I Established A. D. 1871. 
I $4.00 a year, lOc. a copy. 
Vol. VI.— No. 24. 
New Series— No. 101. 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 18, 1876. 
THE LAFLIN AND RAND MEDAL. 
The Lafli n and Rand Powder Company have favored 
us with cuts of their prize medal, to be shot for at 
Creed moor during the forthcoming annual meeting of 
the National Rifle Association. 
Th^inedal is a real work of art in its sharp outlines, 
skillful modeling and pure design. It is two inches in 
diameter, and is struck in gold, silver and copper, per- 
fectly pure, and for the three grades of prizes. The ob- 
verse represents the arms of the State and City of New 
York combined, draped with the National Standard, 
and supported by implements of war, the shield sur- 
mounted by an eagle standing on a globe, the legend in 
a border encircling the whole, viz: “Laflin and Rand 
Powder Company Prize medal.” The reverse represents 
a female figure, Fame crowning'the victor. In the dis- 
tance is the Creedmoor range, with targets and wooded 
background. The medal is suspended by a chain from 
a pair of crossed guns attached to a plate, the attach- 
ments being of gold. 
The following are tbe conditions to govern the match: 
The match is open to National guards from any State in 
the United States, members of the N. R. A., excepting, 
however, members of the Amateur Rifle Club who have 
shot in the International matches, or who have shot in 
any other match where others who are not members of 
the Amateur Rifle Club were excluded. The match to 
be shot with breech-loading military rifles only; all spe- 
cially made heavy barrels intended for long range shoot- 
ing shall be excluded, and no cartridge shall be allowed 
containing more than 70 grains weight of powder, nor 
more than 480 grains weight of bullet. Firing position 
any within the rules of the Association. 
In getting up this costly device neither pains nor ex- 
pense have been spared. Of course members of the 
National Guard are the only contestants, and as their 
weapon is notoriously poor and indifferent, and the State 
ammunition served out for their use tao frequently im- 
perfect if not dangerous to the shooter and bystander, 
(of which the writer had recent experience) it would be 
absurd to admit the crack, shots with their thorough 
training and special arms, to compete against them. 
The National Guard is the unpaid standing army of 
this country. That high service which in other coun- 
tries is maintained at a vast expense, a power supported 
by the people against the people, is with us done and 
performed by the people themselves. Our citizen sol- 
diers are the safeguard of law and order, and it is the 
policy of our rich men and social magnates to encourage 
and uphold such patriotic devotion. Tie Laflin and 
Rand powder has acknowledged merits; the experts use 
it, Bogardus has sounded its praises, and thanks for 
favors past and to come may have moved this presenta- 
tion. But we on our side owe some thanks to the great 
company for doing a handsome thing in a handsome 
way. The rewards of the ancients were a simple wreath 
of bay oak or laurel; the middle ages introduced more 
precious and enduring materials, preserving and per- 
fecting the idea in the art embellishment. In this case, 
it is a satisfaction to see our merchant princes encour- 
aging art on the one hand, and on the other rewarding 
merit. 
_ ITEMS. __ 
[from OtJB OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] 
Chicago, Sept. 10. — Military matters having received 
so much attention in our city during the past year, I 
concluded a few words “ descriptive” would be of in- 
terest. 
The First Regiment has been organized about one 
year, and is composed of some of the best material in 
our city, mostly young men, who will do all in their 
power to make the organization one of great pride to 
our citizens. Their progress in recruiting, general or- 
ganization, discipline, company and battalion drill, has 
been rapid and precise, Co. “B” having so far advanced 
as to give a promenade concert and exhibition drill in 
the Exposition Building that proved a complete sficcess, 
it having been largely attended by many ladies and gen- 
tlemen. Three of the companies held an encampment 
during July 3d, 4th and 5th, that assisted materially in 
teaching them the dutiet of soldiers. 
