Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-04-20

THE DISCIPLINE THAT MAKES oun
SOLDIERS EXPERTS.

Force, but the Boys In Bius Are ReWaslk-
able for Their Facility in Hsndilsg -
Rine-How They Are raught end rraise1.
The United States has very extensive
territory, yet Il has the smallest regulae
army Of any civilized power Of nearly
equal territorial extent Still, with
American ideas and policy. the gallant
little force seems amply sufficient 70
guard the country. Peace Is 30 much
the policy Of our nation that even the
small army finds little to do. The great
Indian tribes have been corralled within
their reservations, and the life Of the
United States soldier Is now narrowed
down to the stercotypcd military code.
Weary with the some old ceremonies
from year to year, practiced until the
regular tactics are absolutely perfect
they have developed the principal gar
rison duty. target shooting, into science
of remarkable accuracy. The pleasure
Of the practice and the spirit Of emula-
ton aroused combine to make them the
most skilled marksmen in the world.
THEY BEAT TIE WORLD.
The rifle used Is the ordinary Spring
field service pattern, breech loader,
carrying seventy grains Of powder and
600 grains Of lead, common service sights
that never get out Of order.
Our little army may 'be deficient In
many ways, but In the matter Of rifIe
shooting TO hit and with the object Of
hitting to kill uhe business In which the
soldier Is presumed to be particularly
efficiently, 1t certainly stands first In the
world. Another great advantage. al
though not a pleasant one, has been con-
tinuous and almost everlasting stations
on the remote frontier. Surrounded with
large and small game, what wonder thaS
men, whose business IL Ia to kill. always
seized overy opportunity for huntings
To he perfectly fair. our marksmen are
80 far in advance Of the best European
soldiers, that, so far as execution Is con-
cerned, the latter would have no show
whatever when pitted against our own
regulars. European armies, though
armed with longer range gun. yet lack
practice and accuracy.
They arc trained to volley shooting In
stead of individual aim, and the result u
that fully half Of the men fire at random
into the air. Uncle Sans man has to
depend upon himself. European nations
nurse their dislike Of each other and their
| military training partakcs Of Il. They
pay moro attention to Matching up new
schemes to hurt each other than hitting
the bulls eye. They are able to pierce,
times without number. target in the
shape Of an efllgy Of French soldier.
but would miss at every shot an Amert-
can target. Neither ths French, Ger
mans, Belgians nor Russians have the
| skill Of the Americans In sighting their
guns or In handling their pieces.
Routine duty on tho frontier Is about
az follows: The soldier gets $40 pet
month straight pay, rations, clothing.
J and certain allowance which Is paid
him on the date Of his discharge; an in.
crease for each years service or re-en'
listment; additional remuneration II pro
NOTED corporal, sergeant or artificer
extra pay II worked rs u carpenter
plasterer or mechanic, and lots Of otliel
perquisites too small 10 mention. GUAR
duty Is tho hardest In the service, aul
to this tho soldier Ii eligible about on'
day In six.
SOLDIER LIFE.
Three roll calls day, rovcillo, retrea
and tattoo (if cavalryman, stables twic
a day.; drills Mondays or Fridays, drea
parade every evening, and target prae
tico whenever weather permits. Eacl
company In the service Is provided wit
pair OF breech loading shotguns, q ccI
tain annual allowance Of powder, shcl
wad and shell, and thess arc open
everybody for hunting purposes whe
not employed on other duty. The soldie
can then amuse himself knocking owe
jack rabbits. bagging sage hens aud pra
rie chickens, and missing as many ducl
and wild geese as no wants TO.
Tours of detached service are merel
picnics. Large game Of some kind ca
almost always be found, and what bette
sport could any ono ask2 There is on
undcniabie fact about five years teri
In the United States army. All sorts
material are caught for soldiers; tho be(
drinking Teuton. the bull dog Englisl
} man, tho fun loving Irishman, the ign'
rant darky, and, In fact, men Of all n
tionalities and all climes They come
US as bright as meteors and as verdai
as cucumbers; but no matter how gree
and unsophisticated the recruit may
when he joins, he has developed Into
fine marksman when he leaves the arm,
and with decidedly moro sense than !
was enlisted with.
The bump Of fun is exceedingly Iaxl
In tho average soldier OF the line. Gel
orally, as remarked, they are young nj
In the prime Of manhood, OF fine physiqs
and perfect In every way (else ths
: would not have been accepted by the .
cruiting officer), who look upon the ter
Of enlistment as sort Of lark, and pr
pose to get as much amusement and ~
out Of the five years rs possible. Asto
!, isliing as it may seem, yet 1t is neverth
less true that It Is no easy matter TO
list in the United States army. Ninetel
laut Of twenty applicants are rejec:sd .
: cause, and tho twentieth man mus.
up to the mark, or he Is liable to trav
: the road Of his nineteen predecessors
After enlistment expires majority
tho discharged soldiers, who original
o came from some Of the states back eal
never return to their former hom'
y Civilization, with all its drawbacks, b
!. lost its charms for them, and 90 tn
" stick to the west and grow up with
> country. Long service and extensi
a scouting over the plains have cured tht
y Of city life and struggle for existent
y They either take up land claims son
where, buy farms from the railroads
drift to ranching or stock raising. Ma
: of them prefer cowboy life, which tel
Of service in the army. saddle and sco'
, ing work especially equips them foe'
70 Navv Work Star ----s--sksrv-~'