Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-02-11
COLORED SOLDIERS.
Uncle Sam Has y Fort Manned Entirei,
by Them.


Unclo Sam Has Fort Manned Entirely
by Them.
That there is an army of about
26, 900 In the United States and that
a private soldier receives $13 per
month is about all the information
the average citizen possesses on the
subject. Why any sane man of aver
age strength of mind and body
should voluntarily deprive himself
of the privilege of quitting his job
at moments notice is another
mystery. The greater number Of
military posts are located in the far
west, each location being selected as
central point for troops in case Of
Indian outbreaks. Thus, to the pres
ent generation, a private soldier in
uniform is almost curiosity, and a
colored cavalryman is as great a
curio as an Indian in war paint.
There are 2, 400 colored troops in the
United States in the regular army.
OF this number, six troops are locat-
ed In northwestern Nebraska, at
Fort Robinson. Here is found the
colored cavalryman in all his ele-
ment. As each troop has 60 men, the
800 cavalrymen located here at Fort
Robinson makes it the largest caval-
ry post in the United States. Not
white man is to be seen except the
commanding officers. Here is u prac-
tical demonstration Of how negro
can be trained and disciplined into
doing work with the same energy
and prbmptness as a white soldier,
and, when it comes to the test, show
ing the same bravery and endurance.
This was shown by the 80 mile ride
of the famous Seventh during the
Indian war at Pine Ridge agency in
1890, when they came to the rescue
Of company of white soldiers who
were surrounded and in danger Of
being cut off by the Indians.
These colored cavalrymen cannot
only do the work when it comes to
the trial, but have happy faculty
Of keeping in good humor, always
laughing and chattering and as hap
py as children. That the life of
colored trooper is satisfactory is evi-
denced by the fact that fully one
half re-enlist after the first three
years enlistment expires.
Many people have the impression
that when a man fails in everything
else he can at least assure himself
that he may join the United States
army as last resort to keep alive.
But the requirements are such that
but few applicants successfully pass
the e4a2ination. The candidate
~ ss,e unmarried, between the.
ages of 81 and 80, possess fair edu-
cation, pass strict physical exami-
nation and bring recommendations
as to his moral character. During
July the Chicago recruiting station
accepted only 43o applications out
of 1898 candidates who were willing
to share the lot Of a private soldier.
The army is no longer a place of
refuge where a man who has lost
all hope and ambition may bury
himself from the rest of the world.
The private who is ambitious has
future here as we'll as in any other
occupation, for promotions are made
from the ranks. In July of each year
competitive examinations are held.
Those who successfully pass the ex-
animation are placed on the list for
promotions. Should colored man
who desires to enter the cavalry
successfully pass the examinations
at a recruiting station, he would be
assigned to one of the cavalry posts
In the west. Indianapolis Journal.