The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-19

Fort Omaha, but little progress was made
toward impressing them with any idea of
military discipline There was too much
of the free and easy" in the Indian ma
ture to enable them to grasp the essentials
that make for the even passably good sol
der. None were vicious, but all were
indolent In way. Routine was distaste-
full, and for commands they had an aver
sion If not contempt. There was more fun
in town than at the fort, and in town they
would rather be, even If only to gaze ut
the passing stream of gaily dressed wo-
men in the streets and stare for hours at
some striking display in a store window.
For the endorsed trolley cars and cables
they had a never-ceasing interest.
During the Indian soldiers stay at Fort
Omaha they had opportunities to march In
big parades and they were the events OF
their lives The first occasion was Deco
ration day procession that followed their
coming to the fort, and again a Few
months later, when the regulars led the
parade that was the feature of the inter-
state drill held in Omaha in the early BUS
On neither occasion did the Indian soldier
do himself credit. HIS didn't know the
When he was tired of carrying the rife on
his shoulder he wanted to carry 1t some
other way without waiting to be told just
the way. If he saw something that ne
wanted to look at as his company passed
along the street he was perfectly willing
to stop and satisfy his curiosity, even
though the others in his command passed
along in step and time. He didn't see why
he couldn't run and catch up with them
Time and again in the interstate drill pa
rade the Indians would stop In Tours ana
Fights and twelves and almost whole COM
panies, and look at something that was
particularly interesting on the sidewalks
or in the upper story windows OF build
ings, while those who were marching pc
hind were forced to mark time until the
inquisitive red soldiers curiosity was sat
isfied. When the jabbering in the tribal
tongue ceased and the Indians were ready
for the march again they would give
hitch to their trousers legs, get their
rifles into any old position, the paraoe
would be resumed, and in time it got to
the disbanding point.
In the spring of 1895 the hearts of the IN
dams were broken because they were denied
the privilege of taking part in parade In
Omaha. The biennial convention of the
Ancient Order of Hbernians was held IN
the Nebraska city that year, and as usual
feature of the gathering was a parade
gotten together At Fort Omaha at that
time there was the only branch of the Hi
bernians composed exclusively OF soldiers
in the regular army. 1t was arranged with
the military authorities that the irish SOL
diers be permitted to lead the parade, bear
ing arms and in their army uniforms, and
wearing the regalia of the Hlbernians. Inc
enlisted men of other nationalities heard of
the arrangement, and requested the privil-
eye of Joining their Irish comrades so that
a good showing might be made. The re-
quest was granted, and for the first time
in the history of the Hibernians their pl-
ennial convention procession was headed
by a branch of their organization wearing
the uniforms of Uncle Sans regulars and
bearing the arms of the United States. Inc
Indians also heard of the plans for the
parade and requested a place in the ranks
with their fellow soldiers, but they were
denied the privilege. So far as known the
army authorities were willing, but the
Iirshmen were not. They had had expert
ence with the red recruits in previous pa
rades, and they didn't want to nave an
event of such Importance to them spoieo
by the presence of men who couldn't keep
step with an ice wagon.
The Indian was a failure as regular
soldier in times of peace The life wasn't
exciting enough for him. What KIND OF
soldier the Indian would make in actual
warfare is quite another thing. perhaps
thousand Sioux warriors would 40 more
real fighting in the Cuban country than ten
times their number of white men. The IN
dian might be just the man to send to CUBA
In case of hostlities. Perhaps there may
be occasion to prove that Colonel Henry
estimate of the Indians worth as soldier
was not overdrawn.