The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-18
NOTES AT THE PRESIDE.
Innovations in the Guard-Mount - TIL
New Salute.

Innovations in the Guard-Mount - The
New Salute.
Several inn0vaiiOns-new at any rate in
the service on this Coast-in the mode of
mounting guard have been introduced by the
Fifth Artillery, stationed at the Preside,
In the first place, the band, instead CT being
marched from quarters by fours and in such
formation led to its post on the parade
ground. is marched up by twos and by left
face brought to a halt, leaving it in two
ranks with the field music in the rear.
Ranks are broken then by command of the
drum major, and Immediately thereafter the
band is Termed again, and every man takes
his accustomed place, by which time the
Adjutant and Sergeant-major have arrived
at the parade and the details are in waiting
to be brought on. The ceremony is then
proceeded with as laid down in the book.
After they pass in review, the drum major
falls out. and while the sentinels are being
relieved, the band, which has again formed
in a circle in front of the Conmandants
quarters, plays several pieces, alter which
il marches off by twoS again. The old
guard. before being finally marched off, is
returned to the parade ground, divided Oft
into details, and as such moved off TO quar-
tiers.
They also have new salute at the Pre-
sidio, and it is done III two instead of four
motions. There is no raising of the right
hand pointing in the same direction as the
right foot, the palm of the hand down, the
thumb close to the forefinger, the arm ex-
tended and HORIZONTAL etc.. according to
the book. The right hand is simply smartly
raised, with the palm t0 the left. the fingers
touching the SIDE of the vlLor OF the cap and
dropped again with the second motion. 1t
is a jerky, elbowy and pump-handle sert of
a salute.
The four eight-ineh guns have been re-
ceived at the reservation and are being
mounted on their carriages in the breast
works. Which have been erected near the
parade-ground for mounted troops. One is
already in position, the work OF s0dding
now occupying the prisoners. 1t will be
used next year during the season for target
practice.
The deserter 'Frenchy" has not been re-
captured. but the two Sentries who stood
guard over him when he made his break for
liberty are in the guard-house awaiting trial
by general court-martial. "Frenchy" es-
capped from them in the swamp where he
was cutting bog for the earthwork.
The artillery has its hands full. The two
light batteries are drilled daily, as also the
two cavalry troops. The heavy batteries
are handling the field guns and mortars, and
! o me Is moving and mounting the elght-lnch
guns in the earthwork. The field guns have
been moved to the upper end, SO as not to be
in the way of the athletes.
More Is done now at the Preside TO en-
courage the men to indulge in athletic sports
than ever before Base and foot bali are
the favurites, for which metes and bounds
have been marked off on the sward 'front.'
ing the barracks. A corner has also been
fenced off and paved for alawn-tennis court.
Troop X of the Fourth Cavalry has been
t AIKEN Gown several pegs as base-baliSts.
The reservation was not big enough for it,
and it challenged Light Battery + of the
Fifth Artillery. The game was played on
Sunday and the cayalrists were literally
wiped out-24 to II, with cayalryman for
umpire too.
The upper drill-ground is now in fine
condition 1t has recently been enlarged,
and is now in the shape OF a st. Andrew
cross. The lover parade ground is being
pretty well leveled and worn with the daily
drills of artillery and cavalry.
Lleutenant-ColonelG Graham, Commandant
at the Preside, is alling sorely with rleu-
matism. He is managing, however, now,
with the aid of pair Of crutches, to be
about and direct the affairs of the post.
tenant G. W. 5. Stevens tricycling down
from the corral" to report for drill at
Battery Gs quarters. He is the athlete par
excellence of the post.
Comrades j. o. Ralston and George Shaw,
of Lincoln Post, No. l, q. A. r.. were
buried on Sunday in tie National Cemetery,
in the reservation.
The barracks are being shingled and the
sides covered anew in anticipation Of the
winters rains.