The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-11


within sixty days an entire battery was
sworn into the Indiana Legion, under the
command of Capt. George w. Johnston.
With the exception of the commander, the
members were all of less than % years Of
age. They began work with youthful en-
thusiasm, which they have been able to
retain as the years advance.
The battery was named the indianapolis
Light Artillery. 1t at once secured the
services of Lieut.. Hamilton, United States
army, for an instructor. had made such
decided progress in drill by the spring of
1888, that it entered in four classes of con-
test at the encampment of that year. 1t
won a prize in each class, which was a
powerful incentive to the members.
In the spring of 1884 the battery was
challenged by the Cincinnati Light Ar
tillery. The meeting took place at Rich
mond, where a clean-cut victory was
scored, the Cincinnati artillerymen falling
behind 20 per cent. Just after that drill
Capt Johnston resigned. He was sue
ceeded by Lieut.. Curtis, who had begun
as a private and been promoted. Lieut.
Curtis had commanded THE Team" I'm all
the victorious drills; SO he naturally
enough took the eaptaincy. An effort for
an armory was at once put on foot, which
resulted in one being completed in March,
Work was begun for the great southern
drills in May. After six weeks of prepa-
ration, the battery went to Mobile to com
pete with all the famous artillery or
CARNATIONS of the country. There it met
its first reverse, owing to an unfortunate
accident After the drill was more than
two-thirds completed, it was found that
the cartridges We're too large and the
cannon could not be loaded The battery
went to New Orleans the following week,
where it met all its Mobile eompetftOrs
in addition To others The famous NTaz.,
Orleans batteries were at their best, and
had little fear of the result. They were
doomed to disappointment, as Indianapo-
lis was given the first prize, and Capt.
Curtis the beautiful cotton centennial
championship medal
In July the battery went to the PhiIa-
Halnbfa drill where the TQiCm9 q
ruined what might have been a success
full affair. The management promised
"caissons," but forced the battery to drill
without one, but furnished one to other
batteries. Notwithstanding this disad-
vantage, second prize was won against a
In 1886 the Light Artillery entered three
drills at the Lafayette encampment. and
won first prize in each. Perhaps no other
one week. In 1881. the great national en-
campment at Washington was announced.
The men had been looking forward to a
enthusiastic, but had their ardor dampen-
ed when informed that the drill would be
a mounted platoon. The battery had no
peared upon the drill field at Washington
in magnificent condition. 1t carried the
day and received first prize from the
hands of Gen. Sheridan.
At Nashville, in 1888, the battery again
appeared in the south to meet the noted
batteries of that section. The drill was
one OF great pEIAbCliOl bAl the part OF all
competitors but victory once more perch
ed upon Indianapolis banner.
In 1890, at Kansas City, the Battery
appeared in new territory, and before
an entirely new set of judges. It's work
was so superior that it easily took first
place. This closed its series of drills, in
which it won thirteen prizes, and never
met genuine defeat.
A tournament was held in Indianapolis
in 1891 under the auspices of the battery,
and the success of it resulted in the
formation Of permanent organization.