The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-12-15
German Soldiers in Camp.

Last evening rode over the hill TIC
the camp of the Twentieth Division,
and was well repaid for my trouble. Nc
more picturesque or secure spot could
have been selected for the camp, which
lay on the southern slope of the thickly-
wooded Osterwald Hills that form q
kind of natural amphitheatre here.
Care had been taken to form a cheyal
of brook of mountain water, which
was a blessing for the horses and a
boon for cooking purposes. EMBODIED
in the southwark slope of wood-clad
hills, the camp was well protected from
any sudden interruption of the enemy
| (the Nineteenth Division) from the
north. But, though close to thick
forest, the troops were refused the
kindly shelter. When bivouacking they
must always do so in the open, to per-
NIT of greater order aud to guard
againt surprises. The only comforts
allowed them are a fire, their great
coats and shakedowp of straw.
!, Around each campfire, which is OF
bonfire dimensions. posts are driven
In and connected by a rope, against
which is built thin wall of upright
wheat straws as shelter from the wind,
and then thin mating of the same
material is strewn all around. On this
the men lie, with their feet to the fire,
and sleep soundly, without thought of
cold or influenza. But when it rains it
must be very nasty. When straw is
not procurable the sheltering wall,
about yard high. is formed of canvas.
Ihe officers are better off,. several of
them. according to their rank, being
allowed a tent in common. Just out
side the sleeping circle is the cooking
trench, which is always excayated first
by one or two men of each company.
who carry spades for rifle-pit and field
work purposes. Each officer has per-
sonal attendant Zone OF his mem, who
is supposed to understand something of
the culinary art. Straw had also been
laid down as bedding for the horses,
which, with their nose-bags and
blankets, were tethered to a ring
rope. The horses of the uhlans
stood in a row, with the lances stuck
into the ground at their heads, the
pennons futtering gayly in the breeze.
On each stack of firearms were placed
the helmets and bayonets of the men,
ready for instant assumption, and
everything else was arranged with the
utmost precision and method. The
sanitary arrangements were perfect. I
never saw more picturesque or ami
mated scene. 1t was beautiful, mild
night; the moon and the stars were
shining and ali the hill slope blazed
with innumerable fires. The bands
were all playing; the ever popular Scar
men, was played to death. The coun-
try side had Hooked in and the strains
OF music We're interspersed with gusts
OF cheering. The noisiest of the reyel-
ry must have come from the time-ex-
pred men-about . third of the whole
who in every corps are dismissed I
TO their homes and into the Reserve inn
mediately after the autumn manervers.
They were singing and demonstrating
at great rate. AT one of the camp
fires at which the sounds of rejoicing
were particularly loud [ saw the men
engaged IN an occupation, the investi-
CATION OF which may be recommended
to students OF Parsee rites and customs.
over the fire was kind of cross, or
cross-bar, from which depended num-
Der OF spoons belonging to time-expiredg i
men, who thus testify to the whole
camp the near approach of their eman-
cipation from their duties. Ifby actionof |
the fire the spoons are consumed, well |
and good; but if not, they are buried |
deep next morning under the ashes of
the wood which cooked the mems last
army meal. 1t is curious and long, |
rite. AT nine O'Clock the tat /
too was played by the bands of the di- /
vision, meaning that the market-tenders
must not draw any more drink. Short /
y afterward a gun was fired as the sig
nal Tor evening prayer, which is not,
strange to say, said by chaplain, but
oy the trumpeters of a regiment It is /
; novel, but yet an effective way to do
9ne's devotions by sound of trumpet.
The commander of each regiment as
'embles all his men, who reverently
zneel with dotted caps while slow and
solemn Attended is performed by the
Soon after nothing was to
pc seen but PROSTATE forms around the I
blazing fires, and nothing was heard
put the imperiousi s.HaltH OF the sem
'ries' challenge. II Cor. London Tunes.
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