The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-24

eral praise of the excellence of the last
regular afternoon ceremony at Camp
DimOnd.
Immediately after the return of the
troops to the company avenues the assem-
oily again sounded and Colonel Sulliyan's
suarusineo were in a few moments in
proper formation. The hour had arrived
.or d solution Of the problem in minor
.aetics and the interest increased among
.he visitors aud visited. The immense
oetlie plain was cleared of spectators with
10 the area selected for the operation.
Inc companies marched from the company
streets and formed battalion of four con-
Soldated companies.
Inc troops proceeded to the end of the
held nearest town and there established
themselves in battalion front formation.
Inc companies were strong numerically
ana the men were interested and anxious
10 show their mettle. Lieutenant McIVer
OF the regular army directed the move
ments OF the battalion in battle exercise
and was creditably assisted by the officers
OF the regiment in charge of the battalions
and com panies. From a position at the
extreme right OF the parade ground the
battalion was divided. the firing line being
advanced with the line of supports aud
reserves at proper distances in the rear.
The firing line pushed forward at a walk
in the direction of an imaginary enemy at
the other extremity of the field where the
dense forest just left of Triple Hill
stretches with gradual slope to the camp
ing area.
The field was too small 10 admit of such
advance operations as are required indrill
regulations, so when the firing line APP
preached the fence near the base OF Tripe
Hill order was given to march 10 the rear
and thus gain the ground which in actual
conflict would be traVersed without fall
ing back. The firing line. supports and
reserves again started forward in line of
echelons. The order TO increase the time
oil step sounded and the firing line pushed
forward at brisk trot. After passing a
short distance the line halted, the men
cropped to the ground, loaded their Spring
heids and fired by squad in the direction of
the Iripe Hill enemy. Squads from the
line OF supports then hurried to re-ecforce
me Hanks Of the fighting front When
the reinforcing squads reached the firing
alignment the line again trotted forward
and took prone position and once more
the rifles cracked with bulletless ammuni-
ton. Still onward the line OF skirmiShers
advanced. the supposed loss of men
being neutralized by the frequent arrival
OF reinforcing squads. Finally bayonets
we're ordered fixed and an order given for
rapid firing.
Then began terrible rattle of musketry.
The firing line. supports and reserves were
all united in a fighting front and the
tuslllaoe from the rifles fearfully dis
turbed the serenity of the neighboring hills
and the quiet little graveyard just in the
rear OF the camp. Deep-mouthed command
sounded above the din of battle at inter-
walls. Mounted officers galloped and gilt
tered and half of the field was thick with
powder smoke, which only partly revealed
the PROSTATE forms of SulliVan's infantry
men. The hospital corps bad station on
the field and added to the realism of things
by hurrying into the thick of the conflict
aud bearing away on filters soldiers sup
posedly injured.
ITO the charge" the command sounded
high above the roar of conflict. With we'll
lunged yells the great stretch of Citizen
fighters rose from the grass. bayonets were
charged and the battalion rushed forward.
The fence was reached and there again
the rapid firing was resumed. Then the
recall was sounded and the victorious
troops returned to camp. With drums and
flies the retreat was sounded. The ma
tional standard came futtering down from
the staff head and the military encamp-
ment at Dimond was a thing of the past.
The regiment will leave Santa Cruz
about noon tomorrow and arrive in San
Francisco between and o'clock.
Captain T. j. Cunningham of the Sec
ond Artillery shot his score with the rife
on the range here to-day instead of at
Shell Mound, where the Second is TO shoot
in the State competition tomorrow. Cum
bingham registered 45 credits out of 90,
which is very excellent score. 1t will
count in the State competitions, because
General Allen allowed Captain Cunning
ham TO fire here instead of requiring him
to shoot at She'll Mound with his battery
tomorrow. This was the score:
3 5 "A 5-45
Tonight great crowds were at the camp
and a ponpnri and racaDfion xvaa 1;uan