The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-09-20
A SOLDIER'SLIFE
Private whhelook Describes tho Routine
of the Regulars.

of the Regulars.
MADISON BARRAcKs sackctts Harbor, N.
EVENING HERALD kindly allow me to
explain to my friends in aud about Shcuan-
| ,loah, through the columns of the HERALD,
/ tho duties of a soldier in the United States
regular army. ] enlisted over a year ago in
the 9th U. S. Infantry, to serve three years
for Uncle Sam"
soldier does not live, rs most people
think in tents, etc, but in brick and stone
buildings with all modern improvements.
There are, however, two months in each
year. when we do live in tents, this is during
the annual target practice, Of which I shall
explain later A regiment of infantry is
divided into two battalions, each of these
are again divided into four companies Of 03
men each
+ soldiers day is between sunrise and sun
set. At sunrise, usually about 6 o'clock)
reveillo is sounded on the trumpets. AT this
time a roll is called of all men present, the
gun is fired and the flag hoisted so the day
/ begins. Breakfast follows in a few minutes.
At 700 a. m. sick call" sounds, and men on
sick report 60 to the hospital When the
trumpet again sounds at 1880, it notifies the
men it is time for drill. Instruction in the
manual Of arms, bayOnet exercise, marchings
and extended order, constitute the drills.
At $50 is recall At 900 guard mount takes
place. This is the principal feature of the
day. A limited number of men from each
company mount guard. The neatest and
cleanest man is selected by the Adjutant
for an orderly for the commanding officer
His duties for the day are to carry orders and
messages. The rest of the guard walk post
and are relieved every two hours At noon
the troops go to dinner At sunset, retreat
is sounded, the roll called, the evening gun
fired, and the flag lowered while the band
plays, The Star Spangled Banner" Retreat
is the last formation for the day. At $3.50
p. m. tattoo sounds and lights are all put out.
Taps sound at 11;OO p. NJ At this time a
on-commssiOned officer goes through the
quarters aud sees if every man is in his bunk.
This duty is called check"
The next day is a repetition Of the one pre-
ceding There is no change in this schedule
except for Saturdays and Sundays. On Sat
urday inspection takes place at $50 a. m.
and on Sundays there is no drill
In the beginning of this letter l referred
to target practice. During July and August
the troops go into camp, at Stony Point,
about II miles from the garrison. TIC reach
this place they march in heavy marching
order, which consists of the knapsack, shelter
tent, haversack, canteen, belt and rifle.
, This makes a very hard march. When they
arc once in camp and tents all pitched, the
annual target practice begins in earnest. The
! ranges are 200 and 300 yards at the figure oi
/ a man lying down; 800 and 600 yards at g
kneeling figure 800 yards at n standing
figure, and 1,00QAgards at the figure of {
l. horseman. Moo civinans, l suppose, will
: thin these figures are very large bulls-eyes
IS But remember at 1000 yards, nearl!
IS three quarters of mile, a hOrsemaI
T. does not look so very large after all. Whei
:, the shooting is completed at these range
=, every man has two skirmish runs to make
ia To make these runs a man starts at 800 yar
i mark and runs to 200 yards mark. $50
yards) They fire Ia rounds down and
Is rounds, back. A possible, through all tn
Y shooting, is 500 points $50 points or over
e a sharpshooter 1924 to AS points is first-class
J. AS to $50 points is marksman 264 to 32
. points is second class all under 264 points
"a third-class. After the shooting time is take
d up for field manoeuvers, sham battles etc
o Then we return to the garrison again 70
another years steady routine of duty.
d The rifle used in the army to-day is tn
g Krag-JorgensOn patent, U. s. Magazines ihC
e caliber 30. The rife is sighted to 2, 900 yard
a but the bullet will carry four miles wit
Z deadly effect. The bayonet is knife shaped
O the blade is IL inches long and weighs
@ pound.
Is This post has consolidated mess. That is
the eight companies mess, or eat rather, i
i one room. The consolidated mess is a ne,
experiment in the army, which, I do NO
u u think meets the approval Of the War Depart
= ment.
!, Perhaps the bill of fare of a soldiers mea
n would be of interest to some of the HERALD
K readers, so l shall write a small and the bes
n part Of it, For -(slum'
!; molasses-( (larrup), bread and coffee; dinner
!, pork and beans, bread and coffee supper
h hash-(mystery), bread and coffee. Roa.
n beef, potatoes and gravy are some time
served for dinner also rice apple sauce an
macroni for supper.
Taking it all in all 1 think most of us ar
satisfied.
HARRY Z. WHITELOCK
It Private Co. c. 9th Iufty.