TTrETESTANDSTRE A M. 



489 



J. H. Joui tegimenl, were elected, w 



G-. Litchfield, of Gen. Hancock's start, to till vacancy. 



The election of off] '.actors resulted inttufchoiee 



of N. P, Btantuu as President, G. W. Wingate as Vice-Presi- 

 deut, D. W. Judd as Treasurer, ami Col. II. A, Cjudersieeve, 

 Gen. Alex. Shaler and Geo. 8, Seheruierhorn, Jr., as members 

 oE the Executive Committee. 



Secretary Schermerborn, who declined a re-election to the 

 post, reported as follows on the Work of the Association for 

 the past year ■ 



Nsw York, January M, 1879. 

 Mr. President and Gentlemen of the National Rifle Association 

 of Anurias : 



The seventh annual report of the Secretary embraces the 

 year 1878. 



ttely upon the adjournment of the sixth annual 

 meeting of the Association on Tuesday, January 8, 1878, the 

 Board of Director; 

 of organization foi 

 there wei 



tnerhorn, Scott, a 

 Casey and Waters, 

 ceeded with, and 

 re-elected Presidei 

 Geo. 8. Schemed 

 Treasurer, and foi 



in special session for the purpose 

 ,m:ii ripening, At this meeting 

 r iairou, Wiugite, Wvlie, Scher- 

 i-y, Holland, Beaue, Fulton, Woodward, 

 The election of. officers was at once pro- 

 -nlii ii as follow?. Hon. N. P. Stanton, 

 . Geo. Geo. W. Wingatfr, Vice-President; 

 ru, Jr., Secretary; Gen. Dan'] D. Wylie, 

 of the Executive Committee, iu 

 addition to the officers above-named, Hon. My. A. Gilder- 

 sleeve, Gen. Alex. Shaler and Hon. David W. Judd. 



At the October meeting Gen, Geo. W. Wingate, who had 

 held iho position of director by election, aud was also director 

 ex-offi-i-i, resigned bis elected directorship. At the regular 

 meeting of the Board, held January 7, Mr. John P. Waters 

 resen ids resignation, stating Ms inibiity to attend to the 

 duties of i.i isitioa, and the Board reluctautly accepted it, 



The directors retiring from office by reason of expiration of 

 term at this time (January 14, 1879) are: Gen. Geo. VV. Win- 

 gate (resigned as above), Gsn. Ira L. Beebe, Captain William 

 E. Casey, Geo. Seheruierhorn, Jr., and Col. John Bodine, 

 elected January, 1 87S, for one year unexpired term. There 

 are, therefore, six vac:incies to be titled at this time, viz., rive 

 vacancies for full term, and one to fill unexpired term of two 

 years of Mr. J. P. Waters. 



The term for which General ,1. P. Rathboue was elected an 

 honorary director expired on the 6th April last. 



Hon, "Thus. G. Alvord was elected an honorary director for 

 three years on February 0. 1878. 



General Ronald S. Mackenzie, United States Army, was 

 elected an honorary director for three years Aprils, 1878 ; 

 Major Moreau Morris, M. D. Surgeon N. R. A., was elected 

 an honorary director for tbrfie yearij June 4, 1878 ; and on 

 September 3, 187S, the Board of Directors, in recognition of 

 the liberality of Hon. Henry Hilton, iu presenting to the Asso- 

 ciation the first prize in the International Military Match, 

 valued at §3,000, elected Judge Hilton au honorary director 

 for life. 



For the first time in the history of the Association it becomes 

 the duty of the Secretary to report the action taken in reference 

 to the death of a director while holding office. Shortly after 

 phe regular meeting of the Board of Directors, iu May last, 

 information having been received of the death of Major Gen. 

