Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-06-03
BATTALION OF
INFANTRY DRILL
UNIQUE PERFORMANCES BY THE BATTAL-
ION OF MIDSHIPMEN.
Third Days Exercises Al Naval Academy
Fencing Exercises In The
Gymnasium.
THE MIDDIEs AGAIN COVER THEM
SELVES WITH GLORY,

There is happy holiday ieelirg in
Annapolis this week. which is shared b,
the Annapolilans as well as the visitors.
The weather is ideal. the sun imparting
just sufficient warmth to make comfort.
able the chilliness OF the breezes from
the Severn river.
The visitors increase in numbers daily,
and the streets are alive with fair friends
OF the midshipmen. who are really more
excited over the occasion than the par.
ticipants themselves. The visitors watch
every feature OF the program with breath.
less interest and, judging from the COM
menss made by the Board Of Visitors,
they have been extremely pleased with
the exercises OF the week and the good
showing made by the middies.
The feature OF the morning exercises
today at the Academy was the infantry
drill on the parade ground in the rev
part OF the Academy called Oklahoma.
The drill was witnessed by the Board OF
Visitors and concourse of navy and
civilian spectators. The battalion was
under the command of Lieutenant Com.
mander w. F. Fullam. and the division
captains from high ranking midshipmen.
The third days events were the mos,
interesting and pleasing that have vel
occurred. The middies marched on the
field wearing their white duck uniforms
with black bandolier cartridge belts and
carrying the regular United States maya
zine rifle. They also wore white leggIns
and the regulation blue cap. The Naval
Academy band, under Bandmaster Zim-
norman, wore their dress uniforms of
scarlet blouse and blue trousers. and
made most attractive appearance.
The reviewing stand was erected to
the left OF the Superintendent house
opposite the centre of the field, near
which handsome A fluuered in the
breeze. The feature OF this mcrning's s
drill was ''skirmish, illustrating The
actual tactics and moves in battle. Al
the beginning OF this a accommodating
party was sent out to ascertain the posi-
ton OF the enemy. The advanced fire
line then came forward. Ii consisted of
sections from the midshipmen COMPANIES
commanded by midshipmen.
These deployed as skirmishers ard
advanced, firing briskly at an imaginary
enemy. The remaining sections OF the
companies acted as supports. While
these had been formed many Casualties
had occurred in the advancing firing line
of the midshipmen. and the supposed
dead and wounded we're scattered ali
over the parade grounds. So serious
were the losses that the supports had
been called to reinforce the firing line.
the reserves taking their place. The
lighting continued severe, the reserves
were also called up, and the midshipmen
stoimed the enemy's position in one
last, desperate charge.
During the fusillade the carnage was
frighttul. Midshipmen fell dead and
dying on the field and the realism was
only MARI by the occasional sight of
hand placing cap in such a position as
to shield the eyes from the sun. As if by
miracle, the dead midshipmen sprang 10
HE, much to the enjoyment Of the spec
tators, and the battalion was reformed
and put through various evolutions, con-
sisting OF simultaneous and successive
movements laid down in naval tactics.
In column of sections, and headed by
the Naval Academy band, the battalion
passed the reviewing stand with splendid
alignment, each section giving the march.
ing salute OF "port arms" as il approach
ed the reviewing party. The ceremonial
part of the drill was completed with the
passing in review. II was a brilliant
spectacle, tliciting round after round OF
applause from the hundreds OF spectators.
The scene was picturesque. The column
Of white clad mlddies marching and drill
ing on the green, velvety sward, bright
blue sky overhead and the sparkling
waters OF the Severn beyord delighted
the eye and pleased the fancy.
IN THE GYMNASIUM.
Tne first on the program this after
noon was fencing, sword exercises, set
ting up and cane drill in the gymnasium
under tide direction of Swordmas,er A.
]. Corbesier. The midshipmen gave ex-
hibitions of bayonet drill and crossed
foils in friendly bout, all of which ex-
ercises were much enjoyed by a large
number of visitors, who expressed them
selves as well pleased.
THE ALUMNI DINNER,
Elaborate plans are being made by
the Navy Department fer the alumni
dlnner to be held at the Naval Academy
tomorrow evening. Secretary OF Navy
w. H. Moody will return TO Washington
ahead Of the President for the purpose OF
attending this dinner, and he will respond
to the toast of "The President
Captain Alfred T. Mahan, the we'll
known sirategist. will respond to the
toast OF "The Navy" aud Captain Caspar
F. Goodrich viii act as POSTMASTER. The
banquet viii be presided over by Rear
Admiral Upshur. retired. All of the mem
bers of the Board of Visitors to the Naval
Academy have promised to be present
on this occasion. and il is expected that
practically all of the prominent officers
Of the navy who are stationed in the
East will participate in the festivities.