Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-03-05
This Training of Soldiers.

The Training Of Soldiers.
While there are many disadvantages
connected with the life of common
soldier there are some compensating
circumstances that the public rarely
takes into consideration. The common
soldier, when he lives up to army regu-
lations. is so situated as to enjoy every
needed condition in the way of health
and fine physical development. He also
has many mental and moral privileges,
provided he takes advantage Of them.
and is on the whole much better off
than is generally supposed.
There is great prejudice in the pub
lie mind against soldering, and occa-
slOnal abuses have increased this feel
ing until it is not easy to get good en-
listed men.
or course, the thought of training
men simply to shoot and be shot at
has its unpleasant side but all the same.
they are necessary for the safety Of
their country and probably will be 20
the end Of time. especially if peace con-
crosses make no more Roadway than
they are doing at present. Rife prac-
tice. games of all kinds, and athletic
exercises are part of the regular EN-
ployment.
1t is now recommended that more
freedom be given to the men in after
noon hours in order that they may have
practice in bicycle riding and other
amusements, and may have more time
to themselves to follow their own pleas
ures. There is tendency toward more
freedom in the intermingling of OFF,
GERS and men. and a better state of feel
ing between them than has hitherto
existed. Contests in athletic games are
suggested not only in the garrison, but
between those at accessible points.
Marches out through the country are
proposed, not alone for practice, but
for the purpose of taking the men into
new scenes.
Barrack life is exceedingly hum
drum and the men become restless when
confined too long in one place. Where
soldiers are quartered near the water,
it is proposed to supply racing shells,
boats and all necessary appliances for
| exercise. Rubber heels are to be at
tached to army shoes, experiments hav-
ing shown that the jar to the body is
greatly decreased and much fatigue is
avoided.
A review of the condition of the army
shows an unusual amount of intelli-
eence in the suggestions of those in
charge of the various departments. 1t
| is possible to make the condition of the
| common soldier much more comfortable
| and agreeable without rendering the
service too costly, and this, according to
| all indications, the war department is
inclined to do.
Napoleon in the Russian Campaign.
Around the camp-fires there was, dur
fng the remaining months Of winter, a
| passive endurance. mingled with some
| murmuring about the horrors caused by
one mans ambition. The emperor Sc,
his men an example of accomplishing
cheerfulness. His health continued as
exuberant as it had been for the year
past. and his activity, though no longer
| feverish, lost nothing of it's intensity
Savary thought he Outdid himself, nc.
complishing in one month what else
where would have been, even for lini
the work Of three. Nine. de Remusa,
remembered to have heard him say
that he felt better during those months
than ever before or after. This vigol
Of body. combined with the same IRON
determination as Of old did indeed work
miracles. and this in spite of the fac,
that his indefatigable secretary, Maret
was long at the point of death.-"Lifs
Of Napoleon" in the Century.
| The Russian Army In Napolcon's Day.
| The Russian army was strong III reg.
ular infantry. but weak in well-dis.
ciplined cavalry. although the latter de.
feet was largely supplied by the Cos.
sacks, a peculiar body Of riders from
/ ~. ~. IA