The Forrest City times., 1894-08-24
THE zOUAyE DRILL,
A Day of Pleasure, Under the Aus
 pices of the Taylor Rifles.

The Taylor Rifles made it so, and they axe due tine thanks of the entire com munity for their splendid efforts to en- certain and am,se all who patronized their entertainment on that day. The programme consisted of game of base ball, between the Brinkley team and our own invincibe ball players, a fancy drill by the Nicely Zouaves, of Memphis, the field movements and manual of arms by the Taylor Rifles. a Society drama, at the Opera House, and grand Military ball at the spa cieus Forrest City Hotel.
 The Nicely Zouaves, of Memphis. Tenn, which company took third place at the Interstate Drill. came to For rest City on the morning tran. in re- sponse to an invitation from the Tay- or Rifles, of this city, and took part in the festivities, which, in fact, had been arranged for their benefit and enter tainment.
 As usual, the Zouaves were in splen did humor, and as gay as the lark. Upon arrival they were promptly as- sembled, and astonished and interested a large crowd which had gathered at the depot. by giving five-minute spec imen of their lightning movements. Baggage was then Stored, and after the boys had ''smoothed up.n (to use Capt. Defrey's expression), the hugler sounded the assembly, the sergeant gave the command to "fall in,n and the company proceeded to the cotton platform where they gave short ex- hibition, which was highly interesting to the spectators. They then repaired to thefmess hail." where ample justice was done to the splendid dinner pre- pared under the supervision of the &C., commodating landlord, MT. c. H. Beauchamp.
 At o'clock sharp. the Taylor Rifles assembled at their armory and march ed to the hotel. from which point the procession formed and marched to the Fair Grounds north of town, led by the Marianna Cornet Band. Arriving at the grounds, the ball game was called As it progressed, it proved to be a one sided affair, and was discontinued at the close of the 5th inning, the score standing at that juncture, 23 to 0 in
 
 The Zouave drill came next. Every body looked forward to it with eager anticipation, and when the company came up in line before the spectators, admiration was depicted on every face. The expectations of every one were highly gratified. and loud and frequent was the applause which greeted their many difficult movements and maneu- vers. Capt. Defrey is a show in him. self and the rapidity of his commands caused no end of mirth. The ground was in rather bad condition being very dry and dusty, and to some extent pre- vented the boys from drilling as well as they would have done under more favorable conditions. However, they acquitted themselves creditably and demonstrated their excellent training.
 The drill by the Taylor Rifles came next, and ended the sport at the Park. So far as We could judge they acquitted themselves in most creditable man. ner. Considering the time they have been organized they will 'size up" with any company in the state.
 But this was but the finishing of the first half of the programme. After an intermission of some three hours, dur
 
 man were abundantly supplied, prepa- rations were made for the gayeties which were to take place at night.
 The play at the Opera House was first on the programme, and was a great success, from every standpoint. Of course, it was not equal to Booth and Barrett, nor even. James O'Neal, but considering that the lines were learned in six days, by home talent, otherwise employed, it was a most ex- traordinary performance. Greal credit is rightly due the cast for the excel fence of their delineation. Their talent cannot be excelled by amateurs anywhere in the state.
 After the play, a grand Military bail and banquet took place at the hotel. It was .'Ope of the finest" and in keep ing with the rest of the days entertain ment.
 Capt. Defrey is a jolly, good fellow He thinks of coming over this Fall to drill the Taylor Rifles once or twice a week, and if he does we feel assured the boys will take more interest, and soon become one of the best drilled companies in the state. Their exhibi- tion at the Park Friday was quite q surprise to many.
 The street music by the Marianna Band was very good indeed. and was appreciated very much. Their per formance at the Park was excellent. IL is certainly one of the best musical or ganlzations in Eastern Arkansas, and the Rifles consider themselves lucky in having secured their services.
 We hope this will not be our last op- portunity to entertain the Neeiys, and