Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-21
morning class of four children. those of the mar.

~
Mouhted passes are also issued, permitting men to
take tnelI horses. There is strict rule however,
,,rr 1oa roroas man appearing without his uni
i9entity. some Of the men grumble at this and
oi1n tnat as In some other posts. they should be
aIiowed 10 go out in citizens clothes.
from the porch OF the Offices charming scene
appears The flagstaff IL in the near foreground:
Inea PACK OF ~ stretches marvellous piece OF turf
Vi Gedrly Two acres. Ii Is almost level and az
smooth as a floor To the LEFT stands the 9th cav
airy oarracks-the old signal Service barracks
anu the mess-haiis; in the background are the 4th
cavalry's quarters. new building OF tasty de-
ters
THR BARRACKS
The barracks OF the 9Th are small and inconye-
nient- There are two large sleeping rooms for the
men, with company ONCE in the center, where
the first sergeant keeps the books OF the troop
Inc iron cots are now covered with mosquito net
ing, and present very neat appearance with the
blankets rolled snugly into a bundle and placed
with the pillow at the head. Under each cot
stands pair OF spurred boots, and at the foot is
light drab chest, containing the clothes OF each
man. A little shelf over the bed holds the helmet
the dress helmet with a long yellow plume and
the white canvas fatigue headgear. A hook 10 the
wall Dy each bed Is for the Cavalryman'S Saber
AT the end or the room is a stand OF arms a round
arrangement, holding a circle OF carblnes below
and the key is the charge Of one OF the troopers
IL Is not unlocked except TO allow the guard detail
to draw their guns for patrol duty. When the re-
porter entered a number OF the men were Longing
around the room In neglige costumes, reading
books and papers. chattlng and In some instances,
even though 10 was sunday, having quiet game
OF cards. Good nature beamed forth on every
side, as though the warlike instincts had been
subdued by the peaceful surrounding. 1t is fact
however, that scarcely third OF the Indian hight
ers are now on duty at the post, the rest OF them
having deserted, or served out their terms OF en-
lstment, and their places taken by raw recruits.
The other barracks are arranged the same as the
old ones, except that the first sergeant has a coy
room OF his own across the ballroom from his
Office. The quarters are larger and better venti-
lated, and there is greater ease in IN wing around
Upstairs is billiard table and accommodations
Tor other games and for reading.
THE MESs-HALLs
of both troops are In one building, separated by a
Partition. The food that is served TO the men Is
plain and homely, but Is well prepared by the
cooks, who are men detailed from the ranks for
this duty They work on immense ranges that Will
COOK haIf-buShel or so on potatoes and enough
meat to last an ordinary family two weeks. The
meals are set out on lonl tables In large room
next to the kitchen, ana The men, divided into
neSses, help themselves. Corned and fresh beef,
pork potatoes and other vegeta bles and bread are
the main5tays OF a soldiers stomach. By skIlful
management COCK sometimes saves enough IA
lions from his supply during a month TO enable
him TO provide variety or fare and sometimes
desserts This is procured by money paid by the
quartermaSter for stores thus saved.
The reporter, IN making the trip around, noticed
by this time that Sergeant Rennie was getting a
little nervous. IL was growing toward q O'clock
the time for the dress parade, and the men had al
most all gone 10 the stables saddled their horses
and gone back to their quarters TO dress up in their
sergeant walked back toward his house ne stopped
at the SIS stable and sadded his nag. splendid
animal, with black, shiny coat. The sergeant
holding the saddle with its seeming tangle OF
straps stood on the lett side OF the horse and with
quick movement threw IL over the back so that
tel squarely on the blanket, with every strap In
place. Inc broad glrth was brought around and
buc&led, the bride was slipped on and everything
was ready but the sergeant, who had vet to don
his full-dreSs uniform The operation OF saddnng
he said, can DE done by troop In about three
minutes from the time they get to the stable, but
when there Is no necessity for such quick work
more time Is always taken.
