The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-10
IMPORTANT ORDERS.
Instruction in the New Manual OF
Arms Will Begin Soon.
General Regulations for Rifle Practice
During Coming Season.

II
The first applies to the putting into use
OF the new manual of arms and is as fol-
lows:
The manual of arms as far as 1t applies
to the Springfield rifle, CAL %, and the
manual of guard duty, as prescribed by
the new infantry drill regulations, au-
thorized by the Secretary OF War, June
IL, 1895. is hereby adopted for the militia
OF Rhode Island.
Two pamphlet editions OF the manual
are sent herewith to each company COM
mander, and Instruction In accordance,
with it, will tegin May /, 1896.
Company commanders VIII urge upon
the men of their commands the ao-
visibility OF constantly carrying IN the
pocket the folder upon the principal
duties OF sentinels, " recently issued from
this office.
The second relates to rifle practice and
its main provisions are as follows:
Upon the receipt OF requistion from the
brigadier general commanding the
brigade, the quartermaster-genera Will
issue ammunition for rifle practice, not
exceeding twenty rounds per man Tor
each days practice. and in no case shall
any one requisition exceed the amount OF
5000 rounds.
= Upon the receipt of acquisitions OF COM
OilttEe NoH'
manders upon the blanks provided, and
forwarded through brigaoe headquar-
ters, ammunition not exceeding ~
rounds per man will be issued by the in
spector of rifle practice to each officer ana
enlisted man actually appearing on the
range tor practice. On further requisi-
tion OF company commanders, at Sec
ond practice of the season, 20 additional
rounds per man of reloaded ammunition
will be granted. and in thee case OF men
qualifying in each class to the extent OF
their ammunition, reasonable amount
OF ammunition will be given in the dis
cretion of the inspector OF rifle practice,
to Die them to reach the higher grade,
but in no case shall the issue OF the
States ammunition during the rifle sea-
son to any one man exceed so rounds.
Men falling to qualify with the States
allowance of ammunition may continue
practice with their own ammunition, by
permission of the inspector OF rifle prac-
tice, but only at such times when their
practice will not interfere with, or delay,
the practice OF companies or competing
teams on the range.
Regimental, battalion and company
commanders will see that preliminary in
struction in the armory precedes the APP
pearance of men on the range. Every
company officer should be as well in
formed in the general principles of firing,
instruct in the one as the other.
Inspectors will include reports to the
department on the tborougbness of the
methods followed, and the efficiency of
the militia with their arms. Every shot
fired is TO be recorded and all scores will
be on official score tickets which will be
issued for use of the militia by the in
spector OF rifle practice. All scores for
record must be verified by the inspector
of rife practice, or, in his absence, by a
duly authorized commissioned officer
present.
The following qualifications are hereby
esta blished:
90 at 200 and 300 yards.
For second class shot-25 out of a pos
sible 80 at 200 yards.
For third class shot-All those who
make less than % at 200 yards.
Marksmen-34 or more out of possi-
BILE 90 at 200 yards, and 36 or more out OF
posi- BILE 80 at 300 yards.
Sharps hooters classic or more out OF
so at 200 yards; AZ or more at 800 yards;
43 or more out OF possible 90 al 500
yards. Any two scores of five rounds to
count in all classes. Two sighting shots,
not to be recorded, VIII be allowed at 900
yards or above.
The positions with both rife and
carbine at 200 yards, standing; at 300
Jdibo idhkC, hhttiink VI nitkJIky Ut OOU
yards, prone; at 5000 and above, with car
bine, prone with rifle, in any position.
At the range during the season OF rifle
practice the brigadier-general command
ing Brigade Rhode Island Militia shall
have control, and all rife practice Will be
performed under the instruction of the
inspector of rifle practice or his assistant
upon such days and under such regula-
tons as the brigadier general shall direct.
Those engaged in rifle practice are eau
toned to use great care TO guard against
accident or injury To life or property.
Subject TO such notifications as may be
deemed expedient, the State competition
will be as follows: Independent of the
company work (which should qualify at
least three-quarters of the men in each
company, each regiment. battalion, un-
attached companies ana the naval reserve
companies, may join In an annual COM
petition, in which teams of five from
each company competing, selected for
their proficiency, shall compete at the
same time. In such contest then con-
secutive shots shall be fired at the 200
yards range The IL highest men in each
Regiment will win place on the regi-
mental team. Officers ana non-commis-
stoned staff officers OF the several organi-
zations, not firing with companies may
compete at the same time, and those who
make more points than the lowest of the
Hrst lz enllSttu men Will earn n place on
their regimental team. At the general
company competitions the company
making the best score will win suitable
trophy.
Subject TO the approval of the COM
manding officer, the inspector of rife
practice will select seven from each or
ganization To represent the organizations
at the general State competition.
While the rifle is the arm of the enlist
ed man, and rewards for its efficient use
properly belong TO them, the depart ment
recognizes the value of having officers
take an active interest in shooting. At
the general State competition not TO ex-
ceed seven from the stan of the brigade
may compete.
The general State competition will be
held whea ordered. Al this match the
teams OF seven from tho several organiza.
tions will compete at 200 and 500 yards.
All competitors may compets for indi-
vidual trophies. For the two highest
scores by sharpshooters OF record. For
the two highest scores by narksmen.
Scores OF competitors shooting on the
teams will count individual trophies.
Competitors making the II highest
scores, officers or men, will be mention
ed in orders. The tri-color viii be The
reQimontal trOnhv xypp hy the ,,ftnNt,..