The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-23
.HOW|TzERS START
GUNNERY CLASSES
Will Have Target Practice in
Pennsylvania Eighteen Study
to Become Gunners.
ALL WORK HARD TO QUALIFY
Battalion Ordered to Report at
Nit. Tobyhanna on August IS.
Drum and Buglc Corps.

Preparatory to n ten day firing proc
tice with tho big guns. eighteen mem
hers Of the Richmond Howitzers are
studying for examinations as gunners
iirst ana second class. Under the tute-
lage of Sergeant Whittlser. u s. A..
the young students of warfare are re-
ceiving daily instruction in the art Of
the cannoneer. The course is an ex-
tchsiVe one, and requires diligent study
IT includes sighting and leveling the
guns. range finding and an accurate
knowledge of mechanism. On the dual
hcations of a gunner is his ability TO
take the gun to pieces and replace it,
Together with the Norfolk Light Ar
iillery Blues and Grimes Battery, OF
Portsmouth, the Howitzers form the
First battalion of Field ARTILLERY. Vir-
sinia Volunteers. The battalion un-
der the command OF Major T. NJ Wor-
than. has been ordered to report at
Mount Tobyhanna, Pa. August 10 The
batteries will not carry their field
equipment but will be fitted out with
the guns of several regular batteries.
with which they will be encanped
This being an off year in government
encampmcnts. IT is understood that the
chief object in ordering out the artil-
lery Is TO acquaint the men with the
actual handling of the guns Mount
Tobyhanna has n splendid range. ca
Fable of being used by three-inch field
pieces with firing capacity Of $500
Yards.
While tho work OF the volunteer is
chiefly theoretical, the Virginia artil-
lerists are endeavoring to place them
selves on war footing. The TWO
Tidewater batteries, because OF their
location near the seashore have tn.
advantage of target practice frequent
iy The Howtzers, however haul their
cannon into the welllisted courtyard
between the armory and gymnasium
and here. without the aid of horses.
maneouvre the guns TO tho best Of
their ability. Although unable to ac-
tually fire. the gun crews are taught
to do everything with the exception Of
pulling the trigger on a loaded she'll
study I'm Odd Minutes.
Sergeant Whittiker, who has been
detailed for service with the Virginia
Volunteers by the War Department. is |
meeting his pupils at all hours OF the |
DAY As the majority of them are un-
able to get off from work except AT
short intervals. he is arranging the
hours of study TO their convenience !
The students are given several chap
ters TO study. and are Guizzcd on the |
text by the instructor ON completing |
the course two examinations will be |
tho actual practice. Each man be
fore qualifying as gunner must lie
able 10 do each part Of the work OF !
gun crew in a given time and finally
80 dismantle the piece and then set IL
up.
In addition to the gunnery classes
the recruits and green members of the
battery are required to report. in addi- !
ton to the regular drill night. one
night week 10 receive instruction
Line serceants are detailed TO drili the
aw kward squads. AT intervals horses
arc hired, and under competent in
structor. the men are drilled in horse
manship, while frequent lessons in har-
Messing and caring for the horse are
given.
since returning from Chattanooga,
the liowitzers have determined to or
ganize and equip n drum and bugle
corps. Lieutenant George Myers. as
chairman Of the committee. has signed
up twenty-four musicians These men
viii be carried on the rolls as regular
members. and when on duty for the
state or government will be classed M
caunoneers on parades and such oc-
casions they viii furnish the music for
tho battery