The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-06-04
Bamberg Guards Inspected.

Pursuant to orders received some time
ago Capt. Leo F. Foster. U. s. Artillery
Corps, inspected the military company al
this place Tuesday afternoon. Capt. Fos
ter arrived here on the $40 o'clock train
and was met by Capt. W. R. Wright in his
uniform as captain of an infantry compa
ny. After few minutes rest at the John
son hotel, Capt. Foster and Assistant In
spector General Patrick expected to pro,
ceed with the inspection. A downpour o1
rain, however, prevented, and it was close
on to seven O'Clock when the command
was called to attention. The ground was
80 wet that Capt. Wright was forced to
give up the idea Of having any field
movements. The company was in fine
shape, and it had been decided to give an
exhibition drill in connection with the
inspection. Instead, however, the com
pany was inspected in the armory.
At about 6:45 o'clock General Patrick
gave orders for Capt. Wright to prepare
his command for inspection. At the com:
mand "attention~ each man assumed the
position of soldier" and, to one who
had seen regular troops in line, it was re-
markablc how we'll these men, unaccus'
toned to the daily routine of garrison life,
performed their duties All feet were
turned out at the proper angle, heads were
erect, and no man glanced around to see
what the man next to him was doing.
The company having been prepared fol
inspection, Capt. Foster, assisted by Gen
Patrick, proceeded to inspect the arms
and other equipment. He Inspected the
front rank and file closers, while General
Patrick took the rear rank. Beginning
with the right guide, upon whose military
appearance Capt. Foster commented, the
inspector passed down the long line, Civ
ing each gun critical inspection, correct:
ing minor mistakes, and giving general
instructions. General Patrick was well
pleased with the appearance of the real
rank, and complimented the two last men
upon their superior military bearing and
excellent condition of their guns. Capt
Foster had keen eye and detected the
minutest error, 80 that the men in ranks
should be congratulated on their success
Before being dismissed, the company
was put through various eVolutions in the
manual of arms. These, while not exc
cuted with the precision and faultless ex
actness of trained troop or company o1
cadets, were we'll done, and reflect credit
upon the officers, who have for weeks
past been striving to bring the company
ND to condition second to none.
Capt. Foster was well pleased with hi:
inspection, and said that before their tern
of enlistment was over it would be one Of
the best commands in the State. All, WIFI
the exception of four, expressed thell
willingness to enter the "armies OF tht
United States for period not to exceed
seven months in duration in case o
emergency" This was very gratifyingt tt
the inspectors, and they said that the me1
would be given brand new equipment
and be taken on the summer encampment
There were forty-three men in line, no
including the officers: Capt. Wright, Lieu
tenants Bronson and Price and Honorar!
Lieutenant Copeland.
In a conversation with Capt. Foster h'
said that the companies throughout tn
State were in fairly good condition, ant
that he attributed this largely to the fac
that South Carolina had within her bor
ders 50 many military schools. Some o
these he said were only to be classed Will
the greatest academies of the country. -
He referred to the inspection OF the s
c. Military Academy by Capt. Arthur r
Curtis last month, and said that that gen
tleman had said that "for precision, mill
tary bearing and steadiness he woul'
place one company against anything b
had ever seen."
Capt. Foster left by yesterday morn
ings train for Orangeburg, where he vii
inspect the two military companies Q
| that city. y.