Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-19
BY w. G. Shepherd

That the American soldier leads the ar
mics of the world in point of marksman-
snip. has so long been an established fact.
that few indeed can be found outside OF
those following the profession of arms
who can give an intelligent answer as 10
how this desirable condition of efhclency
has been attained.
History describes many of the victories
of orr forefathers in the early days or our
republic, to their superiority in point Oh
craftsmanship. This, in their case couic
easily be explained, as from their chllu-
hood they were familiar with the use OF
the rife depending upon 1t as they oio'
not only for protection from the Indians
but also as a means of securing the great
or norton of their meat But the Indians
nave long ceased their depredations, and
only in a few sections of the country IS
game 10 be found. Few of the young men
that fill the army of today have had any
experience prior to their enlistment IN Inc
use of the rifle So taking these facts into
consideration great credit is found to be
due those having the training of the SOL
der in hand that the high state OF Ell
ficiency of the past has not only been re-
tanned, but increased in the army OF the
present.
The invention of the modern high power
yards has made possible feats of marks
manship beyond even the widest dreams
of Fennimore Cooper. 1t is difficult 10
convince the "Old Timers" of the superb
ority of the new rifles, for they argue
that with the old they killed. while the
new will often only infiict a wound that
will not prove fatal.
Better To Wound
The Spanish-American, Boor- English,
and Russian-Japanese wars have furnish
ed hundreds of instances where men shot
through almost every portion of the body,
have still recovered, even the brain itself
being penetrated in many instances. But
those that argue for the more deadly
weapon fail to take into account that IN
a battle one enemy wounded reduces the
opposing force by at least two. it requir-
ing the services of at least one man to
care for the wounded. Again one wounded
man will do more to demoralize COM
pany than the presence of two dead pos
sibly could
When range and rapidity of fire are con-
sidered there becomes no room for argu-
ment as to the relative values of the old
and new rifles Battles of the future must
be fought at greater range at 1t is I'M
possible for men to long exist in close
quarters with the modern rapid fire arms
properly nanQleQ. the greater hCCN
of accuracy in the handling of the modern
weapon.
Victories Of the future as IN the past,
will depend upon Workmanship. OF re-
cent years this fact has been forctbly
impressed upon the public and it Is
indeed gratifying to see the increased
interest taken in rife practice. Socie-
ties for the promotion OF rifle practice
are being organized in every state Of
the union. and many schools have taken
up target practice as a means, not only
of recreation, but of Improvement, well
knowing the beneficial results that will
follow In case a call to arms was
sounded, in having the land filled with
men who would understand the use OF
a rifle. The national government is
aiding in every possible manner all
efforts at Improvement along this line.
From the small number of recruits that
reach a high qualification during their
first season on the range, it is evident
that much time and practice must be
spent to acquire the degree of proficien-
cy to be desired. Soldiers of the army
are classified according to their efficien-
cy as expert rifiemen, sharpshooters,
marksmen, first, second and third class
men.
Upon first entering the service the
recruit is drilled in marchings.. facings,
etc, but as soon as he is furnished with
a rifle his instructions in marksman-
ship may be said to have begun. He is
taught how to take care of his rifle, and