Smyrna times., 1888-02-29
OUR STANDING ARMY.
LIFE AT THE VARIOUS FORTS AND
MILITARY STATIONS.

MILL ARY STATIONS.
How the Common Soldier Is I,mpIoved
in Time of Peace--From Rcveire to
Taps-Guard Observation-Disclosures
at School.
A detailed description of the duties of
soldiers, even in peace times, would re-
qulre too much time and space, but gen
eral idea of the daily routine will correct
the erroneous impression so generally en-
tertained that a soldiers life is one of
! ldleness. Reveille is sounded at or near
sunrise, the exact time varying somewhat
at different posts. At the first note the
| garrison flag is hOisted. All soldiers on
duty must turn out in ranks at this and
other roll calls. Drill for an hour or more
| follows soon after, at Il time fixed by the
| commanding officer. The ceremony of
| guard mounting takes place at 9 O'Clock:
| fatigue call comes next in order Uhe sick
call which intervenes not being, of course
call for duty, when such men consist
ing of the old guard and others designated
IN turn perform the necessary fatigue and
police duty of the post At II O'Clock
first sergeants' call is sounded, when those
functionaries repair to the adiutant's of
nee for the perfecting of the rolls of the
sergeant major, thus enabling him To
Keep his roster correctly, and also to re
celVe such information and instructions
ts may De necessary concerning then
troops, batteries or companies
Dinner is at noon. At an hour desir.
mated by the post commander. aftcrno61
drill call is sounded, when the from. cv
ercise in such maneuvers as are rrn
scribed. Dress parade usually takes Diac4
just before sunset, and is so timed that
retreat is sounded just after the .trooD
beats OF during that ceremony. The
Tag Is lowered at the last note Of retreat
supper soon follows dress parade. Tat
too roll call is at 9 o'clock and tars or
lights out half an hour later WHILE
attendance ut religious ceremonies is not
compulsory IN the army, many of the men
attend divine service at those po9ts If
which there are thirty that have
chaplains, and more observance is piven
to the day than was the case in former
years.
GUARD DUTY.
Men are detailed for guard duty with
such frequency as the strength Of tLc
force at the post where they are stationed
renders necessary. There are three re-
heIs of prescribed number of men. with
one corporal to each relief and one scr
geant of the guard. Two hours on one
post and four hours off, during the tom,
OF tWenty-fOur hours, is the unvarvina
routine. Each sentinel is instructed Inv
the officer of the guard, who is a Iieuten-
ant, under authority of the officer of the
Gay, ITO take charge of this post and
an government property in view; salute
al olIcers according to rank; in case of
IRE alarm the guard, and such other or
u Ut as are deemed necessary are given.
me oruer IS given to the sentry on No.
TO turn out the guard for all general
officers, the commanding officer. the office
OF the day, and for all armed parties 50
Any breach of discipline while ON ruard
IS an aggravation of the offense. and If he
hooves the soldier to have his wits abont
him and to attend strictly to duty durip9
his tour. Guard duty is, like the readino
OF the Koran, an endless task.
Our military posts are in many in
stances isolated communities in them
serves, and in many respects as different
from CIVILIAN settlements or yillaprs nc
can well be imagined There are most
schools, at which enlisted soldiers can if
so disposed, pick up a fair common school
education during one term of enlistment
inc subject Of compulsory educarion in
the army has been eXhaustively discussed
OF late, and so accomplished an officer nc
3revet Maj Gen, James b. FRY has given
1t at his opinion that enlisted men shouId
not be compelled against their wills IN
attend post schools
SCHOOL HOURS.
School hours for soldiers are from hale |
an hour after retreat until tattoo roll call
ne post schools are not at present kent
up to the standard of excellence intended |
by the provisions of the law, and at MANY
posts the letter of the law alone is Oh |
served.
The men of the army have various
which, however. vary mncb /
at different posts. Amateur tbeotricols |
and minstrel performances are of freoucnt |
occurrence at some during the winter |
months. The post and the companv |
libraries are sources of comfort to soldiers
ana gymnastic exercises, field sports and |
athletic games serve to amuse tbem
may be said to have beoun
with the advent of the foreign team that
came here fifteen years ago. Such devcl
Dpment OF sharp shooting rs followed has
rarely been known until now. Marksmen
lhd sharpshOoters predominant in the
ranks OF the army. The practical life of
soldier and the technical studies neces-
5ary to a thorough knowledge of his
iuties are far greater and more exhaust
We than is generally understood. The
4tlZen soldier has little idea of these
Kings rs rule, and the civilian. with
are exception, none ut all How many
an tell the thickness of ice necessary 10
'ear cavalry, artillery or infantry? How
many know of what soldiers ration
consists and the thousand and one other
hlngs as pertinent as these in times of
-ctive service?-New York Times.