2. The method of steam cooking provided for and necessary to cook the large quantities of food required by the general mess at this post does not produce food so appetizing as that cooked in smaller quantities by the company cook over a range or camp fire, and the food can not be served so warm as in smaller quantities to a lesser number. 3. There is no economy of labor. The help comes from different organizations, and there is an entire lack of interest except what is enforced. The feeling of all enlisted men for the general mess is entirely different from that toward their own company mess, which is akin to that toward their own home kitchen and dining room. All of these conditions have been especially noticed by me during the past year, for the reason that there have been such frequent changes in the number of organizations eating at the general mess, and because during the past three different regiments have been represented in this general mess. Kitchens and dining rooms could be added to the cavalry barracks at small expense commensurate with the advantages that could be derived therefrom. Providing this is do e, I would respectfully recommend that the general mess building at this post be used as a gymnasium, dance hall, and library for the enlisted men of the post. Practical demonstrations with the search light, which was sent to this post for instruction in the school, will be undertaken as soon as the articles required for its manipulation, such as tools, lubricating oils, wire, etc., are procured, provision having been made for the same in the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902. Very respectfully, GEO. B. RODNEY, Colonel Field Artillery, Commanding. APPENDIX A. FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, Fort Riley, Kans., September 1, 1901. The SECRETARY, CAVALRY AND FIELD ARTILLERY SCHOOL, Fort Riley, Kans. SIR: Pursuant to paragraph 9, School Regulations, I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the subschool for the artillery battalion at this post, including the period from November 12 (date of last report) to date. PRESENT. Organizations.-Ninth Band Artillery Corps, Sixth Battery Field Artillery, Seventh Battery Field Artillery, Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery, Nineteenth Battery Field Artillery, Twentieth Battery Field Artillery. Officers.-Col. Geo. B. Rodney, Field Artillery, commanding battalion and post; Maj. Harry R. Anderson, Field Artillery; First Lieut. P. R. Ward, Artillery Corps; adjutant, ordnance, engineer, police and summary court officer, Field Artillery Battalion; Capt. Granger Adams, Artillery Corps, commanding Sixth Battery Field Artillery; Capt. Geo. W. Van Deusen, Artillery Corps, commanding Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery; Capt. William Lassiter, Artillery Corps, commanding Seventh Battery Field Artillery; Capt. William J. Snow, Artillery Corps, commanding Twentieth Battery Field Artillery; First Lieut. Earle D'A. Pearce, Artillery Corps, Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery; First Lieut. Andrew Moses, Artillery Corps, Nineteenth Battery Field Artillery, acting adjutant, ordnance, engineer, police and summary court officer, Field Artillery Battalion; First Lieut. Henry W. Butner, Artillery Corps, Twenty-sixth Battalion Field Artillery; First Lieut. Henry L. Newbold, Artillery Corps, Twentieth Battery Field Artillery; First Lieut. Hanson B. Black, Artillery Corps, Seventh Battery Field Artillery; Second Lieut. Russell P. Reeder, Artillery Corps, Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery; Second Lieut. Francis A. Pope, Artillery Corps, Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery; Second Lieut. Arthur P. S. Hyde, Artillery Corps, Twentieth Battalion Field Artillery; Second Lieut. Beverly F. Browne, Artillery Corps, commanding Nineteenth Battery Field Artillery; Second Lieut. James Prentice, Artillery Corps, Sixth Battery Field Artillery. GAIN. Organizations.-Ninth Band Artillery Corps; Nineteenth Battery Field Artillery; Twentieth Battery Field Artillery. The Band and Nineteenth and Twentieth Batteries Field Artillery were organized in June, 1901, under provisions of General Orders, No. 78, Adjutant-General's Office, the band at this time being without horses and the batteries without guns or horses. Officers.