The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-24
VOLUNTEER GUARDS
AT AVONDALE RANGE
Governor Said the Range Is the Finest He Has
Ever Seen

The annel shoot and oyster roast of
the Savannah Volunteer Guards held
yesterday at Avondale range was a
thoroughly enjoya BILE affair and a com
plete success. The battalion assembled
$50 strong at the armory at 10
marched TO Habersham street where
cars were boarded for the range, ar
irving there before II O'Clock. The
battalion was commanded by Maj w.
w. Williamson and the companies by
their respective captains; Capt. J. NJ.
Rogers. Battery A; Capt. w. B..
Stevens. Battery B; Capt. H. E. Will
son, Battery c. Capt. W. L. Pritchard.
Battery D. Lieut. J. D. Carswen and
Lieut.. ". G. Austin, inspector of rife
practice. representing the staff.
Twenty-six matches were shot at
the range by the staff and line officers.
sharpshooters, the men of their re-
spective batteries and by honorary
and veteran members. Owing to the
desire of the Guards to demonstrate
to Gov. Terrell and the members of his
staff the splendid facilities of the
range by a practical demonstration,
more attention was given to that than
10 making high scores and in conse-
uuence the scores in the dlnerent
matches did not come up to the usual
Workmanship of the command, nut no
regrets were expressed because or that
each man feeling that he had done
something for the military of the city
al ha militia of the state.
assisting in showing to the command
er-in-chief of the state and his adju-
tant general the superior advantage Of
a range upon which the military OF
the state can improve their markham
ship.
During the shoot the officers and
men of the command, while awaiting
their turns on the ranges. partook Of
the splendid roasted oysters and other
refreshments which were provided in
abundance. The many visitors at the
range joined with the command in
partaking of the refreshments and a
general good time was had. Col. Tay-
lor of Fort ScreVen was one of the dis
tinguished guests and he remained at
the range for a long period, thorough
ly enjoying himself and displaying
great interest in the rife matches.
Mayor Myers and the committees from
the commercial bodies also remained
after the departure of Gov. Terrell
and partook of the roast and watched
the shooting.
The command returned to the city
about o'clock and after putting away
their arms in their company rooms
marched upstairs into the hall, where
a banquet was partaken of and u
pleasant hour spent Three roussng
cheers were given for Maj. Williamson
at the close of the banquet. and the
major, while acknowledging the COM
pliment, took occasion to express his
satisfaction of the days events and to
inform them of the favorable outlook
Savannah now has for the state shoot,
explaining that he based his opinion
upon the favorable expressions of Gov.
Terrell and his decision to let the mat
ter be decided by the advisory boalS
After another rousing three cheers and
a tiger" the command was dis
missed.
The matches shot and their winners
were as follows:
Battalion.
Line Officers Medal-To officer max
ing highest aggregate score at 200 300
and 500 yards. Capt II. E. Wilson,
score II.
Staff Medal-To member of staff
making highest aggregate score at 200,
800 and 500 yards. Capt. w. G. Austin,
score SO.
Five Dollars in Gold-For second
best score (sharpshooters excepted) at
200, 800 and 500 yards. Priv. j. M.
Whitsitt score 73.
Holland Medal-To officer or enlist
ed man making highest score at 200
yards. Capt. w. G. Austin, score
81