The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-24


teen minutes and the company marched
from Perkasle Pa. to Philadelphia. forty
two miles. in thirteen and one-Quarter
hours. The company gained prize OF
Sle0 In gold for this remarkable hike,
which was especially SO as there was not
one straggler, every member OF the COM
pany being brought into Philadelphia
safe and sound
In addition TO serving as quartermaster
during his climb OF the ladder Of promo
ton In the Pennsylvania Guard, Mr..
Williams also served as battalion and
reBimental sergeant major chief OF scouts
IN maneuvers, regimental mapmaker, and
trainmaster for the Second Regiment. In
connection with the latter position Will
iarns was the only man I'D 10 that time
who had ever beat OUT the late Cant
c. Ero, Of the Third Pennsylvania Regi-
ment OF Infantry, capturing all mis- sun
ply wagons and getting all his supplies
on the ground almost before Capt Erb
knew what was happening.
Private Williams friends also point
with pride to the fact that while he was
In the Pennsylvania National Guard he
was successful five times out Of seven in
taking first prize in open competition for
drilling both as noncommissioned and
commissioned officer.
During the great coal strike Of 1902
Company NJ. OF the Third Pennsylvania
Infantry was stationed at Silver Brook
Pa. for thirty-two days This was re-
garded as the toughest" Of the entire
strike region. but despite this fact the
company never had any trouble after the
hrst week This first week is memo
rable in the annals Of the company. Of
r-f1ah
During the first week the strikers made
an unsuccessful attempt 10 dynamite the
militia headquarters and would have been
successful later had not Lieut.. Williams
evolved an effective system Of outposts
which enabled the militia company to
Illustrate two subsequent attempts. Sew
eral OF the strikers were captured.
Private Williams is thirty-elght years
OF age. which bars him from appointment
as lieutenant, but not as q captain
This fact, in connection with his excel
lent military career, leads guardsmen
OF the District 70 believe that he VIII re-
ceive the captaincy Of the District Sig
nal Corps Company. Il is almost GER
tain that Lieut. lands, os the First
Battery. will be transferred 70 the Signal
Corps Company as the first lieutenant,
while II Is rumored that the appointment
20 the second neutenancy may be made
from the ranks Of the company, owing
10 the necessity OF having commissioned
officers familiar with the electrical or
telegraphic end Of the cOmpany's duties.
It is probable that this appointment will
be held in allegiance for some time.
Orders have been ISSUED by Maj. Gen.
J. F. Bell, Chief Of STAFF Of the United
states army, detailing sergts. Thomas
J. Berney and George NJ. Bessmer. Of the
First Infantry, al Fort Leavenworth.
Kans-. for duty with the National Guard
OF the District Of Columbia The two
sergeants on their arrival In Washington
will report to Lieut. Col Smiley. adjutant
general OF the District guard
The new publication. Provisional Small
Arms Firing Manual" for the United
States army, and for the organized
militia OF the United States. IS now be-
ing distributed to the officers OF the reg
ular army The new regulations take
effect on January / next A copy has
been received at the militia headquar-
tiers OF the District. and will be referred
TO Lieut.. Col. Bell. retired. Inspector OF
small arms practice, for review and
recommendation. From a brief exam
nation Of the new regulations but little
change is made from the old as AFFECT
ing the National Guard The regulations
governing the organized militia comes
under Special Courses" OF which
Course c. VIII be used at the CONGRESS
Heights range
Couroe { comprises marksman. sharp
shooter, and expert. To qualify as a
marksman. the guardsman must make
total Of IS out Of a possible I5O points.
at the @O-yard range, standing: the $50
yard. sitting or kneeling. and the 500
yard lying in prone position. Stout
guardsmen at the Congress Heights
range have found difficulty in making
good at the 300-yard range IN the sit
ting posture. which has been advocated
there, and will be gratifed II Lieut.. Col.
Bell recommends that a choice OF sitting
or kneeling be allowed next season.
To qualify as a sharpshooter a total
OF % points must be made namely: l.o
at 200, 500, and 800 yards. 40 points al 500
yards, 3 points rapid fire az 200 yards.
and total OF 80 points on the skirmish
run OF 70 shots advancing consecutively