The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-19
TRAINING THE RAW RECRUIT.
Hard Work for Volunteers Before
They Are Ready for Service.

Philadelphia Times.
One of the most interesting features of the
camp life of the various stations of the
United States regular and volunteer armies
is the training of the raw recruit In all the
camps there are at least two drills a day for
the recruits in which they are taught the
use Of arms. There are many other things
for the recruit to learn and description of
what is expected of him as told by Captain
John COnlin who has charge of the recruit
ing work at Chlckamauga, will be interest
ing;
I'm the training of a volunteer for service
he should have at least from three to six
weeks of practice-the longer the better-in
order to familiarize him with his duties; and
he should be as nearly perfect, physically,
as 1t is possible for him to be- If he is a
man of good habits and regulates his life
Alright, the better for him and the service,
as both in marches and in engagements he
will be subjected to fatigue and other hard
ships which fall least heavily OH the soldier
OF correct habits and good physique
The few weeks necessary for instruction
before proceeding to the front may appear
as being too short a time for the serious
work of armed conflict, but it will be re-
membered by many that whole regiments,
officers included, went into the civil war
with little more than the most rudimentary
knowledge of arms. The men received their
training on the march and in front of the
enemy; Many of them had no taste for mil
nary HE, they cared nothing for martial
glory, yet these raw regiments were speedily
nodded into well disciplined and effective
battalions.
IF move is not made on Cuba at once
there Will be ample time to teach the men.
in the various camps of State. militia in
S,lUCtlOn should be carried daily. Re-
cruits should at first be formed in squads
o. from six TO twelve, and instructed by a
competent Reconnaissance officer in set
ting up exercise and facings. the length and
taught the position of the so.dier-that is,
Standing in an erect position. When they
are considered sufficiently instructed in
, these prellmnarieS they should next be
sven arms and equipment, and taught the
manual of arms, loadingS and firings; that
is, put through the various positions mere
~. Then follow squad, company and bat
TALON drill. and how TO perform guard duty
by day and night.
The guard remains on for twenty-four
hours when the relief takes its place. Or
Cinarily the soldier is on duty two and of
four hours. The recruits are taught how
10 walk the post and challenging. The duty
q the sentinel on post is to observe closely,
using his eyes and ears to the best advan-
tage. He must promptly report any viola
ticn of the regulations or orders received
when ne goes on post, and. in addition, any
thing which excites his suspicion. He re-
ports to the corporal on duty.
The recruits are taught how to pitch and
strike tents. and how to keep camp prop
erly poced, and in a sanitary condition by
observing all the rules of cleanliness posi-
BILE. They are taught how TO pack their
knapsacks and how to care for their rifles.
Regarding drilling, the general exercise
includes these steps: Squad drill, without
arms; company drill. with arms; battalion
ana regimertal evolutions, and, in case of
lItee OF TOUR regiments De1IS In the camp
Of instruction, brigade drill is included.
There are usually good many roll calls,
especially when the soldier is undergoing in
struction. There are the reveille, fatigue or
policing camp. breakfast, guard mount, drill
cali. recall from drill parade, supper, re-
treat, tattoo and taps--lights out Short
marches should be included in camp of
instruction. gradually increasing in length
until the mon Lecome hardened to the serV-
ice.
"A recruit should be taught not to carry
uraipbt than the government inn
poses in IL e way of equipment. 1t is very
important Ii IT he should know what to
carry. He should restrict his belongings to
absolute necessity.
In camp the drill should be not less
than a hour and quarter and of not more
th1n a hour and a half duration. If they
are prolonged beyond that time the men
Jose attention and the instruction ceases to
be of value.
recruits should be taught to be careful not
10 waste any of it, and not to fire unless
there is something to fire at, unless, of
course, they are ordered to do so by the
commanding or company officers. At the
present time arms are so we'll and accu-
rately constructed that a thorough knowl-
edge of them, of their powers and capabil-
tiles. is essential to success. Recruits should
receive accurate instruction in the method OF
becoming good shots. in theory at least II
not in practice. They should know how %
handle their weapons and possess the knowl-
edge that makes skilled marksmen. They
should be theoretically instructed how to be-
come good marksmen. al the deadly range OF
small arms runs up to 300 yards, and in the
hands of skilled marksmen a Springfield or
other good rifle is a very deadly weapon DIS
far as the enemy can be seen.
The duties of a soldier in actual warfare
are trying. even under the most favorable
conditions It is therefore absolutely neces-
sary that he should be physically as nearly
perfect as attainable. He is obliged to en-
dure long fatiguing marches without food,
rest or water, sometimes under broiling
sun at that. Again, he will sometimes be
compelled to march in the rain. through
mud and ford rivers that will take him up to
the waist The conditions in Cuba during the
season of the year when our men could go
down there with comparative SAFETY may be
dilerent but rest assured of this: There is
no romance in war, and the recruit should
make up his mind to anything in the way OF
hardship when he offers himself for service
In war"