-Capt. Granger Adams, Artillery Corps, May 8, 1901; Capt. George W. Van Deusen, Artillery Corps, March 4, 1901; Capt. William Lassiter, Artillery Corps, July 3, 1901; Capt. William J. Snow, Artillery Corps, August 23, 1901; First Lieut. Earle D'A. Pearce, Artillery Corps, April 19, 1901; First Lieut. Henry L. Newbold, Artillery Corps, August 23, 1901; Second Lieut. Russell P. Reeder, Artillery Corps, May 11, 1901; Second Lieut. Francis A. Pope, Artillery Corps, April 21; Second Lieut. Arthur P. S. Hyde, Artillery Corps, January 12, 1901; Second Lieut. Francis W. Clark, Artillery Corps, June 21, 1901; Second Lieut. Beverly F. Browne, Artillery Corps, June 21, 1901; Second Lieut. James Prentice, Artillery Corps, April 13, 1901; Second Lieut. W. S. Browning, Artillery Corps, April 5, 1901. LOSS. Officers.-Maj. Ramsay D. Potts, Field Artillery, May 20, 1901; Capt. J. R. Williams, Artillery Corps, March 8, 1901; First Lieut. Wm. S. Guignard, Artillery Corps, December 18, 1900; First Lieut. LeRoy S. Lyon, Artillery Corps, November 22, 1900; Second Lieut. W. S. Browning, Artillery Corps, April 13, 1901. Theoretical and practical instruction were carried on practically the same as last year, as will be seen by the following orders and memoranda, but by reason of the division of the Sixth and Seventh Batteries Field Artillery, in June, all work performed during the spring months was lost, and these batteries were compelled to return to elementary instruction, both in drill and target practice. [Memorandum order No. 15.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, Fort Riley, Kans., March 31, 1901. The following progressive scheme for carrying out the provisions of General Orders, No. 7, current series, Department of the Missouri, and General Orders, No. 53, Adjutant-General's Office, 1896, is published for the information of all concerned. In this connection the provisions of General Orders, No. 7, current series, Department of the Missouri, will be carefully noted and complied with. From April 1 to May 31.-Team drill, section, platoon, and battery drill. A portion of the time in these drills to be devoted to preliminary training, as required by artillery memorandum No. 2, Adjutant-General's Office, 1898. From June 1 to July 31.-Battery drill, battalion drill, and elementary target practice, as prescribed in artillery memorandum No. 2, Adjutant-General's Office, 1898. Field exercises once per week. From August 1 to September 30.-Battery drill and battery service target practice, with such other drills as may be necessary. Field exercises once per week. From October 1 to 31.—Battalion target practice, with such other drills as may be necessary. From November 1 to 30.-If practicable, combined maneuvers with cavalry. Field exercises for light artillery will comprise the following: Construction of gun pits; passage of streams; marches experimental, forced, of concentration; construction of temporary bridges; reconnoissance with view of ascertaining practicability of roads and fords for artillery; loading and unloading batteries on railroad cars; making and breaking shelter-tent camp; use of individual mess kit, and such other exercises as may be designated from time to time. Litter-bearer drill and signal drill as required by orders and regulations. In addition to the above, one day of each month will be designated from this office as field day. This day will not be set aside for competitive drills, field sports, and athletics. By order of Colonel Rodney: P. R. WARD, First Lieutenant, Artillery Corps. [Order No. 13.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, Fort Riley, Kans., April 1, 1901. I. Recruit drill will be held at such time as the battery commanders may direct between the hours of 1 and 4 p. m. II. In all drills, ceremonies, and exercises the Light Artillery Drill Regulations will be strictly followed. III. In inclement weather battery commanders will order such drills and exercises as can be held in the stables, gun sheds, or barracks. IV. Field exercises for light batteries for this month will be confined to experimental marches, the first one to be about 10 miles, going and returning; the second, 12 miles; the third, 15 miles, and the fourth, 20 miles. V. Field exercises for siege battery for this month will be confined to experimental marches, the first one to be about 6 miles, going and returning; the second, 8 miles; the third, 10 miles, and the fourth, 12 miles. VI. Battery commanders will select the day of each week for field exercises. P. R. WARD, [Memorandum Orders, No. 18.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, Fort Riley, Kans., May 1, 1901. The following exercises for the Sixth and Seventh Field Batteries will be carried out during this month: First week.-Practice march. Second week.