Officers.-Lieut. Col. T. J. Wint, Sixth Cavalry, September 20, 1899; Maj. William Stanton, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; First Lieut. T. Q. Donaldson, jr., squadron adjutant, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; Capt. C. M. O'Connor, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; First Lieut. C. W. Farber, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; First Lieut. H. B. Dixon, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; Second Lieut. A. G. Lott, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; Second Lieut. George Williams, Eighth Cavalry, January 26, 1900; Capt. Farrand Sayre, Eighth Cavalry, February 10, 1900; Second Lieut. E. R. Heiberg, Sixth Cavalry, May 10, 1900.

LOSS.

Organizations. Troop E, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; Troop H, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; Troop G, Sixth Cavalry, August 28, 1899; Troop A, Eighth Cavalry, June 14, 1900; Troop C, Eighth Cavalry, June 14, 1900; field, staff, and band, Sixth Cavalry, June 20, 1900; Troop A, Sixth Cavalry, June 20, 1900.

Officers.-Capt. L. A. Craig, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; Capt. B. H. Cheever, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; First Lieut. J. P. Ryan, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; Second Lieut. Stuart Heintzelman, Sixth Cavalry, July 2, 1899; Capt. M. F. Steele, Sixth Cavalry, July 14, 1899; Capt. Frank West, Sixth Cavalry, August 28, 1899; Maj. Thomas C. Lebo, Sixth Cavalry, September 21, 1899; Second Lieut. J. F. McKinley, Sixth Cavalry, November 11, 1899; Capt. H. P. Kingsbury, Sixth Cavalry, November 21, 1899; Second Lieut. George Williams, Eighth Cavalry, March 3, 1900; First Lieut. H. B. Dixon, June 1, 1900; Capt. Farrand Sayre, Eighth Cavalry, June 1, 1900; First Lieut. F. C. Marshall, Sixth Cavalry, June 18, 1900; Lieut. Col. T. J. Wint, Sixth Cavalry, June 20, 1900; Capt. W. W. Forsyth, Sixth Cavalry, June 20, 1900; First Lieut. John W. Furlong, June 20, 1900; First Lieut. E. R. Heiberg, June 20, 1900.

The departure of three troops of the Sixth Cavalry in July and August, 1899, left the cavalry post with insufficient men to take charge of the post, and patrols were furnished by the Light Artillery Battalion to assist in performing the guard duty.

The squadron of the Eighth Cavalry arrived January 26, 1900, with troops having about one-fourth their authorized enlisted strength and without horses. These troops were rapidly recruited to 100 men each, and they were instructed progressively and thoroughly dismounted. The months of April and May were devoted to target practice, and June to dismounted drills, "school of the troop," and such theoretical instruction as could be given in the mounted duties of a cavalry soldier. June 30, 1900, B Troop, Eighth Cavalry, had received only 7 horses and D Troop, Eighth Cavalry, only 6. The instruction of A Troop, Sixth Cavalry, conformed with the provisions of the General Orders, Headquarters Department of the Missouri, above referred to.

May 29, 1900, a detachment of recruits of the Eighth Cavalry was organized, and its instruction has been conducted progressively, dismounted, and continued as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible with the limited number of officers under my command.

Troops A and C, Eighth Cavalry, left the post for station at Forts Reno and Sill, respectively, June 14, 1900, and on June 20, 1900, the field, staff, and band, and Troop A, Sixth Cavalry, left this post for San Francisco, Cal., en route for China.

Troops B and D), Eighth Cavalry, received their authorized number of horses during July and August, which months were devoted to training horses and men, "school of the trooper." In September the drill was in school of the troop," including advance and rear guard and outpost duty.

By authority of the department commander, target practice with pistol was held by these troops during October.

Post lyceum work was conducted during the winter 1899-1900, according to the provisions of department orders quoted above, a scheme for which was submitted to and approved by the department commander.

A series of lectures and theoretical and practical instruction in horseshoeing was given by the chief farrier to the farriers and blacksmiths.

Attention is respectfully invited to the report of the commander of the Light Artillery Battalion herewith inclosed, marked "A," also to the financial statement of the school secretary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, attached and marked “B."

In order to complete the post as contemplated, the recommendations of Col. A. K. Arnold, First Cavalry, in his annual report of 1897, for the building of barracks and quarters in both cavalry and artillery subposts, are respectfully renewed.

