Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-02
CROWDSVIEW CAVALRY DRILL
Eight Thousand Carnival Visitors En-
Joy Spectacle at Fort Omaha.
SOLDIERS ARE IN PERFECT ORDER
EvOIutiOnu by HOrsemen Declared to
he the Most Inspiring and Per-
feet Military Maheuvers Ever
witnessed in Omaha,

Fully 5000 people enjoyed the magnifi-
cent military spectacle OF the mounted
drill of the famous Second United States
cavalry on the parade ground at Fort
Omaha Wednesday afternoon. The ter
race in front of the officers quarters
facing the parade was packed with n mass
Of humanity. as were the south and west
sides of the parade grounds, The drill is
being repeated this afternoon and is sched-
uled for tomorrow afternoon.
The evolutlons began with the mounted
marching drill of the entire regiment ex-
cepting Troop NJ, headed by the splendid
Second cavalry and mounted, the drill
being under command Of Colonel Frank
West. Major r. w. Sibley commanding
the first squadron. consisting of Troops
b, c, d and X, and Captain John =. Wade
commanding the SECOND squadron, con.
sisting Of Troops e. G and H.
The evolutions were in regimental bat
TALON and company formations with the
500 men carrying sabres, and they pre-
scented a thrilling and inspiring sight
The different companies were mounted on
horses of a uniform color to the company,
Including bays, blacks, brownA sorrels
and chestnut sorrels. The horses seemed
inspired with the spirit Of the occasion,
and with the ban mounted on grays
every movement was perfect in detail,
calling forth frequent applause from the
multitude OF spectators present. The
walk, trot, gallop and charge we're car
ried out in the several maneuvers, the
band playing at the head of the column.
Unusual Sabre Drill.
Following the regimental drill came the
musical sabre drill" by Troops e, G
and H. conducted by Captain john p
Wade. The men remained mounted and
executed the various sabre evolutions or
horseback, at the walk. trot and gallop
winding up with a grand charge in bat.
TALON front. The graceful m-anipulations
with the brightly polished sabres pre-.
scented a scene possibly never before wit.
messed in this locality. The movements
were the carry, guard, quarter thrust
pierce thrust, parry, right and left cut
against infantry and right and left cut
against cavalry and the extremely diff.
cult and beautiful right, left and real
molineux. This latter is a wrist move.
ment. the sabres being so swung as tC
describe a circle to the right, left ant
rear. The sun was just at the right alti
tude to give the full effect of the scintil
lating suns rays from the polished stee
of the sabres. This drill was void of any
perceptible commands, the whole OF tn,
varied being executed to tn,
music of the band. which had been dis
mounted for this purpose. The battalion
is admirably drilled in the sabre exercise
and every movement was executed will
almost perfect uniformity and was greeted
with the most enthusiastic applause.
Fancy Drill by Troops,
The fancy drill by the crack Troop NJ
was the principal event of the tournament
This troop is mounted on handsome grey
and the drill was conducted by secon
Lieutenant Z. ". Sumner. jr., son of Majo
General e. ". Sumner. former commando
OF the Department OF the Missouri, an,
grandson of Major General Il. ". Sumne
Of civil war fame.
This drill was directed without com
mands, but by a whistle lightly sounde,
by Lieutenant Summer It consisted of
series of intricate evolutions. formin,
moving figure Fights and stars, the column
moving at a half gailop, the movement
being executed with remarkable rapidit,
and beauty. The horses as well as tn
men were letter perfect in their parts
During one of the rapid evolutions tw,
horses colllded, throwing their riders, bu
aside from slightly spraining an ankle o
one of the horses no serious results fol
lowed. The injured horse was led from tn
parade. but the other with its rider re
sumed their places in the line and con