Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-27
GONE FOR TARGET PRACTICE.
A Squadron of 18th Cavalry Has Start
ed for Mt Gretna.

A provisional squadron of the 18th Cav
airy. under the command of Captain H. r
Hickok, left Fort Myer yesterday fol
Mount Gretna, Pa, where the troops will
go into camp during the month Of May
for the regular annual target practice
The squadron includes Troops F and II
and detachment of the hospital corps.
Mount Gretna, Pa, was selected by the
command g officer of the department o!
the east as the place for target practice
for the troops in this section The rife
range at this place is owned by the state
OF Pennsylvania and is situated on a state
reservation. The range Is one OF the best
in the country. and includes targets at
every distance that can be shot over with
the present army rife. The range is new
having been completed but short time
ago; IT IS iaid on on an almost level plain
at the foot of the mountain known as Gov
ernor Dick. This mountain forms the Init
into which the shots are fired and an adj
mlfabie backstop it is. The plain or pla-
teau ON which the range is situated ia only
half covered with the various targets.
Behind the firing line there is SPACE al
most as large again as that used which
can be used for longer range shooting n
a rihe IS developed which will shoot further
eHectlveIy than the weapon now in use In
the army. For several years past the field
artillery stationed at Fort Myer has used
this range for its practice, also distances
UP to $500 and 1900 yards being obtained
easily.
The pits behind the targets are construct
ed of stone and cement and are about
fifteen feet thick at the base, the front sur
face forming an incline that defects all
bullets over the target. Steel target frames
are used in the pits and each range has
its own wind gauge and range house
The troops of the 18th Cavalry, which are
now on thier way to the ranke, will make
the trip in Ave days. the distance being
about 125 miles. The first stop was made
last night at Brookville, Md. about twenty
three miles from here, and tonight it is
probable that the detachment will stop at
Dorsey's Cross Roads, about twenty miles
further on. Tomorrow the squadron will
probably camp at Union Mills, Md, about
seventeen miles from Dorsey's. and on Fri
day night 1t is likely that the detachment
will reach York. Pa, in time for camp. Sat
urday the Susluehanna river will be crossed
and a stop made somewhere on the north
county, Pa. The squadron will probably
push on to Mt. Gretna, Saturday, as the
distance from Columbia Is not very great.
The squadron marched away completely
equipped for It's tour of duty in the field
Capt Hickok. the commanding officer. Is
the commander Of Troop F and an officer
Of considerable experience. He Is one OF
the younger captains of the army, but made
an excellent record for himself In the Phil
ippines. where he was stationed with the
18th Cavalry prior to taking station at Fort
Myer. The health of the men will be looked
after by First Lieut.. H. s.. Kfersted, assist
ant surgeon DR.. Kiersted takes with him
an ambulance and a detachment from the
Hospital Corps He will establish and
maintain a field hospital during the time
the troops are In camp at Mount Gretna.
The matter of supplies of food and camp
equipage Is in the hands of Lieut.. c. c.
Culver. 18th Cavalry, who has been appoint
ed quartermaster and commissary for the
trip. Three escort wagons Will carry the
baggage of the men on the march. Heavy
Sfbley tents and the other paraphernalia of
the permanent camp will be sent to Mount
Gretna by rail. and will arrive before the
troops get there. The men will live In shell
ter tents and win eat field rations during
the march. and the officers will live the
same as the men. The squadron will re-
main In camp at Mount Gretna until the 1st
of June, when the other two troops Of the
18th Cavalry stationed at Fort Myer VIII be
sent there for the same purpose. The Sd
and 18th Batteries of Field Artillery Will also
go to Mount Gretna for target practice
later in the season.