Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08

regiment assisted by Capt. w. L. Cash. the
regimental inspector of rife practice. and First
Lieut. James NJ. Stewart, the battalion
Inspector. Col. Moore's remarks to the
battalion were of that bright and
happy kind Of which the colonel ALWAYS
seems to have pleasing suficiency. Each of
the men who received a declaration was per-
sonally commended ne came to the front and
center, and although the colonel used the
names OF some as material out Of which to con-
struct several laughable puns, no one seemed
to be Mt all indignant There was but one fault
worthy OF mention. No one acquainted with
the various commands of the brigade would
have been surprised at such weakness developed
in some places, but several people were shocked
by the intensely unmilitary proceeding of those
men who. after each presentation, pounded the
floor with the butts OF their rifles. Pre-
vfous to Col. Moore's speech there was a very
satisfactory dress parade. the battalion. of
course, being commanded by the veteran
Maj. L. b. Harrison. The staff officers par
hcipatlng were First Lieut.. G. A. Warren ad-
jutant; First Lieut.. S. A. H. McKim. surgeon;
First Lieut.. Myers, quartermaster; First Lieut..
j. NJ. Stewart, inspector of rifle practice Com
pany A was Differed by Capt. Simmons and
First Lieut.. Ed. Dunn, company B by Capt
Mahaney, First Lieut.. Columbus and Second
Lieut.. Phebus. company by Capt. Greenwood
and Second Lieut.. Swigart, company d by
First Lieut. Bresnahan and Second Lieut.. Eng
land.
WHAT GEN. CARR HAS TO SAY.
In last Saturdays National Guard story there
was reprinted from the Army and Nary Journal
some interesting matter as to the armament Of
mounted troops. There seemed to have been
one or two inaccuracies in it, but for this
condition the Army and Nary journal will
have to be responsible. The publication, how
who was apparently quoted therein, to write the
following interesting letter:
DEAR STAR: In you issue Of Saturday even
ing under the healing of National Guard
you give, in dissertation on cavalry armament,
opinions for which l may appear responsible
You say that l do not look with very much
favor on the revolver. On the contrary con-
slider the revolver the American weapon par
excellence, and it is the last one which I would
discard. You know how it is yourself, at least
one OF your staff does, and l venture that he
would sooner leave his grub behind when start
ing on a campaign than his revolver.
In my late recommendations suggested that
the revolving pistols be SO made that the ham
mer would rest securely on the safety notch;
to avoid such sorrowful accidents as that to the
late lamented "Jeems hambright" of classical
memory, and to make the weapon a six-shooter
in reality. whereas it is nor only fve-shooter
They only load five chambers and set up only
i've figures for target practice, although the
cartridges are supplied in packages OF twelve
l also recommended that the barrel be made
shorter.
did suggest that some regiments be armed
with the lance as a substitute for the "Arme
Blanche which term has so long played .'old
man of the sea" on our cavalry service. The
Germans are going back to the lance, and if We
must still be prepared to charge in line, let US
have something which may reach beyond our
horses heads, and which in the melee may
reach a man in fence corner or behind a log
although for the melee would choose the
revolver every time.
What do you think would be the result Of a
fight between two men equally well mounted
one with a revolver and ths other with lance
or saber?
But we have to perform all the duties Of
cuirassiers, heavy cavalry, light cavalry, dra-
goons and mounted infantry and, perhaps, we
should be supplied with all the arms, although
on Indian campaigns we usual carry only re-
volvers and carbines.
As for the time required to teach the use of
the lance you exaggerate. Almost any amount
OF time might be used in teaching the fine art
OF fencing with the lance, as it might, but is
not, with saber and small sword. but to hold it
straight while riding at the enemy and to push
it home would require but little practice.
In my report of my inspection Of the cavalry
made a number of Recommendations, of which,
SO far, have heard nothing, except that the
hard-worked and poorly paid orderly sergeants
have been relieved from attending sick call. 1
am, yours, E A. CARR.
THE SECOND WILL PARADE TWO WEEKS HENCE.
Col. Clay has had lots Of trouble in finding
date for the sharpshooters' and markmen's pre-
sensations that will be in harmony with all the
interests. The colonel desires to make a good
showing and, as has been previously announced
in The STAR, proposes to have the entire regi-
ment present, accompanied by first-class
band. When he could get the band the at
tendance Of the regiment could not be secured
because company d, fourth battalion,
was running fair. The fair closes
tonight. but the band the colonel wants
won't be available for several days yet.
So the colonel has postponed the great event
until the night of Tuesday, the 25.h instant.
The display on that occasion will more than
compensate for the delay. 1t will be wor tn
witnessing if only to see entire company
officers and enlisted mon-step to the front and
center to be decorated.
Capt H. B. Cilley, adjutant Of the second
regiment, who has been seriously indisposed,
grip being the cause, is now recovering rapidly.
GOOD MOVE IN NEW YORK.
In the matter of general rules relating to rife
practice in the state of New York. saws the
New York Times, a model order has been pro-
mulgated covering all the information and
directions heretofore requiring no fewer than
three general orders for their embodiment
The United States army targets are adopted,
and the chief Of ordnance is authorized to fur
Der, namely:
'Marksmen, sharpshooters and experts shall
each receive decoration from the state OF tie
style approved of by the cOmmander-in-chief
and according to the pattern deposited with
the general inspector of rifle practice This
decoration shall take the place Of those issued
heretofore. and may be worn ON dress, undress
and fatigue uniforms.
"Sharpshooters who have qualified with a
score OF As or better may practice, on ranges
where the distances are obtainable q. 700 and
800 yards on a No. target. to which shall be
fastened one Of the man figures used in fixing
in ranks. Five consecutive shots at each dis
lance, shot hitting any portion OF the figure
to count one, and the sharpshooter making
eight hits in ten consecutive shots q. these dis
tances shall be considered an expert sharp
shooter and entitled to the expert decoration"
There can be little question as to the expert
ness Of the craftsmanship Of the winners Of
these badges, provided the conditions of the
competition are such as to call for all the shoot
there IL in them, and make the winning depend
wholly upon efficiency by eliminating the ele.
mers Of luck. Il believe" said Mai. Ezra De
Forest, one Of the few men in the twenty-third,
or any other regiment for that matter. who has
o right to the title OF 'Old Reliable as q rife
shot. II believe in making men work for tho
sharpshooters' medal, and to my mind the neces-
sary ~ points should be made in ten consecu-
tive shots. In other words, there should be NO
crossing Of scores. new man would have to
work hard to hit the target prescribed eight out
Of zen times at TOO and 500 yards. How many
men do I think would qualify - experts?
De- hok1l TO- H>RAA