The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-06-04
BAD DRILLING.
Captain Gleason Has {
Hard Time With His
Company.

ttfsAL 70 fortunate Ior certain members OF
the Fourth Regiment that the dril1 seaeor
fs at an end. after the loose and very
/ careless drill given last evening to ALLOW
Inspector Bryant to look over the mem
bers Of the First Battalion. Two hundred
OF more spectators sat in the balcony ano
actually laughed outright at the numer-
Gus and almost disgraceful errors and
4 breaks made by Company d. under Cap
tain Mortimer J. Gleason
1 This performance at the close of the
drill season and while the men were being
/ inspected, gave rise to such adverse criti-
! cism as the officers have never heard be-
fore. Even the men in the companies
which were waiting to drill had to laugh
the glaring errors of the first company
| to so through the formations. Captain
Gleason was plainly disgusted. He shout
ed at his officers time and again No one
seemed to understand orders, and if he
did no one obeyed them promptly. Not
an order was carried out perfectly.
BroKen lines were seen all through the
drill and the men were like helpless sheep.
Gleason was for throwing the drill up.
| He was not to blame for the miscarriage
I OF orders. He almost pulled the men in
line on several occasions in his frantic
Efforts to give a favorable drill 1t was
no use and the company fell back in the
ranks very much disguised with its own
Performance
Colonel Smith was not present last even
Ing nor was Assistant Inspector j. R.
Beanie, but Captain Gleason did not wait
for those higher in authority to censure
the men for their miserable work I'M
mediately after the men fell back into
position of rest at the close of the COM
pany drill Captain Gleason began bitter
attack on his men, especially the sergeants
and heutenants. He called First and Sec
ond Lieutenants David Smith and Charles
II. Pulls before him. They were given to
Understand in unmiStakable terms that
they were never to draw their swords be-
|Tore that company again. Capt tainGleason
spoke loud enough for the whole company
to hear and then added that it would be
wise tor them to hand in their resigna-
|tfoAs at once.
The captain was most bitter in his re-
marks. He was simply wild with disgust
and his words were plain and unvar-
nished. The officers had nothing to say
and swallowed their medicine silently
When Major Steele, who commands the
First Battalian, put in an appearance in
THE officers room. Captain Gleason threw
up both hands over his head.
Il have nothing to say" said he, and
Major Steele simply smiled
Company 2 followed. This company i'm
proved somewhat on the executions of
Company D, but not much. Captain
Charles N. Parker, in command of Com
pany A, then took the floor with his men,
Tire Improvement was no ticeable in an in
stant. Difficult formations were executed
like clock work and the spectators ap-
plauded. But it was up to Company B,
Captain f. A. Reinhard to carry off the
palm. This company went through the
PAGES like veterans. Skirmishes. runs,
volley firing and squad formations were
cleverly gone through and other difficult
work was performed with ease and grace.
Inspector Bryant was greatly pleased with
this company's work and he commended
Captain Reinhard for the excellence of
his mems work.
Captain Gleason expressed his disgust
at his mems wretched work and said he
hoped it would prove valuable lesson
to them.
The uniforms worn were those adopted
by the National Guard some time ago
the leggings, blue blouse and campaign
hat.
Private "A. Becker, of Company c, re-
ceived a gold medal for his record in drill
attendance. He has been present at two
hundred drills, which means almost eight
years work. There will be no more drills
this season.
The men are now discussing the coming
season at camp.