San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-16
REVIEWED THE TROOPS
Secretary MeiklejOhn At
Sam Houston.
SAW THE ENTIRE GARRISON
TURN OUT AND DO SOME
FINE DRILLING.
There Was Sham Fighting And The
Smell OF The Powder Galore
And Dead Men Was All That
Was Necessary To Make
II A Real War.

| The honorable assistant secretary o.
war, Mr.. George d. Meiklejohn, is il
the city, inspecting Fort Sam Hous.
ton. He arrived yesterday afternoon
accompanied by Lieutenant Schoffield
and is quartered at the Menger hotel.
He was met at the depot and escorted
to his hotel by Gen. Graham, COM
mander of the department of Texas
and his adjutant, Lieut.. Col. Hall.
Last night the fifth cavalry band
from the post called on him and play
ed a beautiful serenade in the hotel
court.
This morning at $3.50 o'clock he re-
paired to the post, where he reviewed
and inspected the troops as well as the
garrison, buildings, etc. Immediately
as his carriage entered the parade
ground gate First Sergeant Sloan,
of troop D, reported to him mounted,
in full dress, as orderly, and as he
alighted from his carriage First Ser
geant Allen, of company G, reported
also in full dress as orderly to His
Honor.
At this time four privates reported
mounted in full dress to Col Hall, the
adjutant, as orderlies.
The troops for review were dressed as
If ready for campaign, all fully
equipped. The men wore campaign
hats and blue blouses and trousers, the
infantry and cavalry wearing leggings
and the artillery men wearing boots.
They carried twenty rounds of blank
ammunition.
The brigade was commanded by Col.
L. H. Carpenter the infantry battal-
ion by Capt. C. r. Paul, the cavalry
squadron by Capt. E. D. Thomas, and
the battery of artillery by First Lieut.
A. A. Shaker. The call boots and
saddles" and first call for infantry, was
sounded at 900 and assembly at $3.50.
The troops formed on the lower parade
at that time and at 1000 Mr.. Miekle-
john arrived.
AS the secretary entered the gate Of
the lower garrison in his carriage fif-
teen guns were fired from the battery
of artillery as a national salute. He
was met at the gate by Gen. Graham
and staff and they proceeded around
the parade ground to the north where
they halted in front of the hospital to
review the troops.
The infantry battalion was marched
out first and went through the beauti-
full calisthenic drill 1t was then
marched off to the lower end or the
parade ground and divided into Varl-
Gus skirmish parties and advanced up
the hill as if skirmishins, firing blank
cartridges. Capt. Bates was in charge
of the skirmishers and Capt. Potter
came up with the other men in the
rear. At the foot of the hill the rear
file of men fixed bayonets and the
whole battalion charged, with whoop.
They then gave the field to the caval-
ry squadron.
Capt. Thomas brought the squadron
out and put them through a drill, af-
ter which he had the men dismount
| and fight on foot, reserve men holding
| the horses in the rear and the re-
| mainder charging up the hill as the
| infantry had previously done, also fir
ing blank cartridges. The men then
i Tetreated from the imaginary enemy,
| mounted their horses and charged
| mounted, firing with revolvers. They
also captured the fort" on the last
| charge and left the parade ground.
The cavalry was followed by the bat
terry of artillery which Lieut.. Shaker
put through an excellent drill, firing
one gun at time at first to the west,
then turning to the right and firing two
at once. The pieces were then coupled
up and flying charge was made up
hill. At the top they turned and went
back to the lower end of the ground
where all four Of the pieces were fired
at once.
This closed the program and as II
was II o'clock the party proceeded tC
the mess hall, where that was inspect
ed, while the men were eating.
A return to the officers club wa:
made, where light luncheon and re
freshments were served. This after