The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-06

will create along the way. They are most
all splendid young fellows from the West,
recruited at the cavalry and artillery de-
pots at Fort Riley and Port Jefferson.
There is no dissatisfaction among them,
and for intelligence and department they
are OF about the same grade as the voiun-
teer troops were during the war, and way
above the regulars of those days. They
have an intelligent appreciation of the
work they are engaged in, and are not on
ly able to mechanically load and fire a
gun when commanded, but they know
the why's and wherefores of il all, and UNI
derstand the theory and technlcalities OF
gunnery.
The health OF the command is perfect,
as TO both men and horses The quarter
master is provided with a commissary
check book, and pays for provisions as
they go, buying everything at the farms
and corner grocery stores and markets,
with the exception of salt meat. This
commodity is taken from the post and
served three days out OF every 10. That
is in accordance with one OF the hygfenic
rules OF the army.
The cost OF maintenance on the march
is practically the same as at the fort,
while the advantages TO be derived are in
calculable.
The destination OF the battery is TYR
ingham in the berkshire hills, up in the
northwest corner OF Massachusetts. Here
the men will be entertained by Mr.. NAL
com Peters on his immense estate at Fern
side. There are the best of facilities for
gun practice there to be found in New
England, and Battery X of the First Ar
tillery has Just left there. Fernside affords
the opportunity for quick action, and the
operation of the entire battery simuita-
neously, which is lacking at the fort.
There are 20 rounds OF shrapnel, and 20
rounds of shell in the regular summer al
lowance for each battery.
The guns in charge OF Captain Fields
are of the latest form OF steel breech-
loading 32-inch bore, which differ from
the last make, inasmuch as the vent Is
through the breech block in the prolong-
alton of the bore, instead of on top and
perpendicular. The result obtained by
this change is more perfect combustion,
but there is n disadvantage in the liability
Of the friction primer 10 hang fire. 1t Is
only matter of a short time when this
will be given up, and the artillery provid-
ed with fixed ammunition, metallic case
and smokeless powder So far as accuracy,
range and penetration are concerned, how
ever, the present gun is perfect.
The horses OF this organization are all
fine quick animals, averaging 1910
pounds apiece and combining the quail
ties Of draught ana saddle horses, with
n good sprinkling of trotting blood IN
their veins. They were purchased In
New York by Colonel James Nj. Moore,
the horse expert of the army.
Captain Edwin Fields service began in
August of 1861, when he was commits
stoned as second lieutenant in the First
New Jersey Cavalry. In the following
February he was transferred to the Fourth
Artillery, u. s. A., and has been attached
TO that organization ever since, serving as
lieutenant until 1873, when he was pro-
NOTED TO the captaincy of Battery b.
iN,. fu nd xxa a
attached TO the Second Army Corps OF
the Potomac, and he was at Fair Oaks,
Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg X
and Chancellorsivlle, besides scores OF
minor engagements and cavalry fights
with the horse artillery. Since the South
ern war the battery has been In the Mo-
doc war OF 1873, in the Chief Joseph war
OF the Nez-Perc in 1877 and in the Art
zona campaign with the Apaches in 1881.
1t was for his service in the Modoc war
that he received his promotion.
The record OF the battery itself is a
splendid one. Ii has seen all sorts OF
hard service and its record of losses of
men and horse exceeds that OF any other
battery in the regular army. Although
all OF It's present members are young men
the commander is confident that they
would keep up the reputation should
| there be any occasion for IL, and at "a
hours notice they could start for any part
| OF the United States.
His lleutenants are j. G. w. Brooks
and 7. B. Lamoraux.
Captain Fields has great deal OF re-
spect cor the State Militia OF Rhode
Island. In 1882 he was detailed TO make
an oliicia inspection OF the different de-
partinents and has kept the run of its de-
velopmont ever since. each year" he
said, "sees big improvemnt, and the
good WORK so well commenced by Gen
eral Rhodes is being admirably carried
ont bv General Kendall. Battery A,
| CAPTAIN Barker's command of light ar
tiliery, is the best militia battery in the
| cnupfrv -