The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-09
"GOAT'
a

Coast Battery Drill. This is the case.
particularly. during the summer months,
when the corps arc in camp Routine
varies but very little there, from year
TO year, and the daily drills and prac-
tees were much the same prior to the
CIVIL War. as now.
a few years before that event. the
cadets of the second class had deter
mined TO fire national salute from the
guns OF this battery, at daybreak on the
ensuing Fourth-then close at hand
They had. in some way, persuaded their
own senior cadet officer. while on camp
provost duty, to wink at a slight irregu-
larlty, in view of the patriotic impulse
that had animated the class. What
favored the scheme at this time. was
The fact that the usual instructor in
coast battery drill. CHANGED to be
temporarily absent in New York.
Permission was also secured to adj
vance the drill hour of the second class,
under plea that many would doubt
less be away during the day on holiday
leave. The second class aided the mat
ter still further By appearing in fatigue
dress at a. NJ, in the old sea coast
battery-through the oonnivancc Of the
cadet officer already named. Aside from
the tive-gun dcta chmcrts, q number Of
cadets were on the terrace behind the
five large smooth-borc cannon which
then composed the old fertilization fac
Ing Cro-N Nest Mountain. nearly half-a-
mile away. Discipline is always rigid at
the Point. Rosy wreaths OF morning
mist, high in the east. limited that the
program arranged for themselves by
the second class might be interfered
With. Classm mates were about TO
separate. Sectional feeling ran high.
and many of them might not be per-
mttcd 10 return.
s,inct, voiced the general sentiment
when he urged: Let MS cut out the
single fire, boys Time is precious. We
in for extra discipl!ne-or suspcn-
sion-for this. anyhow. What we want
is to make big noise-and make it
quick."
It was then determined to fire the
old guns by platoon. or by twos and
,hrecs at time. Then. reload and do
it again by battery. until the blank
ammunition was exhausted, or the whole
class ordered under arrest. Youthl!ke
they relied on the patriotic character
If their impulsc-just at that time
more strongly accumulated than ever
10 pull the class through in some sort
IL fashion. whatever ccnsurc might be
mposed on them as individuals. Owing
to the danger in firing these big guns
II was customary for each gun dctach-
ment-eXccpt No. 4 who fired the piece
to jump back on the terrace behind
tho battery When ball was used from
hat elevation they could note the effect
or more feet away.
In the semi darkncss and in the
hurry of getting the guns ready, no
order to retire on discharge oil guns was
given.
In calling OFF No. / at the big eleven
inch smooth bore was Bob Norton, a
Georgia man. The gunner, No {. was
from Kentucky Maynard. by name
ordinarily addressed as tho Goat" on
account of his extremely solemn visagc.
No. =, was Tom Hamine.
All being ready, the cadet officer from
the terrace gave the word to fire by
platoon Cor two and three at a time):
then reload and fire by battery as fast
as possible. The double and treble roar
was tremendous. and the excitement
ditto, for some one called out that lights
were flashing back OF the parade
ground. Doubtless the camp Provost
Marshal was hurrying with his depu-
ties to see what was going on
Reload. Fire by battery" Sharp
and quick the command was given and
repeated along the terrace. The big
cleven-inch smooth bore was midway of