THE BUGLE CALL
bugle call sounded family from the quarters
II was the first call for the troops to fall In at the
barracks. The chief trumpeter, mounted on a
great gray horse, was waiting in front OF the
stables. There are two truInpeterS in each troop
but Col. Carpenter has allowed one additional
making band OF six. Two were off on pass on
this day. The Irumpeter5 are always mounted on
gray horses, for the theory Is that such animal
can stand the noise better. Gray horses, however
are seldom used for other service. as they are
supposed 10 be more tender.
Another note from the Dugle, and soon the sound
OF marching Is heard. as the troops hle down the
pavement from the barracks TO the stables In
double column OF yellow plumes. When they
reach the stables they file in, and each man zoe,
10 MS horses head AT the word OF command from
cavalry on the south and the 9Th on the north A
company line is formed, the men standing by the
norses heaGs. Iney are counted and answer 10
the roll-call, and then commissioned ofricer
rldlng up. relieves the sergeant from command
and, drawing his sword, gives the word:
prepare to mount"
AT this every other man leads his horse one
length ahead, grasp5 the hind pUmmeI OF the
saddle Win MS right hand puts his lett foot into
tine Stirrup, grasps with his lett hand little tuft
or the name, holding the reiLs, and waits Tor the
next commando:
'.MountI"
There Is yellow fash, q jangle OF swords and
the centaurs are complete Another order brings
the men iato line. and then, as the bugIe sounds
AGAIN. the norses prahce and d column fours is
iorHeo, headed FOR the great neId behind the
Stables where The drills and parades are held
MOI %onntsd pc, nhe-looHing military man,
mounted on magnificent bay, passes into the
held ahead OF the last troop, followed by a NUM-
ger OF officers and Sergeant Rennie. The latter's
reporter could not help thinking that iU was wei
the sergeant mad not followed the wishes of his
is scotch Pres6yteran minister, and stud
LED Tor the pulpit. lie lifted his sphere exactly
The yellow lengths OF the two troops were ap-
proacning each other In the middle oi the field,
ana suddenly, at some unheard Order Wheeled
into a single line and halted. ever man ana
every horse iDOtiOnleSS The road n. ne tpld
MAS uhed Win carriages aud there were fully
parade.
THE DRESS PARADE
The colonel Is a motionless figure about 900
yards In front OF the line, attitude bespeaklny
military patience, his right hand resting on his
hip his horse standing with ponten ears and an
ar OF eaSerneSS, though not muscle moves A
Diack horse vita gaudy rider breaks from the
rlgnt OF the line anu trOts slowly down TO the
witch or the rein, turns ana steps proudly 10 a
position little In front, where he wheels and
mats IL Is the perfection OF animal mech nism
lhfee more ngureS appear apart IT Jm the line the
chlei truinpeter on his great gray horse and the
TWO nrst sergeantS. They form In q little
line In mont Of the adjutant, whose horse has not
yet moved, and giving the salute, report the pres
ence OF accountability OF all their mem Then at
a WORD from the cfficer, their horses wheel and
trot BACK TO their place. so FAR IL has been a
and the adj .tant turns saIutes and
Rides forward TO the colonel, the whole affair
seems Ike painted pictur. with transformation
figures
THE BCGLES AGAIN.
But noise comes suddenly that dIspels the illu-
sion, and as the trunipeters' horses step off the
clear notes OF the bugies bring a life into the |
SCENE, sense OF movement and OF reaIpeas thar
was lacking before. IL Is military air they are
playing, with unclaSscal Intervals and harsh |
notes, Out IL stimulates feeling within the breasts
OI Tue spectators that perhaps there Is glory In
soIuer NE aIter all Slowly the horses Step along
uhll they reach the left or the line and then as
tnry "heei the tune changes, and more Spriyhty |
an SOUNDS forth III Is the retreat and The TRUMP
eteIs seeLh 10 De Blowing meaning into the see |
I vi notes mat come springirg through the air
ne lines Dsis not moved; even the yellow plumeS
nave not stirred As the horses OF the trumpeIers ,
Wheei Tor the last time into their places and the
ldsl tote, long Drawn and loud dies away the |
the nag In the garrison yard nutlers slowly To- the
ground. " WIZ
FLASHING SAEERS
When the echoes OF the horns have all died AWAY
a weaker sound, but with the force OF strong
and practiced lungs, goes from the colonel 10 the
troops sudden movement among the horseman |
y Iasr,