The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-20

tact while a regular army officer can
command these things in the line OF
military duty and discipline. The
former has charge of his men only
few hours a week. while the latter has
command OF his mems time and best
efforts every hour of the twenty-four.
Capt. Pattison enlisted in the KAN
sas battery in 1890 and assumed the
captaincy In 1901. Under his COM
mand the battery has made strides
each year and has increased in the
number of enlisted men until now 1t
has the full complement. He
originated the device of a miniature
cannon mounted on bicycle wheels
with soap boxes for the carriages and
uses these for drill in the hall. They
are made in exactly the same style as
the regular guns and carriages and
the advantages of these light toys
can be seen at a glance. Using them
the men go through the same motions
and maneuvers for wheeling bat
terry into or out of position that they
would do in battle. They get their
positions and all the efficiency of a
drill with regular cannon except the
handling Of horses.
Compliment by Col. Grimes.
At the last encampment Capt. Pat
tison was highly complimented by Col.
Grimes for his success with the Kan
sas battery and these words Of praise
were drafted into the adjutant gener-
ais report for 1907. Hardly state
in the west has so efficient light bat
terry as has Kansas. In the east they
pay more attention to their nationai
guard and make enormous appropr1a-
lions for armory and arsenal and
equipment. Capt. Pattison has no
horses for his guns ana can not Jake
them to state encampments, Out
while there his men use cannon from
the regular army. It REQUIRES u T. neao
Of horses to properly equip the hansas
light artillery.
The members Of this battery have
enlisted for q term of four years ana
are subject to the call OF the presloent
for instant service OF any KIND curing
all Of the term OF their enlistment any
where in this country. Tney are
equipped by the government with al
the latest scientific instruments TOT
range finding, sighting the guns, get
ting the trajectory, etc. Inc nanuiiis
of artillery is now a science Foint
blank fire has become tnlng OF .io
past, Even the handling OF the MOD
ern ammunition Is an art. Capt. rat
tison has made a careful study OF all
the duties Of an artillertst OF To-Day
and at drill the other night explained
to the reporter all the mysteries OF
range finding and dropping snels l.i.o
a fort or column OF troops from guns
located under the crest Of a hill.
The ouartermaster's room is con-
Quoted like a similar quarters in a
regular army post. Each man mas ms
regimental company number ana ms
locker for his clothes and equipment.
The blankets, canteens and all otner
equipment are kept in perfect order.
over in the Jackson street quarters
the guns are placed in position ana
kept in condition for instant use. The
harness for the horses is hung on
racks and all the heavy equipment
kept in readiness for instant use. II
a call should come tomorrow for the
kansas battery to go on duty for ac-
tive service Capt. Pattison could have
his men and guns and complete equip
ment on the cars Monday. Excepting
the training Of the horses he would be
ready at once for the campaign, ana
II does not take long to train the
horses to a point where their work Is
effective.
The artillery is not the most attrac-
tive branch OF the service nor does Its
drill make such showing as that OF
an Infantry or cavalry regiment, put
nowadays the skill and energy OF the
artfllerymen alone decide battles. Ev-
en- with the old muzz1e leaders OF Ma
poIeon's time, the Corsican, the great
est military genius in the history OF
world. an artillery officer himself, de-
handed in q great measure on his ar
tiIlery and made Drouet. CHIEF OF ord
nance, a grand marshal.
r. cali fs ever made for western
troops for dangerous service It Is a.
safe prediction that Topeka VIII Seno
the best drilled, most enectlVe Hsnt
battery from the west into the trouoie
zone and commanded by as competent
an officer as there is in the National
Guard organization west Of the Missis-
sippf river