The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-20
STATE WILL PAY ITS SHARE.
TROOPS TO GET TRANSPORTATION
AND PER DIEM FOR MAY SHOOT.


Teams From All Volunteer OrGani-
nations of the state Expected to
Contest-Tbe De Soto and De Renne
Trophies to lie shot FOr-Niatches
Divided Into First and Second
CIasses-0rders For the Contests
Issued.
The annual rifle and carblhe compeu-
ton of the Georgia Volunteers at the
Avondale range in May will from the out
look, be the most successful the state
troops have ever held. Proofs of the Off
cial orders for the contest were received
yesterday by Col. George T. Cam, inspec-
tor general Of rifle practice, from the ad-
jutant general. The orders, together with
the rules governing the contest, will be
printed and official copies furnished to all
company, battalion and regimental COM
manders in the state.
For the first time in the history Of the
state, the transportation of the men com
posing the teams and per diem will be
paid This will insure a large attendance.
In order to keep down expenses, however
the number of men competing is limited
to twenty-five from each regiment, or
twenty from any unassigned battalion.
The per dim allowed by the state is Is
cents for each man. The contest will be
held from May to May 7, inclusive, and
will be under the direction of the inspec-
tor general of rifle practice.
The two principal matches will be for
the trophies owned by the Savannah Mill
tary Rifle Range Association, the DeRen-
ne and the De Soto cups. The DeRenne
match will be open to teams of ten men
from any company, battalion or regiment
OF the Georgia Volunteers. The distances
will be 2o0, 500 and 600 yards with five
shots at each distance. The prize will be
the magnificent DeRenne cup, valued at
$1,000, presented by Mr. Wymberly j. De
Renne, and will be held by the winning
team for one year.
The DeSoto match is open to teams of
twelve men from any state or territory,
District of Columbia included The en-
trance fee is 81 per man and the distances
are 200 300, 500 and 600 yards with five
shots at each distance. If no teams enter
from other states then the match will be
open to teams of ten men from any COM
pany, battalion, or regiment of the Geor-
gia Volunteers. The prize is the large
silver cup presented by Watson & Powers
OF the De Soto Hotel, to be held by the
winning team for one year.
The infantry matches are divided into
first and second class and are open only
TO Georgia Volunteers. There will be a
company team match and a regimental
team match in each class The matches
in the second class are limited TO men who
have never made a record as sharpshoot-
ers or marksmen. The company team
match In the first class is open to teams OF
five men from any company. The prize
is silver cup to be held by the winning
team for one year. The regimental team
match is open to teams of six men from
any regiment or unassigned battalion. The
prize is a tricolor. There will be five
shots at 200. 300 and 900 yards, ten at 500 and
ten a skrmish.
In the second class men who have quail
fed as marksmen and sharpshooters are
debarred. Other conditions are the same
as in the first class
Cavalry matches will be held the same
as provided for the infantry and under
the same conditions except that carbines
only viii be allowed. Cavalry teams may
enter the infantry competition provided
they use the infantry weapon Teams
from the artillery and naval reserve NAV
enter the infantry competition using the
weapons and ammunition issued to them
by the state.
The regulations governing the match
are quite lengthy, being such as usually
N~SAA SoitSotS. Every uetdH and
contingency appears to be provided for by
the rules, the evident intention being 10
insure the utmost fairness to all com
petitors.
Col Cam, in speaking of the contest
expressed himself as much gratihed at
the conduct of the state in granting trans
portation and per diem to members of
teams This, he feels, assures a large at
tendance and successful meet
The idea of bringing teams from MI
over the state to enter into a general
competition in rifle shooting" said Col
cam and thereby disseminate the
knowledge of rifle practice among the
state troops. Regimental and battalion
commanders are required to give repre-
sehtatlon TO each company of their com
mands in selecting their teams The re-
SUIT that it is desired to accomplish Is to
arouse more general interest in rife
practlce among the state troops. which
VIII lead 10 the establishment of Other
ranges throughout the state and a grad
ual increase in efficiency in this innort-
ant military art"
The visiting teams will be provided ,,,+A
cots IN the local armories, and every ar
rangement made TO reduce the exnense
Whieh the members viii be at to the min
imum figure. mn"