The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-13
MEDAL To THORPE
FIRST SERGEANT OF THE CADETS
THE PRIZE WINNER.
DRILL VERY SUCCESSFUL
SPLENDID EXHIBITION OF KNoWL-
EDGE OF THE MANUAL.

-
Ut. West, Was Divided Into Two
PIatOOns-Five Men Left Standing
in Each Platoon Were Formed
Into "a squad for a Final Contest.
Sergt. Thorpe, Purse and Hardy
Were the Last Three Left stand
a Battle ROyal-MedaI Presented
by Col. j. f. Brooks.
The annual prize drill of the Savannah
Cadets at the Guards Hall last night
added another to the many successful
events of that command. Socially the af-
fair was pleasant, all who attended en-
joying themselves, but, as a military
event, it was even superior to many of
the drills that have preceded it.
First. Sergt. Thorpe won the company
medal after a magnificent contest for the
trophy. 1t was no easy victory. and
Sergt. Thorpe may have the satisfaction
of knowing that he won in an exhibition
of the prettiest work in the manual that
has been seen in Savannah for many q
day.
The Cadets looked exceedingly we'll as
they marched into the drill room at 3
O'Clock, under command of Capt j. T.
West. The men were uniformed in thor
ough accord with the regulations. and
there was neat bright appearance about
abe company that caught the eye. not
only of the military men present among
the audience, but of the ladies as well.
The orchestra played a military march
as they marched into the hall and were
faced into line.
After a few preliminary manual move
meuts. given to accustom the men to their
position. Capt West announced that the
company would be divided into two pla-
toons for the drill, and that the five men
left standing in each platoon would then
be drilled until only one man was left
standing.
The division into platoons was then
made, the second platoon being drilled
first Capt. West and Lieut.. j. c. Ty-
son alternated in giving the commands
and both watched narrowly for errors in
their execution. The men showed from
the first that they were all we'll drilled.
but the, close scrutiny of the officers de-
tected errors, and, as rapidly as they
were noted those making them were mo
toned TO fall out. Finally the following
five were left standing of the second pla-
ton. Sergt. Purse, Corpl. Coney, Corpi.
kieffer, Private Frierson and Private
Dusenberry.
1t then became the turn of the first
platoon, and it was clear that the drilling
of the men comprising that platoon was
even shade better than that of the sec
on. The contest finally narrowed down TO
the following: First Sergt. Thorpe, Sergt.
Hardy, Private Coney Private G. B. Ell
ton, and Private Hermann.
Then came the battle of the giants
the five from the two platoons that had
stood 10 the last, being formed in line
for the final contest of the drill. 1t was
some time before anyone fell out, but the
order kneeling and the position living
down, with the loading and firing from
both positions. proved too much for some
of the men,. and gradually the line was
REDUCED until Its eventual dissolution,
when Sergt Thorpe was left all alone.
In the following order the last ten
went 10 the wall: Corpl. Kieffer. Private
Elton, Corpl. Coney, who won the medal
last year. Private Hermann, Private
Coney, Private Dusenberry. Private
Frierson, Sergt Hardy and Sergt. Purse
leaving Sergt. Thorpe. SCRIPT. Thorpe
Sergt Purse and Sergt. Hardy drilled
against one another for many minutes
and the most difficult movements in the
manual were executed without the mar
. rowest observation of the officers being
able TO detect a mistake Finally. how
ever, the fine point to which the contest
had been drawn told, and Sergt. Thorpe
was left the winner by the throwing out
of Sergt Purse upon the simply process
of going from 'order" to right shoulder. -
Sergt. Thorpe's victory was received
with acclamations. both from the audi
ence and from his comrades. The COM
pany was formed again. and Sergt
Thorpe was called to the front and cen
ter, where Lieut.. Col Jordan f. Brooks
retired. formerly captain of the Cadets
presented the medal. Col Brooks made
o neat speech of presentation, lauding
Capt Vests management OF his men and
praising the company. which has ever
been one Of the best in the country.
The presentation Of the medal which
closed the drill feature, was at 1916
O'clock An enjoyable feature of the
evening, however. was still to come, and
the floor was cleared OF the seats that
had partially INSTRUCTED II. and dancing
was INDUCED In until ! O'clock Refresh
ments were served too. and the evening
on the whole, easily took rank among the
most successful Of the many on which
The Cadets have been hosts
-s-e-s
Helen Keller the deaf. dumb and
blind student 40 Radcliffe College. has