Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-14
RODS covering the great mutinies at Ban
try Bay. at Spithead. and the More.

OF war sre often called upon TO land
marines in order to protect American
property and American consulates. The
manner in which this duty was per-
formed at the late bomhardment OF
Alexandria is familiar to all, and needs
no present encomiums. A very pretty
incident which stands 20 the credit OF
the corps was the taking OF fort in
Corea in 1867, the act being oc-
casioned by the natives firing on
some American merchantmen. Pun
ishment had to be melted out to the M
tives, and Captain McLane TiltOn,
United States marine corps, (now Major
Tilton,) was detailed with 200 marines
and q body of blue jackets to do the
business. TO hear the doughty Major
tell of the manner in which his lads
trudged through bogs and swamps, often
up to their armpits, but managing all the
time to keep their pieces ready for work,
and the way IN which the whole line
scaled the hill and swarmed over the de-
fences aud right into the dense mass OF
humanity inside, reminds the nearer
more OF the late war than Of some far
away skirmish. The result of this affair
wss tho killing OF 243 natives, the cap
ture OF 80 flags, and the destruction OF
4Sl pieces OF native ordnance, while
more than 1900 men were put to flight.
In time OF action aboard ship the ma
rines are either stationed at one OF the
heavy pivot guns or else disposed about
decks and in the tops to act as sharp
shooters. 1t was a marine who, from
the top OF the irenchm8n alongside tho
Victory at Trafalgar, shot down the
brave Nelson as he stood on the deck Of
the latter ship. The guard messes. eats,
AMI sleeps in a body, always apart and
distinct nom the crew. Let the reader
imagine himself at midnight on
the gun-deck of a large vessel of
war, lying quietly at anchor A
dim light is burning forward, throw
ing a heavy glare among the crowded
hammocks where 800 men are sleeping.
Not a sound is 10 be heard save the
steady tread of the marine sentry over
head. while the swish OF the black wa
ter against the side breaks the Ominous
silence. IS the bell strikes "eight,
the hour OF midnight. a solitary figure
in full uniform, with sword and pistol,
steps noisee-Bly from the cabin door.
He stops and listens for a moment, as
the turning Of some restless sleeper in
his hammock attracts his attention. lie
is the commanding officer. Walking
forward. he bends over the hammock of
a drummer boy and whispers word IN
his ear; the only reply is a bound to
the deck, and the next instant the long
roll astounding through the ship. ASH by
magic $40 men leap from their ham
mocks, hastily pass three lashings, and,
throwing them against the sides OF the
ship rush half naked to the guns. In
three minutes after the first sounding OF
that call to general quarters the guns
are cast loose and the glare Of the battle
lanterns along the deck reveals the
crouching forms OF the tars, ms clustered
about their pieces they await the word
TO open fire. And again ali IS silent
along that deck, the same as when q few
minutes previous nearly every man was
wrapt in slumber. Not word OF warn
ing had been given, and the sudden
alarm APPLY proved the excellence OF the
ships discipline.
The British service maintains two dis
tinct organizations IN the marine co1ps,
known as the MARINES OF the Red u
and Marine Artillery" The former
compare with the style of the American
forces. These are enlisted for the
United States marine corps in the same
manner ms Tor the infantry in the army.
The period of enlistment IS for FIVE years
unless sooner discharged. On enhsting,
the recruit Is sent to one OF tho navy
Yards and chartered IN the marine bar
racks. IS soon as drilled nc is ready for
duty ahoat and he IS liable to be drafted
to the next vessel going into commits
sion. His cruise will last three years,
and the remaining TWO years will III
all likelihood DO spent aboard a
receiviug-ship or IN some nayy-yard.
2 he pay IS the same rs in the army, ana
by economy man may save the greater
norton of his nay. The clothes lac does
not draw are credited to him. That the
marines can be rapidly modified was
demonstrated most apty in April OF 1850,
When 500 men were concentrated at the
BROOKLYN hayward within thirty hours
after or lers were issued to embark oil
the "a al a ,le marine force in the country
for the Let ,mus OF Panama. Fully
equipped AID p 'epared for any amount
OF service they were Immediately march
ed aboard the steamers in waiting. The
manner in which they cleared the lsthmus
and restored traffic to its normal condl-
ton is still fresh in the memory OF all.
The marine corps cannot complain OF
lack of appreciation on the part Of Con-
eress, for that body has extended Its
thanks no less than twenty-five times.
The fire and spirit of the corps have yet
to be dempeued by check or reverse.
and il is with a pardonable pride that
the single word "Fldelity - on it, colors
is guarded with a constancy bordering
on jealousy.