New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-14
STATE CAMPS QUIET Day.
Third Battery PractiseS 7cith Auto-
matte Guns.

Peekskni State Camp June 10 tSpeciaD-Arter
yesterdays throng Of visitors the camp has seemed
to-day quiet place, and had it not been for the
baseball games the old parade ground. the oc-
casionaI visitor Of tho afternoon coming up the
flights Of stairs from ;he ferry landing might have
considered the ground deserted. far the
gravel plain is the camp the 47th Regiment 4
few steps from the stairs the peaks of their tents
may be seen, but for so many yearG has the camp
located upon the square adjoining the eastcIy
parade ground that the habit is strong to look for
IL there.
The Sd Battery did its best to break the quiet Of
otherwise peaceful afternoon. Its first platoon.
under command oc First Lieutenant George r.
LANG mad taken up position on the edge oc the
gravel plain, IN the Of the 47th Regiments
camp, just where the plain dips down TO grassy
meadow which extends some five hundred yards
up the north valley. and its automatic guns were
swapping and cracking away n large target
erected at the far end OF the meadow. Upon the
firing line wer- General Charles +. Roe General
Frederic. Phise.e- General Joseph C. Story, Colo
mel y. r. Thurstor inspector Of small arms prac-
uce. and other officers from State headquarters.
while in the officers, mon eros" and pr-
Yates Of tho 9TH. all interested IN observing tine
new weapon, with which few were familiar.
The exact range not known from measure
ment. but was estimated at from Az to zoo yn-,s
and out OF the first l75 shots there were only %
hits Then :: was easy 10 keep upon the target.
Two hundred and twenty-five shots were fred in
all from to % nj time. the latter number being
fired in four seconds
The guns automatic light In construction. an :
ut 1he breech have handle similar 20 the butt Ok
pistol BY holding the trigger pressed back the gas
II the exploding cartridge throws tho empty shell
and draws new cartridge into the chamber and
the firing continues until the trigger IS released or
the belt which the cartridges ARE fastened for
use, has passed through the piece
The gun IS IN the service. and Captain II,ury
s Itasquin has written the regulations It's use
in his battery. there being no prescribed regulations
adopted as Yet.
Tomorrow afternoon the second platoon under
First Lieutenant Chauucey MttIock viii FIRE over tn.
range under the supervision Of Colonel Thursiol
and Captain RAsquin. tho first platoon Aired to-
day. and Wednesday afternoon the third platoon
Will have opportunity TO try its skill. The
range having been found and the necessary eleva-
ton ~ the piece established future practice Will
be easier. The battery Is using guns mounted both
carriage and on a tripod.
Tho 18th began IT'S weeks work by having its
battalion driu I'm The early morning hours and
company dru in tho forenoon. Both were in ex-
tended order. The regiment also had first State
inspection this morning and although il was not
exactly expecting H. Captain Nostrand. OF the Sec
70 commend He compIimented the regiment upon
its camp appearance. and stated he mad seldom.
seen Il prottier camp or more perfectly set up.
IiC n%tersy "i,@ralhS, to general orders from
peared on the left Of the line dress parade THIS
and that in the forenoon mounted when they wer,.
exercised In such movements IN The school Of the
Captain kasqum Is pleased with the I'VE days work
ana is expecting much from the weeks tour of
duty. lie purposes leaving most OF the drills To his
lieutenants that they may gain experience in han
ding the battery. bat viii he upon the icld "a n
Gay to supervise the work
General Roe is giving the same instruction 10 the
mounted officers OF the 18th that hc gave 10 those
OF tho ga Regiment. and had th"m ride under mis-
personal supervision for an hour this morning.
Other lessons vii! follow curing the week. and n $
this line Of special work will he continued through
tho season. the officers in the infantry whose RI. K
or position requires them TO mounted will ba
good; II not excellent, horscmen Ia the past there
% In NfIari lone.
ia hanGllug horses aud Ignorance of the fluta-
mental principles Of horsenanship
Tho battery OH Ger of the day to-day was SEQ
ond Iieutenant Alfred r. Ives In the 4.th RcgI-
ment the officer Of t.n day for morrow will he
Captain Charles r.. MaxGeld OF COMPANY X. tho
officer Of the guard, First Lieutenant Albert u
Ecke. OF Company A.