The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-05
OUR BATTERY DRILLS
THE LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPLETES
FOR A BIG PRIZE AT ST. LOUIS.
Its Movements Cheered by the Crowd
of Spectators-sham Battle Wit
messed by 10000 People.

ST. LOUIS. July Ain point of attend
ance to-day was the most successful of the
week thus far at Camp Hancock. The day
opened hot and close, but toward noon
clouds began to gather. obscuring the sun,
and cool breeze sprang up. Despite the
threatening aspect of the sky. and the fact
Scbat rain fell for an hour during the after
noon, thousands of people came 10 the
camp At the sham battle. when the great
est number of people were present. the
grand stand. club grounds and adjoining
open spaces were jammed full of humanity.
and it was estimated that over thirty thou
sand people were on the grounds
: The day was ushefed in by the firing
OF the national salute. After grand guard
mount. Governor Stone. of Missouri. ap-
peared and delivered an eloquent patriotic
grafton, later introducing Miss Lillian B.
Pierce, who read the Declaration of Inde-
pendence to the grand stand full of people.
The day was replete with interesting events.
Early in the morning the artillery contest
for 5000 in prizes began and while this
was proceeding there were exhibition drills
by various companies.
In the artillery contest four batteries
drilled for the three prizes of 5000, $40
and $3.50 respectively. One section OF each
battery was put through their PAGES. Bat
terry A, of St. Louis. commanded by Capt.
F. NJ. Rumbold. was the first on the field.
1t was followed by the Rockville. Ind.
Light Artillery, under command Of Capt. f.
E. Stevenson; the Dallas, Tex. Artillery
Company. First Lieutenant F. V. Blythe,
and the Indianapolis Light Artillery. Capt,
]. b. Curtis. The last three named have
been through numerous contests and have
borne Off many first prizes Naturally, the
contest between them was very sharp and
exciting, their drilling. as well as that of
the home battery, was cheered TO the echo
by the spectators.
Despite the lowering clouds that threat
ened rain the grand stand and such of the
room on the field not occupied by the
troops was crowded by a multitude of peo-
pie who came out to see the encampment
and the sham battle especially. All the
troops in camp engaged in the battle I'm ad-
dition to the entire First infantry Regiment,
National Guard of Missouri. battalion of
cadets ana two troops OF United states
Hancock was designated as a fort with half
Of the troops as garrison: Captain Chase,
Third United States Cavalry. commanded
the fort. He was opposed by the other half
of the troops under command of John A.
Miller, Of the Phoenix Light Infantry, of
DAYTON, Q. Captain Miller's army was sup
discovered the fort, brought him word of
Its proximity. He Immediately sent out a
line Of skirmishers to feel the enemy 5
strength and position. These and several
larger bodies of Captain Miller's army were
repolsed. when he finally ordered up his
entire force and attacked the fort: Captain
Chase sailed forth with his entire COM
mand, both armies formed in the line of
battle and general engagement opened
ter charges. The garrison was driven into
the fort and finally captured The firing By
the artillery and infantry very like a
battle. while the charges of the United
States cavalry were very thrilling ard re-
alistic No accidents OF any consequence
A letter was received to-day from the
private secretary of Governor Matthews, O!
Indiana. announcing his inability TO attend
the encampment. He is now in the East
with his family, and Will not return home
before the Sth inst.
Governor Stone and his staff reviewed
the dress parade this evening. With him
were Governor Richards and staff OF Wy
oming. and Adiutant-general Meaney, of
|. New Jersey. Governor Richards and his
staff arrived from Wyoming this morning
and were met by the McGrew Guards who
escorted the visitors TO the Jockey Club
Acknowledgement Meaney is here as the
representative OF the Governor of New Jer-
sey-
Great preparations are being made for the
reception Of Secretary OF War Lamont and
in a special car on saturday. 4 salute
Of twenty-one guns will be fired upon the
arrivai of the chief of the War Depart
ment at the camp. and an escort OF United
States regulars and militia, under command
Of Major Keyes. of Jefferson Barracks
commandant OF Camp Hancock. Will be pro-
vided.
The programme for tomorrow Is an es.
pecialiy interesting one. the principal event
being contest between zouave companies
for three prizes Of $500. 500 and $3.50. re-
spectiveiy. The companies that will con-
tes. are the Hale Zouaves. Capt. Cnse
Lechtman, Kansas City: Walsh Zouaves
Capt William Heyman. St. Louis. Nicely
Zouaves, Capt. F. X Deffry, Memphis
Chicago Zouaves. Capt. Thomas J. Ford
Chicago