The morning call., 1894-07-20
GEARY'S COMMAND.
Why Ii Has Won Favor at West
Oakland.

OakidnQ.
Lieutenant-Colon Geary and his COM
mand, The Second Artillery Regiment of
san Francisco, in quarters al the Southern
Pacific yards in West Oakland, have
shown up particularly we'll in the strike
troubles al that point. Even. the strikers,
although they have one vigorous kick to
make, cannot but give Their need Of
praise to The excellence of the discipline
and the fine appearance of the Second
Aud the only sore point with the strikers
is that they could not see why companies
of the Second did police duty. They pro-
tested against 1t on every hand and they
would still continue TO protest, but they
have learned something. That is, that the
patrolling was done at the request OF the
Sheriff Of the county. That lets the
second out all right, and the fact of the
matter is nat the soldier boys didn't like
1t a bit anyway.
But let 1t 60 at that There is one thing
about the Second and about its COM
mander, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis
Geary, they put Oh no airs. They are
soldiers without frills, and from the dis
play they have made it is no f1attery to
say they are soldiers every one of them
and every inch of every one OF them.
Their boards have grown, It's true. and the
accumulated dust Of the triturated cinderS
of the Southern Pacific COmpany's right
OF way has lodged in them. but they don't
go much on their purity" in such piping
times as these. Not one Of them is
carpet knight and they prlmp not, neither
do they sign for blunt lance victories in
golden clothed fields. 1t was evident at
first glance and has been prominent ever
since tina they were out to 90 their duty,
| whatever that might be. They obeyed
I'd ND il ind
vidual Instances. they moved perfectly.
automaton-Iike, If you will, as he code Of
nations agree that bodies of soldiers
shall. The individual instances were in
the cases of few, very few, very young
men, who were entirely lacking in their
conception Of the duties of soldering. 1t
Is only surprising that, in body which
has had absolutely no experience in the
field Of action, there should have been so
few.
To whom should the credit for this be
given? Generally that would be a hard
question 10 answer. In this instance il is
easy. 1t is q divided honor. In most cases
he head would mOnopolize the laudatlon.
In this II Is divided. The commander lea
of in the example, and the men, proud Of
heir assoc. ton and emulUus of excel
lence in the field. did the rest. The result
IS that, while at Sacramento Colonel
Grsham Of The regulars and all his staff
and action of the First and Third San
Francisco regiments, the Second Artillery
Is just as deserving Of praise, and has had
as nard if not a harder, experience.
Now, as to Northumberland Geary.
Fifteen years experience in the regular
army, carrying the arms of Uncle Sam
into many parts, often against the willy
redskln, has given him knowledge of
military movements that has stood him in
good stead in this trying time, and has
helped him wonderfully In his previous
dealings with his men. Every inch SOL
der, and not fiber of the martinez. will
explain the charm the commanding officer
ass the men. When he says a thing he
means it, and all who hear or are expected
timely reason for compliance. There is
no thought of questioning, even were It
deemed eXpedisnt, one of his suggestions.
His orders are taken for gospel. and like
the gospel, when followed, have been
found fawess and for the greatest good.
The COLONEL has an intense dislike of
dog" He is as plain man, considering bis
handsome presence, as you would see in
days walk. He is not a stickler for gold
braid and pipe clay. although he requires
what the regul ,tions require.
Tie camp is band of brothers. The
men in it, from the commanding officer TO
the last private in the ranks, feel we'll
toward their brothers. There is CANA
raderie and esprit du corps that is per-
fecLy charming and which explains more
han anything else the fine appearance,
the earnestness and the excellence of the
Second Artillery of San Fran cisco.