The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-30
REGIMENTAL DRILL.
Maneuvers Yesterday Were Finely
Executed,

Executed.
The first maneuvers of the Indiana brigade
in Camp Mount consisted of regimental
drills yesterday afternoon, when almost the
entire command in camp was thrown into
the extensive oval of the race track and
the different regiments, moving independ-
emily of each other, were moved about
rapidly over the field. From the balcony at
headquarters the sight was an imposing
one, and to the veterans who witnessed 1t
called wildly to mind the movements of a
large body Of troops preparatory to forming
lines for battle The recruits and the un-
uniformed companies were sandwiched in
with uniformed men and any irregularty
in movements caused by green men was not
readily discernible at a distance.
The regimental standards and flags flashed
in the sunlight, and the attractiveness of
the American blue uniform was enhanced
by the size of the large body of troops.
Even In the regular army IL Is only on
very rare occasion that so large gather
ing of soldiers is brought on field at one
time. Lieutenant May, who observed the
movements, said the regiments were very
well handled, and that considering the con-
dltions, the movements were well executed.
There was no confusion and the new men
seemed to comprehend at once the general
purpose of the various orders.
Contrary to the expectations of the great
crowd of people present that from bulletins
posted expected to witness a brigade par
dulged in by the different commanders. The
only marked difference that was noticeable
in the change of programmes was that, in
stead of seeing the boys altogether, the
spectators in the grand stand saw three
regiments, the First, Second and Fourth,
in the race track inclosure,. without the
Third and the Artillery. which paraded on
the south side of the grounds. The sight on
both sides of the grounds was a pretty one.
and indicated that the boys have little to
acquire to make them competent soldiers,
except a general hardening of muscles,
which can only come with active service.
1t would be hard to decide which regiment
made the best showing, from the fact that
there are many contingencies which should
be considered. In the first place, the par
ade was not in any sense competitive one.
And. moreover. several companies were en-
barrassed in their movements by the pres
ence of numbers of raw recruits, who being
ununiformed and unarmed, tended to not
only impede the SmoOthneSS Of the drill,
but also detracted from the general appear
ance of the companies. All of the regi-
mental bands were out and contributed we'll
chosen and well rendered selections, which
heightened the effect of the parades. Prob
ably one of the reasons why the paraders
were not conducted as brigade funcuoA
was the fact that not all of the regimental
leaders are supplied with mounts, and the
lack OF which in any one regiment would
have created an impression of incongruity.
Col Harry b. Smith, of the Second Regi-
ment who. with his staff, are always we'll
mounted and well groomed. made very
gallant appearance at the head of his fine
body of men, as did also Colonel Gunder, of
the Fourth. and Colonel Pennington. of the
First A striking feature of the parade of
the Fourth Regiment was the company of
Nincennes cadets which has been assigned
to the regiment. They still had their gray
uniforms and. therefore. drew more atten-
ton than they would had they been dressed
In the regulation blue. When the attention
was once directed TO them it was not re-
moved until their accuracy and skill in drill
was appreciated Colonel Sudebaker of
the Third Regiment. drew all eyes of the
spectators because of his youthful appear
ance He is. in fact, the youngest colonel
in the brigade. Many of his men are en-
ployes of the great wagon manufactory at
South Bend of which his father is pres
ident The men who are serving with him.
and who are also employees of the Stude-
baker Company. receive their full wages
from the company, as if they were still at
york in the shops.
The regimental parade was in the nature
of an inspection by the colonies. with the
object OF accounting for every enlisted man.
All of the men were present yesterday eX
cept those assigned TO sentry duty or out of
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