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REPORT OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,

JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL'S OFFICE.

BOSTON, Dec. 31, 1889.

Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General.

GENERAL:

I have the honor to submit the following report of

the business of my department for the year 1889.

No cases from general courts-martial have been submitted to me during the year.

The proceedings of regimental courts-martial in the following cases have been approved and reported upon :

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In addition to the above, opinions have been rendered in such matters as have been referred to me by competent authority for decision.

E. O. SHEPARD,

Judge Advocate General.

BOARD OF MILITARY EXAMINERS.

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, Jan. 1, 1890.

Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General of Massachusetts.

GENERAL:

- I have the honor to submit the following record of the transactions of the Board of Military Examiners for the year ending Dec. 31, 1889.

The Board has held during the year thirteen meetings. The total number of examinations was 119. Of these, 107 passed upon first examination. One was passed conditionally, and appeared for second examination. One examination was of an officer specially ordered to appear under the statute. Two officers were examined the second time for new positions. Of the entire number, seven failed to pass a satisfactory examination, and were rejected.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. F. PEACH, JR. Brigadier General, President of Board.

RIFLE PRACTICE.

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF RIFLE PRACTICE.

BOSTON, Dec. 2, 1889.

Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant and Inspector General.
SIR-I have the honor to submit my report for the year ending
Nov. 1, 1889, and I first present a table of the qualifications of
marksmen during the year:

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The following table presents a record of aggregate results, as compared with previous years :

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The State rifle matches occurred at South Framingham, on the 26th of September, and were attended by eighty-three company teams and ten staff teams, or something over seven hundred and fifty officers and men, the largest attendance on record. Unfortunate weather conditions delayed the shooting, so that it became necessary to permit about twenty men to report at a later date for the purpose of completing their scores. The average of the shooting was better than in any previous year.

For the fourth successive year our State team won at Creedmoor the two great military trophies of the season, the "Hilton Trophy" and "Soldier of Marathon."

A notable incident of the year was a voluntary trip abroad by a rifle team made up from officers and men belonging to the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, ten of the twelve shooting members having, in fact, served upon the Creedmoor team. Maj. J. P. Frost, A. I. G. R. P., Second Brigade, was in charge of the party. In England this team encountered three teams representing as many regiments of English volunteers, and two others representing strong shooting organizations, and was successful in every case. Considering the long experience and high reputation of the English volunteers, this result was very creditable to the men of our State. It demonstrated not only their individual excellence, but the unsurpassed merit of our national infantry arm.

In respect to our present system of rifle practice, I stated in my report of last year that the work done and results accomplished

indicated progress, and the system was working satisfactorily "for the time being." I added, however, some suggestions with reference to possible change and improvement, which have only been acted upon in a very limited way, but which are still pertinent. I have long recognized the difficulties attending an attempt to make rifle practice equally obligatory with other duty; but I believe the time has come when the State should require the duty, and that, if in enforcing the requirement it becomes necessary to slightly increase expenditures, the outlay will be more than repaid. The esprit du corps which has induced some of our organizations to voluntarily make considerable outlays beyond the allowances of the State, cannot be relied on throughout, the force; nor can it be expected that those who have heretofore done so will still continuously maintain their high standard at a large pecuniary cost to themselves.

I recommend:

1. That all organizations equipped with small arms be required to parade by companies (or battalions, when practicable) on two days in each year, for rifle practice, and be allowed compensation at the rate of one dollar per man for each day's duty; also that each organization be permitted two other days for voluntary practice (and qualification), with allowance for actual transportation.

2. That, on all assigned dates, inspectors or other officers detailed be present to supervise and verify the work; pay and transportation to be allowed.

3. The above allowances to supersede any issues of, or allowances for, ammunition.

4. That armory practice with ball cartridge be discontinued as a requirement.

5. That, with a view to facilitate as to convenience of ranges, and to simplify with respect to badges, our present requirements for qualification be revised.

These recommendations involve some radical innovations. I do not enlarge upon the advantages to be gained, as I think they will be apparent to all who have an intelligent understanding of the subject. If the general plan here outlined meets with favor, and there is no serious obstacle of a pecuniary nature, the details of administrative changes can be arranged without difficulty.

Appended to this report will be found the lists of qualified marksmen, and memoranda of the scores of our State militia in the State matches and elsewhere.

Very repectfully your obedient servant,

H. T. ROCKWELL,

Colonel and Inspector General of Rifle Practice.

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