 Dakin, a special meeting was held on the 14th May, aud upon 

 the appearance of a quorum the President announced the ob- 

 ject of the meeting to be for the purpose of taking action in 

 regard to the sudden death of Gen. Dak'm. Gen. Shaler 

 moved the appointment of a committee of three to draft reso- 

 lutions expressive of the sentiments of the Board, which was 

 immediately approved, and the chairman appointed as such 

 committee "Generals Shaler, Woodward and Wingate. This 

 committee shortly reported the following, through its chair- 

 man, who also moved their adoption ; 



Wubkbab, An inscrutable Providence has suddenly re- 

 moved f rum our midst our esteemed friend and companion, 

 Major General Thomas Spencer Dakin ; 



Attained, That in his deatis this association has lost one of 

 its most valuable friends and supporters, and has been de- 

 prived of the companionship of a genial and warm-hearted 

 gentleman ; that we recognize in the career of General Thomas 

 Dakin all that is noble aud manly, furnishing an example 

 worthy of emulation, aud securing to himself by his eutbnsi- 

 tic devotion to the science of rifle shooting the honor of being 

 recognized throughout the world as a most perfect type of an 

 American rifleman, and as furnishing to the National Guard 

 an incentive to become proficient in the most important part 

 of their duties. As a soldier he was brave aud accomplished, 

 esteemed and beloved by the officers and soldiers of his com- 

 mand, respected and admired by the National Guard of the 

 Stale, his loss will be keenly felt and greatly deplored. As a 

 citizen he was upright and sincere in his intercourse, urbane 

 aud courteous in his demeanor, and faithful to his friends. 

 In bis death society loses one of its highest ornaments ; 



Reached, That as a tokou of respect and esteem for the 

 memory of our departed comrade, the officers and members of 

 this association will attend his funeral iu a body, wearing the 

 usual badge of mourning upon the left arm : 



Rejoined, That these resolutions be entered upon the 

 minutes, and a copy furnished the family of the deceased as 

 an expression of our sincere sympathy for them in their great 

 bereavement. 



The motion to adopt the report of the committee Was duly 

 seconded, aud after some feeling remarks by Judge Gilder- 

 sleeve and General Wingate, aud the reading of a telegram 

 from Hon. D W. Judd, who was uuable to be present, was 

 unanimously carried, and the meeting adjourned after arrang- 

 ing to atteud the funeral. 



Iu accordance with the resolutions, the Secretary caused a 

 suitably engrossed copy of the resolutions to be duly for- 

 warded to the family of General Dakin. The Irish Hide 

 Association also adopted a resolution in regard to the death 

 ofGeueral Dakin, and for warded a copy, accompanied by a 

 letter from its honored secretary, Major Arthur B. Leech, 

 who slated his desire that the resolution adopted by his associa- 

 tion might be forwarded to General Dakin's family, which was 

 promptly done. 



At the February meeting of the Board the. President 

 announced the following standing committees for the year 

 1878, in addition to the Executive Committee previously 

 given : 



Range Committee — General Geo. W. Wingate, chairman ; 

 Col. Geo. D. Scott, Captain Jos. G. Story. 



Finance Committee— Hon. D. W. Judd, chairman ; Lieul;.- 

 Col. E. H. Sanford, Captain W. C. Casey. 



Prize Committee— Col. John Ward, Chairman ; Mr. J. P. 

 Waters, Major Jos. Holland. 



The annual membership roll has Buffered a decrease of 



about forty names during the past year. There have been 

 twenty-five life members added to our roll during the same 

 period, of whom twenty-two paid the usual fee, two were 

 won as prizes in the late fall meeting, nod one had the honor 

 conferred by vote of the hoard without expense to him in 

 recognition of great services rendered to the association. 

 Four of our life members have died during the past year, viz: 

 Geu. T. S. Dakin, Col. J. K. Hitchcock, Cot. H. Clay Pres- 

 ton, Hon. Wm. Walsh. Fifteen silver life membership 

 badges have been issued, the numbers running from 71 to 85, 

 both inclusive, and iu connection with this subject it is re- 

 spectfully recommended that the size of these badges be 

 materially reduced, 38 it is believed that if this was done 

 many who now decline to supply themselves with them, al- 

 leging that it is because they are loo bulky to wear, would 

 purchase them. 



The roll of affiliated organizations lias suffered a decrease, 

 there having beeu only six during the past twelve monthB, 

 viz : Amateur Ride Club, N. Y. City ; Seventh Regiment 

 Rifle Club, N. Y. City ; Massachusetts Rifle Association, 

 C-'.voii, MTaSS; New Jersey State Rifle Association, Elizabeth, 

 N. J.; Washington Gray Troop Cavalry, First Division N. G. 

 S. N. Y., N. Y Oily ; Columbia Rifle Association, Washing- 

 ton. D. C. 



