The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-06


ever be able to again get back to their
former condition.
Lieuts. Boswell and Sayles of Bat
terry will go before the state examining
board at Boston Wednesday.
General orders No. 3, to be issued
from the adjutant generals office to-
day, mark a departure in important
points in military rife competitions IN
Massachusetts. Among other things,
the order says:
The season of 1899, for range work,
will close Oct. 81.
Firing parties will always be in
charge of officers or n-cOmmissioned
| officers. Rifles will be loaded at the
firing point only, and must be inspect
ed before leaving the armory as well
as before leaving the range. The am
munitfon should be in trustworthy
hands
Any soldier enlisting after this date,
will be expected to make during the
first year of his service at least 40 per
cent of the possible score at 200 yards,
offhand, firing not less than 20 shots;
and any soldier on the rolls of the COM
pany April l, 1899, who has not done
this. will be expected to do so before
the close of the target season. These
men will be designated as fourth-class
marksmen. but no decorations will be
issued for this grade. They will not
be classed as "efficients."
Detachments on their way TO or from
the rifle range should wear fatigue uni
form. Ammunition should be carried
in the web belt or cartridge box.
Except in the ambulance corps Sig
nal corps, light batteries and head
quarters musicians, no warrants will be
issued to enlisted men who have failed
to qualify as third class marksmen or
better
Original qualifications and requalifi-
cations will be recorded under the fol-
lowing co. 'ditions:
Hereafter the term disqualification"
will only be used to designate requali-
| fication in the highest class previously
attained.
Either the regulation elliptical target
| of the United States army or the Creed
| more target may be used.
| AT 200 yards the position will be
standing, without rest or artificial sup
port; at 500 yards, prone; at 600 yards
any position.
The prescribed scores for qualification
in the several classes are as follows:
For troops armed with the rifle
Fourth class, 40 per cent of the possible
score at 200 yards third class, So per
cent of the possible score at 200 yards;
second class, 65 per cent of the possible
score at 200 yards; first class, so per
cent of the possible score at 200 yards
and 80 per cent of the possible score at
500 yards; sharpshooters' class, SIS per
cent of the possible score at 200 yards.
IS per cent Of the possible score at 500
yards and so per cent of the possible
score at 900 yards.
The distinguished marksmen class
was created for the purpose of giving
recognition to individual work of merit ;
| it is not a class for qualification
Marksmen holding rank in it will re-
qualify as sharpshooters. Distinguished
marksmen are sharpshooters of record
who have been authorized to represent
the state in rifle competitions.
1t is thought that in few days the
United States recruiting officers will be
| allowed TO enlist married men when
they are able to prove to the satisfac-
ton of the recruiting officer that their
families are provided for and will not
become a burden upon the towns and
| cities during the time the men are
serving under Uncle Sam. The age
| limit in the case of a married man will
be placed at 80 years.
| The order will be taken advantage
| of by married men in this vicinity as
soon as it is issued, as many have called
! at the recruiting office in the Walker
building and endeavored to enlist in the
| United States service.