Evening journal., 1908-07-30
Delaware Miifiamen 10
Have Strenuous Week
Alongside fhe Regu-
lars in Acquiring
Practice in Hand
ling Big Guns

Beginning on Saturday the Organized
Militia Of Delaware win work side by sl6e
with United States regulars under a
United States commandant all OF next
week at Fort DUPONT It will be Della
wares first practical recognition in De'a-
ware Of the efforts of the War Depart
ment TO have the militia Of seaboard
states to set a period Of each year aside
for manoeuvers with the coast artillery.
Tho interest Of several other new states
this year. along with Delaware in War
Departments coast reserve scheme indi-
Gates rapidly growing Advancement Of
the idea. Massachusetts has taken the
lead IN providing a coast artillery reserve,
provisional battalions. bodies Of the Mas
sachusetts militia having drilled every
year with the United States coast artil-
lery since 1896. New York has had its
coast artillery resere since 1896. In both
these cases the plan has been a most
successful one and has given the State
guardsmcn training not alone in coast ar
tfllery drill but in military discipline in
general, that has proved of incalculable
value
This year. besides Massachusetts, New
York and Delaware other States that
have taken or win begin coast artillery re-
serve service with the regulars are Con-
necticut the District of Columbia and
California. and all the Pacific Coast
States.
To Go TO Fort DUPONT.
The provisional battalion Of Delaware
militlamen was selected at Rehobotf
Tuesday On the breaking up Of the an.
nual encampment on Saturday morning
this battalion with 16 officers Major
Simon p. Doherty commanding, viii leave
Rehoboth about o'clock with equip
ment for Fort Dupont. On the arrival al
the fort the miliuamen will occupy theiI
encampment alongside the coast artillery
between the river and the parade ground
Kitchens and sinks are now being con-
structed ON the camp site for both the
regulars and the militia.
After fairly settling into camp The
budding artillerist will be set TO work
on progressive drills on the big guns aut
mortars at the fort. he bare appearance
OF the great 12-inch disappe airing guns OF
the batteries is calculated TO dlssipatc
some Of the enthusiasm Of the volunteer
soldiers and the regulars at the fort are
tickled IN anticipation Of the introduction
Of Mr. militiaman to the big weapons. L
vii i'm truth be a very embarrassing
situation for the average State trooper
some Of whom have probably never hat
a glimpse of one of the great disappearing
| guns and so far has never been trouble,
/ with the horrible roar of one of their dis
charges.
All the drills by the mlitiamen. o
J course. will be under the instruction o
coast artillery commissioned and non
commissioned officers Gun and morta
drills and target practice win compose tn
work. Gradually the artillery novitiate
viii be left to themselves. and then whei
they have been deemed sufficiently pro
hcient with the guns, searchlight manipu
lation and position firing. they will hav
TO defend the Delaware river from an ad
vancing feet
To Guard the River.
This win be the most elimination o
the weeks artillery drill and will be tn
most interesting event of the week ]
win not be on an extensive sca.e, q
course. The fleet" will consist Of
government tug and two small boats. bu
It will require almost as much skill {
sight them with the searchlight an