The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-10-06
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
The Escort to the Color.

Lieutenant B. w. Atkinson, U. s..
A., writes an article on 1.-THE Escort
TO the Color for the October 81. Mich
olas. Lieut.. Atkinson says:
There is nothing that more conducee
to make good, true, and loyal soldier
than to inculcate in him love and re-
spect for the Flag he has sworn to up
hold and defend. To bring about this
end there are certain ceremonies in
the army that are intended TO impress
the wearers of the uniform with the
dignity of the Flag. One of these cere-
monies is called the Escort to the
Color" and it is the finest and most
impressive of all military observances.
Every regiment carries two flags; one
the National, the other the Regimental,
which carries the number and name of
the regiment. These flags are kept at
the residential quarters of the colonel,
or at his office, where they are jealous
ly cared for. 1t is when the regiment
parades, and these flags are Ito be
brought to the troops, that the Es-
cort to the Color is carried out.
When the regiment has formed line
on the parade, the colonel details q
company to bring the Colors and escort
them to their place in the line. The
company marches in column OF pls-
toons, headed by the band, which does
not play as the march down the front
of the line is made. The two color
sergeants, cid and faithful soldiers ap-
pointed to these desired places by rea-
son of long service and military bear
ing, march between the two platoons.
Upon arriving in front of the building
where the flags are kept, line is form
the escort.
The first lieutenant, with drawn
sword, followed by the two color SER
geants, who are followed in turn by a
sergeant armed with rifle, enter the
building and receive the hags. When
the cclor-bearers appear, followed by
the lieutenant and the sergeant, they
halt at the entrance and form line, fac
ing the escort. Arms are presented,
and the field music (the trumpeters)
sound thrilling call named "to the
Color" during the sound of which all
stand motionless with arms at the pre-
sent. After the sounding of the Color
has ended, arms are brought to the Or
der, and the column of platoons is re-
formed, the two color sergeants taking
llaces between the two p.atoons; and,
thus guarded, the march is taken up,
the band playing spirited air.
Around the shady main avenue OF the
post marches the escort, each soldier
erect and appearing as if he felt that
the flags were entrusted to him alone
instead of to the company of which he
| TO- art m a
steps out to the strains of the march,
probably Sousa's inspiring Stars and
Stripes Foreverl" Down past the fl
GERS quarters, the porches of which are
filed with wives, daughters and sweet
hearts of the officers parading, goes the
escort. The respect for the Flag is not
confined to the wearers of the army
blue; for as the escort passes each
house, these true and loyal women
cease their talk, and stand quietly till
the Flag has passed, when the interest
ing discussion or the latest news is re-
sumed. Past group of enlisted men
not required to attend the parade
marches the escort. Each man stands
" attention." and removes his cap. A
group Of small boys at play is next
passed. Every one, a true soldiers
son, stands, cap in hand, till Old Glory
has passed. l have seen this came
small boy grow up, pass through the
"Point," and command one of the pla
toons in the escort after graduation
aud maybe in the same company com
manded by his father. This marcel
around the post has at last brought The
escort opposite the right of the line o.
paraded troops, when tie colonel com
mands attention, and down the line
passes the glittering guard.
On reaching a point in the front o
the center of the paraded command, TIT
escort forms line facing the regiment
the two color-sergeants marching to thu
front till twelve PAGES in front of th'
colonel and his staff. Arms are theI
presented to the Flags by command o
the colonel, and while the trumpeter
again sound "to the Color" the Flag
are allowed to fly to the breeze, tn
lances are lowered in acknowledgment
of the " present" and now the momen
is one to fill the soul of every lover @
his country with thrill that is indie
scribable. The silk and tasseled flags
caught by the rays of the sun, shin
and glisten in front of the solid rank
of ue-and-gold uniforms masse
across the deep green award of tn
parade-ground-a picture difficult TO
any pen to portray.
After the sounding of the Color, tn
two sergeants' march 10 their places i
the parade; and the escorting company
having faithfully carried out its sacre
duty, now wheels into column of pie
toons, and headed by the band with il
spring music, proceeds on down the lin
and around in the rear Of the regimen
whence, without music, it goes to il
proper place in the line, and the forml
dress parade is begun. After parad