The Savannah morning news., 1900-09-20
RIFLE SEASON HAS CLOSED
YESTERDAY THE LAST DAY or THE
EXTENSION.

season Ordinarily Closes ON Aug. n.
This Year It Was Made 60 Include
the state shoot-tnterest In the
Practice Has Been Pronounced
During the srason-RnnEcs Have
Been Established at Several Places
In the Stnte-LocaI Companies have
shown Enthusiasm. and some Have
Very Gratifying ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In Riae Practice Has been Rapid.
The season for rife practice for the
Georgia STATE Troops closed yesterday
There had been an extension from Aug
George T. Cam. inspector general OF rife
practice desired to have the records made
In the state shoot held here Sept and 4
count. and for this reason. and because
number OF the officers requested Il. the
EXTENSIVE was made by a general order.
The rife range will not be closed. but
It Is improbable that II will be used as
generally as Il has been. Yesterday after
noon there were a number OF members OF
the military commands out for pactice
and some OF them qualified on the last day
left them In which 20 do so.
Col. Cam declared that the season has
been by far the most successful known
In the history Of the volunteer forces OF
the state. The reports to his once are
not In and he cannot tell Just what the
results have been. but he Is confident that
they will greatly exceed anything accom-
plished In the past. Reports from COM
pany commanders must be sent In 20 reg
mental inspectors OF rife practice not
later than sept q and TO the Inspector
general by the regimcntal inspectors not
later than sept. Is
Interest in rife shooting during the sea-
son has been widespread. Companies that
never seemed 10 think about IL before
have taken Il up. and many OF them have
developed some remarkably good shots.
This was shown IN the state shoot Ranges
have been established at several points.
ana II Is safe 60 predict that after two
or three years OF practice the commands
that visit them will become very proficient
In the use OF their rifles.
Locally there has been tremendous
awakening. The company commanders
have displayed a greater interest than
ever before and have been successful In
transmitting Il to their men. All the com
RhtAAth nave tnFl rHhN iARNi'AN ANtt
marksmen as result OF the careful
coaching aud persistent practice, and the
figures OF merit Of some are very hatter-
ing As usual. the Savannah Cadets lead
In general excellence. their figure Of
merit being something like -. The coin
pany has twenty-four sharpshooters.
Rife practice among the Georgia troops
has received an impetus only Of late
years An examination Of the reports
shows that there were seven sharpshooi-
ers in the state In 1898 In 1885, there were
only four while the next year there were
i've In 1895 there was an improvement.
as the records show 50 sharpshooters and
IS marksmen. That year Col George T.
cam. then captain In the Guards. was
the first to receive the notice OF distin-
cuished sharpshcoter. which Is gained by
qualifying for three successive years.
Thus far 1897 has been the banner year.
Then 10 sharpshooters and 50 marks
men qualified. The next year was that
OF the Spanish-American war. and many
Of the soldiers were not at home TO in
dulge In rife practice. Nevertheless. there
were $ shareholders and II marksmen
that season. In 1899 there were 50 sharp
shooters and IS marksmtn.
Col Cam says there will be more than
hail a. many sharpshooters IN the First
Infantry as were recorded for the entire
state IN 1897 lie believes his report will
be by far the most satisfactory yet pub
lfehed