Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-21
LIFE IN A FRONTIER FORT
Duties and Diversions Of Uncle Sans En-
listed Men,
WHAT THE SOLDIERS EAT AND DRINK
The Typical Army Post In the Indian
Country-Midwinter in the Gar
rison-DriIis, Dtnncrs and
Amusements.

Omaha friends OF members OF tne SeCoul
infantry, which has changed places with the
Twenty-second regiment, viii find much to
interest them in the following sketch OF
soldier life in a genuine frontier garrison.
1t was written by a correspondent OF the
New York Sun from Fort Custer, Mont;
A soldiers life in an army fort on The
frontier in the Indian country is not so
easy and indolent these days as many east
ern people imagine. 1t is pleasant and
somewhat exciting experience and for some
soldiers it is very happy life. For the
last thirty years a military fort in the west,
in the fullest sense OF the word, is really
no fort at ALL 1t is merely a collection OF
low strong-built and homely buildings,
houses arranged in any form most pleasing
to the commanding officers. Some OF the
structures at the forts look as If they had
been dropped down on the prairie hap
hazard, the purpose being to have one mill
tary station located so far from another that
mutual communication can be had in days
ride with a horse. There is not the least
semblance of fertilization about the frontier
forts-parapets buttresses, bastions or can
non projecting through embrasures.
The cost of all the buildings at typical
army fort out in this region is usually not
over $4,000. There are some that would be
dear at $4,000. The structures are always
arranged so that officers quarters are sep
aiatcd from the barracks of the enlisted
men and the parade or drill ground in
rectangle or square between the officers
quarters and the barracks, stables guard
house and hospital. The stars and stripes
float from pole in the middle of the parade
ground. For skrmsh drills, of which there
are many in modern military tactics, the
prairie outside of the garrison limits, stretch
ing away in all directions for hundreds of
miles is chosen. Sometimes there may be
company of people in frontier fort who
IL, rNA lN,r tVsat ts,,ar
flower gardens within the garrison, and
few forts have native vines covering the
wooden walls with blossoms and green
foliage, but such features are not common.
GARRISoNS AND FORCES.
Frontier forts are of various sizes. They
run all the way from one-company posts to
twelve or fourteen There are in this fort
twelve companies of infdntiy and one troop
of cavalry. Wherever there is a military
headquarters regimental band is stationed.
regiment of cavalry, under the present
organization Of the United States army, con-
sists of twelve companies and a band. The
officers are one colonel, one lieutenant
colonel. three majors, twelve captains, four
teen first lieutenants, and ten second lieu
tenants The two extra irst lieutenants in
each organization are the regimental adju-
tant and the quartermaster. The adjutant is
a sort of chief clerk OF the concern. He does
or manages all the clerical work. receives
and answers all communications, for it
would be considered breach of etiquette
to address a communication direct TO the
commanding officer. Everything should be
done through the adjutant. The quarter
master must be a genuine hustler" to keep
pace with his business. He has an exceed
ingy difficult position TO fill acceptably, for
that officer, as a rule, is. the most roundly
abused of all in the military service, and
in nine cases out of ten the fault does not
lie at his door. A company organization is
one captain, one first lieutenant and one
second lieutenant. Seldom is 1t that COM
pany is completely Differed II the captain
be present, he will command in person, but
his lieutenants are detached for one thing or
another-thoy are away from the post on
special duty at colleges or at West Point.
recruiting service, from sickness, a vacancy
in the company, or from hundred other
causes; or, II present at the post, they are
temporarily detached, especially to perform
such duties as those Of post adjutants post
quartermasters. post commissioners instruc-
tors of rifle practice, ordnance officers, pro-
vost marshals. or they are off in the field
surveying, escorting postmasters, chasing
Indians. and the like. The duties of all Off
GERS and soldiers are calculated to teach any
tenderfoot on short notice that the military
servants of Uncle Sam away out here on the
frontier completely and thoroughly earn
every cent they get by the grace OF congress
GLoRIES OF SUMMER.
In summer it is pretty plain sailing, al
along the Missouri river Ii is not safe or
comfortable for the soldier. officer either
to attempt to do guard duty or other work
at the height of the warm season unless
protected by head nets and cast-iron gloves,
on account OF the ways of the mosquitoes.
These insects are prepared for business in
this latitude. They come in swarms and
are so numerous and persistent that
it is not exaggeration to say that lie Is
positively burden for a few weeks of
each year Mules, horses and cattle all
suffer terribly from these pests, while man
would also find existence next to unoear-
able should he not be able to provide him
self with adequate protection in the way
of head nets and long armed gauntlets. In
summer the inmates OF the fort have had
the temperature as high as 123 degrees
Fahrenheit in the shade. In January and
February the mercury at TINS point mas
sometimes sunk to the awful temperature
of As degrees below zero. Putting the two
together we get a range of 16S degrees as
the difference between the extremes,
which is hard for any other spot on the
known globe to equal. In the winter the
snow may reach on level in the northwest
anywhere from six inches to four and five
feet. The average, however, Is not much
more than fourteen inches all around; but
even this depth on level, unbroken stretch
of prairie makes campaigning on foot not
the pleasaEtest occupation one could find.
When the winds blow and the billiards. fly
and the snow begins to pile up, then 1t is
time to seek shelter and not be found wan
dering over the open prairie without COM
pass or landmark Even the Indians, under
such climatic conditions stick close to their
uncomfortable tepees and lodges, preferrlng
rather to be at peace with all the world
then than to enjoy unlimited freedom in
the open air under the doubtful protection
OF a breech- -clout and well-yentilated
blanket.
LIFE IN WINTER.
In garrison during midwinter soldiers and
men manage to make life bearable in more
ways than one. Reveille Is sounded some
hours before daylight during the cold
months. and with the first sound of the
bugle the soldier must be out Of bed and
slipping into his trousers with all dispatch.
At the assembly. about ten minutes later
the companies fall in on their respective
parade grounds, roll Is called and the result
reported by the first sergeant to the officer
OF the day, who is standing in the center
of the parade ready 10, receive It. With
cavalry, stable call is blown Immediately
after reveille. when the trooper proceeds to
give his steed a little attention and oats
before taking breakfast himself. Fatigue
call is sounded at about Z 30 o'clock, when
those not on other duty are detailed to per-
form any work required about the garrison,
and guard mounting Is al 8 o'clock This
is the beginning OF the official day. which
lasts just twenty-four hours. The old guard
Is relieved, a new guard marches on, new
officer of the day relieves the old one, and