There is some talk of the regiment attending the Cen- 
tennial Fair at Philadelphia, next year, if they can be 
recruited up to the maximum or minimum number, so 
as to compete for the champion flag. And in this re- 
spect let me mention the fact, that in 1860 the citizen 
soldiers of the East were taught that the West conid not 
be eaxelled in point of drill and discipline, by any regu- 
lars or volunteers in the country, as was thoroughly 
demonstrated by the United States Zouave Cadets (com- 
manded by the lamented Col. Ellsworth) while on their 
trip through the country during (July and August of 
that year, and if the “First” make as rapid strides to- 
ward perfection in their second year as in the first, they 
will certainly make some of the older regiments work 
hard to retain their present, or earn new laurels. The 
officers are as follows: 
Col., A. C. McClurg; Lieut. Col., G. S. Hubbard, Jr. ; 
Major, E. B. Knox, one of the U. S. Z. Cadets; Adjt., 
A. L. Goldsmith; Qr. -Master, C. H. Gillespie; Surgeon, 
Chas. G. Smith, M. D. ; Asst. -Surgeon, Henry Hooper, 
M. D. ; Chaplain, David Swing, D.D. ; Staff-Major, L. 
M. Lange; Q. M. Sergt., W. McD. Cool; Cofn. Sergt., 
C. F. Hamilton. 
Company “A” — Capt., Geo. R. Davis; First Lieut., 
C. Junigan; Second Lieut., C. 8. Diehl — 72 rank and 
file. 
Company “ B” — Capt, Jas. M. De Witt, one of the 
U. 8. Z. Cadets; First Lieut., W. W. Bishop; Second 
Lieut., H. S. Bowler— 63 rank and file. 
Company “ C”— Capt, M. B. Carpenter; First Lieut, 
F. B. Davis; Second Lieut, J. D. Banks — 66 rank and 
file. 
Company “D” — Capt., John W. Hawley; First Lieut, 
Wm. Dickinson; Second Lieut., C. D. Larrabee 46 
rank and file. 
Company “E” — Capt, Sami. Appleton; First Lieut., 
G. M. Holmes — 42 rank and file. 
Company “F”— Capt, Wm. Black; First Lieut, N.‘ 
F. Lewis — 49 rank and file. 
Company “G”— Capt, H. B. Maxwell; First Lieut, 
A. D. Smith — 28 or 30. 
Company “H”— Capt., E- H. Sawyer; First Lieut., 
E. Norton; Second Lieut., Geo. Bohner — 36 or 38. 
Company “ I,” lately organized— Capt., J. L. Scoville; 
First Lieut, J. H. Burns — 30 or 35. 
Drum Corps, under Major Nevins, numbers some 
sixteen. There are two of the companies now seeking 
commanders from the old U. S. Z. Cadets, on account 
of their discipline and drilling capacities, and the desire 
of the city to excel. Their armory is situated on Lake 
street, near the Tremont House, in the heart of the busi- 
ness portion of the city, and comprised of three stones, 
75x125 feet, very neatly and tastefully arranged. 
The Chicago Club have had their first practice shoot. 
The Lake Shore division of the South Park was the 
ground selected. Whether that is to be the pennanent 
range we are not aware. Among the gentlemen pres- 
ent were Gen. Julius White, Judge Jameson, Col. 
Thompson, H. H. Handy, H. W. S. Cleveland, George 
Beuttenmuller, S. 3. Sexton, Judge Bradwell, C. Fuller, 
John Muir, Dr. Williams, John Ennis, S. W. Burnh&m, 
and H. C. Howe. The sun was exceedingly hot, and 
the wind was high. The men were armed in a miscel- 
aneous manner, and regarded the whole affair as a pre- 
liminary meeting. Some very good shooting was done 
when the wind went down, and most of the gentlemen 
did better at the 200 than at the 100 yard range. Mr. 
H. W. S. Cleveland acted as Captain, and gave very 
general satisfaction. The grounds selected for the 
shooting are very conveniently situated, and offer fair 
facilities for long-range and short-range practice. In 
firing for short range, the men have to face the lake 
shore, which is protected by a line of high embank- 
ments. By shooting in the edge of the woods to the 
sonth, and firing in a northern direction, obliquely to- 
ward the lake, a range of 1,300 yards can be obtained. 
This is very satisfactory, although most members of the 
Club would prefer Galewood, only that the railroad fa- 
cilities are not nearly so good. 
All friends who desire to extend the circulation of 
Bod and Gun will confer a favor by sending us names 
of sportsman in their district. 
