Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-22
Stc,ch Of a Reo;uen, ON a March.--The

Sketch Of a Regiment on March.--Ihe
life of soldier on service, take all things
together, is the finest in the world. While
he moves on, rowing adventurer, care,
pain and troubles are banished from his
mind; and though he is at times on short
commons, and often driven to his wits end,
ho but seldom repincs. His suf1erings give
him greater relish for the enjoyment OF
any good thing that may be forthcoming,
or any windfall that fortune may throw In
his why. Once fai.ly on the road, it is as
tonshing how rapidly the hours glide away.
The formalities Of parade or drill marching
are now at an end, and every one INDUCES
in that mode of DECENTRALIZATION which best
suits him, When the commanding officer
is not one Of your strict disciplinarians,
the regimental Juniors congregate together
in groups, some in front, some in rear !;
while the men, though keeping their Sec
lions, travel in open ranks, filling the entire
space OF ground over which the route OK
tcnds.-At the head Of the column is to be
seen host of seniors, or old hands,
amongst whom the laugh and joke prevail (;
and there many long winded veteran
infllcts upon the cars of his patient auditors
a narration as endless as the road. Ever
and anon the second Major falls back and,
in order to show his consequence and zeal,
especially if general with his staff should
chance to be passing, he calls out, in a most
important tone, "Gontleman, get into
your places" " Keep on the flanks!" and
other friendly admoni;ions. AS soon as
he is convinced by the approving looks OF
the great man with the long feather and
cpaulettes, that his vigilance has been duly
noticed, he gallops off 10 his old station,
and the gentlemen betake themselves again
10 theirs, till another appearance of the
Chief, when the stray sheep are again called
back to the flock. BY the by, know oil
nothing that the second Majors have to do
unless it be to act the part of movable
pivots for dressing up the line, Tin which
they are generally very fussy,) or in whip.
ping in the young subalterns, whom they
cndeavor to keep in order. The surgeon
who is often very hearty fellow, witt
better things than bolussess and pill boxes
in his Planners, together with the adjutant
andhis brethren of the staff attract arount
them, in the rear, batch of thoroughly
pleasant men, who keep up such volly 0
les. and drollery as frequently to beguil'
the WEAKNESS of the march. Thanks t.
their amusing powers, we have often fount
ourselves at the gates Of the town, or OF
the camp ground, without being aware tina
VIC had travelled any distance. AT inter
walls of one or two hours, each day, thu
troops are halted for few minutes rest
Then all, as ifby magic wand, are quickl,
squatied, and haversack being called for
the whole of them, like hungry cormorant
at their prey, they are soon engaged in on
grand scene Of mastication-Some perform
solo on the shank bone of we'll pickle
ham; others display their talents on tn
drumstick of half starved fowl, while tn
majority gnaw their way through the skim.
junk of an old tough bullock. The vuliure
and other birds of evil omen, meanwhile
lowering in midair, ready 10 pouncc upo,
the remnants Of the feast when we ar
gone.-At the well known sound of tn
pipes, or buglc, the warriors are again, It
use parliamentary phrase) on their legs
stretching them out with renewed vigoI
Among the soldiers there is likewise mucl
Of dro!ery and mirth, nothing makes mucI
difference with them, it matters not whcthe
trumps turn up or not; whether the chanc
be bate or good pillet, they are still tn
same, they trudgo along devoid Of care
Give them their allowance, and little res
and they require no more. Day after day
have listened to their jokes and storie
and been highly entertained by their orig
nality and humor.-Patterson's Adrea
lures.