The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-21
SOLDIER LIFE IN TIE WEsT:
Fun of Fun md Froiic, Widely Interesting,
and Pleasant ns n Whole.

SOLDIER LIFE IN III VEST.
Fu,, of Fun md Frolic. widely Interesting
ana Pleasant az n Whole.
from H., s.. LOU. Globe fe noc.n,.
FORT KEooH. Mon. April 22.-The soldier.
life In the far West Is not only n happy one
but 1t is also very pleasant and somewhat ex
citing. Tn daily routine Of a frontier fort II
quite Interesting. In the first place. n plain.
fort Is no fort at all: It is simply n collection o
houses and buildings set down on the prairie
any kind. and might better, he termed
Select u diamond.shaped piece Of groun,l
say 4OOx 400 yards square: on two sides build
substantial Quarters 70: the officers and on
house. post traders stor,, It,e latter has now
as the ~canteen or most exchanged. "a CLUB room
for officers. another for the enlisted men, a
s SICK. With Siffh'''c CAPABLE "aH ''% dostors and, astenti%,e
nurses In constant attendance. a bakery. read-
Ing ni roc gymnasium !, q and bathing rooms
At regimental head quarters a fine band Is
stationed. and in consequence once or twice =
officers and enlisted men. At the post tx-
change light wines. beer. and cider are sold at
almost nSs sSss pr' sfIsH Sus no 3or T anIs w,i III pna tse
limits OF a garrison. In the billiard rooms a
nominal charge oil, five cents Il game Is made.
PENDANTS and keel the place in repair. Should
my, profit whatsoever, above expenses be
made. the gain is divided pro rata among the
organizations serving at the post
The soldier gets e., sl3 per month pay; an In n.
f f5sass al and !! . 'f Tor The the i ifth: a Ssor add Iii a1r i ree
s maP,sts.io Ba i S.sn 96Is. Is fG wp9Es 81 sc : ss4h.S or
eel; ss" ssas & q ea ,3ssps Extra p d HaS A pay: n th .s,
must be Included, board. lodging. clothing.
schooling. medical attendance. and various
.EsnarHd duty is about the hardest service in
about one day in every six or seven. Two
roll calls q day. rsvellle and retreat tattoo
he's 5s ssp. aGnS aTn q c Etth: r s1t d in is as p II s M Srs
ueually two or three times a week. and dress
f faIsas p sxsfy e is heIaE ;du Mifas' two D mon.h. &;
the best seasons OF the year. when enlisted
ranges Tor the grades Of marksman and sharp
shooter. As II general! rule. those companies
s Of any n fssim Sss s ss5gIns w Wits 81 9v tho sh aisSi,;
wads. and shot. which are intended for hunt
Whenever lie feels so inclined. II not detailed
on some duty. , San anus mus himself fy . RnocEinT
and prairie chickens galore. or missing as
many shots as he wants to- Tours OF detached
service are simply pienics' and ne man would
get out and of oyer the prairie for detached
"o VklCuu l VI " NolllbIS-
men of all nation alities and all climes. They
come to US as bright rs meteors and as YER
i aans as p or ges snc y re Sepfi 6 mav no :, matter M tbs t h9w
OF Joining. he usually leaves the army well
satisfied with his five years OF disciplinc and
In our service the training OF n soldier to be
. fine shot Is the principal object. while. as a
portant adjunct OF a military mans career.
depending more on numbers and yolley firing
sRsn On o IRaiyifha d. Is s As hard a. xd FIX = 5n as s I'm n1i:
is that the com mission,e Branch have a good.
cards and draw their pay. As a matter o, TACT
more than nine-tenths OF the officers in the
army to-day fairly earn every cent OF their
> fTfihers il, one drill practised by a. cavalry
a srS9p 1n st thii post su wn aIsn d is nGt Hnl int sss,al
erected humorous posts the height. Of an or
& aih namb msn Of fran iare a'' l tssi or 70 t ali .n the slze
Of q mans head and filled With straw. are
each Individual is set to work cutting of the
Va rious leathern. heads from the posts.
sabre. the commend is given, and away he
goes at q mad dash down upon the enemy. cut
next one with y back sweep. and tho third is
on the crown Or decapltated IL some
greeny becomes, an expert after
a while, and has his laugh In turn on others
who succeed him as the butt OF ridicule. The
irill also Includes firing blank charges with
. revolver at tho heads, the sharp conclusion
Of the explosion generally blowing tho leather
heads of. II the ain chances t.. be a good one.
The bump OF fun Is an exceedingly large one
In the average soldier OF the limo, Young men
IN the prime OF manhood. OF fine physique
md generally perfect In every way. look on
he term of enlistment as a sort OF task: and
propose to get as much amusement and run
nut OF the Ave years as possible, Their devices
and tricks for getting out OF drill and other
1uties are OF every description.
THE SOLDIERS WEAKNESS.
Whiskey is the soldiers weakness, Should
, post be q thousand miles from civilization.
stringent orders be In force forbidding LIQUOR
on the reservation. and every possible means
AIKEN to prevent its introduction and use.
still the average soldier will; IN some way or
other. haye his toddy IN spite OF every OBJ
greatest trial Of the officer OF the day Is to
keep whiskey away from the prisoners ana
out OF the guard house; but II Is impossible Of
accomplishment. for they certainly get u IN
&c p manner and whenever they want It
~ niskey has been discovered being smuRgled
l ~ oG Of l9aves OF bread when GOD T anns
tthe barrel OF his musket with LIQUOR and walk
ms post melli1g awfully like rum. but never
pc tound out Prisoners returning from Mork
orooms over their shoulders. have had a flask
oroom' and yet escaped discovery.