Putnam patriot., 1915-07-23
MACHINE GUNNERS
 ON HIKE 10 CAMP
Newly Organized Militia Group
 Marches to Range.
ENCOUNTER BAD WEATHER.
New Haven Guardsmen Spend Time in Camp Learning War Game Practice Use of New
 Automatic Pistols.

New Haven.-Rain with its rapid fire batteries effectively routed the second battalion Of the Second regi- ment, the Machine Gun company and the supply company eneamped at the East Haven range. At the first vol ley the soldiers did not finch. but when the enemy's aerial navy con tinued to hurl raindrops upon the men. they broke ranks and retired to camp. But this was at 5.30 o'clock in the afternoon. and during the earl fer part of the day the school of mus ketry had been holding session.
 Companies E, F. c and H were bus fly engaged in puneturing the targets on the rifle ranges. Again many good scores were made. The day was an ideal one for the use of the shorter ranges as no glare bothered the eyes.
 The supply company and the newly organized machine gun company were instructed in the use of the 45 calibre automatic revolvers. Some very good scores were made aud others were not so good The work of the Ma chine Gun company was especially worthy of note, since these. for the most part, had no experience with the fast shooting pistol Many of the new recruits relaxed as they gripped the butt of the 45 as if they feared the thing had claws.
 Many musicians are in the com pany. At noon just before dinner. the guitars and mandolins were gotten out and the officers serenaded. The sons Of Captain Newboid and Ser geant Vanascore are in camp as Ma chine Gun company mascots This makes the seventh camp for Lester Newhold
 The Machine Gun Company did not ride to the range. as did the rest of the state soldiers. They set out on foot at 5.45 from the armory to hike the distance to camp. Fifteen min utes rest was taken at the Four Cor ners and five minutes rest was en- joyed just before reaching camp. At 7:15 the company marched into camp. as fresh as if they had only taken stroll around the block Although the company has never taken part in any maneuvers. it would seem from this that mighty good endurance is displayed by the members.
 Some interesting boxing bouts were staged at night by the Machine Gun members. A challenge was sent to the Supply company to participate in the game of fstieuffs, but the. invita- tion to swap wallops had to be de. elined. as the best boxer in that com pany was indisposed
 The automatic machine rifles were not used A conference was held at which Captain Newbold, of the Ma chine Gun company. Sergeant White of the 27th infantry, U. s. A. and Major Shuttleworth, r. g. A., talked over the matter of using the machine rifles. The range is a splendid place to turn the weapons loose. but as 400 rounds a minute are fired by this 90 pound destroyer, the question of am intuition is serious one. However. II is planned to give each man in the company instruction in firing the guns.
 The singular feature of the gun is the absence of kick, though it fires 400 rounds a minute. All the kick power is turned to ejecting the shells and loading others.
 Adjutant-General George NJ Cole. Inspector General John Hickey, Com missary Officer, Captain Percy H. Morgan. Assistant Quatermaster-Gen en- .eral NJ. J. Wise and the army instruc- tors, Colonel Calvin Coles and Major Shuttleworth, remained in camp pre- pairing for the arrival of the second battalion. The tents were repitched. There are now seven streets, whereas six were marked out the first week The sanitary troops are stationed in the rear of the colonel's tent. The supply company is on the right of the Hne with the Machine Gun company next. then come Companies E. F. c and E respectively.
 Captain Kerr was a very busy man in camp. looking after the sanitation of the grounds. He is detailed from Fort Adams and is to make a report 10 the war department in regard to the health conditions of the encamp- ment Lieutenant Thomas F. Healy from Waterbury is in charge of the medical work Of East Haven city of tents Not only will he care for the sick but the care of the drinking wa ter will be under his jurisdiction and general sanitation of the battalion
 Sergeants Schoenfeldt and Grifhn are now assigned to the clerical work of the camp.