The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-20

| However, ERASE the Marlnes-CaA 20
General Quarters"
There is, perhaps, no body Of men in
| the service of the United States govern
ment who have come in for a greater
share of contumely and received less
praise for actual service rendered than
| have the marines of the United States
navy. From time immenlorial it has
been Jacks saying in response to all
doubtful stories, ''Tel that to the ma
rines," for the tars as set are the most
incredulous fellows, and the hearty con-
tempt in which they hold the marines
is sufficient to incite the firing of volley
Of epithets at the latter on the slightest
provocation
1t is amusing, too, to see with what
avidity the young apprentices seize hold
of the prejudices of the able seamen, and
a person only need go aboard one of the
cruising training ships to hear the young
sters bawl out with all the zest Of an old
shell back, "Oh! you Hottentot mariner
The duty of marine aboard ship is
essentially that of policeman, and by
reason of this very duty no fraternizing
can be safely permitted between 1.-The
guard" and the men forward. AS to the
tar, any one acquainted with his devil
me-care spirit and wild, fun loving nat
ure must know how he looks upon any
one put over him as check. The tar
looks up to and respects his officers, for
be fears them; but the marine he hates,
for it is the marine who gets him in
trouble. But If marines were not feat
ure of man-of-war it is doubtful wheth-
er the discipline required of crew of
500 men would be of that efficient nature
now in force. Our navy is peculiarly
distinctive in it's method of mobilization
when compared with similar institutions
abroad. In the first place, our service
offers better pay, better duty and greater
emoluments than does any other service
in the world.
All United States war vessels carry a
marine guard, ranging in size, however,
from a captains command of fifty to
sixty men On a flagship to corporals
squad on a monitor. When a ship is
about to go in commission her marine
guard, which has been previously de-
tailed, is marched aboard and stands in
readiness to salute the ensign as it floats
out from the peak. From this moment
until the expiration of the three years
cruise the guard watches that element
forward" with a constancy that allows
Of no relaxation. When the three years
cruise is at an end, when the seamen who
have been 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 line on deck and 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 defended.
SHOOTING FROM THE RIGGING.
The marines have warm admirers in
those persons who are acquainted with
their sterling worth and necessity. Says
Admiral Wilkes: 1.-The marines consti-
tute the great had almost said the
only-difference between a man-of-war
and privateer." They are" adds an
other writer, 1.-The bulwark between the
cabin and the forecastle," while Rear
Admiral Stewart remarked, 1.-The sup
port afforded by a steady column of
bayonets has rendered lnutinies scarce"
The marine is peculiarly a soldier. He
is dressed, equipped and handled as a
soldier, and his whole life is the very op-
posite to that of sailor.
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 marine who from the
top Of the Frenchman alongside the Vic
tory at Trafalgar, shot down the brave
Nelson as he stood on the deck of the
latter ship. The guard messes, eats and
sleeps in body, always apart and dis
tinct from the crew.
Let the reader imagine himself at mid
night on the gun deck of a large vessel
of war lying quietly at anchor. A dim
light is burning forward, throwing a
heavy glare among the crowded ham,
mocks where 800 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
against the sides breaks the ominous
silence. AS the ben strikes "eight," the
hour Of midnight, solitary figure in
full uniform, with sword and pistols,
steps noiselessly from the cabin door
He stops and listens for moment, as the
turning of some restless sleeper in his
hammock attracts his attention. He is
the commanding officer. Walking for
ward, he bends over the hammock of a
drummer boy and whispers word in
his ear; the only reply is bound to the
deck, and the next instant the long roll
is sounding through the ship.
As by magic 500 men leap from their
hammocks, 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 as clus- |
tered about their pieces they wait the |
word to open fire. And again all is
silent along that deck, the same as when /
a few minutes previous every man was /
wrapt in slumber Not word of warn /
ing had been given, and the sudden /
alarm aptly proved the excellence of the
ships discipline.-New York Times
----
A Long Felt Want.
SEsaSs Il -S