At au adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors, held 

 March 19, a communication from the Adjutant General, S. 

 N. Y., approving the new regulations which had been sub- 

 mitted to him for approval, in accordance with the law, was 

 read and ordered on file ; and at this same meeting the Range 

 Committee reported that, though the range was then prac- 

 tically open for practice, it would be formally declared open 

 on and after April 1, 1878. 



At the next regular meeting Gen. Wylie (the Treasurer), 

 reported that the Long Island Railroad had promised to run 

 trains from Hunters Point via. L. I. R. R. at 12 o'clock m. 

 and 2 p. m.., and via Central Road 3 o'clock p. m. with con- 

 venient trains in the forenoon ; also that the railroad com- 

 pany would sell excursion tickets between Hunters Point and 

 Creedmoor to members N. R. A. and N. G. 8. N. Y, in pack- 

 ages of 100 jit 30 cents each, in consequence of this arrange- 

 ment the Secretary undertook the supply of these tickets in 

 packages of five round-trip tickets to our members, and dis- 

 tributed during the season just past (i.OOO of them iu this 

 manner. 



At the same nfeeting General Wingate offered the following 

 resolutions, which were adopted, viz.: 



Resolved, That for the purpose of developing public interest 

 in rifle shooting with military weapons, au International rifle 

 match be announced to take place at the annual fall prize 

 meeting of the association, to be held at Creedmoor in Sep- 

 tember next, to be open to teams from each of the States of 

 the Union, the Provinces of Canada, the kingdom and depend- 

 encies of Great Britain, and from all other countries. Each 

 country having a National Guard or Militia distinct from its 

 regular army to be entitled to send a separate team to repre- 

 sent each. 



Resolved, That a committee of three he appointed for the 

 purpose of deciding upon the conditions of the match, with 

 authority to confer with foreign riflemen and those of other 

 States. 



The committee appointed in accordance with the above 

 were General Wingate, General Wylie, and Mr, J, P. 

 Waters, and this committee shortly afterward prepared a cir- 

 cular letter upon the subject of the match, which was very 

 widely distributed both at home and abroad, and elicited many 

 replies. The committee reported conditions to govern the 

 match, which were finally approved by the Board of Directors, 

 and the match duly announced for competition at the fall 

 meeting. Major-General W. S. Hancock, United States 

 Army, commanding the military division of the Atlantic, early 

 took an active intersst in the matter, and to his exertions the 

 National Rifle Association owes it that the Hon. H. Hilton, 

 of New York, made his munificent donation of the first prize, 

 valued at $3,000. The Aiiny and Navy Journal provided 

 the silver badges which were presented to the members of the 

 winning team. For particulars in regard to the match, num- 

 ber and competition of teams entered, scores, etc., etc., ref- 

 erence is made to the statistical portion of this report. 



It is very generally the opinion that this match so happily 

 inaugurated promises to be one of the most important and in- 

 teresting competitions in the future history of rifle practice in 

 this country, and in connection withthe match for the military 

 championship of the United Stales, established through the un- 

 tiring efforts of Lieut.-Col. E. H. Sanford for two years past, 

 and compel ed for at the same meeting, marks a new eia in the 

 practice with the military rifle with us, and has exerted such 

 a powerful influence upon riflemen, that it may be said to 

 have neutralized the depressing effect of the absence 

 from Creedmoor of any foreign team of riflemen to compete 

 for the ''Palma" in 1878. 



