Competitive Drill

Dr. Dwight Mackey came home from the Medical Corps ceremonies of Decoration Day with an idea for a similar exhibition of the area home guard. He presented his plan to Hobart's Company K, and they took it up enthusiastically. Dr. Mackey formed a planning committee along with Calvin Shearer, Burt Guyer and William Killigrew, and within a couple of weeks they had organized the matter: on June 21, 1918, Hobart would host a competitive drill involving its own Company K, Gary's Company I, and Valparaiso's Company L. These companies were three of the four forming the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Indiana militia — the fourth company being at Attica, Indiana, an inconvenient distance to travel — so by dividing themselves into four companies, the participants could make their exhibition a battalion drill.

Under fair skies on the morning of Sunday, June 21, a crowd gathered at the Kulage field west of town* — some 2,000 people showed up (with "more than 200 automobiles on the grounds at one time"!). Local Boy Scouts were present, and may have helped other local volunteers in maintaining order and keeping the show running smoothly. A refreshment stand offered food and drink, with its profits going to defray the expenses of the militiamen.

The spectators listened to music played by Gary company's Bugle and Drum Corps. And although the reports don't say it, I expect they had to listen to more than one speech as well.

Drilling began with Major George R. Hill of Michigan City commanding the battalion (from horseback part of the time). The crowd watched for two hours as he drilled the battalion as a whole, comprising over 200 men. "Battalion formation and maneuvering was new to most of those present, and was greatly enjoyed by the populace," said the Gazette.

Then came a break for lunch, with the militiamen eating for free — donations from local citizens and refreshment-stand money paid for their food.

After lunch, more drilling. First came an individual manual-of-arms drill, with the prize being a wrist watch.

Six men from each of the four companies were selected by the officers of the companies, and they gave an exhibition drill, and when any one made a mistake he was barred out. The drill lasted for three-quarters of an hour, and five men were still standing, two from Gary, one from Valpo and two from Hobart, being Robert Roper and Elmer Ballantyne, Ralph Snyder being excused for whispering. It was decided to let the five men "draw straws", which they did, and L.C. Hollander of Valpo drew the wrist watch.

Next the four companies competed against each other. To the jubilation of Hobart's citizens and newspaper editors, Company K won first place and was awarded a pennant to prove it.

After a second battalion drill, the entertainment ended with a grand parade, headed by Gary's Drum and Bugle Corps. Floating over Company K was the beautiful flag that had been presented to it on Decoration Day — the only company flag in the whole parade.

And then dinner, with militiamen again dining on the generosity of local donors.

It had been a triumphant day for Hobart, as host of the event and winner of the company drill, and the local newspapers reported glowingly. "Hobart easily outclassed her opponents," said the News, while the Gazette rhapsodized:

[Company K] has shown itself to be the best drilled in the battalion. If in the battalion, why not in the regiment, or even in the state? The members of Col K, from the head officers down, show "the pep". "Pep and ginger" is what counts in military movements, and if the company continues to improve as it has in the past, greater honors will be won in the future. Boys, the state is yours.

Now part of me wonders a little at such a love-fest for the home guard, when other men were in the trenches, living in misery and danger if they were lucky enough not to be killed … and the army was taking volunteers. But then I consider that really the love-fest was less for Company K than for those far away who couldn't hear the crowds cheering or hold the prize pennant or read the lavish praise. Company K was just standing in for the men in the trenches, to receive the love and admiration meant for them. This day's battalion drill stood in for the whole American effort in France.

… Or, less idealistically, people felt obligated to make a display of military enthusiasm at every opportunity.

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A month later, the Gazette ran this little item: "A well-known Valpo boy cut off the trigger finger of his right hand to make him ineligible for military service. The coward! He had better cut off his head."


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*I don't think "the Kulage field" necessarily meant the brickyard. The 1890 Plat Book shows members of the Kulage family holding acreage in Sections 30 and 31 of Hobart Township, west and southwest of the brickyard, which may have been more suitable than an industrial site for such a public gathering.


Sources:
♦ "Additional Local News." Hobart Gazette 19 July 1918.
♦ "Battalion Drill Sunday." Hobart Gazette 21 June 1918.
♦ "Co. K. Takes First Honors in Competitive Drill Sunday." Hobart News 27 June 1918.
♦ "Hobart Enjoys Big Military Day." Hobart Gazette 28 June 1918.