Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-25
For First Time in Utah, Militia
men viii Practise On
State Ground.
INTEREST IN ENCAMPMENT.
Assurances That Unpleasant Incidents
Will be Avoided is Received as
Pleasing News.


the state, a rifle range leased by the
state is being used for the develop
ment of marksmeu in the National
Guard of Utah. Heretofore the target
butts and range at Fort Douglas have
been used on Sundays by the guards
men and this was quite a drawback to
the production of efficient marksmen,
one day each week being the only OPP
portunity afforded for practise, and
this being Sunday was condition that
held many members from participating
in the work. The necessary employ
ment of the range by the Fort Douglas
troops during every other day of the
week for the season made it impossible
for the guardsmen to practise on other
days
Adjt.- Gen. Wedgwood Maj. Williams
and Lieut. Barrett of the national
guard completed yesterday the preliin-
mary work on the new range, which Is
located at the stocllyards crossing and
which may be reached by the salt Lake
and Ogden or Oregon Short Line in
few minutes ride from this city. The
range has been laid out for all ranges
up to 500 yards. The targets are placed
In front of natural abuttments, low
line of sand hills, and the ranges face
In direction that gives an Ideal light
upon them at any time after o'clock
in the morning The slope from the
marksman to the targets is gradual
and not severe and the range, though
not going back to what are termed the
extreme distances Is the best ever af-
forded guardsmen.
BIG MATCH IN VIEW.
Interest is keen in target work this
year, for soon after conclusion of tho
annual encampment to be held in Wy
oming this year, a team Of is men, the
best marksmen In the national guard,
viii be selected to go to Camp Perry,
O., to take part in the national rifle
match in competition with picked teams
from the army, navy, national guards
of other states, semi-mllitary organiza-
lions and clubs from many parts of the
United States. Handsome trophies are
offered and the Utah team, though conf
peting for the first time in these
matches, feels confident of giving a
good account of itself Particularly in
the outside districts there are many
marksmen of ability and In this city
there are several experts who will make
every effort to secure places on the
team to attend the great match.
GO TO MANEUVER CAMP.
During the past week many other
items of Importance have been an
nounced in connection with National
Guard affairs, The definite announce
ment that the state troops Will partlci
pate Ia the great maneuver camp at
Fort L. A. Russell, Wyo, was received
with much interest. The last camp
in Wyoming, while greatly beneficial
from military standpoint was &d-
mitted to have been n rather severe I'M
dertaking for the men. 1t was the
movement OF the state soldiers from
this city TO the Wyoming camp ground
and back that taught the officers of
the guard much in the matter of trans
portation. The lessons learned wero
probably learned at the cost OF much
I'll feeling among the men. However,
when conditions became better known
among the men and some of the dis
converting affairs explained TO them.
this dissatisfaction was overcome and
instead of dreading the camp this year
1t is looked forward to with much en-
thusiasm. The announcement of this
camp has come two months ahead OF
time. This insures ample time for
preparation. The last camp was an
nounced only three weeks before time
for preparation. The last camp was
announced only three weeks before the
date of departure. This, 1t is seen,
accounts for much.
DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS.
The camp will be different from the
others, in that all troops participating
will rendezvous at the same time. sew
eral thousand men being thrown to-
gether for mimic war. National
Guardsmen will be drilled with regular
troops and the willing citizen soldier
VIII be given an opportunity to learn
tricks from his professional brothers in
the regular establishment. The infan-
try companies of the militia will be
Unanswered with regular infantry the
hat ~ 1s1G ttrfth
aItillerymen, cavalry with regular cav
airy and so down the line There will
be engineer troops on the ground IN
construct bridges, wagon roads and do
other engineering Just as II actual war
were in progress I'm the peaceful Grow
Creek forest reserve, a spot naturally
ideal for maneuvers. The only thing
to be desired in this reserve is a large
body of water. but all other conditions
which might be met in actual conflict
are found within the monster reserve
There are mountains Of great height
forests, plains, plateaus, valleys, can
yons and well drained ground for
Misunderstanding that might be de-
sired for a camp ground. The water
found IS OF excellent quality and It's
source pure mountain springs, tho
water flowing through channels where
pollution is almost impossible, A major
general OF the regular army Will be I'm
command of the division ellcafnpment
and II IS expected that upwards OF
10000 men will be brought together for
the instruction.
SCHOOL FOR SOCIALISTS
one OF the interesting features OF
the camp will be a school for members
Of the signal corps. Three compan-
les of $50 men each OF regular signal
corps are TO be at the camp and the
signal troops of the militia are to be
thrown in with these troops I'm small
classes for instruction In the use OF
late signal appliances. During the
camp, actual practise in signalling at
night with vari-colored bombs and
rockets. searchllghts, long range
lanterns and other means will be
given, Army balloons Will be In use,
long distance telegraph, telephone and
buzzer lines operated ana the signal
lists OF the militia taught In detail tho
professional work Of transmitting in
telligence rapidly under conditions Of
actual war. This work Is recognized
as being OF great Importance 10 an
army and an effort viii be made 10
bring the mllitiamen up 10 high
standard OF efficiency In this direc-
ton and 10 continue the work by "a
course OF correspondence instruction
from the signal school at Fort Leaven-
worth after the encampment is over.
The signal corps VIII be mounted for
his camp, an announcement that WAS
received with interest In the organiza-
ton last week.
This week the new model Spring
field rifles will be issued to the Ma
tional Guard, bringing their equip
H.a.l to cal