The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-01
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clerk for division Headquarters. Private
Dryden, of a West Virginia company, was
sent TO Assistant Adjutant General Powell
to be assigned on this detail In question
ing the soldier to ascertain his qualifications
FOR the clerical service, it developed that
Dryden was minister who, few years
ago. attained some prominence in church
aIalrs by engaging in a religious contro-
yersy with Archbishop Kane. He has filled
ieadlng pulplts in several cities, and Chap
lain Christensen corroborated what he said
in this respect. On account of falling
health DRYDEN left the ministry and took
up the study of law. He left a fair prac-
tice in Wheeling to become a private in
the army. -
The aiming and position drills preparatory
to target practice, which General Poland
will inaugurate in his division this week
will afford a novelty to most of the Indiana
militiamen who have never had sufficient
practice along this essential line of war
training. Captain Tarlton's Company H, of
indianapolis, has probably done more of this
work than the other companies in the regi-
ment. In his company he has men who
have taken craftsmanship badges In the
New York, Penns ylvania and Illinois militia,
and these men are doing much to perfect
their comrades in the skill necessary to send
a bullet straight to kill. In this preimi-
nary practice gun is fixed stationary on a
tripod and the soldier sights along the bar
rel at white target, first placed twenty
feet away. On this white target the correct
point corresponding TO the line or sight on
the stationary gun barrel is indicated by a
tiny pin puncture which the soldier cannot
detect. a small black bulls eye is hung
loosely over the white target and the soldier
behind the gun directs the man holding
the bull seye to move it about until it comes
directly in his range of vision. If the bull IS
eye stop over the tiny pin puncture it in
dicates that the soldier has drawn a proper
bead. If the bullseye, when finally stopped
by the soldier, is a half inch away from the
pin point, it is evident that the soldier
needs instruction in craftsmanship. The
the men are taught how to pull trigger.
If the trigger is pulled by the tip of the
nnger the gun is apt to SWerve to the
right. The trigger must be clutched with
hand. and then by squeezing the forefnger
and the thumb the gun is discharged with
out waving. The different positions of the
soldier while firing are taught. Where the
distance is over six hundred feet the Texas
grip as 1t is known, is the favorite position.
out over his right leg which is pointing to
the enemy and so throws the strap around
his leg that the strap bears all the reccil.
The guns for the fifty
eighth Indiana are at Lytle and will be de-
HVered in day or two. A reQuiSition for
brown duck uniforms for the men is also in.
This will be in addition to their blue cloth
ing. The regulations prescribe for the off,
GERS a drab duck. which looks somewhat like
a hunting suit. The selection of these two
cOlorS, drab and brown. come from lesson
taught by nature in the garbing of the
little tree and earth worms whose colors.
so closely resembling the objects on which
they are to be found. enable them to escape
their enemies. A brown uniform does not
make good target of man in the forest
or in the field. Assistant Surgeon Jones and
several other officers have ordered these
drab uniforms. G. L. p.