Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21

naked eye. but more generally seen
through telescopes or field glasses, often
cause an optical Illusion as regards the
location of the bull's-eye. If blowing or
moving from left to right it operates. by
renection, to make the bull's-eye appear to
the shooter to be to the right of its
actual location. To overcome this decep-
ton to, the eye 1t is necessary to move
the wind gauge slightly to the left to
aim to. the left of the bull when firing.
In addition, Maj. Robbins urges that timed
fre and rapid-fre practice, without car
trldges, should not be neglected. Skirmsh-
ing, 1t Is remarked. is not very difficult.
but 1t requires hard holding, a good eye.
constant observation of the force and
direction of the wind during the runs and
an absolute knowledge of the skirmish
elevations. The suggestion is made that
care be taken never to enter a competition
with dirty or an oily rifle.
Compliments the Troops.
Maj. John A. Dapray. United States
army. on duty with the organized militia of
Florida. who was formerly adiutant general
Of the District of Columbia militia, has
been visitor in camp for several days
past and his close observation OF the
troops indicates the lively interest he still
feels concerning them He witnessed the
brigade parade Thursday evening, and FRI
day was on the drill ground carefully not
ing the close and extended order move
ments of the two regiments and the sepa-
| rate battalion. When asked what he
thought of the appearance of things in
camp Maj. Dapray replied:
Everything looks military and business
like First of all, the camp site is a superb
selection of beautiful ground for military
| purposes. The brigade headquarters are
! admirably located on well-selected point.
| that commands a constant and uninter-
rupted view of the three distinctive in
| fantry camps, and permits all the camps
OF both militia and regulars to be observed
| by the brigade commander without leaving
MS tent Indeed, although l come from the
midst OF the efficient Florida state troops
l never saw better arrangement of a
brigade camp, nor ground better adapted
| for the purposes in view.
Impressed by Military Aspect.
But aside from the splendid general mill
tary appearance and the unsurpassed pic
turesque beauty of the camp ground and
surrounding scenery, what impresses me
most favorably is the business-like manner
and calm military smoothness that seem to
! mark the conduct Of affairs in your big
camp There Is no confusion, and walk
| ing about the camp l have done in
| civilian clothes l have been impressed by
the soldierly and snappy way in which the
men individually deport themselves in
| camp, both on and off duty, and especially
! by the fact that they We're all the time
| unconscious of beiEg observed by any mill
! tary critic. / think 1t must be admitted
| that however we'll the soldiers may appear
| on parades or under the eye of recognized
| inspectors at duly announced and pre-
pared for inspections, their actual degree
| OF merit and discipline can be best de-
| termined by the critic who unheralded
| and unknown walks modestly among
! them taking notes. This was my ex-
| perience today, and without hesitation [
assert most positively that l never saw a
better behaved lot Of military looking SOL
ders than those 1 observed SO closely at
Camp Ordway today.
ut has been several years since 1 made
my last official inspection of the District Of
Columbia militia, and l am free to say that
l note much marked improvement in them
They were always Incorporating body OF
men. and | do not believe that as a class
their officers are eXceled by any other set
of militia officers in the United States.
The brigade parade Thursday evening
was a fine one, and l particularly noted the
precise and regular cadence of the march
ing of the men in review. And today 1
watched closely the different movements
on the drill grounds. noting the fact that
in extended order the company officers
and squad leaders seemed to understand
their relative positions at all times. This
is a very important feature of the progress
made by the District troops, for after all
the success of battlefield tactics must de-
pend largely upon the company officers and
squad leaders.
Il saw enough today to talk about for
an hour or so. but | will only add that Gen.
Harries and Col. Brett and their duly Sc
lected assistants have much to be proud
of The present camp of the District troops
is a splendid one, and reflects great credit
upon those charged with its establishment
and its previous preparations. And praise,
too, is undoubtedly due to the commanders
In direct charge of the men, many of whom
l knew so pleasantly and favorably whep l
was adjutant general of the District OF
Columbia militia 1t certainly is "A great
pleasure for me to meet them all again.