St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-16
THE FRENCH CONSCRIPT.
The Life He Leads in Trying tG
Reach a MarshaPs Baton.

The Life He Leads in Trying to
Reach a MarshaPs Baton.
Million
1t is generally in November that the
French conscript has to present himself
at the poste caserne. or recruiting office,
from which he is drafted to the regi-
ment allotted to him. The recruiting
roll call usually takes place at a. M.
when from 400 to 600 cOnscripts are
present. Then you may see the tall and
elegant boulevardier in his frock coat,
the burly son of labor in his blouse, the
little dandy in his short coat and the
coliegian in bis uniform. all standing
there chatting with each other, every
one moved with the same great spirit OF
fraternity, and looking upon all others
as so mahy brothers answering the call
of the Fatherland. Their chatting, how
ever, is soon brought 10 an end by the
appearance of an officer and few ser
geants.
From that very moment their soldier
life begins, and they at once undergo
six hours drill. so that they may march
through the streets to their destination
with martial bearing. The drill over,
each man receives twenty-five sous
otherwise one shilling half pence and
is then marched to the railway station,
where he is conveyed 10 his corps; but,
as the travelling occurs at night, he is
allowed four or five hours leave to take
last farewell of mis- relatives. AT the
hour appointed he must return and
answer the roll-call previous to his de-
parture.
On arrival at the barracks they are
distributed in the different companies.
and the first few days spent i'll learning
how to make their beds and fold their
clothes, and preliminary instruction in
Saluting and addressing their superiors.
NO matter how smart and experienced
a youth may be, during his first week
with the regiment he feels very much
like a fish out Of water. But couple
of francs spent in treating his new
squad companions does much for him.
One Will clean his gun the first few
ment, another will make his bed until
he has acquired sufficient knowledge
and is pronounced an expert. And he
in his turn will do likewise for his new
chums when the next years batch OF re-
cruits arrives.
On his arrival, the recruit for the first
few months is spared, perhaps, the most
diStaSteful occupation of The soldier
the "corvee"-otherwise the sweeping
of the yard and sanitary duties. His
daily work is somewhat of this nature:
At a. m. (winter) the awakening bugle
sounds, but as he is supposed to be
dressed and ready at awakening bugle,
he has to arise at $50, when a cup of
black coffee is dealt out. His first duty
is to clean his boots and wash. At 7:30
his blankets and sheets must be neatly
folded and the mattresses doubled up,
and the floor under the bed clearly
swept.
Then follows the first morning roll
call, ia undreSS and at the foot of the
bed, with belt and bayonet. That over.
he is marched in the open air and kept
at physical drill until $50 o'clock. when
soup bugle sounds. The kitchen is
stormed, every man answering his num-
Der and receiving his tin pot of soup.
The soup consists of broth with white
bread, potatoes, carrots. cabbage and
meat. At 9 he makes his bed, washes
and reassembles for drill, which is con-
tinued, with short intervals, until 5
O'Clock. a.
Then the second welcome bugle of
the day sounds, and ''thick'' Irish stew
is served. After evening meal he cleans
his accoutrements, and a. 9 O'Clock he
goes to bed. On Saturdays drill ceases
at O'Clock, The rest of the day being
spent in cleaning. Sunday, with the
exception of morning parade, is made
holiday. Such is the life of French
conscript-a life in many ways differ
ing from that of his prototype. the
British Tommy Atkins.