Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-02
MILITARY EXHIBITION
:. At centennial FIELD
University of Vermont Battalion,
Reserve Officers Training
Corps, Provides Spectacle at
Centennial Field-PrOmOtiOns
and Appointments

Something entirely new and different
from the usual student activities was
presented to the public at Centennial Field
Saturday afternoon when the University
u Vermont battalion, reserve officers
training corps, staged big military exhibi-
zion. The exhibition, which was entirely
planned and executed by the students
under the direction Of Major H. A. Leon
haueser, U. 8. A., retired commandment,
was done with q military preciseness and
oxactness worthy Of army veterans. From
the time that the university band struck
up its first piece until the commissions
for next year were presented. there was
not dull minute on the program. Imme-
diately following the band concert came
the escort to the colors. The whole bat
TALON was drawn UP opposite the grand
stand, with the exception Of Company B,
Captain woodward 49, commanding,
which marched across the field escorting
the coiors to their place between the sec
0nd ana third companies OF the battalion.
Then came the battalion review, with
Mayor ], Holmes jackson as the repre-
sentative of Governor Graham, who was
unable to be present. and Major Leon
haueser acting as reviewing officers. the
battalion marched around the field once In
perfect column, and the second trip around
drew forth rounds of applause from the
Rrandstand as they swung down past the
reviewing stand at double time. Keeping
excellent column and perfect cadence
Major Fichot, '1S. then put the battahoh
through some difficult drills. The columns
moved forward as one, executing, on right
into line, left front into line. extension OF
companies. right by companies, company
front and other interesting tactics. Inc
battalion then stacked arms ana TOOK
interval at four PAGES. spreading the
battalion over the whole field in front OF
the grandstand. First Sergeant Booth 10.
then put the men through series OF
setting up exercises such as are used in
an military training camps. Bayonet ex-
ercise was then done by the battalion
under the direction Of Capt. Grayer. 10.
Al each movement was executed. 1t was
explained by Major Fichot SO that the
public would understand how bayonet
6ghing "over there" is done. Capt
woodward, 10, then put the battalion
through a complicated series Of rifle ex-
ercises, such as are used in training
camps for the physical upbuilding OF the
soldiers.
An inter-company relay race was staged
IN charge Of Lieut.. Spencer 1S. Each COM
many was represented by four men, each
Of whom was to run one.fourth of the
way around the track Each man was
equipped with two bandoliers loaded with
cartridges, rife. cartridge belt. and full
water canteen. The race was won by
Company d, with a ten-yard lead over
Company A, Company B barely beating
out Company for third place. The win
ming team was composed Of Private Rock
we'll, Sergeant Hammond, Private Greene
and Corporal Fowler.
One Of the most interesting events Of
the whole program was shelter tent
stitching contest, which was under the
supervision Of Lieutenant Hogan. 10.
Each company was represented by two
men, whose equipment and pack were
spread across the field at various inter-
walls. At the given word. the men dashed
across the field. putting on their equip
ment a. they went. When fully equipped
each pair took q shelter tent from
their pack and put It together as rapidly
~ possible. Then all the equipment
was spread out in front of the tent, and
the first pair to do all this was to come
to attention beside the tent. The con-
test was won Corporal Doolittle and Pri-
vate Sargent of Company D.
Following this a novelty race was in
troduced by the hospital corps. Each
man was to run across the field. pick
up q wounded comrade and carry him
back to the starting point. This race
waA won by Andrews and Der Giragocian.
For tie company in attack. the battalion
was formed into one company Of three
platoons. The company advanced from
one side OF the neld by a series of short
xushes. This was to show the modern
method Of attacking over an open terri
tory exposed to artillery fire. While jus,
within range Of enemy fire. the com.
pAny advanced by platoon column and
squad column. As they neared the enemy
trenches. they fred from a prone posi-
ton, firing fast to cover the squad
yushes which occurred at short inter-
walls. Many men were killed or wounded
in the imaginary fire of the enemy and
dropped during the midst Of the rushes
The hospital corps. under Captain
Wright, NJ. '1S, bore these men to a first
aid station at the rear. A final rush by
the whole company was made with fixed
bayonets upon the enemies trenches
The whole attack was very realistic
Then came the battalion parade and re-
treat. which was the last event on tn,
program. The entire battalion came t,
present arms while the band struck VI
'"The Star Spangled Baaner." With THU
impressive ceremony. the exhibition cam,
TO q grand conclusion.
Just before the audience left, however
the battalion was drawn up and tn
adJutant, e. D. McSweeney, 10, read tn
following orders:
-. COMMISSIONS FOR NEXT YEAR.
Headquarters Reserve Officers Training
Corps. University of Vermont
April q. 1918.
General Orders No. Is.
!. The following promotions and ap
pointments in the university battalion ar
announced to become effective Octobe
10. 1913:
To be major, A. C. Krayer; first lieu
tenant and adjutant. A. r. Hogan; secon,
lieutenant and supply officer. X. C. Nc
Kahon: sergeant-maJor. ]. A. Smith; colo
sergeants. r. E. Wilcox and X. 8. PIERCE.
COMPANY A.
To be captain, D. e. insolvency; frs
lieutenant, d. G. Garno: second lieutnant
c. N. Dustin: additional second lieu
tenants. P. w. Rathfon and w. w
Sawyer Jr.: first sergeant. l. w. Gale
supply sergeant. A. w. Akin; sergeants
II. B. Furber. w. B. Buckham, r. +
Titus. P. J. Moore and C. f.. Smith
corporals. F., s. Pease, Jr., p. J. Branor
n. M. Grant. G. L. Best. C. C. Jouber,
c. H. Winslow and r. NJ Warren.
COMPANY "B"
To be Captain, H. A. Berry; Firs
lieutenant. f. A. Spaulding; Secon
81 Second Lieutenants, F. A. Lynch an
H. RI Mt haf