Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-20
Capt. Domer's Opinion.

Capt. DOmer's Opinion.
There is perhaps no man living today
more thoroughly familiar with every phase
of interstate competitive drilling than Cap
tain Charles S. Domer of the famous Ma
tional Fencibles. Captain Domer has made
a study of the matter, and is well ac-
quainted with all the companies and their
officers entered in the big drill here, Lav-
ing met them as rivals more taun once.
The opinion of the companies, as enter
tanned by the best captain of The United
States, is particularly timely and of far
more than passing interest. While con-
versing with Captain Domer at the 9th
street depot, just before the departure of
the Morton Cadets from Washington last
Wednesday, 1 requested his views, from
the standpoint of a drill expert.
From a casual glance at the list of en-
tries for the San Antonio interstate drill 1t
would appear that the contest for first
the Thurston Rifles of Omaha and Company
D of ST. Paul. Minn.," said Captain Do
mer. This statement is made purely on
the past reputation of the companies
named, as 1 have no personal knowledge of
the condition they are in at present.
THE ThurSton Rifles would appear to be
more or less handicapped owing TO the fact
that Captain Foye, as FAR as 1 know. has
competition. He is an excellent soldier,
and as first sergeant of the Omaha Guards
in the Kansas City contest won the medal
for the best first sergeant of the competing
companies. In the Memphis drill he served
in the capacity of first lieutenant. As the
success of company in a competitive drill
depends largely on the ability and expert
ence OF the commanding officer of the COM
pany, the Thurstons would seem to be, as
l said before, slightly handicapped.
Captain Shilling experience for the
past few years will, therefore, stand him
in good stead, and the fact that his team
f<, - =
drilled at Savannah would ceem TO argue
for their success.
Long Time Since Company ID Drilled.
cit has been many years since Company
D Of st. Paul has participated in an in
terstate drill, the last drill, If am not
mistaken, being the 81 drill N Washington,
at which time the company took second
place out of class Of thirty-two entries.
My first acquaintance with Captain Bean
dates from the occasion Of the National
Rifles western trip in 1884. On that trip
there was drill arranged between the Ma
tional Rifles and Captain Beams company
at Lake Mnnetonka, Captain Beams COM
pany winning. The following week the
Rifles went to Dubuque, Iowa, and partici-
pated in an interstate drill, Company D
being one Of the contestants. have great
respect for Captain Bean as q tactician
from personal observations of the p,anner
in which he handles his company, and in
addition, he and his company have the
benefit of the experience and instruction of
the army officers stationed at Fort Smell
ling.
III reports are true, that Capt. Worthy
Boyd will again assume command of the
Sealy Rifles, there Is a possibility of their
winning a place in the drill. although I
hardly think they can win first place.
1.-The Mccarthy Light Guards and the
Belknap Rifles are not to be overlooked in
this contest. and will make hard fight
for the prize.
IT understand that 1t is elective with
commanding officers as to the tactics they
shall drill by. Whether according to the
revised tactics as now in force in the army,
or those adopted in October, 1891. The
Morton Cadets, believe, are adhering to