The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-21

Although Fort Smelling is deserted it
is likely to soon be the scene of a mill
tary encampment again AS soon as
members Of the national guard are
called as volunteers to take the field
the companies recruited in this city
will go to the fort and prepare for the
battle ground. The men will be en-
camped at Fort Smelling for the pun
pose of drilling and fitting for active
service. The fort will be general
rendezvous for all the state troops in
this section.
Capt. Ed S. Bean, Of Company D,
has already outlined plan of proce-
dure in the event Of hostilities. He
and every man in his company will re-
spond to the call for troops, and it is
his intention to order his command to
the fort as soon as the call is issued.
He will there be able to put his men
in condition to fight, better than can
be done in the limited quarters of the
armory.
1.-The regiment will be assembled at
Fort Smelling within two days after
the call is made for them" said Capt.
Bean yesterday. And they will have
a taste of real field work. They will
camp out in tents, and will live as
they will in the field. They will be
called by reveille at $50 In the morn
and company drills until breakfast.
After breakfast they will have
squad and company drills again for
several hours, and then will have regi-
mental drill until dinner. They will be
allowed a short rest, and then drill
will be resumed until 3 or 4 o'clock,
when they will be given another rest
until after supper, when they will have
dress parade.
No nd oh will ho
at $50. and the men will be expected
to sleep until morning. With Compel
ent instructors I will guarantee to
make 100 recruits perfect soldiers In
three months.
Men who enlist now must do so
with firm intention to work. War is
not play-it is a most serious bust
time had better not enter the service.
Such men are not wanted.
1.-THE national guard has much to
learn from the regular army. In the
field it Is necessary for the men to
know how to take care VI themselves
what to eat wear, and how to be-
have. A soldier should wear wooden
underclothing and avoid cottons. He
should be comfortably shod. The
army shoe Is the ideal footgear. A
mans feet play an important part in
his usefulness. If they are cramped
he cannot march and is useless. Men
should wash their feet every night,
and take the best care Of them. They
should not carry anything that can
be dispensed with. Heavy knapsacks
and haversacks are impediments in
marching, and as soon as men get in
the field they will throw such things
away.
Every company should have two
good cooks who know how to prepare
food. The staple of the soldiers diet
in the field is beans, and 1t is essential
to understand how to cook them. Any
one can make coffee, but very few know
how to prepare beans SO they can be
eaten.
'"The men will, of course, understand
that obedience is the first law Of the
army. 1t Is not necessary to say that,
but some militiamen are inclined to be
too familiar. with their officers, because
they know them socially. But in the
field that cuts no figure. Every super
Tor officer Is to be obeyed without Ques-
ton.
Zone Of the most honorable posts in
the army Is picket and sentinel duty.
The picket is the outpost of the army
at night and behind 1t Is line of
sentinels. The picket guards the army
while 1T sleeps. Upon his eyes and ears
depend the safety Of the army. He
must have good eyesight and good hear
ing, and he must exercise the utmost
vigilance. The slightest sound may
mean much and he must be able to de-
tect 1t and also the approach Of any
ore. An enemy's spy may safely pass
the picket, but the sentinel must de-
tect him and apprehend him. He must
halt him Immediately and call upon
him to declare himself. If the stranger
cannot satisfy the sentinel that he is
friend the sentinel must call upon
the corporal Of the guard to question
him, and so he must be passed along
the line even to the commanding officer
and errand. Failure to intercept a spy
under such circumstances may be IA al
to the entire army. So I cannot eXag-
gerate the Importance of those posts or
impress too strongly upon the minds
of the men the honor that is given In
| reposing such trust in them"
Capt. Bean believes Minnesota will
be required to furnish 1 400 men at the
commencement Of hostilities.
II do not think it will be the policy
of the government, he said, ito require
| the national guard to turn out en- masse
| because the militiamen will be needed
| to officer the volunteers who have not
| had experience. The national guard
may be held in reserve until a second
call is issued"
| But those who know Capt. Bean know
| that he will not wait for the second
call for troops. He intends to go to the
| front with the first men that go from
| Minnesota. 1t is also probable that he
may have a more important command
| than a company.
THESE ARE OUT OF 1T.