The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-16
MILITARY MATTERS;
 GUARD OF ALABAMA
By D. w. McIVER.

furthermost eastern limits to repre- sent the gallant little Territory in tho great match, while the Pacific coast was represented by teams from Cali. fornia. Oregon and Washington. The national board has set as it's standard national reserve of "a million marks men," There is still immense work tc be accomplished, but the work so far indicates an ultimate accomplishment. At this time of the year Sea Girt is at its best. Imagine, if you please. a parallelogram mile long and half a mile wide. with closely cropped green sward. almost as level as a floor. and roads. on third by miniature lake and with the fourth opening on the Atlantic ocean. Here and there were groups of tents assigned as quarters to the range officers and others: at the 200 yards firing line was the club house of the New Jersey State Rifle Association: behind the l.000-yard fir ing line were the multitudinous tents assigned to the teams. or to the left, surrounded by velvety lawn, always kept in prime condition by the diligent use of the roller and the mower. is the cottage assigned to the exclusive use of the Governor of New Jersey and his stan who spend a portion of each sum- mer at Sea Girt during the encamp- ment of the State troops. Alongside the cottage, which is known as the Little While House." workmen were industriously engaged in erecting the New Jersey State building which was located at the Louisiana Purchase Ex- position, and which had been removed intact to the grounds. The extensive grounds, together with the buildings. the splendid water works. targets, butts, etc, represents an estimate con- servatively placed at not less than $500, ,000 The example thus set might we'll be emulated by other States, and, parenthetically. 1t may be remarked that the United States government does not possess in any one of it's forty-five States and a half dozen Territories and colonial possessions. a range even approaching that of the State of New Jersey in extent, condition of equipment. It is the purpose of the national board as soon as suitable ap- piopriations can be obtained from Con- gress, to locate at least one of these ranges in every State and Territory. What this will mean to the country can be left to the imagination.
 Perhaps the most interesting part of the range next to the actual work on the firing lines. was that section given over to the camp of the riflemen. It was in the form of a square, with broad avenue in the center, crossed by about twenty streets. Passing down the ave- nue these streets were named accord ing to the States whose teams occupied the tents fronting on the same. begin- hing with the order of the admission of the States to the Union. Each street was plainly marked by signs, and above the tent of the team captain floated it's official standard. Here and ttere the national banner was raised and scattered all over the range were red danger flags, marking the limits of the fire zones. There was almost al- ways a stiff breeze, and the camp with it's snowy canvas and fluttering pen- nants presented a beautiful and inspir- ing sight.
 The social side of military rifle prac- tice was seen at it's best there. As- bury Park. Long Branch Belmar, Spring Lake, and half a dozen other popular seaside resorts arc within easy distance by railroad or trolley. New York, New ark and Philadelphia are but two hours away Consequently several hunderd officers and men were accompanied here by their wives. who stopped at the va rious resorts and visited the camp each day. In addition there were thousands of visitors from the several resorts A full military band, giving afternoon and evening concerts. also proved a great attraction. and one of the most ir teresting sights was that of the low ering of the colors at the close of the day, while the band played The Star Spangled Banner" and everyone on the grounds stood at attention"