With the characteristic energy the race rapid progress was made by the unit particularly in the most important branch of the infantry man's training—musketry, The excellent results achieved few years later, and maintained for five years, are. little short of, amazing, when it is realized what sort of material the recruits were. In his excellent historical review of the company's wonderful shooting record, Lieut. W. E. Sauer mentions that in 1906 there were but few members who had actually fired an army rifle. Only four or five men had ever belonged to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps; but two were ex-Service men, heving served in the Philippine campaign. Among the officers the first Commanding Officer, Major Ransom, had served a 'Gunner in the' District of Columbia National Guard and for four years was in the U.S. Navy uring the Spanish-American War of 1898-1900. However, begin ni with the competition for the Virgil Cup on May 29, 1906, shooting, la which the company have such' an honourable record, at once began to improve. A of individual and team competitions, started at this time soon had the desired effect. A number of good shots grew up which led to the institution of the title of Sharpshooter for the best shot in the company. The first competition for this qualification was held on December 9, 1906, and Sgt. L. P, Larsen won, Former Temporary Units If x0 many years elapsed before American residents banded themtvs tagthr us itary
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.