Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-21

GOOD SHOTS.
National Guard Shows improvement
in Rifle Practice.
Second Regiment Wins the Honors
OF Inspector General.

The annual report of Col. L. c. Far
rington, State inspector general of rife
practice, has been made up for the past
year, showing gratifying results in both
of the regiments of the National Guard.
especially in the I'd, which was a re-
markable record
The report says in part.
1t is very gratifying to me, after So
long a service in this department, to
report continual and decided improve
ment in quality of marksman and num-
bers of those qualifying in the different
grades of craftsmanship, as well as an
advance over any year in the history
of the Guard
Some gain has been made from year
to year, but as the per cent. of marks
men increased it became more difficult
to show decided gain. Nevertheless,
you will see by the appended tables,
that a creditable and substantial gain
has been made during the season past,
both in numbers and quality. There
has been expended at least 100 600 rounds
of ammunition, which is quite a large
quantity more than is issued by the
State. 1t is only by an expenditure OF
ammunition purchased by the com
panies, that such excellence in rifle
shooting can be attained The interest
shown by many of the companies
whereby they voluntarily tax them
selves for an outlay of money and time
should be appreciated by the State and
without doubt will be, in providing for
the wants of the Guard in keeping ii
equipped in manner suitable with its
character and standing.
The figure of merit or the per cent
of qualification as marksmen in 1895,
was 7O.4O and the standing, or efficiency
as riflemen, was 1872 The figure of
merit at the close of the season of 1896
was SI.63 and its standing, 262.
This gain has largely been made by
the remarkable increase in the 2d Reg-
ment, which has qualified 95.23 per cent
of it's entire force, and secured a stand
ing of $40 Seven of the II companies
have qualified every member of their
companies. and in the whole regiment
there We're but seven men that failed to
qualify who practiced, and but 10 hav-
ing no practice.
This success has been accomplished
by the most intelligent ana determined
efforts of the officers, and has been re
sponded to with zeal by the members
of each company.
Col. Philbrook, commanding, may take
just pride in his efforts to bring about
such good results and may justly claim,
| believe, to have the strongest regi-
ment of volunteer guardsmen marks
men in the country. Lieut.. l.. II. New
comb the regimental inspector of rifle
practice, has done excellent work in
his department.
The LIST Regiment made a small gain
over 1895. However great the interest
and efforts of most of the companies in
the regiment, to secure regimental
strength in rifle practice, there con-
tinues to be a number of companies
which fail to make a reasonable adj
vancement in this respect. Col. l.. II.
Kendall, and Regimental Inspector of
Rifle Practice Lieut.. Geo. A. AnthOine,
have been constant in their efforts to
advance the standing of their COM
mand. and all things being considered,
have no reason for discoura cement.
The following tables show the stand
ing of the several companies
FIRST REGIMENT.