Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-08-04
Life in the Navy Yard.
MARINE BARRACKS,
League Island, Pa.

League Island, Pa.
Editor Press
When | left Emporium promised to
write to the PRESS. Owing to the fact,
however, that have not yet gotten to
the front, nor am I liable to, | will
strive to giveto the readers fthe PRESS
a short account of our mode of life and
duties in the Navy Yard.
The U. s. Marine Corps, though the
Oldest military organization in the
country, is, think, the least known of
any branch of the service. Not that
they are considered as a secondary
branch, as the actions of our brave boys
in Cuba would refute. The reason is,
1T is the smallest branch in the service.
numbering, when | enlisted, less than
$500 men. Since then, however, the
number has been rapidly increasing.
When i enlisted they were taking
nothing but five year men, but now the
enlistment reads during the war"
learn from some of my friends that
my reception in Philadelphia became
public through Mr. Lands, Chief
Coiner at the Mint OF Mr.. Lands. |
must say he is a perfect gentleman.
He treated my comrade, Mr.. Alfred
Trude, and myself to courtesy fit for
any true born American citizen, though
told him was only foreigner He
put himself to great deal of incon-
venlence to put us onto the ropes"
On returning after having enlisted his
kindness did not then cease He called
a guide, put US in his care and sent us
through the Mint. While the other
visitors had to stand on the outside of
the railing, we were taken inside, the
n mo a1t1 los,,
were allowed to handle the bright,
shining coins-gold, silver and bronze
new from the stamp. To say we were
overjoyed with Mr. Landis is to express
it tamely. We shall always remember
Mr.. Lands as our first Philadelphia
friend. | would also extend my thanks
to Messrs. johnson & McNarney for
their glowing letter of introduction to
such a man.
However, this is not life at League
Island. will therefore now strive to
give a short account of my sojourn
mere. Our barracks are situated at the
gate of the Navy Yard, on South Broad
street, about four and halfmiles from
the public buildings. They consist of
offlcers' quarters on west of Broad
street and guard house on the east,
with the gate between; extending east
from guard house are Mess Hall,
Kitchen, Clothing Room, and No.
quarters. At right angles with Mess
Hall, south, is No. l quarters. At
southern end of No. 1 Quarters, at
right angles, east, are Colonel Forney's
office, First Serg't Rockies office, bath
room and library. To fill out the
square, we have canteen, orderly room,
my carpenter shop and coal shed At
the extreme south of the square and
facing the back channels the fresh
water basin for storing ships when out
OF commission is our shooting gallery,
bowling alley and gymnasium. Our
bugle calls are as follows: 6:15 a. NJ,
reveille; 6:35 a. m., roll call; 700 a. M,
breakfast; 7:30, police CALL $50 guard
mount; 900 a. M, drill; $50 a m,
sick call; 1000 a. M inspection; 1920
a. m., Saturday only, fire quarters;
1900 M, dinner; 100 p. M, drill; 500
p. m., supper; sundown, retreats; 900
p. m., tattoo; 9:15, taps. Guard duty
lasts twenty-four hours-two on and
four off. Drill lasts one hour in fore
noon and one hour afternoon. Now
do not picture Jim marching up and
down the navy yard with rife on his
shoulder No; no! Picture a little
carpenter shop with Jim presiding and
you've got him.
| have volunteered three times to go
to the front, since l came here. Col.
James Forney, who is at present in
command of the Marine Guard at
Portsmouth, N. H., who are over Ger
vera's sailors, was our commander here
until July. He only laughed at me
when volunteered and said there was
more need for me at League Island
than at the front. | am here for the
summer at least, if not for five years.
Mr.. ID. d. Alderfer and sons George
and Glenn paid me pleasant visit and
we made tour of the Navy Yard and
the Marine Quarters George made
the remark that our quarters beat
Emery's camp all to pieces. Our
quarters and mess are all right. work
six and one-half hours day-8:00 a.
m. till 11:30 a. M, and 200 p. m, till
400 p m. From 400 p. M, till 500 a.
M, | am at liberty to go where please;
do as | please.
Now, lest the editor and readers
alike, get disgusted, I'll quit; with a
cheer for the Army and Navy of the
U. S. A.
JAMES CAssELS,