Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-16
RIFLE PRACTICE.
Annual Report Of Col. Dill,
Inspector General.
Change in Arm Prevented Usua
Amount of Work.
Recommendation for New State Range
at Augusta.

eral of rife practice has submitted his
annual report to Adjutant-G General
Farnham. On account of the change
from the old Springfield to the new U.
S. Magazine rifle just before the war
game at Portland, the National Guard
did not have as much work as usual
at the ranges, this year, and the usual
individual, company and regimental
matches were not held. Colonel Dill
reviews in detail the work and con-
dition of each company in the two regi-
ments and of the other organizations.
OF the companies in the Kennebec val
ley he speaks as follows:
Co. A. GardinerZThis company be-
gan the season well, and had there
been no change of rifles would have
had high standing at the end of the
season. Lieut.. Horace S. Peacock, the
company inspector, is competent and
Woodworking officer, carrying into his
work much enthusiasm. In this he is
warmly assisted by Capt. Charles E.
Tibbetts. who assumed command of the
company during the season. The COM
pany'S range permits no practice be-
You'd 500 yards, and is not adapted for
skirmish work, but is safe and conven-
lent to the armory. The company eX-
pended 3,945 rounds of ammunition,
the amount being nearly equally di-
vided between the first and latter por-
tons of the season. -Four men quail
fed as sharpshooters; one as a first
class marksman and one as marks
man. The employment of a majority
of the company is such that they can
secure time for practice only during the
middle portion of the season, which
this year was the period when the
Guard found itself unarmed.
Co. f, Notwithstanding to the
score cards returned to this Office, this
company's range work for the past
season was confined to one day (Nov.
14 when % members reported for
practice. Ammunition to the amount
of 225 rounds was expended. No quail
fication practice was held, but in his
letter at the conclusion of the season
Capt Fred c. Dunlap says: The men
are getting used to the new rifle, and
feel safe in saying that another sea-
son they will be found we'll up to the
standard in rifle practice
Co. II, Watervile-The present COM
pany is made up of new men. as a re-
suit of the disarmament of the old Co.
H, under G. O. No. 5, A. G.. o., State of
Maine. Feb. IL, 1903. Capt Edward II.
BesSe has instituted very thorough
system of aiming and firing drills for
armory work the present winter, which,
if faithfully carried out. will put the
company in good trim for the coming
season. Very little range work was
Inna fhic and M lifna ion
practice was attempted. The company
is made up of most excellent class of
young men and they should do we'll on
the range another season.
Co. M, Augusta-This company, or
ganiZed to take the place of the 6is-
banded Machias company, had no ri
files till the 80 caliber arms were issued.
Owing to lack of range facilities, very
little work was done beyond the 200
yard range and this in somewhat de-
sultory manner; but in spite of many
drawbacks the seasons showing is
very good. One man qualified as a
distinguished sharpshooter; three as
first class marksmen, and seventeen
as marksmen. The company takes a
great interest in rifle practice and will
go to work in earnest as soon as a suit
able range is provided. Several posi-
BILE range sites have been inspected
and the city stands ready to do it's
part as soon as site is selected.
Colonel Dill feels that the question
of ranges is one of much Importance
just at present. He says many ranges
which We're suitable for the Springfield
are not safe for the new rifle. Some
companies are without any range ia
cilities whatever. The most urgent
case is that of Lewiston where Co. l, of
the First and Companies B, and D, Of
the Second Infantry are wholly unpro-
vided for. 1t will be necessary to pro-
vide range for holding the State
shooting encampment. The old range
at Augusta is gone beyond repair and
there is today, no range in the State
with a sufficient number of targets to
accommodate more than a battalion
competition. During the spring or
early summer, suitable site must be
selected and fitted with a sufficient |
number of short and mid range tar
gets. No site should be accepted which |
will not allow the placing of at least |
six hird-class and like number of |
second class targets for simultaneous |
use, together with one or two first |
class targets. This is the smallest |
number with which satisfactory work |
can be done. and the range site should |
be such that additional targets may be
placed from time to time. The State
should own its range, but if the funds |
for purchasing cannot be secured the /
coming spring I would suggest. that
the land be taken under lease con-
tanning a provision for purchase and
that the next Legislature be asked to
provide the necessary appropriation
for it's purchase and equipment. To
reduce transportation charges to the
minimum, the range should be located
at some point between Brunswick and
Waterville on the line of the railroad.
is the most desirable place in
asmuch as the State camp ground and
the quartermaster's depot are there
located"
In conclusion the report devotes
much space to the system of qualifica-
ton and makes numerous suggestions
and recommendations. He urges in
particular that preliminary scores made
in the presence of a non-commissioned L
officer be allowed to count. The re-
port pays a high tribute to Lieut. John