I would respectfully recommend that kitchens be added to the cavalry barracks for the following reasons:

First. The conditions of the general mess at this post are so different from those of a troop mess in garrison and in the field that officers, noncommissioned officers, and men can not get the training contemplated in paragraphs 280-286 of Army Regulations. This training is most essential to the organizations at this post which are composed almost entirely of recruits.

Second. 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.

Third. 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 year 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 done, 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. Very respectfully,

GEO. B. RODNEY, Lieutenant-Colonel Fourth Artillery, Commanding.

APPENDIX A.

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., November 12, 1900.

The SECRETARY U. S. CAVALRY AND LIGHT ARTILLERY SCHOOL,

SIR: Pursuant to General Orders, No. 6, 1896, Headquarters of the Army, I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the subschool for the artillery battalion at this post including the period from September 1, 1899, to date:

ORGANIZATIONS.

Light Battery F, Third Artillery; Light Battery B, Fourth Artillery; Siege Battery O, Seventh Artillery, arrived at post April 13, departed August 6, returned October 9, 1900.

OFFICERS.

Present for duty.-Lieut. Col. George B. Rodney, Fourth Artillery, commanding light artillery battalion and post; First Lieut. L. S. Lyon, Second Artillery, adjutant and ordnance officer; Capt. R. D. Potts, Third Artillery, commanding Light Battery G; Capt. H. R. Anderson, Fourth Artillery, commanding Light Battery B; Capt: J. R. Williams, Seventh Artillery, commanding Siege Battery O; First Lieut. C. C. Hearn, Seventh Artillery; First Lieut. W. S. Guignard, Fourth Artillery; First Lieut. A. Moses, Third Artillery; First Lieut. P. R. Ward, Sixth Artillery, attached to Siege Battery O, Seventh Artillery, for duty; Second Lieut. H. W. Butner, Third Artillery; Second Lieut. H. B. Black, Fourth Artillery.

GAIN.

First Lieut. LeRoy S. Lyon, Second Artillery, May 18, 1900; Capt. J. R. Williams, Seventh Artillery, April 13, 1900; First Lieut. C. C. Hearn, Seventh Artillery, April 13, 1900; First Lieut. A. Moses, Third Artillery, December 21, 1899; First Lieut. P. R. Ward, Sixth Artillery, April 13, 1900.

LOSS.

First Lieut. G. G. Heiner, Fourth Artillery, June 1, 1900; First Lieut. D. Skerrett, Third Artillery, December 29, 1899; First Lieut. É. P. O'Hern, Third Artillery, November 17, 1899.

THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION.

From September 1, 1899, to January 1, 1900.-During this period and on account of the depletion of the cavalry garrison, the light batteries furnished details for nearly all the guards and other duties for both subposts. Target practice was held and instruction in drill regulations and field exercises given. Officers received theoretical instruction by discussion of military subjects during the lyceum course, noncommissioned officers in the noncommissioned officers' school.

From January 1, 1900, to March 31, 1900.-Theoretical-post lyceum and noncommissioned officers' school; practical-drill, road marches, and other field exercises. From April 1, 1900, to November 10, 1900.-Instruction, both theoretical and practical, and target practice were in compliance with the following orders and memoranda:

MEMORANDUM ORDER.

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION, March 28, 1900. The following progressive scheme for carrying out the provisions of General Orders, No. 8, current series, Department of the Missouri, and General Orders, No. 53, Adjutant-General's Office, 1896, having been approved by the department commander, is published for the instruction of all concerned. In this connection the provisions of General Orders, No. 8, 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. One practice in field exercises each week.

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 with 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.
During April and May one-half hour each day devoted to calisthenic drill.
By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

GORDON G. HEINER,
First Lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Acting Adjutant.

[Order No. 9.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., April 16, 1900.

In order to secure uniformity of action the following progressive scheme for carrying out the requirements of Artillery Memorandum Circular No. 2, AdjutantGeneral's Office, 1898, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned.

1.-Preparatory training until May 31.

Batteries are to be exercised in the whole system of fire discipline, as a drill, and everyone so instructed as to be thoroughly conversant with the correct performance of their definite duties in all positions in which a battery is likely to be placed in active service. This includes:

Instruction of platoon commanders: As to their responsibility and supervision. The acknowledgment of the receipt of all orders relative to ammunition, elevation, and fuses. The examination of their gunners and fuse setters, and the principles of ranging.

