The herald., 1894-08-26
A SOLDIER ACCIDENTALLY SHOT
Private Card of Pasadena Sc
riously Wounded.
It Happened at the Camp Yesterday
Morning.
Son, sthing About the Campfire Friday
Night-A Brigade Review Yes
tsrdsy Afternoon by the
Proper Of1cers.

A very unfortunate accident occurred
ct Camp Santa Monica yesterday morn
ing, whea the members OF the Seventh
regiment were drilling in extended order
and skirmieh firing. The regiment bad
Just halted from charge upon an inn
sginary enemy, mile north OF the
camp, when the accident occurred.
Just as the command for halt WAS
given, and company formation was be-
ing made, Private Card OF Company B.
Pasadena, attempted to stand his rifle
on end, muzzle down, whom the hammer
caught on his belt. The cartridge ex-
ploded the contents taking effect in the
calf Of the right leg. Card fell to the
ground, and the surgeons were sent for
at once.
There was no ball in the discharge,
oil the cartridges being blank iu such
drilling. However, they are heavily
loaded with powder and gun wads, and
IL exploded against the body. as in the
case OF Gard, serious injury ia likely to
result. There are several stories con-
cerning the shooting.
When the young man WAS shot
courier was sent to the camp at once
with the news. Several officers and
surgeons of the Seventh regiment, to
which Gard belongs, went to the scene
Immediately. The courier simply re-
ported that one OF the men had been
shot. 1t was surmised that q spent ball
from rife at the range had struck the
young man, but this proved to be un-
true. Another story was that Gard
,;l. in, ha
accidentally shot by the discharge OF a
rifle in the hands of comrsde in the
rear rank. This seemed to be the most
reasonable explanation of the accident.
ss the cali of the leg was torn open as
though the muzzle of the weapon had
been placed firmly against the leg. There
ore those, however, who assert that the
shooting WAS the result of Cards own
carelessness. No statement could be
got from the wounded man, as Lieuten-
ant.Cclonel Howland gave orders to al
low no one--not even reporters-ineide
o special guard line around the hospital
tent, where Gard was taken after the
accident. The wounded man was
placed upon the operating table and
put under the influence OF ether while
the wound was dressed. From distance
it looked like the calf of the leg was shot
almost to shreds.
While the officers gave it out that the
wound was only painful. it cannot be
denied that it ia very serions. and the
Young man will not be able to appear ON
drill again for many months,
1t was learned later that one of the
small bones in the leg was fractured, and
Surgeons Barber and Kelsey removed a
part OF it. An hour or two was consu mod
in dressing the wound.
A brigade review was the feature of
the National guard camp yesterday
afternoon. Adj.Gen. O. G. Allen. Brig.
Gen. L. P. Johnson and Lieutenant
Colonel Butler and etaf arrived at the
camp on the morning train and were
met by Col. w. G. Schneider of the Sew
enth and Lieut.Col. John r. Berry oil
the Ninth regiment. After lunch Gem
erals Allen and johnson made careful
inspection OF both regiments and their
quarters. Every tent Was looked into
and found very clean, upon which the
officers took occasion to compliment tn Q
regimental commanders and minor off,
cere.
The brigade review was held at 2:30
p NJ, when both regiments lined up in
g. Generals Allen and johnson
en- reviewed the men by regiment and
stterward by brigade on the march.
The militia did exceedingly we'll, and
were complimented highly for their fine
and soldier-liks appearance. A large
number of visitors were present at the
review, and the camp grounds presented
lively scene.
Friday night the soldiers had a camp
fire, but before it took place the kinder
81 rl fin
ished its practice at the rife range and
came in and distributed its medals to
the best shots. One of them felt so dis
appointed that he committed suicide
by proxy. The boys concluded to bury
him at the cross roads without the BEN
eft OF clergy. He was put on a etretcher
and his comrades started through camp,
playing dirgs. The procession WAS
like SNOWFALL, in that it gathered
members as it moved through the Sew.
enth and on through the Ninth, and
when he was ready to be hung to the
hospital tent flag pole, before cremation,
the whole OF the Seventh and Ninth
were lined up TO do his ashes honor.
Then in solemn manner was sung that
good old tune, Marching Through Geor-
gia. Then the crowd formed and
marched to the camp fire outside OF the
hills and sat around in circle.
Lieutenant-Colone Berry OF the
Ninth was elected master of ceremonies.
He made a short speech in his usual
happy manner. The circle was formed
of ladies and gentlemen from Santa
Monica to the number OF ct least 400,
and of the officers and men of the
Seventh and Ninth. Fun was the order
OF the day or, rather, the night, and
wac enjoyed by all.
WORDS are inadequate to paint the
quaint performances and actions ol
those engaged ss actors. When it came
to speech making many of the officers
and men responded, and their eenti-
ments in regard. to the fact of this being
- -