Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-07-14
TARGET PRACTICE NEEDED
Delaware Troops Should be
Taught to Shoot.
GIVEN A FIFTEEN-MILE MARCH
Third Battalion Now Holds the
Record.


STAFF Correspondence Of Gazette and journal.
Middletown, uly 1.-THE First Della
ware Regiment has started in ON another
week at Camp Tunnel and from present
indications it will be full week. This
is not to be wondered at, however, as
many of the men have not recovered
from being vRccinated, and some will
feel the offaots Ut it for week at least.
There are no serious caBes of sickness
on account of the vaccinations, which ia
considered rather remarkable where
there are 40 many. Ii sometimes hap
pens that where people have bad blood
the vaccination makes the patient sick.
and the fact that none are seriously
sick from this cause speaks well for the
health of the men. There are few
cases where the men are unable to
attend to their duties on account OF
their vaccinations, but this was to be
expected.
The men are very tired of being here
80 long, however, and would welcome
orders to move almost anywhere. Re
naming in one place SO long 10 like
prison life to them and they long for
new scenes and some excitement. They
deserve credit for their fortitude, which
is an evidence that they are good
sol6iers.
Every manner Of exercise is being
given the man that will be of any benefit
to them With the exception of target
practice. very important detail which
has been neglected syer Hince the regi-
msnt was in the government service, as
there was no provision for it, An effort
ia being made to have provision made
for target practice, for in every other
respect the men are a9 we'll drilled as
veterans, and come time could we'll bs
spared ia this direction. AS matter
of fact, some of the men have never
had an opportunity to shoot a gun since
they have besn in the service, and il ia
| imperative that come OF this sort oil
| training should be given.
A good-marnred rivalry has sprung up
among the battalious 10 the matter OF
marching, and up to the present time
the Third battalion holds the record.
| A few days ago Capt. Curtis, the senior
captain Of the battalion. marched the
command about 10 miles, and the stay
ing qualities of the men were thor
oughly tested, as each was in heayy
marching order. The battalion went t.
| Nit. Pleasant and made tour OF the
roads thereahort, and when they re-
turned they were covered with dust Rno
looked as il they had been through {
flour mill. The task was pleasant, how
| ever, and the men returned to camp il
i excellent spirits. This sort Of training
| will continue aa long as the troops ar,
mere and when they leave they will b,
In shape for any emergency. 1t is be
lieyed by the officers and others VIII,
have had an opportunity to know wha
has been going on that the Delawar,
regiment il the best drilled and health
est in the volunteer service.
With the exception of blanket cover
and straps and instruments for th
band, the regiment ia fully equippsd
and these articles are expected at an.
time. A large consignment of shoes ha
arrived and the footwear is being dis
tributed among the men, enough havinl
baen received to fit out every man il
the regiment who is in need of nes
ehoes, with the possible exception of tw
or three, for whom the right sizes ma
not BIO found. This is gratifying news
as some of the men had worn nut thei
shoes and could not go out on rain
days with safety.
II There ia one thing, however, which
lacking, and that 10 material for clean
ing the arms, belts, cartridge boxes, &c.
and as the regulations specify that thi
work must be done with material fur
nished by the War Department it mus
be neglected until a consigument is re
csived, none having been received sine
the opening of the encampmunt.
More room ls being provided in th
hospital quarters. This original hospits
J tent has been moved short distanc
. nurth of the position which it formerl
! occupied and tent of the same siz
! has been added and placed in the rea
OF the original tent, the ofiioera' mes
tent having been taken away to max
! room for the addition. The two hos
pital tents are not joined together, bu
are a few feet apart and a canopy cover
the space between them. There ar
. several cases in the hospital, but non
t are thought TO be serious.
The officers of Co. 9 wish to retur
> thinks to Sergeant MoGinniss an
James Delrin, both of Wilmington, VII
! Recently made for their dining tent
! substantial table which can be folde
3 and carried wherever the company goo