New-York tribune., 1890-05-04
FUN WITH THE MILITIA.
SOME ANECDOTES By CAPTAIN CHARLES
KING, L. S. A.
WHAT An INSPECTOR FOUND on HIS ROUNDS
SOME ORIGINAL MANoEUvRES.

Captain Ming IN Inc | nlteu SerNlcc
There was time, years before the war; when,
with broad, white crossed belts glitterng breast
plate, and low-hung cartridge-boN and Dayonet
scabbards, with high bear-skin shabos. and the
SLOW stately movement OF Scott's tactics, the old
swallow-tailcd coat looked well; but to see a
swallow tailed with loose trousers, no cross
belt, no tall shakos nothing but waist-Delt ana
forage-cap, the thing seemed lncongruous 10 the
last degree: but that was the way Mr. y. found
many of the companies of the State when ne made
his rounds in 1885.
panics visited was the Veteran Rifles, which had
been pronounced by General Blank, three years
before. the equals OF the New-lork 18th, and, quite
possibly. had so considered themselves ever since
The captain met the new inspector with a fine
flourish. at the door of the armory, and informed
him that the boys were ready whenever he chose
to appear. The inspector told the captain that
he would like him TO dismiss his company. and
then let hiT see the first sergeant form 1t and
call the roll. Parks being broken, the first ser
eran Rifles" and the took their
places in rank. not without considerable pushing
and an infinite amount of looking about, laughing
and talking. The fleciOserS made attempt 70
check this performance the leutenants fell in with
the fle-closers, and the captain stood with folded
arms where he could look on, but IN no way did
he interfere with the work OF the omnipotent
orderly" That official stepped down the line.
and, not being satisfied with the positions of sone
OF the men, took them severally by the sleeves
Of their coats. dragged them out of the column
of files, towed them to some other point an!
squeezed them in. Finally. having the men placed
in accordance with his ideas, the first sergeant
gave the command. Left face: support arms.
Attention to roll-call." And the first name called
was that of Captain -, next Lieutenant Brown,
then Lieutenant Jones. and each of these com
missioned officers obediently and promptly
swered Here" at the beck of the first sergeant
When the captain was requested 10 give his
authority afterward for this somewhat unusual
method, he replied that they had always done
IT, and that nobody had ever found fault with
IT, and it was considered the proper thing.
After the inspection, which went of without
any further remarks the part Of the inspect
ing officer, who preferred TO see how things would
20 without any interference. the captain gave
the command, Rest: and Mr.. X. proceeded TO
jot down in his notebook the number of men
not properly shaved, boots not blacked, dirty or
torn gloves, coats not buttoned, fancy neck
ties jewelled scarf-pins, and other unorthodox
points which had attracted his attention.
reporter stepped up and blandly inquired
what he thought of the boys. and the inspector
informed the reporter that he could tell more
about it when he got through with them.
During the inspection several men, chewing
tobacco, were expcctorating freely over the floor
and exchanging remarks with their comrades
in the line to the appearance of certain OF tie
spectators and the somewhat unusual movements
of the new colonel.
The captain was then directed to put his
pany through the manual of arms part of which
was very pTettily done The iirings were unique,
especially the loadings. Firing BY company was
certainly sin ultaneous performance. Then the
captain "ordered arms and gave bis men an
other rest.
you have only given the firing by company.
captain" said the inspector. " Let ne see them
fire by file"
We'll, colonel, that's something we've never
practised," said the captain. There's nothing
sodierly in that: there's no snap or unanlmlty
in il, and it only demoralizes the ooys 10 give
them things that they don't do exactly together.
Never mind, captain, give the command for
firing by file, and let's see what they will do
But the captain didn't know how 10 give
command for firing by file, neither could he give
the commands for obquc lirings, nor for firing
lneelina, and, fortunately for him, hring lying
down not demanded.
The movements OF the company In columns Of
fours and platoons were next required, and here
10 was found that the captain, though possessing
q fine and ringing voice, was utterly independent
Of the tactics as TO his commands. They were
mixture Of Scott. Casey and knight Iemplar or
broomtbrigadc tactics, Mr.. X couldn't tell which,
and finally he stopped the captain and told him
that that was very pretty as far as II went, Dut
that he would Ike 10 see some movements that
would test the knowledge Of the company.
So long The company was permitted To " gang
its ain gait and put up an exhibition or 70
asyou-p please" drill the movements were certainly
so smoothly done that the array of spectators
applaudeh vigorously, and Captain - looked
flushed with Success despite the shortcomings III
the iirings Presently the company executed on
right in.o lire from column Of fours in very pretty
style. Each set aS it halted making soul-Stining
stamp that reminded Mr. y. OF the hussar Of
derry" who delivered all the messages III La
Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein.' Then, with
simultaneous bang, arms were brought 70 the
order The room shook with applause, and the
captain. hopping the persplration from LIS brow,
irfumphantly accostcd the inspector with, IIows
thatPs
venuIrcd t. inquire where the stamp was found
in the PAGES Of Upton. The captain did not
know. bat considered it improvement on the
tactics. "Yon don't objec, to our doing anything
better than tie book, do you?" he asked.
"No. said Mr. x BIT unluckily the Presi-
the Secretary of War-two of them in fact
prohibits any exercise or evolution not embraced
in tie tactics.
We'll answered the captain, we haven't
stamp. It's pretty, and it pleases the boys and
catches the crowd like the twelve counts IN load.
1t makes em take more pains With their drill
not he done simply because it isn't in the tactics.
Well-but loo; here, colonel, replies the crack
drillmaster OF Pccatonica County don't ques-
tion your authority in the least, and that stamp
shall he stopped but, if you are going TO prohibit
our doing ANYTHING on drill that Is not aiirma-
lively prescribed in the tactics, how the mischief
am / to get The mems heads up again after rest on
arms? Paragraph 81 don't provide for 1t, and
ii we carry out that lrOn-cad rue "ed
have the whole company hanging their heads.
like so many naughty boys. after they had come
to the carry. How can get my ncnlehah,s
in front of their platoOns when Pm moving IN
double time. company front ana want TO DieaK
-'
The inspector fairly chuclSles: Captain -.
I'm delighted to see YOU 50 close student
Of the tactics. Don't ask mc to supply their
shortcomings. but stick as close 10 the teAt as
YOU can without being guilty Of manifest ab,
surdities. Now by the way. notice that all
your movements have been by the right Hank
1t has been fours right right by potoonS. on right
into lire. right forward. fOurs right. etc. Now
let me movements The other way"
"Well now. colonel, we never do that SAID
the captain, with a laugh. You see 1t KIND
o. breaks the boys all up. You can get there
Just as quick by the right flank. and then they
always know Just what TO expect. and do it in
handsome style"
well can you get there lust as quick +? Sup
pose tell you tn place your company ten yards
TO the left and rear Of its present position. and