Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-01-13

+. =. Strong, The repUrtei - Z
quest for information, gained at first
hand though actual observation, as to
how soldiers soldiered. He saw and
heard the whole grind, from first call
in the morning to ''lights out" at
night. 1t was o revelation in human
alertness, discipline, order and organ
.ization.
First call for reveilie is sounded
during autumn and winter months
just when the Eastern sky begins to
fame with orange. 1t is signal to
the uen sleeping in the long rows OF
comfortable hunks in the second story
barrack rooms of the "double.decker'
quarters that they have got to get up.
Assembly goes within five minutes
after first call, and the men of each
battery fall in in front of their re-
spective quarters aud answer to their
name as called hy the first serg cant
who, at the conclusion of the roll
call, reports to the officer OF the day,
who clanks along the lines, Battery
Z present or accounted sor," or "Pri-
Yates So and-So absent from reveille, "
as the case may be. If it is the latter
case there is an immediate investiga-
lion as to what has prevented the alb
sentees from standing reyeille-an
investigation which very frequently
lands the laggards in the "Clink.
While the men are yet standing in
line the bang OF the morning sunrise
gun comes laundering over the pa
zade ground, the stars and stripes,
under the manipulation of one of the
corporals of the guard, futtered from
tie top OF the flagstaff, and the mill
tary day is begun.
The men barely have time to get
their heads under the cold water spig-
gots in the wash rooms, and 10 dry
themselves with crash towels before
the fitting will-o'- the ,wisp of o &rum-
peter of the guard blares out the mess
call. 1t should be explained that at
Washington barracks there are bat
terry messes-that is, the batteries
have each separate dining room and
kitchen, presided over bya permanent
cook chosen from each outfit. The
cook OF each battery, together with
the two men detailed each day to
assist him-they are known as
"kitchen police"--is awakened every
morning about an hour before the
reveille by one of the members of the
guard, in order to give him plenty of
time to prepare the soattery's break
fast.
In the battery messes the men are
fed with good. substantial food, served
on white pine tables and without any
frills. The most common breakfast
dish OF the army, next to beans is q
not unappetizing compound: like Irish
Gtew, trieay called "slum" by the SOL
diers. The men drink two or three
big boEls of good coffee without milk,
and eat several slabs of unbuttered
bread, moistened by the "slum" gravy,
and they get through the meal with
phenomenal quickness. They do not
bolt their breakfasts from preference,
but because the cook, if they appear
to linger q t,1ae over the meal, glares
in from the kitchen and tells them that
.'there's going to be dinner in this
shack to-day, as usual" Thus ad.
iured, they do not waste much time in
showing tho cook tt : backs.
Anyhow, there are duties to be per-
formed Immediately after breakfast.
The mattresses on the hunks and the
blankets must be rolled up and the
quarters arranged for the inspection
of the battery commander, who. In
the detection of dirt or slovenlinsss,
aas e, cs OF the strength OF hawks.
Besides, fatigue call is sounded by the