The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-28
Stories Aboat Countersigns.

In the mind of the civilian, says a writer
in the New York Press, there is a deep
mystery about countersigns. The idea of
the public seems to be that when you come
upon a sentry suddenly and he demands
the countersign you must give 1t to him
promptly or be shot dead on the spot.
The people in the army and navy do not
take the countersign business so seriously;
at least in times of peace.
In the militia however, there is a lot of
earnestness about countersigns. Perhaps
that is because the militia doesn't often
get any nearer TO war than demanding and
asks for the counrersign you run the risk
of getting your hear blown off II you don't
give it to him.
Lieut.. "Bilr' Rush, who has been in the
navy for eighteen of twenty years-he is
now a high cockalorum in the war col
lege at Newport 1 believe-never was
known to have the countersign. When he
is leaving his ship he asks the counter
sign from somebody who doesn't know
what 1t is and does not wait for an an
swer He scorns countersigns. When he
is challenged by a sentry he always re-
spends with an expression that sounds like
this: "MumbletX wump," and it never
fails to work.
This is the way Rush does 1t:
Sentry-Who goes there?
Rush-Off1cer!
sentry-Advance, officer, and give the
countersign!
Rush-Mumblety wump!
Sentry-Pass, officeri
1 remember once at the Mare Island
navy yard Lieut.. Allderdice (who spends
three hours every morning before dinner
every day dressing for the EVENING" had
check suit which was loud enough to
drown the voice of a 15-inch gun. He was
ND Af hat md xx1aar hn was n
ing ashore in it he extended the dressing
period from three to four hours.
Until o'clock in the evening the coun-
tersign was not demanded. The form was
Advance, officer, and be recognized.
For wonder Allderdice was returning to
his ship one evening before 9 o'clock. The
sentry was a recent recruit very con-
scientious and very much impressed with
maintaining the dignity of the service, al
belt as green as new paint on window
shutters. When he saw Allderdice he
challenged, who goes there?'
"Oficer,'' said Allderdice.
Advance, officer, and be recognzed!'
responded the sentry.
Allderdice advanced.
Il don't recognize you" said the sentry,
and then after a pause, while Allderdice
walked on-"in that suit!'' he cried.
But Allderdice whose serenity an earth
quake could not disturb, went on down
know just what to do under the circum-
stances, bawed after him:
but pass your
There is such a chance in the service as
hitting on the countersign by accident. 1t
often happens that the countersign is
the name of prominent person. Chief
Engineer Swami, returning to the navy
yard one evening, gave the countersign
without knowing it. This was the way
the thing ran:
Sentry-Who goes there?
Swann-Officeri
Sentry-Advance, officer. and give the
countersign!
Swami don't know it,
Sentry-Whats your name2
"SWann-Swann.
Sentry-Pass, officer.
Swami" was the countersign that even
ing. d., q
Sutherland, who was the executive OH
Ger of the Dolphin the last heard of him,
has a courtly grace and as easy dignity
| that are irresistible. There isn't a soul in
| the navy who wouldn't do him a good
| turn if he got the chance. One night
Sutherland pulled UP at the navy yard
| gate minus the countersign. He banged
| on the gate until the little wicket in it
| just like the little wicket in the door to
| John Days gambling rooms-aew open.
who goes there?'' said the sentry,
| peerlng out and seeing who 1t was.
Officer" said Sutherland.
Stand, officer. and give the counter
signT"
1--WE forgotten it, said Sutherland
''Massachusettsw whispered the sentinel
| through the wicket.
Massachusetts said Sutherland
Pass, officerH said the sentry, throwing
open the gates.
Countersigns! But that is enough about
countersigns.