The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-23

quired 20 learn the same 1voIutions as
the infantryman, in ord.r to prepare
himself for field and riot service at
any time. There is any amount OF
battery and battalion drill in infantry
movements at the barracks. Then there
are certain days set aside for drilling
in the hated "mechanical maneuvers,"
which consists in the mounting and
dismounting the heavy old guns by
means of hydraulic jacks, "gins," gar
rison slings and other appliances.
The light battery at the barracks,
like light batteries everywhere, with
their Napoleon" brass pieces OF ord
nance, hauled by horses, has n dis
tinct drill of its own, not unlike that
OF the cavalry, and nearly all OF the
post calls for tho light battery are
different from those to which the
heavy batteries respond. II wouldre-
quire separate chapter to treat Of the
superbiy organized light artillery OF
the United States army--indubitably
the best in the world.
Recall from drill is blared out in
time to give the men chance Co clean
up for dinner. Dinner mess call is
sounded et noon. After dinner the
Zone soldier, one bunk" idea predom-
mates. Except the men comprising
the afternoon fatigue parties, and the
few detailed from each battery to bird
the red crosses upon thoir arms and
take part in tho hospital corps drill,
under the direction of one OF the army
surgeons or "A hospital steward, all
hands are permitted to indulge after
dinner in general loaf. Tho banjo
lists, the violinists, the guitarists aud
the mandolnists get out their instru-
ments. Many OF them play we'll.
Nearly all Of the soldiers sing we'll.
SweetIy, pathetically, humorouslv
and martially the majority of them
take part in this midday musicale. In
every outfit there are always two or
three Jig dancers of emincnce. These
nre dragged to the center of the quar-
ters to contribute their little act to
the entertainment. The fun of this
kind is good doal more hilarious
than ordinarily, few days after pay
day, when the canteen becomes for q
time a veritablo mint. About week
after pay day the quarters began to
take on n gloomy atmosphere, and
there is general complaint of
"heads."
A good many OF the soldiers devote
large portion of their afternoons to
letter writing. American soldiers are
inveterate letter writer's, and they are
exceedingly fond of receiving letters.
In the afternoons, also, the "barrack
lawyer" gets in his fine work. He
knows more about the regulations
| than the major-general commanding
she army, and, in his estimation, the
army is going headlong to tho dogs.
He gathers knot of recruits around
his bunk and expiates vociferously
upon the rapid degeneration OF the
| service.
The dolce far niento period draws to
close about 4 o'clock in the after
| noon, when the men of the batteries
begin to prepare for dress parade.
The men have to jump into their full
dress clothes for this evening parade
and look their best. The inspiration
Il va 'hC puuu hs Ill
review gives an additional squareness
to their shoulders and dragoonish
swing to their movements. American
soldiers arc good to look upon. They
must be perfect men physically to get
into the service at all, and as recruits
they are given much athletic training.
During the autumn and winter, first
call for retreat is sounded during the
progress of dress parade, and assembly
for RETREAT goes at the conclusion of
tho march in review. Then the men
answer to their names for the last
time OF the military day, the echoes
OF the evening gun reverberate
through the post, the colors. while
the band solemuly plays "rhe Star
SpaDgled Banner" are struck, and the
men of each battery nrc marched to
their quarters and dismissed, to re.
sumo their everyday uniforms for
supper.
There IS nothing in the way OF duty
to be performed by the soldiers after
supper. II their names arc not on the
"black list" such OF them rs wish to
visit the city may discard their uni.
forms. don multi. or civilian dress,
and go-having handed in their names