The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1895-08-08
What Crack shots Can Do In War.

LII has been frequently asserueu NY
cynics, who sheer at the art oil rite
shooting as exemplified at Bisley,
that your crack shot is absolutely
valueless in actu 81 warfare, that he
finds moving men very different
from stationary targets, and that all
sharpshooting in action is mere hap
hazard guess work, in which the
duffer is just as likely to do execu'
ton as the expert. There may be
some truth in that view OF marks
manship, but that there have been
cases in which the services OF crack
shots have been invaluable, the fol-
lowing instances will prove.
At the time Of the Indian Mutiny,
young Hercules Ross, son OF the
famous sportsman and marksmaD,
Captain Horatio Ross, and brother
Of Edward Ross, the first winner OF
the Queens Prize at Wimbledon,
was the crack rife shot of India.
He subsequently won the Indian
Championship three years in sue
cession, and on the third occasion
put on ten consecutive bull's-eyes
at 1000 yds. He was also mighty
tiger-slayer. But he proved the
value of his deadly skill with the
rifle against more formidable foes
than the jungle could produce. His
greatest and most memorable feat
was the following.
He had ridden nearly 100 miles to
ford on the River Gogra, where it
was expected that large force OF
mutineers intended to cross. 1t was
of absolutely vital Importance to
keep them at bay until the women
and children and the sick and
wounded could be removed frop au
English station close by. Hercules
Ross heroically undertook the task.
He had a pit dug on the bank of the
river commanding the ford. Here
he took his post, with dozen good
rifles by his side and four attendants
to load for him. The heavy rains
had swollen the river, and the ford
was impassable; but the enemy had
large boat, and with this pro-
ceeded to make the passage of the
stream. But Ross, from his rife-pit,
picked off the rowers one py one
with marvellous skill. Time after
time the boat put back, time after
time it came on again; but the quick
and deadly fire which was swift
riaeman kept up prevented the oars.
men from ever getting more than
third OF the way across.
Armed only with the old Brown
Bess, the Sepoys could not touch
the occupant OF the rifle pit. For
three hours with unfailing skill and
nerve, Hercules Ross shot down the
rebel rowers whenever they attempt
ed to cross, till at last a body of
English troops with three guns came
up, and the Sepoys sullenly retired.
By his splendid craftsmanship, cou-
pied with unfinching steadiness and
courage, young Ross undoubtedly
saved the lives of the English wo-
men and children with their helpless
sick and wounded companions.
Another and even more remark.
able instance of the practical value
of Workmanship in action occurred
at Lucknow, during the long and
terrible siege The Sepoys had haul
ed a couple of eighteen-pounders
on to fat roof of one OF the
palaces which surrounded the Resi-
dency in which the English we're at
bay. If they could only mount these
guns they would be able to pour
plunging fire down upon the defend
ers of the Residency, which would
soon have made the place untenable
and compelled the English to sur
render. 1t was Imperative, there
fore, that those guns should not be
mounted.
Sergeant Halliwell, of the 32nd
Foot, was the crack shot of the little
garrison. He was supplied with the
best rifles that the officers possessed,
and he was posted in an angle, of
the Residency, with orders to pre-
vent those Sepoys from mounting
those guns.
The part of the building in which
he took up his position had already
been battered by the Sepoy guns
into heap OF ruins, and behind the
shattered masonry he lay at full
length-there was just cover enough
to protect him in hat posture. For
several days he remained there, never
once rising to his feet or even to his
knees, for to dc so would have been
to court instant death from the
swarms Of rebel marksmen in front
OF him. The only change OF atti-
tude in which he could indulge was