Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-26
THE MILITARY DRILL.
THIS TO sc MADE ONE or THE Ex'
POSITIONS BEST FEATURES.
Rules Under which the Contest VIII no
Conductsd- virginfs and North caro-
lima Troops to Enter.

Ruies Under which the Contest WIN DO
Coaducted-virginfs and North Caro-
| lima Troops to Enter.
From present Indications. the compete
tive drill to take place October 10Th. du-
ring the Exposition under the auspices OF
the virginia State Agricultural and Me-
| chanical Society. will be one or the most
pleasant and successful events OK recent
years among the volunteer military.
| At n recent meeting of the Executive
! Committee II was decided to hold COM
petitive drill. and offer $500 in premiums
for the three best companies competing
the volunteer companies OF Virginia and
North Carolina being eligible to the con-
test. The officers of the society talked
with the military people OF Richmond.
/ and letters were written to officers out
side of the city relative to the matter
and the replies TO these letters were very
encouraging. A great deal OF interest is
being manifested In the event. and while
the officers OF the society are both pleased
and gratified the officers and men of the
military companies are looking forward
10 the affair with great deal OF pleasure
RULES FOR THE DRILL.
| After consultation with a number Of the
military officers Of this city, the society
has adopted the following rules and regu-
Iations. which will govern the drill:
Rule l. The contest will be open to all
white volunteer companies in the States OF
Virginia and North Carolina, which are
! regularly organized under the laws of their
I States.
Rule g Each company shall consist OF
not less than thirty-two men, exclusive OF
guides and fle-closers.
Rule 3. The drill will take place in the
Exposition Grounds, at Richmond. Va.
on October 10, 1894 All companies intend
ing to take part in this drill must notify
! the secretary on or before october LIST.
Rule T. The contest shall consist-iirst
! inspection of the company; second. manual
! of arms; and, third, school of the COM
pany in close order.
Rule 5. The judges win be three army
officers.
Rule g. The following prizes are offered;
| First. 500: second. 500; third, 500.
Rule T. All officers and men taking part
in the drill will be admitted to the
grounds free when In uniform any time
during the Exposition of 1894
|
The following are extracts from some
Of the letters that have been written to
the society relative to the competitive
drill, and clearly indicate the feeling or
the military people on the subject:
W. A. Bobbtt colonel Third Regiment,
| North Carolina State Guard 1 am in re-
ceipt of your favor OF August Goth rela-
tive to the competitive drill during your
Exposition My regiment is scattered over
! several counties, and | would suggest that
you write the captains of each company.
/ will encourage 1t all | can.
John +. Bruton. colonel Second Regi-
ment North Carolina State Guard L
have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your favor of the 10th instant
asking me to encourage the captains IN
my regiment to accept your invitation 10
attend the prize drill in Richmond on
the occasion OF your Fair In reply beg
to state that it VIII afford me pleasure 10
do what | can to encourage representation
In this contest from my regiment. In my
opinion great benefit may be derived
from these friendly contests and good VIII
promoted, provided. of course. the driii
is properly conducted, and 1t goes WITH
out saying that old Virginia Is always
regular.
o. T. Roller. captain Company c. Har-
risonburg Guards: After consultation
with members OF my company find that
a majority favor a competitive arm, anu
will participate, provided the prizes are
larger than indicated and the NUMBER Oh
men required to compete not too large
and the rates OF transportation reason
able
Sol. Cutchins, major Lisht-lnfantry
Blues Battalion: The companies or my
battalion are at present somewhat de-
| l,xyr Of no
have had no armory accommodations
since May. but If prize was offered
| am quite certain that one OF the compa-
MES would enter. If prize for a battal-
ion drill were offered II is likely that the
battalion would enter also.
T.. c. Scruggs. captain Company r.,
| Iynchburg Home Guard: My company
will be glad to enter in the contest, pro-
vided the schedule be satisfactory, num-
| Der OF men required, &C. to enter.
John r. Martin, captain Company G.
Farmville Guard: If you decide on n
competitive drill let me know as soon as
you can. | want my company to enter.
William j. Petit, first lieutenant, Com
pany +, Suffolk Grays: | note your list
of prizes to be offered in the competitive
| drill TO be held during your Exposition in
October. Our company has considered
the proposition and viii very likely en-
ter the contest If it is open only to the
volunteers of this State.
AN EXCELLENT FEATURE.
l.. r. Edwards, captain Company l,
Franklin Light Infantry: Replying TO
vour inquiry as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
your society Offering prizes in compete
tive drill. can think Of no single feature
which would be more liable to ada IN
terest TO your Exposition. IL would cree
| Ial,I Ia imOnU
volunteer organizations, besides being very
gratifying to them 10 participate In the
| exhibition.
Henry ". Holt, captain Company X.
Stanton Guards: Ii seems to me that q
military display OF some kind at the fair
this fam would be in every way good
thing. but am unable TO say at this dis
lance what my company can do In the
way of coming down. mos: OF my men
| are clerks and can only get on wheh
their employers give permission.
Edward 4. Norfeet, captain Company
G. Suffolk Light Infantry: / cannot say
at present whether ! can be in Attendance
, on your Exposition in October with my
corpauy. but think the idea a good one
! for competitive drill rather than any other
military display. II you decide on this
! and expenses are not too great VIII Try
10 have my men with you.
4
tersburg Grays: ! laid the matter before
my company on last evening. and while
, do not think it probable we VIII enter
, the proposed contest, yet n must say II
. is one OF the few ways to lnfuse lie INTO
a military organization and should be
ei ccuraged and entt>ad into by every
company in the State.
Thomas s. Keller. captain Company ID,
Third Infantry, Virginia: l think tne
! plan proposed an excellent one, and would
, make the first prize $500. 1t is highly
; probable that We will enter the competi-
tive drill.
LETTER TO THE CAPTAINS.
Secretary William G.. Owens has WRIT
ten the following letter to the captains
of the different military companies OF TINS
! | State and North Carolina:
Dear Sir-Enclosed please fnd copy oil
conditions OF the contest that VIII govern
the competitive drill 10 take place under
the auspices of this society OCTOBER TO-
1894. the second day of the Exposition.
From personal conversation with
| rLn.be OF officers and letters from others,
\ Al. .,.fc.,, x,aa satisfied that COmDeti-