The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-23
GOOD SHOWING ON
THE INSPECTION
Thirteenth Regiment Stood the Ordeal in
an Excellent Manner.
THE NINTH MADE A BAD START
Colonel COursen and the Other OIL.
GERS of the Thirteenth Are Happy
and Feel That II Will Maintain Its
Position as the Crack Regiment Of
the State..NOte About the Soldier
Boys and Camp Life.
Special from a Stan Correspondent.

Boys and Camp Life.
Special from Stan Correspondent.
Camp John Gibbon. Lewistown, Pa,
July 22.-The strain Is over 1t ended
at O'Clock this morning when the
Thirteenth's inspection was finished.
The general opinion is that the regi-
ment has not only maintained it's high
rating of the past as the leading regi-
ineht i'm the state, but that II has in
creased its rating. This Is true if ac-
tions are more truthful than words.
Since Sunday night when reports were
received concerning the energetic pre-
paratory efforts of the First regiment,
and following that commands really
excellent inspection. Colonel Coursen
ana all the ThiIteenth's commissioned
officers had been anxious as to the or
deal of this morning. This was plain.
They were difficult to approach, were
constantly studying tactics and busily
occupied with eSen the most minute de-
tail that had to do with the inspection.
When 1t ended this morning Colonel
Coursen was affable and smiling and
for several hours lost the evidences Of
the soldier which have distinguished
his bearing since camp opened. The
same Is true Of Lieutenant Colonel G.
&. Mates. Adjutant l.. n. Mates and
battalion majors and adjutants.
CAUSE FOR HOPEFULNESS.
There was good reason for this hope
fulneSs and satisfaction. While the
prescribed reginental drills for the
three hrigades differ I'm time and move
ment, they were similar I'm general
sense. until the Thirteenth showed it's
proficiency this morning the best time
for the drill was % minutes. The Thir-
teenth's drill occupied only II minutes.
The inspection drill of the First regi-
ment, the Thirteenth's only rival in past
years, was witnessed by Colonel Cour-
sen on Monday and each movement
carefully noted.
The time was not taken, but I'm prac-
tice yesterday the Identical movements
of the Firsts regimental inspection drill
We're made by the Thirteenth in ex-
actly fourteen minutes--and that with
out any previous practice. This con-
sidered along with the fact that Scran-
tons regiment did it's regimental work
IN seventeen minutes gives Colonel
Coursen just cause for his good nature
and explains why everyone in the reg
llnent from Its commander down to the
strikers In the mess tents are happy
Since Monday when the regimental
inspections began exactly two hours
have interviewed between the beginnings
of inspections of two given regiments
"a gam a N hos haa
required for the aDpointive inspectors
from Colonel Morrell's staff to finish
their work with companies and patrols.
All this required but Il little more than
two hours in the Thirteenth showing
the snap and proficiency which fea-
tured the work Of the command.
INDICATIONS WERE BAD.
The prospect of good weather was
anything but encouraging when re-
veille was sounded at o'clock. A
mist hung over the valley, the air was
heavy and damp, and the weather
signs betokened at least dampness and
possibly rain. Two hours later when
the Thirteenth marched on the parade
for inspection the signs changed and
the day developed into one almost
ideal. Meanwhile the company quar-
ters We're in whirl of preparation.
During the night tailors, some pro-
fessional and others amateur, had been
occupied in pressing and cleaning
trousers and jackets, and when the day
broke the work of hustle was continued
ten-fold. Shoe backing, oil, brushes
and what-nOt that would tend to make
a soldier sprucer and clean We're in
evidence everywhere. After a hurried
breakfast mess the command was led
out on the parade.
Notwithstanding the early hour, the
spectators on division hill'' were num-
erous. 1t was noticed that the onlook-
ers included several from the porch of
each of the division headquarter tents.
showing that the work Of the Thir-
teenth was something which the states
official critics did not want to miss.
Colonel Elliot conducted the regimental
inspection and Major Sweeney. the bat
talon part, while Major Millar, Of
Scranton, was one of several who made
the company Inspections.
NINTHS BAD START.
The Thirteenth was followed by the
Ninth, Of Wilkes-Barre, which began
its recitation with three errors; the
colOrs We're located i'm an improper po-
sition. the drum corps with drums un-
strung. marched to the wrong end of
the line. and had to march back again
and the commissary sergeant occupied
an improper position ahead of the non-
commissioned staff.
The Eighth regiment. of Wrights-
vile, is thought to be the Thirteenth's
chief competitor for honors in the bri-
gade. That command made an excel
lent showing.
1t required twenty-five minutes for
the Eighth regiment to complete the
regimental drill and the Ninth, of
Wilkes Barre. occupied twenty-eight
minutes in doing it, Only one-eighth of
a minute interviewed between the time
occupied in the drill Of the First and
Second battalions of the Thirteenth.
The First. composed of Companies +,
F. G and Fl. had the slight time ad-
vantage but there was pothing to indi-
cate that its total rating would be
higher than that of the Second, COM
posed of the city companies. A, b, c
and ID. Apparently the two battalions