The St. Johns herald., 1888-11-22
Life at Forts and Military Stations.

lIcS LII SOIutcISs CNSil III I'ChCC IlliICNi would require too much time and space, but a general idea Of the daily routine will correct the erro- neous impression so generally en- tertainCd that a soldiers life Is one of idleness, Reveille Is sounded al or near sunrise, the exact time va rying somewhat at different posts. At the first note the garrison flag is hoisted. All soldiers on duty must turn out in ranGs at this and other roll calls. Drill for an hour or more follows soon after, at time fixed by the commanding officer. The ceremony of guard mounting takes place at nine o'clock fatigue call comes next in order (the sick call which intervencs not being, of course, call for duty) ], when such men consisting of tie old guard and others desi gnated in turn per form the necessary fatigue and po- lice duty of the post. At eleven o'clock first sergeants call is sound cd, when those functionaries repair 10 the adjutant's office for the per fccting of the rolls of the sergeant major, thus enabling him to keep h;s roster correctly, and also to re- ceive such information and instruc- tions as may be necessary concern ing their trocps3 batteries or com panies.
 Dinner is at noon. At an hour designated by the post commander, afternoon drill call i. sounded, ,when the troops exercise in such maneu- vrcs as are prescribed. Dress pa rade usually takes place just before sunset, and is so timed that retreat js sounded just after the troop beats off during that ceremony. The flag is lowered at the last note of retreat. Supper soon follows dress parade. Tattoo roll call Is al nine o'clock and taps or lights cut half an hour later. While attend ance at religious ceremonies is not compulsory in the army, many of the men attend divine service at those posts, of which there are 34 that have chaplains, and more ob- eervance is given to the day than was the case in former years.
 Men are detailed for guard duty with such frequency as the strength of the force at the pest where they are stationed renders necessary There are three reliefs of prescri- bed number of men, withr6ne cor poral to each relief and one sergeant of the guard. Two hours on one post and four hours of, during the tour of twenty-four hours, is the un varying routine. Each sentinel is instructed by the officer of the guard, who is lieutenant, under authority of the officer of the day, "to take charge of this post and all government property in view; sa. lute all officers according to rank in case of fire alarm the guard, and such other orders as are deemed necessary are given. The order is given to the sentry oa No. l "to turn out the guard for all general officers, the commanding ollicer,th officer of the day, and for all armed parties" Any breachof discipline while on guard Is an aggravation of the offense, and it behooves the so!- dier to have his wits about him and to attend strictly to duty during his tour. Guard duty is like the read ing of the Koran, an endless task.
 Our military p pDsts are in many instances isolated communities in themselves, and in many respects as different from civilian settlements or villages as car well be imagined There are post schools, at which en- l listed soldiers can, if so disposed. 1 pick up a fair common school edu- cation during ene term of enlist ment. The subject of compulsory education in the army has been ex- haustively discussed of late, and so