The Portland daily press., 1897-08-11
TROOP F.
How the Soldier Boys Passed Last Sun
day.

odys
The newspaper man travelling with
Troop thus writes of how the "boys"
passed the Sunday.
Sunday morning broke fair and calm
on the camp of Troop F of the Third
United States cavalry on a little farm in
Groton, VT.
When the troop was in the saddle it was
hard to tell just what day it was. The
section of the country is beyond railroads,
and the usual undisturbed peace of sum-
mer time hardly gives evidence of the
difference of the days. Beyond the reach
of church OF pastor the people spend the
day in abstaining from work in the field,
so the few stirring at that time in the
morning were going about the usual
morning duties of the farm.
:, Once over the divide that separates the
waters of the Champlain valley from
those of the Connecticut river, the sound
of the church bells came family up from
distant village, and shortly after the
troop passed the edifice which stood open
doored to the world.
Troop on the march is always orderly.
A marching illustration of theperfection
of discipline, they mind their own bust
ness and move steadily forward. On Sun
day it is the same. When the men feel like
talking they talk in low tones, or joke
amongst themselves; occasionally a
snatch of whistled music would float
away from the troop strain that seemed
to combine the good points of some
gospel hymn tune with the harmonies of
some topical song of similar key, or at
times the whistler would indulge in a
| joyous outburst of lively Sousa march
But the dust clouds more frequently
spread their mantle over the troop till
every man was glad to shut every open
| ing in his face for the moment.
Sunday is a hard day to pass at the best
to those who, deprived of the usual means
of recreation or diversion, lack any re-
| sources of their own, but Troop f is not
| in this class. The march fills up their
time and when they halt there is enough
to attend to, to better the condition of
the faithful steeds or their own comforts
Mile after mile of wearying dust was
wallowod through before the camping
ground was reached. At times the troop
was half lost from sight, so dense was
the cloud rising from the hoof of the
horses, and rolling away over the road
side trees. AS the men emerged from this
dun cloud they appeared to be bringing
with them, every part of the body exposed
was gray with the accumulations. Loaded
with such burden of CRIME the troop
| rode into the quiet streets of Bradford,
| VT, on the bank of the Connecticut river.
The village was enjoying the midday
Sunday siesta, not house gave evidence
of inmates until the more dignifed part
of the main street was reached. Here.
amid the usual number of unchurched
loafers and homeward going churched
ones, the bugle sounded the halt, and the
troops disposed of themselves in easy at
titude in the shade, while the captain
negotiated for the can pground.
Even in large village Sunday is
peaceful day, and the influence of years
of Puritanical good breeding cannot be
overset by the mere passing of a troop
of men at arms. The members of the
Sunday school and the pastor of the
church stood for moment to see the
horses Swallow the ground" and then
resumed their conversation. There was
the usual number of unemployed who
followed the troop up the long street and
to the acropolis of the village, where a
disused fair ground afforded an ideal
camping ground, and interestedly sat and
stood about watching the movements of
the troop as they prepared for the eve
ning's camp.
The usual number of ex-military men
appeared to present their compliments to
the captain and his officers. A willing
national guardsman and member Of
Gov. CIRCUITS military family fraternally
received the soldiers and assisted them to
their camp. e4#