Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-11-24

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much practice as he wants, or has time
for, but his qualifying scores must be so
declared before being shot, and once
shot, must stand for that season, wheth-
er the score be satisfactory or not.
Neither is the soldier allowed any prac-
tice on the day in which he shoots his
qualifying scores.
The positions for the known distance
shooting in this class are the same as
in the ordinary class, with the exception
of the 50o-yard range, wheEethe prone"
position dying on the stomach with the
gun against the shoulder) is used in
stead of the ''Texas-grip."
The skirmish in this class is the most
: difficult shooting the guardsman has to
contend with. The silhouette figures,
three for each contestant, are set on
the ground anywhere from 500 to 300
yards from the first firing line. To hit
the figure lying down counts the com.
petitor five points, the one kneeline
three points and the one standing two
points. The skirmishers in squads Of
from four to eight are under command
IF an officer and must move forward
IN a run, halt, commence firing, cease
firing, etc, at his command The Off
GER halts the line wherever and when
ever he thinks best, and 30 sec
onds are allowed the skirnishers
10 adjust their gunsights after est.
mating the distance from the target and
IRE two shots. Failure to fire one of
these shots costs the soldier not only
the points he would lose by missing the
Target, but a fine of five points besides,
Or to fire a shot before or after the
command to commence or cease firing
has been given costs ten points, five for
what he might have made by the shot,
and a fine of five. These scores must
also be declared the same as the known
distance scores, and once shot cannot
be shot over again.
To qualify in this class it is necessary
to make 500 out of possible 700 points,
and the soldier who can accomplish this
under the prescribed conditions we'll
deserves the title and decoration of
distinguished sharpshooter."
There are now little over 10000
officers and men in the national guard
Of the several states. OF this number
more than one-third has qualified in
one or both of these classes. OF New
York's little army of $4,000 men 2,0S4
qualified either as sharpshooters or
sharpshooters last year.
This year the reports when in will show
as large, if not greater, number. Other
states with equally as large per-
centage of qualified rifiemen, compar-
ing the number of troops, are Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey,
Maryland, District of
Georgia, Ohio, Michigan,
Wisconsin and California.
To estimate the number of qualified
rifemen in this country who secured
their training while in the national
guard, and who are subject to military
duty in time of war, the same as all
able-bodied citizens, would be an inn
possibility. The term of enlistmepts
are expiring by thousands every year,
and business pursuits prevent many re-
enlistments. But the men who go out
have learned toyshoot, and it is some
thing that once learned is seldom for-i
gotten. These men would be in o. posi-
lion TO give valuable aid TO their eoun-
try should it ever stand in need of it.
WRIGHT A. PATTERSON.