News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
A SOLDIERS DAILY LIFE.
The Routine Exercises of New Recruits
at Governors Island.
[From the n. Y, World.1

| ktrOIn Jne N. L. world.
The everyday life of soldier is a
mystery to the general public. Civilians
know not thing of existence inside a
barracks. They know as little about
the reasons that led men to enlist. Here
in America, where United States Army
soldiers are 50 scarce, the points of con
tact between military and civil life are
few indeed. Not one Iayman in a
thousand ever spends second thought
on theeountry's defenders.
| Take Governors Island, here in New
York HarbOr, as the nearest garrison.
Ask each soldier why he enlisted and he
will say, he doesn't know. He got into
the army somehow, but without any
choice of his own. Once there it is
next to impossible to get out Some
times a young man falls into trouble and
the army affords a convenient shelter.
Or disappointed in business, love or am
bition, he goes to the barracks as to a
monastery. But most frequently sheer
prIvation drives him there He can't
get work elsewhere. Enrolment is an
easy matter and soldiers work not too
heavy.
No. SO West Houston street is the
| general recruiting depot in this city.
The recruit tells whether he is married
OF single, his age, nationality and bust
ness. Then he is sworn in and turned
over to a sergeant, who never leaves
him until he is safely lodged with the
nearest garrison.
Soldiers are enlisted for five years and
receive during the first two years Of their
service $13 a month pay; for the third
year $l4 month; for the fourth year
S15 a month, and for the fifth year $16
month, but for the third year 81
month is held back by the Government;
for the fourth year 81 month, and for
fifth year So per month. which is given
to the soldier upon his discharge, so
that he receives at the termination of
his five years service the sum of $72
Besides this they get their uniform AMI
outfit free.
The barracks at Governors Island are
typical of soldiers quarters all over this
country. Each barrack room accommo-
dates fifteen men and serves as dormitory,
club room and study. Each man has a
narrow bed for himself, but he has
to pay for the washing of the sheets.
The ordinary routine is about as fol-
lows: At the sunrise gun the soldiers
rise and attend reveille roll-call, which
is followed by a general police duty
consisting of making the beds, cleaning
the rooms, fetching Goals, &C. Break
fast is served about half an hour after
roll-caIl. Table cloths are unknown.
The meal is made up of bread, coffee
and hash. At seven o'clock comes sick
call and the doctors visit. Then GER
tain soldiers take their revolvers
and guard the prisoners who are
set to cleaning the grounds. Three
times a week there is dress parade at
nine o'clock in the morning, when also
guard d-mountIng takes place The reg
ular morning drill begins at $50 and
lasts for about an hour After that the
men are free to dispose of themselves
till dinner-time, one o'clock, when again
a general police duty follows. At 4 :55
drill cali is sounded, whieb takes place
every day except Saturday and lasts one
hour. Supper is served at seven p. m.
Between tea time and tattoo the sunset
gun is fired and an undress parade is
held. Tattoo is divided into two parts.
The first part sounds at 9:15, when all
the mems names are called. At 9:30
''taps" are sounded, when the sober
in darkness.
Comparing the actual amount of hard
work performed by soldier with the
average labor done by mechanics, the
soldiers life is one Of comparative ease.
He is always we'll protected from the
weather, is well clothed, enjoys his
warm room no matter what the price of
coal may be, has his meals regularly
and may, ON Governors island, also
have the use of a pretty good library
and all the city newspapers. The food
is plain but wholesome, and it must pass
four inspections before it is used.
Domestic privacy is not recognized in
soldiers life. Married men have a
hard time of it. The department does
not wish its soldiers to marry. Yet
there are wives of soldiers in every gar
rison, but they are there ON sufferance.
Married sergeants, through the favor of
their captains, cen obtain separate quar-
tiers for their families.
A soldier is very much under the
power of petty non commissioned Off
GERS. They can make the barracks a
hell if they wish. In q conflict of testi-
mony the word of non commissioned
officer is always accepted against pri-
vate.
Such thing as social intercourse be.
tween private and an officer could not
be dreamed of. Soldiers are treated
socially as if they were mere animals or
did not exist The least offenses are
grave offenses, and for every breach of
discipline there is the guard-house.
Drunkenness is punishable by taking
away all extra liberties and by the
guard house. A habitual inebriate is
kicked out of the army. Sometimes, to
secure his discharge, man will MAIN
himself If discovered he is very severe
ly punished. So, too, with those who |
feign sickness.
Speaking generally Of the life an old |
private said:
'Looking at the life of a soldier in all |
its aspects and comparing it with that of |
the mechanic, considering the amount |
OF spare time a soldier has his comforts,
the care that is taken of him, the pros
pect for promo ction, the United States
need never be in want of honest and
courageous men to fill the ranks CT its !
army"