The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-06-29
TOLD OF THE MARINES
An Important and Muoh Abused
Factor In a Navy.

An Important and Much Abused
Factor In a Navy.
There is perhaps no body of men in
Tie service of the United States gov
eshment who have coma in for great:
Or share OF contumely and received less
praise for actual servie9 rendered than
have the marines OF the United States
Navy, From time immem orial it has
been Jacks saying In response to all
doubtful stories, ''Tell that to the
marines" for the tars as a set are the
most incredulous fellows, and the hearty
contempt in which they hold the
marines is sufficient to incite the firing
Of volly OF epithets at the latter on
me slightest provoc .tion.
1t Is amusing, too, to seq with what
avidity the young apprentices seize
hold of the prejudiees OF the able sea-
men, and person only need go aboard
one of the cruising training ships to
hear the youngsters bawl out with all
the zest of an old shell-back. Oh! you
Hottentot mariner'
Che duty of a marine aboard ship is
essentially that of policeman. and by
reason OF this very duty no fraterniza
Ing can be safely permitted between
to the tar, any One acquainted with his
devil-nie-care spirit AMI wild, fun-lov-
ing nature must know how he looks
upon any one put over him as check.
The tar looks up to and respects his
officers, for he fears them, but the ma
rine he hates, for it is the marine who
gets him In trouble. But if marines
were not feature OF a maiI-of-war it is
doubtful whether the discipline re-
quired of a crew of 500 men would be
of that efficient nature now in force.
Our navy is peculiarly distinctive in Its
method of mobilization when compared
with similar institutions abroad. In
the first place, our service offers better
pay, better duty, and greater emolu.
ments than does any other service in
the world.
All United States war vessels carry
a marine guard, ranging in size, how
ever, from a captains command Of so
to 60 mon on flagship to totpocal's
squ1d on monitor. When a ship is
ABOUT to GO in commission her m .iitd
guard which has been previously de-
tailed, is marched aboard and stands
in readiness to salute the ensign as it
noats out from the peak. From this
moment until the expiration of the
three years cruise the gu trd watches
that element forward with a con.
stancy that allows OF ne relaxation.
When the three years cruise is at al
end, when the seamen who have beeh
shipmates through every trial and
hardship are about TO march ashore
and sever their associations, that stern
and implacable marine guard may be
seen in linz on deck AL under arms =
the last to leave the vessel-and as the
flag is hauled down they give the last
salute to the colors they have defend
ell.
The marines have warm admirers in
those persons who arc acquainted with
their sterling worth and necessity.
Says Admiral Wilkes; "rhe marines
constitute the great 4 HAD almost said
the only-difference between ihan-of-
war and a privateer" "fhey are, +"
adds another writer, ''the bulwark BE-
tween the cabin and the forecast,c,' -
while Rear-Admiral Stewart remarked,
'the support afforded by q steady
column of bayonets has rendered mu-
TIMES scarce" The marine Is peculiar
ly soldier. He is dressed, equipped
and handled as soldier, and his whole
life is the very opposite to that Of q
sailor.
In time of action aboard ship the
marines are either stationed at oDe Of
the heavy pivot guns, Or else disposed
about decks and In the tops to act as
sharpshooters. 1t was q marine Wild
from the top of inc Frenchman along
side the Victory at Trafalgar, shot
down. the brave Nelson as he stood On
mo deck of the latter ship The guard
messes, eats and sleeps in a body, al.
ways apart and distinct from the crew.
Let the reader imagine himself at mid
night on the gun deck of large vessel
of war lying quietly ut anchor. A dim
light is burning forward, throwing d
heavy glare among the crowded ham.
Elocks where 500 men are sleeping
Not a sound Is to be heard save the
steady tread of the marine sentry
overhead, while the swish of the black
water awginst the sides bre ks the
OMNIBUS silence. As the bell strikes
"eight." the hour of midnight soli-
tary figure in full uniform, with sword
and pistols, steps noislessly from tbs
| cabin door. He stops and listens fol
In moment, as the turning OF some
| restless sleeper In his hammock at
tracts his attention. He is the com
handing officer. Walking forward, he
bends over the hammock of a drum
mer boy and whispers word in hi:
ear; the only reply is q bound to the
deck, and the next instant the Ions
roll is sounding through the ship. A.
if by magic 500 men leap from theil
hammocks. hastily pass three lashings
and throwing them against the side:
of the ship, rush half naked to the
guns. In three minutes after the fiSt
sounding Of that cali to general quar-
ters," the guns are cast loose and thu
glare OF the battle lanterns along tn,
deck reveals the crouching forms O
the tars, as clustered about their pieces
they wait the word to open fire. Ant
again all is silent along that deck, thu
same as when a few minutes previou:
every man was wrapt in slumber. No
a word of warning had been given
and the sudden alarm aptly proved tn
ovoalIanoa If tho chipis dilnin1ina -