Instruction of gunners: In aiming or laying at service objects at service ranges. Drilled both as gunners and fuse setters, and worked against time in examination tests. To follow up every alteration in elevation ordered by battery commander. Instructed in elevation by quadrant and indirect laying.

Instruction of cannoneers: Nos. 3 and 5 to lay for direction from end of trail handspike. A certain number to be instructed so as to qualify as fuse setters.. Prompt and orderly performance of all duties to be exacted.

Casualties are to be frequently practiced at drill, so that it may be known who is to take any position vacated.

The principles laid down under caption "Artillery in the field," Artillery Drill Regulations. are to be practiced.

After instruction of gunners and fuse setters they are to be examined for qualification in the manner indicated on pp. 12 and 13 of the Memorandum.

The number of men, including chiefs of section, qualified both as gunners and fuse setters, should be 24 in a six-gun battery.

2.-Elementary practice, from June 1 to July 31.

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 seen to in the preparatory training. This practice will be:

I. For accuracy-firing at each of two known distances, about 1,700 and 2,500 yards. Target, the standard 20 by 10. Two sighting shots allowed each gunner. Allowance of ammunition, 72 percussion shell.

II. To range and find length of fuse (Object: Practice of fire discipline, observation and regulation of fire, and instruction of officers). Both stationary and moving targets will be used. No assistance to be given by range party near target. No

change of target until correctly ranged, and three effective shrapnel with same length of fuse obtained. When this is the case the battery commander will cease firing and call upon the range party for the effect of his fire. Four ranges from 1,200 to 3,500 yards will be employed. Allowance of ammunition, 28 shell, 24 shrapnel. III. For effect with ammunition limit. A series of about 2,500 yards after range is adjusted. Allowance of ammunition, 10 shrapnel and about 10 shell for adjusting

range.

IV. For effect with time limit. Series beyond 1,700 yards with about six minutes' time. Allowance of ammunition, about 12 shrapnel and 10 shell for adjusting

range.

3.-Battery service practice, from August 1 to September 30.

In this practice a large, irregular ground will be selected and targets arranged to represent phases of attack and defense.

The battery to range and fire on enemy's guns. Change and repel attack of infantry, or similar operations.

Targets: Battery of artillery in action (if practicable); company of infantry, 48 dummies in line, single rank; company of infantry, 48 dummies in column of fours; company of infantry, kneeling figures in attack formation, or similar ones. Allowance of ammunition, 250 shell, 60 shrapnel.

4.-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 target pointed out. The batteries will prepare for action and the practice conducted as near actual service conditions as practicable. Allowance of ammunition, 80 shell, 40 shrapnel.

In all firing a range party of sufficient strength, according to targets, will be detailed under charge of an officer, and precautions as to safety, danger flags, signals, etc., also judging and recording results of fire, will be as indicated under “Remarks," pp. 25, 26, 27, of the Memorandum.

Practice records and reports will be made on the usual forms.
By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

GORDON G. HEINER,

First Lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Acting Adjutant.

[Orders No. 13.]

The following field exercise for light batteries Artillery, will be carried out during the month: First week-Practice march.

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., May 2, 1900.
F, Third Artillery, and B, Fourth

Second week-Construction of Austrian gun pit. All of the guns of the batteries will be covered. Battery commanders will select the ground for their batteries in the execution of this exercise, not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. Time of construction to be taken.

Third week-Construction of German gun pit under same conditions as exercise for second week.

Fourth week-March of concentration on May 24. Conditions: (1) A force represented by light battery F, Third Artillery, camped at the bridge across Republican River, at the end of Washington street, Junction City, on the night of May 23. (2) A force represented by light battery B, Fourth Artillery, camped at the Estes gate, night of the 23d. Required: Both batteries to park at their gun sheds at 11.30 a. m. Batteries will break park on the morning of May 24 in time to enable them to be at the supposed camp position by 9 a. m.

Field exercise for siege battery O, Seventh Artillery, one each week during the month, will be confined to experimental marches; the first one to be about 6 miles going and returning; the second about 8 miles; the third about 10 miles; the fourth about 12 miles.

By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

GORDON G. HEINER, First Lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Acting Adjutant.