Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-06-10
kits FIND A DEFENDER.
Old Soldier who Declares 1hem Wei
Adapted for Militsry Uses

Old soldier VINO Declares 1hem Neu
Adapted for Mllitsry Uses.
1 am sorry 10 see that person who
signs himself "An Occasional Corre-
spondent" should write all the way
from America in order to expose his
ignorance Of all historical and military
matters. In the first place. should
like TO prove how the kilt is a vile Inn
itation OF Caesars legions; for. al
though the Romans did wear n suit OF
armor which reached to the knee, they
never wore the sporran, tartan hose,
plaid or bonnet, which have been con-
nected with the Scottish highlanders
from time immenomial.
He says II is unsuited for modern re-
quirements. There is not a more serv-
iceable dress in the British or any other
army. In the long, weary field days,
such as Tommy Atkins gets at Alder
shot, you sec infantry men and cavalry
men perspiring md hot. their trousers
sticking TO their legs and their tight
leggings making them mere uncom-
Portable still. Contrast them with the
highlanders-their legs are cool, free
hhh hkNAns Oh Nht AOhks WHY
march. look how the Killed lads have
walked coolly along where many others
were perspiring and falling out. AT
the maneuyers last year the troops had
20 march a long way TO the New forest,
camping by the way. The first days
march was fair, but after that the Eng
lish troops began to collapse by the
dozen and to lie down by the roadside.
The old Ninety-frst Argyll and South
eiland highlanders marched the whole
way without a single man falling out.
The Army and Navy Gazette took
special note of this, and recommended
the kilt strongly Us n marching dress.
Then, again, as TO the feather bonnet,
Il Is pretty. light nnd useful. When
under canvas a soldier docs not always
get a pillow-in fact. he very seldom
gets one. The helmeted man has then
10 use his rolled great coat or his valise
ns a pillow, whereas the highlander
sleeps peacefully on his feather bonnet.
This may appear a waste Of property.
but Il II not; IL does the bonnet little or
no harm, and IL Is certainly one OF the
uses Of the greatest importance, and I
think the war Office should look at that
side Of the question before abolishing
II. The uniform may cost much more
than the other dresses Of the army, but
an Occasional Correspondent. U. s."
should remember this-Britian will
Ing TO pay for II, as they know tina, the
Scottish soldiers are the flower OF the
British army.
The war Office should bear 10 mind
that II they abolish the "garb Of old
Gaul" they abolish recruiting In Scot
land. The majority Of Scottish recruits
prefer TO wear the kilt, and the fine
dress II Is which attracts them to the
noble profession Of arms. II "An oc-
eEsional Correspondent" knew any
thing about British military affairs he
would know that troops going on
special service are always equipped and
dressed suitably for the country and
climate they are going to. Had he
known this he would not have made the
idiotic statement he made. How does
dress hinder precedence, pay, per.
quisites. promotion, and exchangeabil
fly into other corps7
Long may II flourish, the brave high
land dress, and the bonny lads that
wear IL, before whom foes have fed 4
thousand times and will fy yet again
Edinburgh Scotsman.