Year: 1875

SUPPLEMENTARY TARGET PRACTICE OF THE


NATIONAL GUARD.


Mixed detachments from the Third brigade First
DIVISION NG.SN.Y., out yesterday on the
ranges Of the National Rife Association for
rife practice. The regiments which had men
before tho butts the Seventh, Eighth,
Ninth aud Fifty fifth. The troops turned out in
shel dress, with arms and accoutrements Each man
was supposed to be provided with days ratons and
twenty rounds Of ball cartridge ammunition The sew
eral detachments, under command Of the senior off,
GERS marched out of their respective armories at
sufficiently early hour to take the 935 A. NJ train from
Hunters Point to Creedmoor. The detachments were
organized for field service, and Lieutenant
Colonel Montgomery, being detailed for duty
as chief officer of the day, took command
of the whole Major D. D. Wyhe, who
was present brigade inspector Of rife practice,
directed the firing along the line and Assistant Surgeon
Tucker of the Ninth regiment, appeared as medical
staff officer.


THR TROOPS THE FIELD.


The forces from the regiments at practice were as
follows-Seventh regiment 175 officers, noncommis-
stoned officers and rank and file from companies F, G.
H. and K under command OF Major Smith; Captain
Robbins acting regmenta instructor Of rife practice
OF this number ninetyfve men qualified TO pass from
the third to second class practice The Eighth regi-
ment had out 100 men, from B, F, G, and compa-
Captain Davenport was in command and Leuten-
ant Hofee discharged the duties of inspector OF rife
practice One hundred and sixty men were sent back
from the third second class targets Considering
the number Of mon engaged and the state Of the
weather this is the best practice put on record
during the present season. The Ninth regi-
ment placed 21S men from f, G. Fl, and companies
before the targets. Ninety were sent back from the
third to the second class butts Lieutenant Colonel
Montgomery was in charge of the whole and Captain
Harding, who left the field at early hour, sup
posed TO act as inspector of rife practice The Fifty
fifth regiment mustered seventy ytwo of all ranks
from c, ID, and companies. Major Zuschling had
charge of the detachment and at the same time di-
rected the practice of his men, Thirty four the
privilege Of shooting at the second class butts.


THE PRACTICE.


After making the usual details necessary for the
security OF the practice ground by mounting guard at
the gate and placing sentries along the fences firing
commenced at eleven O'Clock, before the 100 yards
butts The practice finished at this and the $50
yards targets (both third cass) by half-past
O'Clock Al this hour the troops went rations and
resumed firing soon after three The shooting
finished at the 500 and 400 yards butts Second class
targets) at quarter after six O'Clock.


During the day q chilly and wind blew in ftful
gusts from the northwest and was not without some
difficulty that the could keep themselves comfort
ably warm. AS the weather was cloudy but the at
mosphere clear good light showed the targets in their
true position undsturbed by the dstortng influence Of
refraction which sometimes prevails in sultry days


very desirable change was noticed yesterday in the
method of keeping records Of hrings; it consisted in
this, that the of the different regiments were
kept by detailed for this purpose from other
corps 1t is TO be hoped that this system will be ad
hered to in future.


four which were sent from the Fifty fifth regiment
TO shoot at the second class targets only solitary
of them Major Zuschling, was able TO make
at the 300 and 400 yards ranges the minimum OF
twenty five points out OF possible fifty, to entte him
TO compete for the marksman's badge. There is
thing wrong here which ought to be to by the
officers OF the regiment. The want TO be taught in
their armory the theory Of rife shooting.


SCORES OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.