The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-08
THIRD U. S. INFANTRY is OVER
LOOKED BY INSPECTOR
VROOM.
VERY THOROUGH SCRUTINY
is MADE INTO ALL THE MINOR
DETAILS OF A PERFECT
DISCIPLINE
AND A PERFECT EQUIPMENT.
Fort Smelling Today and Until
Everything Is Examined.

Yesterday mornings October sun
shone down upon the Third regiment
at Fort Smelling arrayed in full dress
uniform upon the parade ground. Ev
cry morning sun does not behold such
a spectacle. For this was a special
occasion. 1t was the beginning of the
annual inspection of the Third in
fantry.
Comprehensive and detailed are the
duties of the inspector general in the
United States army. They begin with
general review of the entire COM
mand, but they do not end with the
exercise of that function. Before Col.
Vroom is prepared to submit his re-
port he will have inspected everything
subject to military regulation in the
post, from the gold lace on the officers
uniforms to the hoofs of the army
mules.
That the regiment made a splendid
showing in their dress coats and he'll
NETS goes without saying among the
citizens of ST. Paul. The review began
at $50 a. M The regiment marched
onto the parade ground in two batal
lions of four companies each, the first
commanded by Maj. J. M. Sanno, and
the second by Capt. Joseph Hale. After
forming in regimental line, with the
band accompanying its regular dress
parade position at the right, the regi-
ment formed in company columns, and,
with the band in the lead, marched
in review before Col. Vroom and Col.
Page, who were stationed at the flag
staff. The review finished, the band
went to the rear, and the field and
staff officers, all mounted, took their
positions at the head of the column, to-
gether with the bearers of the national
colors.
Then Col Vroom began the inspec-
ton. He first viewed at close range
the field and staff officers, and then
the color bearers. This done, the in
spection of the men followed. The
ceremony is no idle form. On the con-
the minutest detail The rifles, uni
forms and other accoutrements are
subjected to the closest scrutiny.
Moreover the inspector counts every
man, for it is his duty to see that ev-
cry member of the command is present,
or, if not present, that his absence is
accounted for
How minute this inspection is Yves
strikingly illustrated yesterday, when
Col Vroom thus addressed a certain
sergeant:
who are your
Il am Sergeant , of Company
-
What regiment?'
The Third United States infantry"
responded the sergeant, m lnifesting the
surprise he could not conceal.
Your helmet doesn't indicate what
command you belong to- said Col.
Vroom.
True enough, the little silver three
that should adorn the helmet of every
member of the Third was missing from
the sergeant's head-gear
During the progress of the inspection,
which was not finished until II rs a. NJ,
the band played a number of pretty Sc
lections. Afterward Col Vroom was
overheard to say that the band was
as good as ever, which remark was
construed as the highest compliment
that could be bestowed upon the Orga-
nization.
Immediately after the dismissal of
the regiment, Col Vroom witnessed the
ceremony of she mounting of the guard,
which was delayed by the review until
80.
After dinner, beginning at 1:30 sharp,
the regiment was paraded in heavy
marching order The officers were at
tired in undreSS uniform, campaign
hats and leggines. The men wore cam
paign hats and leggings and carried
knapsacks, haversacks and canteens
These knapsacks were no mere show
as appeared when the men opened them
up and Col. Vroom proceeded to eX-
anime the contents of every one.
Some idea of the burden every soldier
must bear besides his rifle and other
accoutrements appeared when the con-
tents of these knapsackS were disclosed
to view. Each one contained two
changes of Undertaking, one pair of
shoes, one wooden blanket, one rubber
pancho and one section of a shelter
tent besides toilet articles The shell
ter tent is an institution that the civil
Ian, who has not seen them put up, has
no conception of. It's nature and utility
We're soon demonstrated.
After the regiment had passed in re-
view before Col Vroom and Col. Page,
the men stacked arms, unslung their
knapsacks and opened them for inspec-
ton. Col Vroom subjected every one
of them to a thorough examination.
The inspection finished, the regiment
was ordered to set up the shelter tents.
The men responded with astonishing
alacrity, and in a very short time the
parade ground was dotted with tent
ed village of white laid out in parallel
streets, the houses being just high
enough to protect sleeping soldier
from storm and rain.
1t was a pretty sight.
On the proper command the canvas
village disappeared as though swept
out of existence by a cyclone, the tents
were folded and packed and the regi-
ment was dismissed
Later in the afternoon Col. Vroom in
spected the hospital corps.
Regimental dress parade took place
between BIS and 5:45 p. M, Col. Nroom
reviewing the ceremony as a spectator.
Today will probably be devoted to
the inspection of the drill, regimental,
battalion and company. Col Vroom
will also inspect all the property of the
post and the accounts