-Construction of Austrian gun pit. All of the guns to be covered. Battery commanders will select the ground for their batteries in the execution of this exercise-not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. The time of construction to be taken. Third week.-Construction of German gun pit under the same conditions as exercise for second week. Fourth week.-March of concentration on May 23. Conditions.-1. A force represented by the Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery camped on the site of the volunteer camping ground, on the target range, on the night of the 22d. 2. A force represented by the Sixth Battery Field Artillery camped at the Estes Gate on the night of the 22d. 3. A force represented by the Seventh Battery Field Artillery camped on Ogden Flats, at reservation fence, night of the 22d. Required. The three batteries to park at their own gun sheds at 11.30 a. m. Batteries will break park on the morning of May 23 in time to enable them to be at the supposed camp position by 9 a. m. Field exercises for the Sixteenth Battery, Field Artillery, during the first, second, and third week of the month will be confined to practice marches of not less than 10 miles in length. By order of Colonel Rodney: H. W. BUTNER, First Lieutenant, Artillery Corps, Acting Adjutant. [General Order, No. 25.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, Fort Riley, Kans., May 21, 1901. The following progressive scheme for artillery target practice for the light batteries of this command is published for the information and guidance of all concerned: ELEMENTARY PRACTICE. [From June 1 to July 1, 1901.] This practice is in the hands of the battery commander, and he is not to concern himself with petty details, all of which should have been perfected in the preparatory training during May. It will not be hurried over, and battery commanders will make it a thorough preparation for service and competitive practice. Objects of this practice are: 1. (Accuracy.) To ascertain the skill of gunners. Firing at each of two known distances, about 1,700 and 2,500 yards. Two sighting shots allowed each gunner. The target will be the standard target, 20 by 10 feet, of canvas or board. The deviation in range of each shot will be measured on the horizontal plane and recorded together with the hits on the vertical target. The per cent of hits (direct or ricochet) out of a possible, not including the two sighting shots, will be the figure of merit at this class of target. A record of the shooting of each gunner will be accurately recorded and a report made to this office of same upon the completion of the series. Allowance of ammunition, 72 shell. II. (To range and find the length of fuse by trial shots.) The immediate objects being: (a) To teach and practice fire discipline; (b) to teach observation of sight and its regulation in range and direction; (c) to teach officers practically in their duties. Both stationary and moving targets will be used. No assistance to observation to be given the battery commander by range party. No change of target until range has been correctly found with percussion projectiles and three effective shrapnel, in the judgment of the battery commander, fired. These three should be counted out of the last fire, provided that the difference in length of fuse has not exceeded onesixth of a second. He will then cease firing and make his appeal. If the claim of the battery commander to have found the correct range and fuse is disallowed after the second appeal, the series will cease and the battery commander will proceed with the next target. Five ranges, from 1,200 to 3,500 yards, will be employed, not less than two at moving targets. Allowance of ammunition, 12 shell and 48 shrapnel. If the above allowance of shell is not sufficient for ranging, shrapnel may be used. III. (For effect with ammunition limit.) At the end of a ranging series when fire is adjusted. A series at about 2,500 and one at about 3,000 yards at battery service target corresponding to the zone. Allowance of ammunition, 10 shell for adjusting range and 24 shrapnel. IV. (For effect with a time limit.) Series beyond 1,700 yards with about six minutes' time, and one beyond 2,500 yards with about eight minutes' time. Time to be taken from unlimbering in the firing position. Ammunition, 10 shell for adjusting range, and 24 shrapnel. BATTERY SERVICE PRACTICE. [From August 1 to September 30, 1901.] In this practice a large, irregular ground will be selected, and targets arranged to represent phases of attack or similar operations for which supplementary orders will be issued. Targets: Battery of artillery in action (if practicable). Company of infantry, 48 dummies in line, single rank. Company of