The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-30

IN Q soldiers trappings has in nowise
diminished from h far day of misty
legends to this latest practical hour
when the whole nation has beer turned
into a camp. and even civilians in the
smallest OF our towns fall asleep at
night to the singing Of bugles. and start
to wakefulness in the morning at the
blare Of the reveiile.
But fashion in army dress has under
gone as many changes as has the APP
parel OF women in that time. and though
he may disdain to own il the soldier.
from General Miles down to the last re-
cruit in Uncle Sans volunteer army. Is
quite as deeply interested In his clothes
as are the fair ones before whom in
parlor. or ballroom. or when they
sit under their flashing parasols along
the officers line at dress parade waiting
Tor the sweet notes of retreat" the
thump Of the evening u and the fall
OF the flag that officially announces the
close of h military day. he loves to
disport himself. For ''maidens, like
moths. were ever caught by glare" and
the man these days. especially he who
Is not entitled to wear a military uni
form. cuts as small a figure in the eyes
OF women as he will in politics when this
cruel war is over.
The uniform Of the soldier may not.
and does noS constitute the most i'm
portant feature of his life. even in the
national guard during the piping times
OF peace. but 1t Is full of intricacies and
mysteries. the mystery of which re-
quires some tim to study. For, as in
the days of King Arthur. a knight was
distinguished from the steel-clad mass
Of mounted men about him by the coat
Of arms his king had flung over his
mailed shoulders. so II Is possible to tell
the rank and position and something of
thu Au. -
of any n of the 200. 900 men who to-
day are being mobilized all over the
United States.
In the first place. II Is not by the
shoulder straps alone that an officer is
to be distinguished. that most coveted
article Of adornment will reveal only
his rank and the branch OF the service
to which he belongs. Broadly speaking.
the three great arms OF the service. the
infantry. cavalry and artillery, are in
dictated. primarily. by their respective
colors. White always denote infantry.
whether on shoulder strap. plume,
stripe. facings or chevron; yellow. cav
airy. and red. artillery. General officers.
that is those Of the rank OF ~brigadier
general and higher. having command
of brigade, division, corps or army. and
the oficers of their STATS. ave those
temporarily detailed from the line. are
distinguished, as to color. by dark blue.
The color OF the cloth of the shoulder
strap indicates the arm Of service. This
cloth is edged with heavy gold bullion.
and on II is worked the insignia Of rank.
A strap without a bar and plain. signi-
fies a second lieutenant. the correspond
ing navy grade being the ensign: one
silver bar. signifies a first lieutenant in
the army and a lieutenant. Junior grade.
in the navy: two silver bars a captain in
the army and lieutenant In the navy a
gold leaf. a major and Lieutenant COM
a silver leaf. a Lieutenant
colonel and commander: a silver eagle.
a colonel n captain: n silver star. a |
general and commodore; two
silver stars. a major general and rear
three silver stars, a lieutenant
and vice admiral. and four silver
stars, a general and admiral.
The shoulder strap Is gradually pass
ing away. 1t Is no longer used In any
of the European armies. nor I'm the
of the United States. but remains
solely in these times to our army and
the troops of some of the South Amer
lean republics. The rank Of officers In
is designated upon the collar
Of the blouse, a method that was in
vogue in the confederate army during
war of the rebellion. and one Of
late years that has been adopted by
our nav
In the army the shoulder straps are
decreasing In size. a fact which
anyone may verify by getting out his
Did family photographs n compar-
Ing the great. cumbrous straps that
we're sewn upon the shoulders of those
II his family ancestors who fought in
~ or 81. with those he sees to-day
lpon the fatigue coats of the national
guard officer. There Is In the war de-
,artment at Washington an old heavy
pair OF first lieutenant's straps which
been worn by many a man who
distinguished himself on the field.
Occasionally they are sent to a fellow
Who has won his spurs as ar especial
mark Of consideration. One of the men
% be thus honored Is my old friend
lieut.. David Jewett Baker OF the 18th
DOT. who received them when he was
promoted for m~eritorious service In
in 80 and 81. Baker Is well
lid Jewett Baker who has made his
mark In this state. his father having
'een for many years one OF the jus
Ices of the supreme court. Jewett
preceded Captain Eben Swift Of
he 5th cavalry at Springfield. and did
much to build up the Illinois national
,uard.
of the utter adjustment of the
boulder strap m the substitution I'm /,
ts stead the heater and more military I
Method Of s%ignifying rank by the de- !
ice on the collar. so that IL is prob I
BILE that the shoulder strap will even I
ually pass the way OF the buttoned {
louise n the old French chasseur J
cap. General Miles journey to I
during the Grecian and Turk !
foot race of aHear and a half g :
as already borne fruit in the altera- !
Of uniforms. for. even IL congress {
I'LL not give him the rank of lieutenant !
eneral. to which the head Of the army /!
he is entitled. he has recently :
esigned and had made for him a new !
inform. in which the old epaulets are /.
by braided shoulder knots OF :
old bullion in h Russian style. The y
oat Is sewn over with gold lace. re- .
Of expense. and altogether the .
ew uniform will give him. when he q
Ides out to review his mobilized troops u
mis- summer, a martial appearance. in v
snsely continental He will resemble a