REPORT No. 8. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., Feb. 16, 1906. To the Assistant Adjutant-General, Indiana National Guard: Sir-I have the honor to submit herewith a report of rifle practice for the year 1905. But little practice was had by the organization before the Annual Encampment, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Aug. 2d to 11th. Practice was had on the same ranges, and the arrangement of the targets were the same as in 1904. The troops were assigned to the ranges by regiments in their numerical order. More time was consumed in firing than formerly (numbers considered) because as the soldier becomes more proficient he is inclined to take more pains. While some of the companies did not show any improvement in comparison with their former records, there was an increase in the figure of merit in all the regiments, and it is a pleasure to call particular attention to the records of Co. B, 1st, and Co. D, of the 2d Infantries, whose figures of merit are extremely gratifying compared with their records in 1904. Attention is invited to the figures accompanying this report. The figure of merit they attained was the result of hard, systematic work on the part of both oflicers and enlisted men, and was obtained by taking advantage of every opportunity to get on the range. A large majority of the enlisted men demonstrated that the position and aiming drills had been wholly neglected; and we are inclined to believe that by their neglect they mean to insinuate that such matters are simply fads of the experienced men of the world, printed in the Firing Regulations to worry those who care nothing for the experience of the past. We hope, however, that the results obtained by those who observe the rules and regulations will shame the careless ones into an effort to emulate the example of the up-to-date officers and soldiers. Owing to the limited time and the arrangement of targets on the different ranges, many men of the different organizations did not get to fire at all, and many did not get a chance to fire beyond the 200 yard range, and the latter was particularly true of the 3d Infantry, which was the last to get on the range, and which, owing to the tour of duty necessarily arranged for the Encampment, were unable to get but one battalion beyond the 200 yard range, which resulted in a great amount of dissatisfaction, the cause being unavoidable. Taking the Indiana National Guard as a whole, they manifest a very great desire to learn to shoot, and if given proper instructions and the opportunity, we feel sure that Indiana will not remain in the column of those States whose soldiers can not shoot to hit. In view of the various duties incident to the Annual Encampments, and the change of the physical conditions incident to change from everyday home life, change of water, food, travel to camp, loss of sleep, the strenuous effort required to perform their duties, unfitting the soldier for accurate shooting, it is respectfully suggested that rifle range practice be eliminated from future Encampments, and that the soldier be encouraged to give this matter more attention at his home station. General Orders, Headquarters I. N. G., May 15, 1905, made provisions for the selection of a team consisting of twelve principals, three alternates, one spotter. one coach and one team captain, to take part in National Contest at Seagirt, N. J., Aug. 24 to 26, 1905. Conditions were such that the selection could not be made until after the shooting was over at the Encampment. The time was so limited in which to make the selections, and the indifference to the orders in the different regiments so prevalent near the close of the Encampment, that a failure to make selection was barely averted, and had it not been for the special efforts of Capt. J. F. Robinson and Capt. Basil Middleton, 1st Infantry, it is extremely doubtful if the selections would have been made, but their efforts stimulated others, and as a result about forty officers and enlisted men reported on the rifle range, Fort Benj. Harrison, out of which the team was finally selected. Only about one week remained for practice before going to Seagirt. A portion of this time it was so damp that practice was impossible. With but one exception none of these officers and enlisted men had ever seen a skirmish run, and some of them had never fired at so great a range as six hundred yards, which was the longest that could be had at Fort Harrison, although the team was expected to and did fire on the one thousand yard range at Seagirt. Altogether the conditions were such that the team was wholly unprepared to enter a contest in which some of the best marksmen in the world were engaged. Each regiment was represented on the team, and the experience they brought home with them we think is well worth all it cost in a financial way, but the honors they did not win on the field (for which blame should not in any way attach to the team) was rather burdensome to have. There were thirty-seven teams in this contest, and the Indiana Team carried off the honors with thirty-sixth place. No doubt this annual contest will be a fixed feature, and it is respectfully suggested that the Indiana team be selected at an early date, and a suitable 1,000 yard range be procured, and such facilities furnished as will pernit of early and proper instruction before going into another contest against such odds. Unless the long range is used, it is useless to attempt to make a showing at these matches, as they are won or lost on the one thousand yard range and in skirmish fire. Very respectfully, D. I. McCORMICK, Major I. N. G., Retired, |