The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-05
sAvANNAnIAN IN THE SADDLE.
Lent. 6. II. Pritchard's Mastery Rid
Ing in L. ;. Cavalry Drill.

]
! cent cavalry drill at Fort Douglass, which
viii interest the friends in Savannah Of
Lieut. G. b. Prltchard:
The jar of a hundred hoofs and a shrill
! yankee yell from the dusty Threats of the
Ninth cavalry's flying squadron put the
nerves of 1900 civilians on keen edge at
Fort Douglass.
Hundreds sat the afternoon through for
the privilege of going home hOarse and
happy. Cavalry drills Will be the theme
upon their tongues for days to come. To
quote them in the composite it was
| great" Fashion paid its devoirs at the
fashionable dinner hour Of 500 1t missed
its evening meal ia paying respects to
popular Capt. Harry Wright in command
of Troop + Of Duchesne's cavalry garrison
The stylish danes drove up from the city
in swell traps. They skirted the bluff that
terminates the upper parade ground and
begins the cavalry field.
The sides of this slope were blackened
with citizens and the soldlery of the Twen-
ty-fOurth Infantry minutes before the
guidOn fiuttered over the hill. They chat
ted and laughed and good naturally
brOoked the formal delay of military ETH
quette. Pretty girls from town in the
meantime had sprinkled themselves demo-
cratCally among the hillside mass.
Little pulsatons Of fever ran through
everybody when the cadences of the cav
airy can swcled against the range and
came creeping back to the crowd A NOV
ing cloud Of horsemen appeared against
the skyline. Yellow stripes and cheVrons
and fifty brown horses with waving tails
came into view; then the fatigue uniform
and the familiar SLOUGH gray hat of the
field service.
"And I'll hope to die If the old man
amt out too remarked one of the in
fantrymen. referring to the presence of
the gallant captain. They deployed into
the field, moving across it amid a cloud
of dust.
There's Pritchard" said another infan-
tryman so that all the citizens might
have the benefit of the Information. Dog
gone if he isn't all right. Why even the
cook likes him" The allusion was intend
ed 10 defy Lieut.. Prtchard, the fanciest
rider in the service.
There was nothing about the troop of
fifty cavalrymen suggesting parade, as
they spread out in "A thin column and
bore down on fashion and democracy.
They were begrimed with the travel of
march between Duchesne and Salt Lake.
Everything was redolent of an Indian
campaign. 1t was real to the watchers and
increased in vividness before the end
came.
OUT of the enveloplng dust clouds arose
the uninteligibe cries of command. The
pillar of cloud began to move toward the
hillside, gathering in density until sudden
~ the vision of three platoOns dashed out
of it and were instantly lost again as they
wheeled and charged back into the sting
ing particles of sand. Nothing was heard
for seconds but the rumble of a great body.
Through the drifting notes a long, thin
column was swinging in the Shadow and
shifting its relative form. In the declin-
ing sun electrical flashes of carblnes
caught the eye Gaps shone between the
troopers as they got further apart and
moved slowly in a long vidette skirmish
line, alert for the foe. At a sharp cry
Of dismount, horse and rider suddenly
parted. Crouching figures with reins over
their arms crept forward, firing upon the
enemy.
The dust had settled when the troop
drew up in eschalon and responded to
faultless saber drill. 1t was either a CLEAN
to the right or left as the blades cut the
air in parties, thrusts and cuts. All that
the citizens eye recognized was the per-
feet eQuipoise, the poetry of bodies and
side arms that obeyed the voice of the
trumpeter. There were majestic dress
movements, the presenting the carrying
of the saber, so harmonious that in the
approaching evening glow IL was like rip
pies of moonlight through waving trees.
If the watchers were filed with the
beauty of a scene that cannot be express
ed, they were glutted when the command
dismounted and, piling saddles and equip
ment on the ground, leaped upon the bare
backs and repeated every daring feat of
balancing and changing of position Of
which The great American cowboy has
been held unequaed-rapid changes from
back to rear, sideways jumping to the
earth and leaping over their mount. 1t
went on until there was WEAKNESS in look
ing at it.
Yet these things were only as water
unto wine by comparison with what fol-
lowed. Capt. Wright turned the command
over to Lieut.. G. b. Pritchard, the crack
OF the cavalry service and one of the
most daring horsemen in the country
What the Ninth knows about that sort of
cunning is due In great measure to the
officer who stands only a few inches high
er than the redoubtable Little Corporal. 9"
His yell rang across the field in adj
vance of a real live cavalry charge barred
sabers aloft In outstretched arms, the
points meeting into fire and the horses
madly driven by the wild shouts of the
troopers. The people got up and shouted
at the sight. Hurdles We're extended
across the field. one by one every horse
and rider in the line vaulted the obstruc-
lions with a cheer. Four took the
gates together, then platoons. II was not
sufficient Capt. Wright was determined
TO withhold no evolution from those who
did him the courtesy to attend
Riding at full gallop and standing in
the stirrups, with drawn sahers, took the
audience off its feet with admiration.
Never will most OF them forget the boylsh,
slender figure of Pritcnard, standing at
full length. with his saber pointing sky
ward, riding like little demon az the
head Of the command Every man in the
troop caught the glory of the brief mo-
mont. It was the Ninth on exhibition, ana
they did their best for Pritchard who Is
liked even by the cook II was sight
seldom given to those in the prosaic walks
of life. and therefore Il was magnificent
SIN the gallant capt. Wright was not
| through lie stood by the SWEETEST drag
| ana lifted his cap repeatedly TO the COM
plimcnts Of beauty In the vehicle. The
| Cossack feature OF the entertainment was
now over but the American manner Of
dealing with the savage Of the Old frontier
must be shown.
"pismount brought the troop 10 its
feet They advanced In a sNirmish line.
delivering volleys from the knee FAN
ing Fat along the ground, a rapid fire
was opened. and then a final dash with
drawn sahers upon the imaginary posi-
ton and as capture The bunfa rang