Topic: Canadian Militia
Field Batteries
Competition for Gzowski Cup (1889)
To be competed for on parade during annual drill by the four sub-divisions of the Battery. the prizes to be awarded to the Batteries performing the conditions in the shoertest average time.
Conditions:
Nine-pounder and limber, four horses. Four detachments each to consist of 1 N.-C. Officer (mounted), 6 Gunners, 2 Drivers. Field day order.
Detachment to be in order of march. No. 1 and Drivers—stand to their horses.
| 1. | Gunners and Drivers prepare to mount. Mount. |
| 2. | Forward at a trot. march. Left incline. Left-shoulders. Forward. Left-shoulders. Forward. Left incline. halt. The run to be taken round two pickets, each 30 yards from the leaders, and 30 yards apart, and back again to original ground. |
| 3. | Action—Front. |
| 4. | Load with drill cartridge and fire one round with friction tube. |
| 5. | Cease firing. Rear limber up. |
| 6. | Gunners prepare to mount. Mount. |
| 7. | Forward at a trot. March. Gun to be taken straight through two pickets, 3 feet high, 40 yards distant, and 6 feet 8 inches apart—as soon as 15 yards clear then:– |
| 8. | Halt. Action rear. |
| 9. | Load with a second drill cartridge and fire one round. |
| 10. | Front limber up. Form the order of march. Halt. |
Cartridges are to be taken separately from the limber box by No. 7.
Ammunition not to be carried.
For striking any of the pickets 5 seconds to be added to the total time.
For any faults of mistakes in drill as judged by Umpire—5 seconds to be added for each.
Umpire's decision to be final. No appeal.
Prizes:
1st. — Gzowski Challenge Cup and $35.
2nd. — $25.
3rd. — $15.
By order,
J.B. Donaldson, Captain,
Secretary Treasurer.
Ottawa, 25th April, 1889.
Montreal Field Battery Inspection
The image above and at the top of the article are reproduced from The Dominion Illustrated published 8 Aug 1881
The Montreal Field Battery, one of the finest in Canada, in camp on St. Helen's Island in the latter part of June, was inspected June 30th by Lieut.-Col. C.E. Montizambert, artillery inspector of the province. The day was hot and rendered active exercise anything but desirable; yet the battery men acquitted themselves in the most satisfactory manner. The men fell in at 10.30 a.m., and marched out upon the parade ground, receiving the inspecting officer with a general salute. the battery was manoeuvred by Major hall, Capt. Hooper, and lieutenants Costigan and Benyon. The march past was excellently done, the sword exercise well executed, and the going into action and retiring by alternate half batteries carried out in a manner that won high praise. After the non com's had been examined by the inspector with most gratifying results, the battery was put through the "Gzowski trial" in subdivisions, the average time being less than 2:46—a credible showing with comparatively untrained horses. the time was taken by Col. Houghton, D.A.G., and Col. Stevenson. After dinner the tents, equipage, etc., were inspected, and at the close the inspecting officer expressed himself highly gratified with the drill, discipline and efficiency of the battery. - The Dominion Illustrated; 8 Aug 1881.
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