The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-12-10
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the execution of a similar liue of
twenty five years ago. The reason is
that the soldier is taught as his first
duty how to handle and get the most
out of his place. A visit to any one
of the annual rifle competitions held
at various points throughout the
United States would convince the
most skeptical, beyond all question or
doubt, that Uncle Sans troops are
now an army of marksman and sharp
shooters, instead of a mob of raw, un
disciplined recruits.
There is one drill practice by a
cavalry troop at several frontier posts
which is not only useful and instruct
i've, but also decidedly interesting to
witness. Out on the praire have been
erected numerous posts the height of
an ordinary man from his feet up to
his shoulders. A number Of large
leathern balls, the size of a mans
head, and filled with straw, are placed
on the posts before drill commences.
Now the troopers are hauled up in
line, and each individual is set to
work cutting off the various leathern
heads from the posts When a mans
turn comes he draws his saber, the
command is given, and away he goes
at mad dash down upon the enemy,
cutting off the first head with a down
stroke, the next one with back sweep.
ana the third is slashed on the crown
or decapitated IN some way. OF
course, it is ridiculous to see the re-
cruits first practice maneuvres, but
the raw boned fellow becomes an ex-
pert after awhile, and his laugh is
turned on others who succeed him as
the butt of rioicule The drill also
includes firing blank cartridges with
a revolver at the heads, the sharp con-
cussion of the explosion gener ally
blowing the leather heads off, if the
aim IS good
The bump of fun is al exceedingly
large one III the average soldier of the
line. Young men in the prime of
manhood, of fine physique and gener
ally perfect in every way, look on the
term of enlistment as sort of task,
and propose to get as much amuse
ment and fun out of the five years as
possible Their devices and tricks
for getting out of drill and other du
ties are of various descriptions. Whis-
key is the soldiers weakness. Should
2 pest be 1000 miles from civilization,
and stringent orders be In force for
bidding liquor on the reservation, with
every possible means taken to prevent
its introduction and use, still the aver
age soldier will, in some way or other,
have his toddy IN spite of every OBJ
stacle. He's bound to get it in some
way. The greatest trial of the Off
Ger OF the day is to keep whiskey
away Irom the prisoners and out Of
the guard house, but it is impossible
of accomplishment, for they certainly
get it IN some manner and whenever
they want it. Whiskey has been dis
covered being smuggled inside of
loayes of bread when food was
brought to the prisoners. A sentry
might fill the barrel of his musket
with liquor and walk his post smell
ing awfully like rum, but never be
found out. Prisoners returning from
work under charge of the guard, car
rying stable brooms over their should
ers, have had a flask or two concealed
in the bulky part of the broom, and
yet escaped discovery.