New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-20
NEAR THE OFFICERS TENT.

Yesterday the cleaning water seemed huge
ripping sapphire. Coney Island. withitse'cr 'ant
and tower and Sen Gate with It's brand new
cottages looked only half far away as they
really are on the opposite side of the Bay. In
the distance could be seen the blue hills OF New
Jersey and to the west was the scuthernmost
end of Staten Island. Add to all this day that
would have inspired a poet. and one can well
CINE how the troopers enjoyed themselves
When the platoon reached camp Saturday af-
ternoon 1t about supper time. Some or the
mon We're sen. for water and Troopers Weldon
and Reeves were detailed to help Commissary-
Sergeant Curie Then Charley. the cook, began
to get In his fine work. and in half an hour the
warriors were seated at two rough-nade tables
one for the privates and one for the commas
stoned officers, and under the open Sky. III
seems that professional cook was found neces-
sary after all, and Charley. a colored man VINO
assuaged the appetites OF the 18th Regiment
during the strike, secured Charley is dou-
blv interesting to the troop cook and chief
patient to Assistant Surgeon w II Skene.
Charley has indigestion from eating other peo-
pies cooking.
The supper Saturday night consisted Of beef
steak potatoes onions, coffee and pilot biscuits.
Then there was drill under Second Lieutenant
Hettrick First Lieutenant l.. b. Smith was
designated as officer of the guard Corporal Wal
Ter as sergeant OF the guard. and details were
assigned to Corporals McIeer. Armstrong. Mack
lin and Wieman All OF those who served on the
guard occupied one tent and, beginning at 5:3O,
details went on picket duty every two hours I'M
til 3 a. m.
Theoretically Morpheus supposed to be a
welcome visitor In the guard tent. but practically
the god Of sleep sent to watery grave
Just where the vichy bottles came from no one
knows but there they were. surcharged with
water The mifsute man who was off duty fell
asleep his name was called in loud tones. When
he answered Here ne received a stream from
a vichy bottle square In the face
When the insomnolence that had pervaded the
guard tent discussed at breakfast Trump
eter Barrett said that he was used to noise
that ne knew he could sleep In the guard tent.
"Then you can sleep under water" ventured
Private Edward McLeer thinking OF a partcu-
larly offensive douche bath received by himself.
Some OF the experiences OF the pickets were
narrowing A youthful picket. whose name is
reserved because Of his native mcdesty. at mid
night saw a weird looking individual creep along
I'm the darkness next a fence 100 feet north OF
camp The crouching figure would appear and
disappear in the darkness In a most blood
curding manner Every time he would reap
pear the dutiful trooper shouted In his most
impressive bass Halt, Who goes there But
there was never reply. only a mysterious dis
appearance. The horror Of the situation finally
wrought so the pickets nerves that he called
Private Holmes TO his assistance. The latter
with praiseworthy decision. shouted to the
stranger to helt or be shot. and advanced with
carbine ready to execute his threat. The situa-
ton was depressing VIXEN it learned on
closer inspection that the skuker was n black
cow so spotted with white on one side that when
that side was presented to view there was the
sembance Of man
The discipline in camp is all that il should be-
rule: Sergeant William Hamilton Pendry ran
the guard Saturday night and escaped. after
giving the guard hard chase. Sergeant Wey-
mouth tried unsuccessfully to pass the guard
on a bluff. What IL the countersign?" inquired
the faithful sentry. Sergeant Weymouth had
not received the countersign. but ne ventured
Fort Hamilton"
"No, 1t amt; It's West Point" replied the
sentry so loudly that Joy entered the hearts OF
several that heard 1t. But Sergeant Weymouth
was promptly taken in charge
While IL was generally attractive. the boys
got touches Of the severity Of the soldiers life
For instance. when Lights out" sounding
at 10 y. m. and the boys gazed over the Bay at
the lights Of Coney Island, they could not help
thinking II a little early for sleep Then a
bed made out Of straw with q blanket over IL.