The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-15
TRAINING RAW RECRUITS.
How The Newcomers will he Drilled
for the Army

Ont OF the most Interesting features
Of the camp life Of the various sta
tions Of the nitcd States regular and
volunteer armies is the training Of the
raw recruit. In all the camps there
are at least two drills Il day for the re-
cruits, in which they are taught the
use Of arms. There are many other
thugs for the recruit to learn, and
description Of What is expected Of
him, as told by Capt. John Conlin.
who has charge Of the recruiting work
ut e,hickamauga, will be interesting.
In the training Of Il volunteer for
service in the American army" says
the captain, she should have at least
from three to six weeks Of practice
the longer the bcttcr--in order to fa-
miliarizc him with his duties and he
should be as nearly perfect, physical
ly, as it is possible for him to be. If
he is man Of good habits and rcgu-
latcs his life Alright, the better for him
and the service, as both in marches
and in engagements he will be subjcc-
ted to fatigue and other hardships,
which fall Last heavily on the soldier
Of correct habits and good physique.
'"rhc few weeks necessary for in
struction before proceeding to the
front may appear AS being too short
time for the serious work of armed
conflict, but it will be remembered b.
many that whole regiments, officers
included, went into tho civil war with
little more than the most rudimentary
knowledge of arms. The men rccciv-
cd their training on the march and in
front Of the enemy. Many of them
had no taste for military life, they
cared nothing for martial glory, yet
these raw regiments were speedily
nodded into wcll-disciplincd and cffcc-
tive battalions.
II Il move is not made on Cuba at
once there will be ample time to teach
the men. In the various camps Of
State militia instruction should be
carried on daily. Recruits should
first be formed in squads Of from six
to twelve, and instructed by COM
pctent on-cOmmissiOncd officer in
setting up exercise and facings, the
length and cadence Of the step They
should also be taught the position Of
tho soldier. that is, standing in All
erect position. When they are con-
sidcrcd sufficiently instructed in these
rrcliminarics they should be next
given arms and equipment, and taught
the manuel of arms. loadings and
lirings; that is, put through the vari-
GUS positions merely. Then follow
squad company and battalion drill,
and how to perform guard duty by
day and night.
"Thc guard remains on for twenty
four hours, when the relief takes its
place. Ordinarily the soldier is on
duty two and off four hours. The
recruits arc taught how to walk the
post and challenging The duty Of
the sentinel on post is to observe
closely, using his eyes and ears to the
best advantage. lie must promptly
report any violation Of the regulations
or orders received when he goes on
post, and, in addition, anything which
cxcitcs his suspicion. lie reports to
the corporal on duty.
The recruits are taught how to
pitch aud strike tents, and how to
keep camp properly policed, and in a
sanitary condition by observing all
the rules of cleanliness possible.
They are taught hcw to pack sheir
knapsacks and how to care for their
rifles.
"lsegardiug drilling, the general
exercise includes these steps: Squad
drill. without arms; company drill,
with arms; battalion and regimental
evclutions, and in case of three or
four regiments being in the camp Of
instruction, brigade drill is included.
There are usually good many
roll calls, especially when the soldier
is undergoing instruction. There are
the rcveille. fatigue or policing camp,
breakfast, guard mount, drill call,
recall from drill, parade, supper, re.
treat, tattoo and taps-lights out.
Short marches should be included in
camp of instruction, gradually in