New-York tribune., 1911-09-24
ICat1o71aL 9uo4d

National guardsmen will be interested 10
lcarn that during the coming drill season
the first sergeants of companies will dis
card the use of the rifle and in its place
will carry a sabre, the same as commls-
stoned officer. 1t has been the opinion
among many infantry officers Of the army
that the rife OF first sergeant was much
in his way on drill and at rollcan, when
hc has TO check up the record OF attend
ance. and that the use Of the sabre is
much mere fitting. Some of the older and
more conservative officers, however, still
believe in the rife for the first sergeant
They point out that he serves as the model
drillmaster for the company, and when the
men witness snappy first sergeant hand
ling his rifle to perfection IT serves as
valuable object lesson to the entire COM
pany. In war time, If the sabre was still
used by first sergeants, 1t would rob
regiment Of twelve shooting men, say
those opposed TO the change. Under the
new infantry drill regulations, however
the duties Of a first sergeant are such
that ne really has the responsibilities of a
commissioned officer and can do better
work. il is held, by having only sabre
10 carry. The drill season will open on
october 3 and officers and men will, 1t is
expected. receive copies of the new drill
book about October Il. They must then
forget much of the old drill and will have
TO start fresh in number Of important
details
For the first time since 1897 shooting will
be held by the national guard for various
trophies offered for competitive marks
manship. This shooting will take place at
Blauvelt. N Y. on Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday. the several matches being
as follows: The headquarters prize; lst,
%. Sd and 4th Brigade prizes naval mill
tia prize and major generals trophies; all
team matches will be shot on Tuesday; the
match for the Governors cup. which is an
individual contest and represents the
championship OF the state, and the team
contest for the adjutant generals trophy,
will be shot on Wednesday; the team con-
test for the state match, which repre-
sents the team championship OF the state,
will be shot on Thursday. The matches
were last won by the following: State
match, eth Regiment headquarters
match. Squadron A; major generals
match, 7th Regiment; 1st Brigade match,
list Regiment; 2d Brigade match, 23d Regi-
ment: 81 Brigade match, 10th Regiment;
lth Brigade match, Sd Regiment; Gov
ernor's cup match. Captain Robert Byars.
list Regiment. and naval militia match,
2d Battalion Of Naval Militia.
II was hoped that an ordnance equip
rnent including a sub-calibre arrangement
for firing heavy ordnance, would be in
stalled in the armories Of the Sth and 9Th
regiments by the present drill season by
the War Department, but the much de-
sired plant is not yet in sight II is
necessary element I'm the indoor training
Of national guard coast artillery reserves
First Lieutenant Francis J. McCann,
aid on the staf Of Brlgadier General
John G. Eddy. commanding the lst
Brigade, has been appointed brigade com
mssary, with the rank Of major. vice
Smith, promoted inspector general some
weeks ago.
Captain James S. Angus or Company &
OF the 47th Regiment who has resigned on
account OF business first joined the guard
az a private in the 10th Separate Com
pany In December 1890. and was later
promoted 10 corporal. sergeant and second
lieutenant in the 18th Regiment I'm that
organization. He became a second lieu
tenant in the 47th Regiment in March. 1901
and captain in 1903 Colonel Barthman has
appointed Second Lieutenant Frederick
Il. Post battalion quartermaster, vice
Squires. deceased. The first review OF the
regiment will be held on Thanksgiving
Eve.
An election for a captain in Company
OF the 69th Regiment win be held in a few