The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-03-17
Life at a Frontier Post.
By Marie Crscs Kembsil.
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IN the New Mexican highlands, 1000
feet above the sea, lies Fort Wingate,
the border post OF which we write.
Seventeen miles east of US the crest Of
the Rocky mountains divides the Allan
tic and the Pacific slopes Of the con-
tinent. Up the eRstern incline we have
traversed the sand wastes, the lava
and the pinou groves Of New Mexico;
down the western, we look out upon the
wide and desolate sweep Of Arizona.
The fort Is not strong place Of defense,
with mont and rampant and bastion; it
consists essentially Of low adobe build
ings which inclose quadrangular
parade-ground. On three sides OF the
square are houses for officers and their
families, and on the fourth are bar
racks for eight troops Of cavalry. Out
side the central quadrangle are the
storehouses, the hospital, the magazine.
the laundresses' quarters or "Soap-suds
Row." and the stables. The angular
architecture Of the fort seems drawn
up ut Attention" against the dazzling
blue sky of New Mexico. Nature, how
ever, relieves the squareness and gray
ness of the earth-colored houses by
lrapery of wild c!ematis and woodbine
in summer, and OF softening snow In
winter. The purade-ground is brown
and dusty except for few sparse
tlades of grass and fringe Of strug-
Cling Qottonwood-tree which border
the irrigating ditch. Near one corner
of the square is the guard-house, and
always pacing in front of il sentinel.
T. me his most welcome duty is his
sonorous call of the hours at night.
Twelve o'clock and all is WELL" Is n
,heering word In our mountain soli-
tude. At the center Of the parade we
look up to the Stars and Stripes. which
hang high above us from the flagstaff
there. The flag is our reason for being,
and as often as we see its bold swirls
m a breezy day or its mute folds on
still one. we rejoice that TO Us is in
trusted this symbol Of our country.
nivider of Gaybreak you. cutting the mir,
touched by the sun. measuring the sky.
So lovcd-O you banner lcadirg the day
with stars brought from the right!
The soldiers day begins at sunrise.
As the light breaks through the pines
on the eastern horizon. the deep vibra-
tiors of the morning gun are followed
by the lively march of revcille. That
half-heard. ghostly music always stirs
me with awe at thought Of another day
begun, and with pleasure in the linger-
ing dream that keeps back the actuali-
ties Of day. In the barracks, however,
the soldier Is astir at once, though not
without n struggle on the part of tn.
trumpeter, II we may believe the
prosac words he has set to the strains
of reveille:
can't git 'em UP. can't git 'em up.
l can't git 'em up in the morning.
can't git 'em UP to-day!
Yet, when the relentless march ends,
the men have turned out" and fallen
in," and are ready to answer to roll call.
Throughout the day food. medicine
and work are administered at the call Of
the trumpets. Three times sounds the
hum-drum, see-saw music of mess-call.
As interpreted in the soldiers rhymes:
Porky. porky. pork. pork; pork without
any lean.
soupy. soupy, soup. soup: soup with nary
bean.
Coffee. coffee. coff. coff: weakest ever seen.
Soon after breakfast the quick, in
cisive sick-call summons the Ill and the
ailing to the hospital. There COM
plants are sifted by the surgeon, the
sick are put to bed, the half-sick ex-
cused from duty, and the would-be sick
set to work. Work In the frontier post
includes all the trades. from saving Of
logs to mending of shoes; for the SOL
dier is no specialist, but an all-round
character. who must dig and plant,
cook and scrub. as we'll as ride. shoot
and saber.
The most picturesque moments Of the
soldiers day at Fort Wingate are
guard-mounting and retreat. Guard
mounting takes place at nine o'clock In
the morning. Then, with helm and
blade. and plumes In the gay wind
dancing" the cavalry wheels on to the
parade-ground. The men assigned to
guard duty for the next - hours are
vigorously inspected, the column
marches In review, while the band plays
mrrily. The curves of moving horses,
the swaying Of FURNISHED brasses, and
the stirring music, are all In accord
with the futtering leaves Of the aspens
and the nimble air of morning $50
ciety" looks on from verandas and
board wahes; greetings are exchanged;
hoyseback parties. picnics or sewing
bees are planned. Al in the old plays,
"A tucket sounds" and with "Flour.
ishi" our day has begun. w ~
"Retreat.wr ominous word In war.
,lgniAes In peace the repose Of even