Evening star., 1896-07-18


the District contingent, while meals are
furnished at small figure. and tents
blankets and cots are supplied gratis by
the state IF New Jersey. Within the past
few days it has developed that quite par
ty will probably accompany the brigade
and regimental teams, and thereby swell
the District contingent to proportions ap-
preaching that of an ordinary battalion.
Among the possibilities are several COM
pany teams that may strive for glory, tro-
phies and cash on jerseys range. Such
teams will meet with all possible encour-
agement from headquarters, the only re-
quirement being that the men must reach
a certain standard of efficiency in marks
manship. The advisability Of assisting
company teams by providing them with
transportation is being considered. and a
conclusion will probably be reached within
day or So In order that those to whom
the financial consideration is Of considera-
Bile moment may make up their minds
right away what they will do. 1t Is under
stood that Troop A will enter team for
the carbine match, and that teams for the
company match will be entered by Com
panies A. B and c of the Engineer Corps;
Company B, 9th Battalion; Company A,
9th Battalion; Company 3. I'd Battalion,
and Company A, Sd Battalion The out
look Is for much larger attendance at Sea
Girt than ever before.
RcquisitiOn Blanks for Ammunition.
The requisition blanks for free ammuni-
and will be distributed to the inspectors at
the meeting next Tuesday evening. The
work that Is done with the ammunition
thus issued will be scrutinized very care
fully, and future issues to individuals will
be governed very considerably by the
scores made. The free ammunition propo-
sition does not look to the wholesale distri-
button CT cartridges Its purpose Is to en-
courage promising marksmen and to i'm
prove the character of team work. The
stubs In the requisition books and the re-
QUESTION records of the department Of rife
practice will show very clearly whether the
end sought Is being reached or not.
Rapid Assembly Bicycle Corps.
Capt. F. s. Hodgson, Company c, 4th
Battalion, has conceived the idea of a
rapid assembly bicycle corps in the Guard.
capt. Hodgson says: THE appearance of
the wheelmen of the 4th Battalion in the
bicycle parade Tuesday evening last sug-
gests the formation Of a rapid assembly
corps. composed Of all wheemen Of the
Guard. The men could continue members
OF present Organizations, the bicycle being
USED only to enable large number of
guardsmen to assemble ip remote localities
In the least possible time in cases of emer-
gency. Those having wheels could arrive
at a given point. armed and uniformed, sew
eral hours before men on foot, fatigued
from marching. In view of 70 brigade
camp this year. a large number of men
have suggested several dress parades on
the White Lot. A rapid assembly of
guardsmen on bicycles, in connection with
dress parade. would prove instructive and
interesting"
Major Alexnnder's Advice.
In his article on Ten Years of Riot
Duty" quoted from last week, Mai. Win
throp Alexander. inspector of the District
National Guard, treats Of matters of espe-
To ho
brigade, as follows:
THE physical training of the men should
be insisted upon. A gymna SUM is a neces-
slty in an armory, and the men should be
required to practice regularly, part Of the
time being taken from the regular drills
for the purpose. -
"Bayonet and Saber exercise are of croat
value both as purely physical training and
also military. Many cases could be cited
from the list where both these weapons
nave been used While perhaps positions
exactly corresponding to quartz parry and
rear point would not be utilized, still it is
evident that knowledge of several studied
moves Will enable soldier to handle his
weapon more effectively against his ad-
Versary than If he had not been so in
structed.
Guard duty Is such an important subject
That 1t Is really astonishing to observe its
~, n.sieCt IN armor1es. In many organizations
It Is the custom to let 1t entirely alone un-
IN III just prior to an annual encampment.
then perhaps making a feeble effort to give
some instruction in it. The result is that
valuable time is consumed in camp. teach
Ing men something which they should be
now prepared to put into practice with
ability. If this method is rue of encamn
ments, how much more is it open to criti
cisn IN cases OF sudden emergency, when
no time Is available for teaching every
man being required to do duty in which he
should be already well Instructed? Guard
DUTY should be made a feature of every
oriil evening. small detail being mounted
and reliefs changed regularly under Inc
supervision of an officer.
Extended Order and Riot Drill.
Patroi service for city work can be
taught by sending out from the armory a
squad under sergeant, or an entire pla-
toon or company, over route specified
generally out allowing the officer in charge
10 exercise his discretion and bring In all
possible Information required by his in
structions. Direct him perhaps to effect a
junction with another detachment coming
from different direction.
EStended order drill is of great value
ana 1reque ntly used in clearing streets rail-
roao yards, squares, keeping back crowds
at HreS and on many other occasions whicn
will readily suggest themselves. The the
ory and practice Of this drill can be taught
On limited scale very we'll in nearly eyery
armory' put for larger movements in open
N>A NsNooi space IS necessary, Such as
the parade ground while in camp a public
park, or better still, a tract of broken and
varied country, where full intervals can be
taken and the men taught to avail them
selves Of cover and maintain intervals and
alignment under difficult conditions
street riot drill is plainly of sufi-
cient Importance to claim considerable
time In the laying out of proper
drill schedule for the seasons work.
The methods Of emerging from and enter
ing armories under a real or threatened
attack, the defense Of the armory, street
column formations and other kindred sub
)ects nave such direct relation to prob
able emergency work that they merit con-
siderable attention from commanders Of
city troops especially.
Must Know How to Shoot.
R1f1e practice is an essential. How much
greater moral effect would be exerted on
a mob by body of troops known to be
good shots, than by an Organization which
mas given no attention to the subject! Sew
eral states have no prescribed system Of
small-arms practice, and what little is done
IS by some corps whose officers recognize
the necessity of 1t. Troops are called out
only when the civil authorities are power
less and are expected to restore order by
!orce or arms, If the mere display Of them
is not sufficient OF what use are men who
do rot know how to handle and use tnnsa