Early in the year, at a regular meeting of the Board, the 

 following was unanimously approved, viz.: 



Whkkeas, It has been the aim aud purpose of this Associa- 

 tion to foster and encourage the organization of Rifle Clubs 

 and to disseminate information upon all matters connected 

 with rifle shooting ; and, 



Wskkbas, Very gratifying results of our efforts in that di- 

 rection are shown by the existence to-day of no less than one 

 hundred of such Clubs and Associations in various parts of 

 the United States ; and, 



Whereas, It is desirable that such organizations should 

 take an active part in all matters connected with the develop- 

 ment of this popular amusement, and with questions relating 

 to Inter-State and International matches j and, 



Whereas, This Association called a Convention of Rifle- 

 men two years ago, which Convention, owing to the lack of 

 interest in rifle shooting at that time, was so slinily attended 

 that it was deemed unadvisable to take any steps of import- 

 ance in the dhection o£ extending the span of usefulness of 

 this Association ; and, 



Whereas, The present appears to be a peculiarly opportune 

 time for a convention, suoh as was called two years ago; 

 therefore be it 



Resolved, That the President be, and hereby is, requested 

 and empowered to invite, in the name of this Association, the 

 officers and members of the various Rifle Clubs and Associa- 

 tions throughout the country to assemble in Convention at 

 Creedmoor, or some suitable place in this city, on the occa- 

 sion of our next Spring Prize Meeting, for the purpose of con- 

 sidering and determining upon all questions which may be 

 presented relating to rifle shooting and rifle matters gener- 

 ally. 



Resolved, That all Clubs and Associations intending to be 

 represented in this Convention be requested to notify the 

 Secretary of this Association on or before May 1st, next, 

 stating the number of members upon their roll. 



And a circular letter containing a copy of same forwarded 



to all known rifle associations or clubs in the tj. 8, The con- 

 vention herein provided for met in the President's quarters 

 upon the range at Creedmoor on the 34th and 25th days of 

 May last during the Spring meeting of I he N. R. A., and 

 adopted the following resolutions unanimously : 



Resolved, That the course taken by the National Rifle As- 

 sociation of America since its organization, which has made 

 ritle shooting an element of national strength and American 

 rifles and riflemen renowned throughout the world, merits 

 and should receive the warmest commendation from all In- 

 terested iu rifle practice. It is the opinion of this conven- 

 tion that the iuterest of the riflemen of America could not be 

 in better; hands lhan it has been by it, and they trust that the 

 litlemeu of the various Slates will unite in giving it an earnest 

 and cordial support in its endeavor to develop and extend 

 rifle shooting throughout the Union. 



Resolved, That the riflemen of the different States should 

 endeavor to form State Associations, which in turn may be 

 represented in the National Association, so as to unite the 

 riflemen now divided in local clubs without any boud of 

 union, and aid m inducing the military authorities of each 

 Slate to instruct their National Guard how to shoot. 



Resolved, That while iu the judgment of the members 

 of this convention it is inexpedient for a body of dele- 

 gates, meeting as they do for so short a time, to deal with 

 the difficult and complicated questions iu regard to rifle shoot- 

 ing as can be done by the experienced officers of the National 

 Rifle Association ; yet in the absence of any organization in 

 the great majority of States it is desirable that an annual 

 convention should be held at Creedmoor at the fall meeting of 

 the N. B. A., in which each rifle club should be represented 

 in the proportion of one vote for each twenty-five active 

 members in good standing upon its roll, (to be certified to by 

 its secretary, on honor, and previously forwarded to the Secre- 

 tary N. R. A.,) which convention shall discuss and recom- 

 mend to the Directors of the N. R. A. the manner in which 

 the general interests of rifle practice throughout the country 

 can best be developed and advanced. 



Resolved, That in all international matches either for the' 

 " Palma " or other trophy, the vicinity of New York City is- 

 the locality most convenient, botli for the Americans and the 

 foreign teams. 



Resolved, That in case of competitions being required im the 1 

 future for the selection of a team to represent America either 

 at home or abroad, the conditions of selecting the teams 

 should be made as little onerous to those residing at a dis- 

 tance from New York as is consistent with the certain selec- 

 tion of the best team. 



It was further resolved that the Secretary of the N. R. A, 

 call a meeting of the convention for the next Fall Meeting of 

 the N. R. A., and also, that it be recommended to the Board 

 of Directors N. R. A., that they endeavor to obtain for dele- 

 gates to the convention and competitors from a distance who 

 may have^ entered for matches at the Fall Meeting N. R. A., 

 tickets to 'and from New York City at reduced rates. (An 

 earnest effort was made in this direction by correspondence 

 with different railway officials, but without success, largely 

 owing to the impracticability of informing the proper oflicials 

 of the numbers likely to travel for this purpose over their dif- - 

 ferent roads.) 



