Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-04

prances about keep close to him, so he can
not get chance To kick you" In conse-
qnence Of these instructions, ii is seldom
that a recruit is ever kicked or bitten
though he is often kicked at. The cavalry
horses at the depot are all OF the worst
kind, kickers, buckers, broken-iawed OF
otherwise demoralized, so they will be
hard to manage. As man changes
horses every time he goes to the stables, he
gets accustomed to all kinds of doings
AT nine o'clock guard mount is sounded
and in short time the guard, composed
of two sergeants, two corporals and eigh-
teen recruits, is mounted, relieving the
guard that has been on since nine o'clock
the previous morning.
AT $50 o'clock drill call (dismounted)
and boots and saddles amounted drill) is
sounded and the recruits are drilled for an
hour by the company sergeants and cor
porals.
The dismnont drill is composed Of three
squads, viz: the advance carbine squad
the awkward carbine squad and the set.
ting-up squad. The latter is composed OF
recruits just arrived, and its object is tc
make them carry themselves like soldiers
The Instructor tells them the position in
which they must stand, and as soon as all
the squad have attained il, teaches them
right or left face, and the exercises for
limbering up the bones and muscles in the
arms, shoulders, chest and back. The re-
cruit is also shown how to walk by means
of 4 balance step. That is, he must carry
his foot forward and place it in described
position at the command, balance step,
left Tor right foot forward" and at the
command, ''rear" carry it to the rear
'halt," place at the side of the one which
is on the ground.
The earbine drill is for those who have
passed out OF the setting up drill. The
mounted drill is for those of the older re-
cruits who Will soon be going to the front.
or to regiment The men on mounted
drill are marched to the stable, where
each man gets a horse and waters him,
then ties him to the picket line. The in
structor now gives each man pair of
reins and bit, which is attached to the
halter on the horse by means of chain.
and thus watering bride is made. Then
he gives each man surcingle and blanket.
The latter are shaken out full length and
then doubled, the fold grasped in the right
hand.
"Let go with the left" says the in
structor, "and grasp the blanket six inches
below the right, the back of the hand to
the front. Then regrasp it with the right
just below the left and run the hand along
the fold until the arms are at full length.
This will bring the blanket across the
chest, and the fold under the chin, the
edges at the knees. Now bring the right
arm across the chest and then the left arm
across it; this will bring the blanket in
three folds; now hirt ii over the right
arm so it is evenly divided, then place it
on the horses back well upon the withers.
Now fasten the surcingle and lead the
horse out to line and dress to the right"
This done, the men are counted off in
sets of four, and the odd numbers move to
the front, so there is a vacant place in both
front and rear rank between each horse.
At the command, "preaare to mount "
the left rein is grasped in the right hand,
which rests on the withers, the left hand
graspipg a lock of the name.
MonntIp
The recruit springs off the ground and
holds his body straight up on his arms,
aud then throws his right leg over the
HoTSe btCh anu gets MS seat.
"Reins in left hand coming under the
little finger and going out between the
first finger and thumb, says the instruc-
ter. Body straight, legs full length, feet
parallel TO the horse, elbows close to the
body, left forearm horizontal"
The riding ring reached, the men go
through exercises of various kinds.
standing on the back of the horse.
vaulting from sides and rear, laying back
on horse, riding facing TO sides or
rear, mounting and dismountingat a walk,
trot ard gallop, wrestling and riding in
twos and changing from one horse to the
other while III motion. This is the be-
ginning. The ending comes when they
they can do the exercise perfectly and
have good seat on horse. Then saddles
and brides are given the men and ssthey
are taught the cavalry drill, But 10 re
turn to the daily doing of the recruit.
AT 1880 O'Clock sounds recall from IA
tigue, which is working on the grounds
and IN the gardens At u o'clock
IS mess call, which is followed at / o'clock
with afternoon drill; o'clock, recall from
drill; 4:20 o'clock, afternoon stables; 5,
recall from stables; sunset, retreat and
dress parade; 9 o'clock, tattoo and 9:30
taps, lights out.
The life in and about the barracks is
pleasant for soldiers and the short time
they stay here before being assigned to a
regiment Is usually passed only too
quickly.
The list of men being put up they begin
preparations for departure on few min.
utes' notice. Their clothing account is re-
checked at the Adjutants office, and il
anything is wanting the guard house stare.
the poor man in the face on his arrival at
his regiment. But few men, however
dispose of any clothing drawn from the
Government Corporal, in Buffalo Express