The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-11-11

going about forty miles per hour. some
other man probably now shoots that pis.
tol. We thought it good joke on him,
an army officer and one who would have
charge of his men on the target range
and would have to shoot himself, not to
be able to hold pistol. told him that
if he didn't want anything said about it
in the regimeut,and would make me a
present of fine pistol, would keep
mum. We will have to shoot regularly
on the target range with rifle, but not
with pistol.
! Wednesday night we passed through
the Sierras, and thus lost the very best
part Of our trip. 1t seems that they
would arrange the time so as to allow
tbs trains to pass this part of the route
in the day time, but if. this we're done, it
would be light before Frisco was reached,
and that of course would be inconvenient.
Thursday morning We took breakfast at
Sacramento, and then continued our trip,
reaching Port Costa at 10 o'clock, where
the train runs on ferry boat, and is
transferred across the Sacramento River;
then there is short run to Oakland,
along the bank of the river, reminding
me very much of the West shore on the
Hudson. At Oakland, we transferred
across the bay to the city, reaching it and
completing our t1ans.continental trip at
- o'clock. The trip from Sacramento
was very pleasant one. Leaving the
city, we went for miles and miles through
an extensive marsh, where the musquito
is monarch of all be surveys; gentle.
man said that ycu had to carry a shot
gun in that part of the State to protect
yourself from these terrors.
We passed great many large orchards
aud vineyards, and they were beautiful
sight. All of them were laid out with as
much regularity as flower garden, and
what presented the most noticeable
contrast to our Eastern farm, not weed
was to be seen. don't believe that you
could have found single wsed in all
those hundreds of acres of fruit trees and
vines. In some Of the vineyards the
grapes were still on the frames, drying
for raisins.
AS had TO report on September 80,
the very day on which l arrived, I was
getting ready to 60 out to my Post (as I
thought), Fort Wind6eld Scott, when
my Captain came to the hotel, and in.
formed me that by order of the govern.
ment, that Post had been abandoned, and
the two batteries then there, were to be
transferred to the Presidio as soon as pos
sible. This being the case, he had oh.
tanned permission from Col. Piper for me
to come directly to the Presidio, and get
my quarters there; this was very kind in
Heed OF him, as it saved me the trouble OF
one move. I staid in town Thursday
night, and came out here Friday. morn
ing, and am now beginning to get settled,
though I am not exactly certain what
quarters 1 shall get until another officer
gets here. At any rate, I shall have two
rooms, beautifully papered, in the same
building in which take my meals. 1
take them at the mess; at the present
there are five members of the mess, and
the expense per month will be divided
among US. The 1st artillery mess has
been in existence since 1S40, and is regu-
lsrly organized. 1t owns everything nec-
easary to run mess, so that the present
members have only to foot the running
expenses. While the headquarters re.
main here, all the furniture, crockery,
silverware, etc., remain for the use of
those officers who are stationed here.
We employ two Chinamen-lhe cook we
pay S95 per month, and the other one
| $25. The latter waits on the table, does
our washing, attends to our rooms, etc.
l. used to think that it would be an
impossibility for me to eat what heather
Chinee had cooked, but our cooking is
delightful, and they are the best, neatest
and most trustworthy servants ob!ainable
here. We have regular hours for meals,
breakfast from 8 to 9, luncheon at 1890,
and dinner at 6. Haven't received my
box yet, and as it has my bedding
etc., 1 can't get we'll fixed up-at present
1 an, sleeping on cot.
AS my battery has not come up here
yet, have had nothing to do yet--attend
no drills, dress parades, nor Sunday
moraing inspections to-day.
An certainly glad that my station was
charged. At Winfield Scott, there being
but few officers, i would have been Post
Adjutant, Quartermaster or something of
that kind. This Post being the head
quarters of the regiment, the regimental
Adju;ant and Quartermaster perform
those duties.
Here guard mounting is at 8 @. m.
If you are on as officer OF the day, which
happens about once in ten days, you have
to 90 to that formation, if not, you have
to 60 to drill afterwards, which lasts
until about II o'clock. When that is
over you can 60 in town, and stay until
g o'clock the next morning. The Post is
out of the city, but you can ride out to
the termination of the cable car line,
then take car run by little dummy
steam engine. and this takes you directly
to the .Presidio.
The Post is the prettest place | ever
saw--beats West Point, because every
thing is kept in the same neat order, and
in addition, there is such a profusion of
flowers. All around in front OF the
building in which l live, hot house
flowers are growing most luxuriantly-