The record-union., 1897-09-03
CAMP BUDD RIFLE PRACTICE.
REPORT OF MAJOR DOUGLAS
AS BRIGADE INSPECTOR.
The Boys in Blue Learn for the
First Time What Firing at
Silhouette Targets Means.


be read with interest by more than the
soldier boys.
Colonel Park Henshaw. Inspector
General Rifle Practice. National Guard
of California: Sir-I beg to submit the
following report of rife practice during
the encampnent of the Third Brigade,
n. G. c.. at Camp Budd, Santa Cruz,
August 14th to 21st, inclusive.
On the 10Th inst, in Camp Orders NO.
2, I was detailed to act as Brigade In
spector of Rifle Practice in the absence
of Major Frank Lane. Upon inquiry,
/ learned that the practice would be at
silhouette targets at varying distances,
and as was in perfect ignorance OF the
regulations governing this practice
having had none Of it nor observed any
Of it myself set about at once to get
some enlightenment. l found copy OF
your rules and regulations governing
skirrnish firing in the possession OF Lieu
tenant Pirkey, I. r. 2. of the second
Infantry, and. in conference with nm
and Lieutenant Medley, I. r. P, Sixth
Infantry, I discovered that they knew
as little about skirmish firing as did,
and that neither regiment had lndulged
in any such practice, in fact, the SlXth
had never unpacked its silhouettes-
After considerable search for a proper
location, in which I was greatly alded
by the Mayor and several citizens OF
Santa Cruz, and to whom I wish 10 re-
turn due thanks, a range was estap-
lished on the land of Mr.. Morrlsey'
farmer living on the Sequel road, about
two miles from the camp, who very
kindly granted the use of his lana Tree
of charge, and here, on wednesday the
18th instant, the range was laid OH ana
the distances marked by the Brigade
Engineer officer, Major Narooe, Win
the assistance of an equal detail OF men
from each regiment. The range eA-
tended north and south, and was To-
Gated on sloping ground, which at the
north and rose rapidly, forming a NIL IN
to which the bullets lodged. At distance
of 1S3 1-3 yards from the targets was
picket fence, over which the companies
had to shoot; but this did not interfere
materially owing to the elevation OF the
figures At distance OF 3OO yards from
the targets was another fence, a portion
Of which, go yards in width, was re-
moved to allow the men TO mafch
through The land had been planted TO
grain. which had been harvested, ana
the ground was comparatively even,
which made marching an easy malter.
The weather was all that could be de-
sired. with no wind-in fact, all condl-
tions were favorable for excellent prac-
tice. and had the companies had any
drill in skirmfsh firing / think some eX-
cellent scores would have been MADE
As it is, I think they are most credltaple'
and the men evidenced the greatest IN
terest in their work. | look for some
great work in this direction next year
On Thursday, the 10Th inst. at 6:3O
a. m, the Second Infantry Regiment
marched to the range, and practice was
Immediately begun nuder supervision
and inspection of Lieutenant Pirkey ana
myself. All the commands were given
by Lieutenant Pirkey, who attended
each company during its practice.
As soon as the company had ceased
firing, rode to the targets and took the
score, and would then return and in
sr-ect the practice The work was fin
ished about D. m. and the regiment
marched back to camp.
The same proceedings were followed
on the following day, Friday, the 10Th,
by the Sixth Infantry. except that Lieu
tenant Charles H. Dasher. Company A,
gave the commands. while Lieutenant
Medley attended and kept the time
All the companies were allowed the
practice, but only those with the COM
plement OF forty-two men participated
in the contest for the trophy.
I take this occasion to thank Colonel
r. l. Peeler, Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
eral Of California, for his material as
sistance in conducting the practice.
Without his aid, should have been seri-
ously inconvenienced. and to him much
Of its success is due.
Following are the scores made by
each company:
SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.
Company c. AZ men-Lying down fig
ure, % at ), 135; kneeling figure. 10 at
4. $50; standing figure, 50 at 3, III.
Total points. 492: total hits, 13f; per-
centage of hits. 1859.
Company E, ~ men-Lying down fig
ure, ii at 5. 10: kneeling figure. 3S at 4,
151: standing figure, 80 at 3, 96. Total
points. 31S; total hits, S4; percentage
of hits, 10.
Company f, d men-Lying down fig
ure. 15 at ), 70: kneeling figure, % at 4,
900; standing figure, At at 3, 141. Total
points, 436: total hits. III; percentage
of hits. 1892.
Company G. ~ men-Lying down fig
ure. II at 70; kneeling figure. % at /,
2oS: standing figure. 62 at 3, 1S6. Total
points, 464; total hits, 12S; percentage
of hits. 1923.
Company II, 80 men-Lying down fig
ure. 20 III 3 100; kneeling figure, - at
4. 116: standing figure. 46 at 3, 13S
Total points, 354 total hits, 50; percent
age of hits. 1888.
Company A. % men-Lying down fig
ure. L at ;, so: kneeling figure, 43 at L.
172; standing figure. 81 at 3. 93. Total
points. 325: total hits, S6; percentage
of hits. 14S2
Company ID. 30 men-LyIng down fig
,lre. IT at ). 81: kneeling figure. 63 at l.
30: standing figure. 30 at 3. 141. Total
points. 4S4: total hits 129; percentage of
hits, 1913
Company 3. ~ men-Lying down fig
l1re. 16 at < So: kneeling figure. II at 4,
176: standing figure. 43 at 3. 129. Total
points, 3S5: total hits, 103; percentage
of hits. .1226.
SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
Company d. 50 men-Lying down fig
ure. 13 at :. 65: kneeling figure. 81 at (.
AS: standing figure. 81 at 3. 90 Total
points. 800; total hits. s.: percentage
of hits. .12s2.
Company II. 80 men-Lying down fig
ure. Z at ). 30; kneeling figure. 80 at 4,
40: standing figure 70 at 3. IS. Total
points. 232; total hits. 60; percentage
hits. .105.
Company p. 10 men-Lying down fig
ure. i at ), 70: kneeling figure, II at /.
164: standing figure. 80 at 3, 80. Total