The Portland daily press., 1897-08-20

The Pride Of the Cavalry Delights
Thousands.
AS ROUGH RIDERS THESE TROOP
ERs HAVE FEW EQUALS.

Another Entrancing "Musical Ride
This Was Followed by an Exhibition
of Bareback Riding in which One
Trooper Was Severely Injured-Evolu
tions Witnessed by Gov. Powers and
Admiral Sfcard.
There came the sound Of bugle call
and the big crowd in the grand stand
was hushed into that silence which tells
| that something of more than passing
interest is expected. Then came the thun-
der Of iron hoofs, the jingling of sabers
and spurs, a few words of command and
as the band struck up a soul stirring
march troop F trotted down the track and
the roof of grand stand was fairly shaken
with the storm of applause. The coats OF
the handsome bays glistened like satin
in the sunlight, the full dress cavalry uni
forms were dazzling in their hrilliancy,
the nodding plumes and futtering guild
ons completed a picture at once awe
inspiring and beautiful.
| Suddenly the troop broke from col
umn of fours into single rank, then with
horses heads turned towards the grand
stand the gallant animals took that Won
derful side-stepping gallop and passed in
review. Now they were formed in line
once more, officers in front and alignment
perfect. Out flashed thessabres and up
to salute,a pretty compliment to his ex-
clelency Gov. Powers who, with his staff,
and Admiral Sicard and officers of the
Northss Atlantic squadron, were in the
grand stand. Gov. Powers removed his
silk tile and bowed his acknowledg cement
of the graceful tribute. Once more the
Third Cavalry band struck up march
and then followed half hour Of delight
full evolutions. In pairs and by platoons,
singly and in fours the troopers danced
their horses about the track, now going
at a swinging gallop, now side-stepplng
through an intricate series of quadrilles
and reels, advancing, retreating, waltz
ing, first to the left and then to the right,
all in perfect unison with the music and
never once a break.
The "musical ride' over, the troop
Withdrew to prepare for harder and more
interesting work. About this time the
fog bank rolled across the marshes and
tho pleasant afternoon was changed into
one of disagreeable and disheartening
gloom Exit His Excellency and Admi-
raj Sicard and all the gay assemblage in
the grand stand, but the larger portion of
the crowd hung on and were well repaid
for so doing
In half an hour Troop F did not look
like the same command. Off came the
stiff and yellow trimmed dress coats the
ungainly head dress and nodding
plumes. Likewise disappeared the bulky
cavalry boots, the gauntlets and sabres. In
their place were the rough dress of blue
shirts, fatigue caps and leggings. Then
the saddles of the horses were stripped
off and saddle cloths substituted and out
came Troop F ready for hard work and
plenty of it.
To the minds of many the troop in this
garb presented far more attractive
appearance than it did in more snowy
dress. They looked, and everyone present
yesterday afternoon can testify, that
they rode only as the pride Of the cavalry
arm of the service could ride, and that
is saying great deal. Without saddles
the troop went through all manner Of
manouvres. The men turned somersaults
on the horses backs, vaulted over the
horses and on to their backs crawled be-
tween their legs, picked articles up from
the ground without leaving their seats
and performed every imaginable kind of
trick. Then with horses on the dead
run, troopers jumped from their horses
to the ground and back on to the ami
mails again like monkeys. They leaped
on to the backs of one of their comrade' s
horses and rode double, and then, while
at dead run, jumped on to their own
steeds again.
One unfortunate trooper named Delano
while vaulting over his horse, fell heavily
to the ground and struck on his right
shoulder, ,dislocating his arm and sustain
ing severe bruises. He was hastily taken
from the field, and his injuries attended
to, but the drill went on.
Now the troop would pass the reviewing
stand on mad gallop, the men hugging
the necks of their horses and yelling like
mad. Now they were scattered over the
tracks leaping from the horses backs
when on dead run and then back on to
the animals again. 1t was the cleverest
| exhibition OF riding that Maine people
have ever witnessed and if ever troop
of cavalry had encouragement to culti-
vate self-esteem and big head, collective
| ly speaking, Troop f is surely that one
for yesterdays thousands at the fair
were simply wild over the exhibition and
half the youngsters in the crowd low
want to wear Uncle Sans blue in a cav
airy regiment. But all cavalry troops do
not approach the efficiency of Capt. Dodd' g
command, neither is the work that is be-
ing done in these drills by Troop F's men
as easy as it looks.
Chiquita will not be at the fair grounds
today, but will visit the flag ship New
York upon invitation of the admiral.