infantry, 48 dummies in columns of fours. Company of infantry, kneeling figures in attack, formation of similar ones and such others as may be hereafter designated. Allowance of ammunition, 30 shell and 270 shrapnel. BATTALION PRACTICE. [From October 1 to 31.] This practice is similar to the battery service practice. The batteries will be halted in rear of a position, the battery commanders called up, and the targets pointed out. The batteries will prepare for action, and the practice conducted as near actual service conditions as practicable. Allowance of ammunition, 16 shell and 84 shrapnel. In all firing, a range party of sufficient strength, according to targets, will be detailed under charge of an officer, and practice records and reports will be made on the usual forms. The principles laid down under caption, "Artillery in the field," Artillery Drill Regulations, are to be thoroughly practiced, and the attention of battery commanders is directed to artillery memorandum, No. 2, Adjutant-General's Office, 1898, especially to paragraphs 35 to 47 in connection with elementary practice. Battery commanders will submit a written report to this office not later than the 31st instant, giving the names of all qualified gunners and fuse cutters in their respective batteries. By order of Colonel Rodney: P. R. WARD, First Lieutenant, Artillery Corps, Adjutant. [General Orders, No. 27.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, The following exercises for this battalion will be carried out during the month of June: Thursday, June 6.-Construction of French gun pit by Sixth and Seventh batteries. Battery commanders will select the ground for their batteries in the execution of these exercises; not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. Time of construction to be taken. All of the guns to be covered. Construction of temporary shelter suitable for siege guns by the Sixteenth Battery. The battery commanders will select the ground for this exercise; not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. Time of construction to be taken. All of the guns to be covered. Thursday, June 13.-- Practice march for Sixth, Seventh, and Sixteenth batteries. Thursday, June 20.-Construction of English gun pit by the Sixth and Seventh batteries. Battery commanders will select the ground for their batteries in the execution of these exercises; not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. Time of construction to be taken. All of the guns to be covered. Thursday, June 27.-March of concentration, conditions of which instructions will be given later. By order of Colonel Rodney: P. R. WARD, First Lieutenant, Artillery Corps, Adjutant. [General Orders, No. 32.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, March of concentration. 1. Wednesday, June 26, 1901. Condition 1. A force represented by the Seventh Battery Field Artillery, camped near Detroit, Kans., on the night of June 26. 2. A force represented by the Sixth Battery Field Artillery, camped near Wakefield, Kans., on the night of June 26. 3. A force represented by the Sixteenth Battery Field Artillery, camped near Eureka Lake, Kans., on the night of June 26. Required: All batteries to break camp on the morning of June 27 in time to enable them to be in position by noon same day on ridge east of artillery post covering ford over Kansas River, southeast of said position. The batteries complete, except spare caissons, will leave Fort Riley, Kans., at 7 a. m. June 26 and march to the designated positions prepared to bivouac or make shelter-tent camp. Rations sufficient for two meals will be carried, and one feed of long and two of short forage. The field batteries will be allowed one 4-mule escort wagon and the siege battery two 6-mule army wagons. By order of Colonel Rodney: P. R. WARD, First Lieutenant, Artillery Corps, Adjutant. [General Orders, No. 36.] HEADQUARTERS FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. BATTERY SERVICE PRACTICE. Problem 1.-The battery to take position near the eastern boundary of the reser vation, facing west. Targets, three standard targets in echelon, 50 yards apart; distance, about 6,000 yards; ammunition allowance, 24 shell; time, thirty minutes. Problem 2.-From position indicated in first problem the battery commander will send out ground scouts to determine the best crossing of the stream and the broken ground in his immediate front. The battery will then advance directly toward last target, and as soon as the ground permits will be formed in line and take up a rapid gait, advancing to second position, about 3,000 yards from targets. Targets, dummy |