In compliance with the resolution to that effect the Secretary ' 

 N. R. A. issued the following circular letter of invitation : 

 New York, August 15, 1378. 

 Sir: Attn j Convention of Riflemen held at Creedmoor lu May last 

 it was resolved that the next meeting of the Convention 6e called by 

 f ho Secretary ol" the National Rifle Association lo take place during the 

 next Fall Prize Meeting of the National Rifle Association at Creed- 

 moor, I.. T ; and further, that each Ohio or Association shall be en- 

 titled to one delegate ami one additional delegate for each twcnty-Uye 

 members certified by the Secretary as in good standing upon the roll 

 of the Club or Association. 



In compliance with the foregoing, I have the honor to invite your 

 Club or Association to 3end a delegate or delegates to the Convention 

 to be held at .Creedmoor. L. I., during the" coming Fall Prize Meeting 

 or this Association, commencing Tuesday , September 17th, and lasting 

 throughout the weelc. A copy of the programme of the meeting wUl 

 be forwarded to you as soon as published, and will contain a large 

 number of matches open to all comers. 

 Very respectfully yours, &BO. S. Sohermkrhorn, Jr., 



Secretary N. It. A. ot America. 

 P. Sr- -Please notify me as soon as practicable of the number of Del- 

 egates represent tug your Club or Association that will attend the 

 Conveution. 



This convention assembled in the President's tent on the 

 range at Creedmoor, September 20, 1878, during the Sixth 

 Annual Fall Meeting N. R. A., and there were present, Col. 

 John Eodine, Hudson River Rifle Ass'n : Dr. Dudley. Empire 

 Rifle Club, N. ¥. City, the Secretary Nl R. A. aud Gen. F. 

 F. Mitten, Irish-American Ritle Club, N. Y r . City. After the 

 election of a temporary chairman it was, upon motion, decided, 

 as many representatives of other associations were at the 

 time engaged as competitors iu matches then progressing, to 

 adjourn to the following day. There being no attendant on 

 thiB occasion, no meeting of the convention was held. 



There have been 138 matches in all shot at Creedmoor dur- 

 ing the past year under the auspices of the Association, in- 

 eluding the Leech Cup Match, shot during the Spring meet- - 

 ing, 1878, under the special auspices of the Amateur Rifle Club, . 

 this number is exactly double that reported for the year 1877, 

 and by reference lo the statistical tables will be found reported . 

 as follows: Spring meeting, 42 matches shot, including Leech t 

 Cup Match as above ; Fall meeting, 28 matches ; monthly oiv 

 special matches, G8. 



it is to be remembered that in addition to the above there- 

 have beeu a large number of matches shot upon the range at 

 Creedmoor by the members of affibated and local associations 

 and clubs. 

 The monthly or special matches have been as follows : 

 Spirit of Times Badge No. 2: One competition, April 13- 

 won by Mr. C. II. Johr, who having also won it on the two' 

 previous competitions in 1877, thus became the final owner 

 Wylie Badge : Two competitions, AprU 24 aud May 30 - 

 finally won by Capt. W. IP. Livermore, U, S. Eug. Ballard 

 Rifle Match: Seven competitions, April 17, May 8, June 26 

 July 24, Aug. 21, Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, when it was Anally 

 won by Mr. W. M. Farrow. J. P. Waters' Prize : three com- 

 petitions, April 24, May 11 and June 15, being then finally 

 won by J. L. Allen. Appleton Prize : Eight competitions 

 April 17, May lo, June 12, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct ltj 

 and Nov. 13, finally won by Mr. W. M. Farrow. Sharps 

 Rifle Company Prize, $250 gold : Seven competitions, April 

 13, May 4, June S and 13, July 20, Aug. 24, Sept. 7 and Oct. 

 5,_when ltvwas finally won by Mr. F. Hyde. In accordance 

 with the conditions of this match, one-quarter of the entrance 

 money received at each competition was added to the- capitu 

 prize, and this amounted in the end to $49. Champion 

 Marksman's Badge, 1878: Seven competitions, May 18, June 



