Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-07

RIFLE PRACTICE.
The Work Of the Past Year in the
National Guard.
Col. harrington Makes Report Il Much
General Interest.

Col. r.. G. Harrington, inspector gen
cral OF rifle practice, has filed his report
Tor the past year and it contains many
| facts and figures of much interest to
the National Guard of Maine. The new
rules and regulations regarding quail
hcation and practice have been in force
| the past year, and they have not been
/ wholly satisfactory. The main diff
ficulty is in not being able to secure
the attendance of the men at the
ranges on account of their business en-
Sagements. The reorganization OF
| many of the companies has taken
much work of the officers, during the
past year. The 1st Regiment expended
3l,9l5 rounds of ammunition and the
| "a, 2I,610 rounds in practice work dur
ing the year.
Col. Harrington takes up in detail the
work of each company in the two reSi-
ments. Of Company +. Augusta, he
says: although the company expend-
ed 25I5 rounds of ammunition there was
not that interest usually shown. The
appended return of qualification show
that 20 men attempted qualification,
and While some of the best markSmen
were not able to attend, it is safe to
say that better attention VIII need be
paid to preliminary practice If cred
liable record is made. OF Company A,
Gardiner Col harrington says: This
{ company is. and has been since organ
lied, without a range, and therefore
very little practice was had. that being
upon the range at Augusta. They ex-
pended e25 rounds of ammunition and
made good progress for the work done.
Captain Thompson has done all and
more than could be properly expected
of an officer, in trying to secure n
range and get his company to practice
rifle shooting. No attempt was made
to qualify any OF his company. The
State has no reason to expect this COM
pany to become true soldiers until it
sees that Il company range is provided
by the city of Gardiner" In regard to
the work of Company II, Wateryille
the report says: This company is for
tunate in having for an inspector of
rifle practice, Lieutenant William j.
Mcclellan. who is q fine markSman and
a good instructor. Through his efforts
the company has won a high place in
craftsmanship. The company eXpend-
ed 3945 rounds of ammunition in pre-
liminary practice. all the company.
practically. doing some range work. AS
will be seen by their returns only IA
men were able to be present on qualiti
cation days. Fight qualified as marks
men, four as sharpsho0terS, one as dis
tinguished marksman and one as first
class marksman." The work Of Com
pany +. Skowhegan. is thus touched
upon: considering the opportunity.
this company did not do as much range
work us was reasonably expected They
expended. according to their returns.
1895 rounds of ammunition. Lieuten-
ant Rogers deserves credit for the in
tcrest he took in trying to secure pre-
liminary practice, but the result shows
a lack Of interest on the part of most
Of the command. The return of score
cards by Sergeant Ferguson of Com
pany II, shows that Is men appeared
for qualification on the day set for that
purpose. seven Of whom qualified as
marksmcn ana two rs sharpshooters.
Col. Harrington wishes n place for
etter ranges for Companies y, L, c, j.,
I and j.. Of the lst Regiment. and Il,
r. ID and NJ Of the "a Regiment. He
also urges q State range for practice
and skirmish work during the annual
encampment. The lack of money to
allow Maine TO send a team of its eX-
cellent marksmcn to compete in ma
tional and international competitions is
aGain deplored.
In conclusion. Col. Harrington says:
For many years the National Guard
OF Maine has ranked among the best
in the United States in craftsmanship.
The conditions of qualifications in the
different grades have been high and
many Of its soldiers have won distlnc-
ton in the Guard of other states and
carried with them into the service of
the United States q knowledge OF rifle
shooting that has heen of great valu"
to the army. | call to mind the fine
craftsmanship qualifications Of Cap
tain w. \. Paul of Company 3. ID Reg
iment. Lewiston. who took a company
of raw recruits from the South and
made them a company Of marksmen,
distinguishing themselves by their