The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-03
MAY HAVE NEW REGULATIONS.
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS MAY SHOOT
UNDER DIFFERENT RULES.

| pared Concise HeguIat lions for
Small Arms Practice to Submit to
the Commander-in-Chief
nah Experts Approve the ReguIa-
lions and 1t Is Likely the State
VIII Print Them and Distribute
the Pamphlets Among the Forces.
The military of Georgia have never had
adequate instructions for rife practice, and
the official firing regulations have not been
such as TO bring about the best results
and raise the standard of excellence
| among the volunteers for craftsmanship.
1t is probable, however, that il viii not
be long before now regulations will be
adopted that will add 10 the efficiency of
officers and enlisted men of the state
forces.
Col George T. Cam, inspector general
Of rife practice, Georgia Volunteers, has
| prepared firing regula tons to be submit
! ted to the military authorities of the state
for approval He will recommend their
publication in pamphlet form for dlstribu-
ton among the volunteers for their infor-
nation and guidance. If the Governor, as
commander-in-chief of the state forces, de-
cides upon the adoption of the regulations,
oil small arm firing and instruction there
in viii be conducted under them
Since his appointment to the position he
holds Col. Cam has made the administra-
ton of his office close study. 1t was not
his intention at the time of his acceptance
10 merely assume the position for the hon
| or that attaches to it. One of the best
rife shots in the United States himself he
| appreciates the value of rife practice
among volunteer troops, and from the
/ first il has been his desire 10 see the Ge0r-
gia militamen become more familiar with
their pieces and able to make good scores
when they appear on the range.
During the several years he has been en-
| gagged in rifle practice himself, Col Cam
/ has been enabled to discover many points
bearing upon the subject that are en-
/ braced in no regulations now, and this
| practical knowledge, embodied in his pro-
/ posed regulations viii be found of vast
! aid by the officers and enlisted men of
/ the state troops who Wrestle with the diff
/ hculues that stand in the way of a new
man become capital shot.
The present regulations in vogue are
/ much TOO restricted. In them there IS
/ but little more than q constant reference
to Biunts Firing Regulations, a treatise
of small arms practice that is much too
elaborate for the use of enlisted men or
/ officers even. 1t errs in the other direc-
ton to as great a degree as do the regu-
/ lations under which The state forces have
/ shot since rifle practice was recognized Of
| hcially in Georgia. What Col. Cam has
| wanted is a concise statement of all i'm
portant ques ions relating to small arms
! practice thai will be thoroughly intelli-
| gible to officers and enlisted men alike
In that desire he has been gratfed for
| his regulations have been pronounced as
wonderfully well adapted to the needs OF
| the Georgia volunteers by all the experts
in Savannah to whom he has submitted
them for examination and criticism.
Among those who have examined the
regulations prepared by Col Cam are
Capt c. S. Richmond and Capt. w N
Nichols both of whom are splendid shots
| They have served as inspectors Of rifle
practice for organiza ions and are, there
fore more familiar possibly than
other fine marksmen with what is needed
for the betterment of the militia in point
of rife practice. Both spoke very highly
of the regulations submitted them by Col
Cam, and expressed the hope that the
Governor would recognize the advisabnity
OF their adoption and distribution in pam
phlet form among the forces.
Several recommendations for changes in
the present regulations are embraced in
those proposed by Col. Cam. One Of
them is TO have the rife practice season
extended. 1t now runs 10 Aug 81, but
Col. Cam desires to see the limit set al
Oct. l. as he finds there are many who
would like to so on the ranges during
the month of September who were unable
70 practice during the other months OF
the season The reason for the original
limitation of the season of rife practice
Col. Cam says was The supposition that
the state would supply the commands with
ammunition, and that 1t would therefore
be wei to restrict the practice to the
summer. AS matter Of fact the state
never supplies cartridges, and for that
reason there should really be no limita-
tons in time for practice.
In his regulations, Col Cam takes IN
the value of rife practice for volunteer
| troops, and cOUnsels familiarity with the
piece itself. He devotes considerab bic at
| tention 10 gallery practice, showing its
| Importance, describing It's conduct and
commenting ii to the forces. The weapons
| 10 ne used by the three arms of the serv-
ice are prescribed, and pistol practice also
comes in for discussion. The important
points of a rifle rs affecting practice are
explained, and the use of the weapon is
carefully SCI forth. Conditions of weather
| wind, temperature and Light are discussed
and it is shown that variance will result
in a difference Of the scores made. Rife
ranges are treated Of the inspector gen
eral prescribing the considerations that
should weigh in their selection and en-
joining proper conduct and rules for those
who shoot. Qualifying scores are made
the subject of a sub-head, and the process
to be followed in order to admit of a man
becoming a sharps hooter or marksman il
prescribed Reports regarding small arms
practice, the duties Of officers decorations
and the duy OF the Inspector generaI OF
rife practice are explained.
Leading up to the first sub-head in his
| regulations, Col. Cam says.
rifle practice is a vital military duty
and its principles must be taught TO every
soldier. No recruit should be permitte1
| to parade with his company until he I'M
derstands the mechanism of his weapon
| and the method of Us effective use, the
nomenclature Of the parts of his piece, its
| genera mechanism, the care necessary for
its preservation, sighting and the correct
| positions therefor.
Blunts Firing Regulations for Small
| Arms, Amended, as modified by these reg
ulauons, will govern the instruction Of