal you have
earned by qualifying as marksmen.
Gen. Dyer's Response.
Gen. Dyer responded briefly, thanking
the commander .in-chief for the pleasant
duty conferred upon him. Then takin
Que OF the badges he said 1T is graft
Tying to the brigade that the first badge
was won by the ecommandcr-in.c chief him
selr. and his must be presented first. IL
Is not often that an officer performs the |
duty of decorating the breast OF n supe-
rior The members Of the militia are
proud that they have n commander-in-
chief who could not only offer these ap-
propriate badges, but could also 40 down
10 the range and win one himself"
With these words Gen. Dyer pinned
the badge TO the coat OF Gov Brown and
hen turned TO Gen. Kendall. lie con.
graduated the brigade commander on
Tho great advance made in the art OF rife
shooting in the brigade and also on his
success in winning one OF the badges OF
which anyone might we'll be proud. He
hen pinned the badge TO Gen. Kendalrs
Gen. Dyer's remarks as ne went down
he line Dinning on the badges were very
happy and appropriate and he gracefully
inisbed the ceremony with the aid OF |
Col. Hunter G. White and Capt. 4. II.
Harcourt.
The full list OF the recipients Of the
badges is as follows:
His Excellenty ID. Russell Brown, Gov
ernor aud Cummauder-in-Chief
Brigadier General and staff-Brig Gen.
Hiram Kendall. Lieut.. Col. Arthur V |
Assistant Adjutant General. |
Lieut.. Col Charles Hayes. Medical D..
rector: Major John A. Carter, Assistant
Inspector General; Capt Everett r.
Wnipple, Provost Marshal; Capt. Charles
Rittman, Signal Officer; Capt. Andrew
Gray. Commissary; Capt Jero ne NJ.
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