Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-08
THE sUBALTERN,s LESSON.


Some five years ago was subalteru
in marching regiment, and quartered
in large garrison town in England. -
My duties consisted of the usual ronnd
of morning and afternoon parsdss, visit
ing the mems dinners and teas, and 9th
er regular work. In addition to this
we had occasionally to mount guard
and TO pass twenty. four hours in a sort
of half imprisonment.
1t is one of the regulations Of the ser.
vice that when officers or men are on
guard they should always be in state
of readiness to "fall in" on parade at a
moments notice. If you feel very
sleepy, aud desire rest, you must take il
whilst you are buttoned up to the throat,
and strapped down at the heels; lounge
in an arm chair, or probably little hor
ilontal refreshment upon a sofa, are the
extent of rest which al officer on guard
is supposed to indulge in.
Among my brother subalterns in gar
rison, it was our usual practice to in-
fringe upon this strict letter of the law
and when the principal part of our duty
bad been accomplished, we used to ia
dulge ourselves by dvesting our limbs
of their armour, and seeking refresh
ment between the sheets of little camp
bed that was placed in the inner guard
room.
1t was part of the duties of au officer
on guard to visit all the sentries during
the pight, the time for visiting them be
ing usually an hou! or SO after the field
officer being n colonel or major who was
on duty for the day and who came once
by day and once by night to visit the
guards, and to see that all was as it
should be. There was no exact limit to
the number of times that this field off.
Ger might visit the guards, but it was the
usual thing, and had become almost a
custom. for him to come once by day
and once by night, 80 that after the last
visit the subaIteru usually waited an hour
or so, walked round the limits of bis
post, visited all his sentries, and then
turned into bed.
1t was bitter cold morning in Jan
uary that my turn for guard came on
| marched my men 10 their post, re-
lieyeG the old guard, and then having
gone through the regular duty and dinsd.
endeavored to pass the time until the
field officer had visited me. The previ
Gus evening, l had been at ball in the
town, and in consequence was very tired
and sleepy, and looked with considsra-
bic longing to the period when l could
refresh myself by uurobing aud enjoying
a good snooze.
At length | heard the welcom, chal-
lenge: who comes therei' which was
answered by the response: Rounds p
What rounds?' Grand roundsp and
Guard turn out! was a signal which l
willingly obeyed. for l knew that in
about one hour afterwards l should be
in the arms of the god of sleep.
Slipping on my cloak and cap, and
grasping my sword, l placed myself in
front of the guard, and received the field
officer. who briefly asked me if all was
correct, directed me to dismiss my guard
and rode of without saying 'Good
night, proceeding that thought rath-
er formal. Giving directions to the SER
geant TO call me ia an hour, for the pur.
pose of visiting the sentries, | threw my
self into my arm chair, and tried to read
novel. The time passed very quickly.
as had nap or two. and the sergeant
soon appeared with lantern to conduct
me round the sentries.
1t was terrible night, the wind blow
ing hard, whilst the snow and sleet were
driving along before it. The thermome-
ter was several degreas below freezing,
and felt that | deserved much from my
country for perfor ming so conscientiously
my srduous duties. The ssntries were
very much scattered, aud had to walk
nearly two miles to visit them all. &C.
complished my task, however, and re,
turned to the guard room, where l treat
ed myself to stiff glass of grog, and
throwing off my regimentals. l jumped
into bed, feeling that | really deserved
the luxury.
In few minutes l was fas. asleep,
not even dreaming of any of my fair
partners Of the ball, but sound asleep -
Suddenly / became conscious of a great
noise, like drum being beaten. At
first did not realize my position, and
could not remember where was, but at
last it flashed across me that | was on
guard, and that something was the mat
ter. Jumping out of bed, | called to
know who was there.
The sergeant answered in a great hur-
~, Ga, ing: Sir, the field officer of the
day Is coming and the guard is turning
out
I rushed to my boots. pulled them on
over nv unstockinged feet; thrust my
sword arm into my large regimenta
cloak, which pulled over me; jammed
my forage cap on my head, and grasp
ing my sword, looked to the outward
observer as though fit for parade
WAS just in time to receive the field
officer. who again asked me if my guard
was correct. answered rather 10 tone
I If sururse and said sYas air all coy