The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-19
TROOP HAD ITS ANIMAL DRILL FOR
MEDAL AND PRIZES.
ROWLAND THE MEDAL MAN
OTHER WINNERS WERE TRAIN,
SILVERBERG AND HAZLEHURST.

tive Men of the Troop, Presented
Him with Handsome silver
Loving Cup.
The annual prize drill OF the Georgia
Hussars took place last night at Tybee.
Trooper Charles B. Rowland showed the
greatest proficiency in welding the saber,
and to him fell the first prize. the troop
medal. This had been worn by Trooper
Stein Bryan, who won 1t last year. The
other prizes were won by Sergt. W. F.
Train, Sergt. I. Silverberg and Trooper
7. NJ. Hazlehurst. Jr.
The new pavilion of the Central Rail-
road was used for the drill and for the
dancing that preceded and followed it.
There is but one defect about the pavil-
ion, but that is one that may easily be
remedied. There is not enough light. The
few great lamps do not shed sufficient
radiance over the wide floor, and the view
one is able TO get of persons and things
across it is but vague and dim. Lack of
proper lighting facilities detracted some
what from the impressiveness of the drill,
but the railroad authorities may see from
the evidence that was furnished of mad
equate lights that a very necessary fea-
ture of the conveniences of the new
structure is yet to be looked to.
Many of the friends Of the troop went
with them on the trip. The event was in
the nature of a picnic as well as a prize
drill, and number of pleasant parties
were formed for the enjoyment of lunches
that were taken TO the island The af
ternoon trains were rather we'll filled with
/ the visitors, but the greatest crowd was
/ that which went down at night on the
train arriving shortly before clock.
Soon after the arrival of that train,
First Lieut.. c. A. l.. Cunningham, who
was in command, formed the troop for the
| drill. The members were divided into two
classes, those of the greater proficiency
being in one class and those of less exper-
fence in handling their weapon in the
| other. In squads of three or four then,
the men were drilled, the commands be-
| ing given by Lieut. Cunningham and
Lieut.. w. w. Gordon, Jr., alternately,
| both officers watching narrowly to detect
errors in the execution of the manual of
! the saber. Some of the sabreurs gave eX-
ceNent exhibitions of careful training and
practice and thorough knowledge of the
drill. Their GOODNESS and steadiness, too,
was remarked, especially when the contest
| became a survival of the fittest.
That was when the men left standing
! last in each of the squads were lined up
| for the last struggle. Then came the bat
| tie of the strong. Those then in line were
! Sergt. Sflverberg, Sergt. Train, Trooper
| Frank NJ. Putner, Trooper Charles B.
Rowland and Trooper Hazlehurst.
After many commands had been given,
| the officers being keen for the discovery
| of any errors of execution, the competi-
| ton finally resulted in only Trooper Row
| land remaining standing. That entitled
him to the troop medal, and Col. P. w.
Meldrim, commanding the First Caval-
ny, proceeded with the presentation of
the prizes.
The troop was drawn up in line for the
| presentation, and a short address was
made by Col. Meldrim, who particularly
| impressed upon the members of the
Georgia Hussars the necessity for their
keeping up the interest in the troop and
| seeking to secure recruits for its roll.
Each of the prize-winners was ordered
| forth from the ranks in turn, and Col.
Meldrim presented the prizes.
Yet another presentation was to follow.
| This was a surprise to many, as no word
| had been given out of the intention Of
| the officers and men of the troop to pre-
! sent to Capt. Henry McAlpin, who has
| just resigned the captaincy, a handsome
| silver loving cup. Almost Immediately
| after the announcement of the decision
| of Capt. McAlpin to go upon the roll of
retired officers in the state service, men,
| bers of the Hussars began to get sub
| scriptions to the fund to buy the cup
| They met with the heartiest co-opera-
ton in the plan wherever they turned
Lieut.. Gordon made the presentation to
| Capt. McAlpin, saying: capt. McAlpin
when good ship has weathered the seas
| nd bac OF with xfrfs ct
| tudes, but finally reaches its haven in
safety. it is an appropriate and time-hon-
ored custom for the travellers to gather
and present some token of their esteem
to the captain who has guided them safely
through the storm and stress of the voy-
age In like manner, the Georgia Hus-
| sars, to emphasize their appreciation Of
constancy and fidelity TO duty, give a
! badge to each one who has served ten
| years as an active member and an addi-
tional badge for each five years of active
| service. You have been connected with
the Georgia Hussars since 1889, and have
served continuously since 1886 as private
| corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain,
| but neither one badge nor two badges
are adequate to express toward you the
feeling of the troop.
The active men of the Georgia Hus-
sars have considered your long and honor
able career with them, and your comrades
| desire that you should take with you,
when retiring from the active list some
small token of their good will and of
their esteem. Speech is silver. II is said
and a cup signifies good fellowship and
conviviality, and we have chosen silver
loving cup, therefore, to speak ever to
you OF our cordial association together.
IL take pleasure in presenting to you
this silver loving cup as a memorial of
| this regard. I trust that YOU will use
II often. and in using it. that you will
| think of your old comrades. When the
famous old Frederick the Great had fin
ished his fighting days and retired he
took the sword with which he had so
often led his victorious troops and sent
1t to our Gen. Washington. who had re-
| tired from the army, and who
was living at Mount Vernon. and
on the sword was inscribed: From the
oldest general IN the world to
the greatest. The Georgia Hussars date
back to the earliest colonial days. Than
to be captain OF the troop. the state af-
fords no greater military honor. The ac-
tive members of the Georgia Hussars.
therefore. present this cup to you with
this sentiment: From the oldest troop
in the State of Georgia. 10 one of its best
| and most efficient captains"
Capt McAlpin was visibly affected. The
cup was a complete surprise TO him. With
difficulty he found words to express some-