The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-07
ON THE GUARD LINE.
Strict Watch Kept Over the Golden
Gate Camp.


Cal. June 1.-The men Of the Thir-
teenth are beginning to appreciate the
importance of guard duty, and especial
ly at night, are learning to exercise
vigilance in watching the camp. Col.
Page. of the Third infantry, when at
Fort Smelling, once told delegation of
militiamen who called upon him for
advice that a knowledge of cooking
beans and of picket duty, were the TWO
most essential things for soldier, that
ether things were of secondary impor-
lance, for soldiers needed to be well fed.
and we'll protected from surprise when
sleeping.
The greatest precautions are now
taken to guard the camp, and guard
mount Dis conducted with es much cere-
mony as though the men were actually
in the fed.
The guard at night is double what it
was at Camp Ramsey, and, to keep
up the regiments mystic number, the
guard is divided into thirteen posts.
Guard mount is held at a. m. and
are light, but at night they are required
to be strict, and it is a very lucky
or clever person who gets into camp
after taps.
All persons who pass within ten feet
of the camp fence are challenged, and
unless they can prove that they have
legitimate business in tina t vicinity tn
are taken to the guard house and ex-
anined by the officer Of the guard, and
are not released until they show to
his satisfaction that they are bent on
a proper errand.
Lieut.. Milford L. Merrill was senior
officer of the guard last night. and The
G lobe correspondent accompanied
him on his rounds. The moon was UP
and every object in the tented field was
as clearly defined as at noon. Taps
had sounded and the men were sup
posed to be asleep, but here and there
an Illuminated tent showed where a
delinquent soldier was still awake, and
perhaps reading.
Let US see if the guards know their
business" said Lieut.. Merrill, as he
jumped a fence.
The guard at that post had his back
turned and did not witness the breach
of orders.
Lieut.. Merrill walked along the stony
sidewalk to- the next sentinel. who
Lieut.. Merrill sto1 ped and faced HIM.
promptly presented arms in salute.
What are your ord rs ?" he asked.
ITO prevent any one jumping the
fence"
Don't you halt any ona?"
"NCt a commits oned officer"
''How do you know I'm commits
stoned officer?"
You're the officer of the guard
"What makes no difference. You
recognized me in the moonlight, but
you should have halted me ard IRE
scented your bayonet. Don't let any
one pass, no matter if he be the colonel
himself. without challenging h M
'All right, sir" sad the sentinel, and
saluted.
AS the lieutenant approached the next
sentinel, the man said "Halt!' 3e-f
The lieutenant halted and the man
remained silent.
well" said Lieut.. Merrill, what do
you do next?'
81 don't know"
"Ask: Who goes there?'
''Who goes there?" replied the sem
tinel
The officer of the guard" said Lieut.
Merrill.
The man was again dumb.
Don't you say anything?" asked the
| lieutenant.
"Advancew said the sentinel.
| Advance, officer of the guard and be
! recognized" corrected Lieut. Merrill.
The man repeated the order and the
lieutenant stepped up to him. He then
| gave the guard some wholesome advice
and passed on to the next sentinel.
who old a little better, but was not
perfect in his lesson.
|
| though they knew what they should do
| they did not know whether to do it or
not, because they knew the lieutenant.
| He cautioned them to make no excep-
lions but to be as strict with him as
| with any stranger.
The round of the camp was nearly
completed before a sentinel was en-
| ''Halt!' he said, presenting his bay
| 1iPJ1tQnSnf'S IN
goes there?"
"The officer of the guard"
Advance, officer of the guard, and
be recognized"
The lieutenant obeyed and the guard
scrutinized him carefully before he al
| lowed him to pass.
You're all RICH, sentinel" said Lieut.
Merrill You're the first I've struck
| who knows his business
The guard house was next visited. II
is small tent and the men were
crowded in 1t in all kinds Of ways, and
| were doubled up in all kinds OF
grotesque positions.
1.-The tent should be three times as
| large" said Lieut. Merrill as he sur
veyed the sleeping guards.
While he was speaking a sentry's
sharp command to halt was heard anG
Col. Reeves voice was recognized an
| swering the challenge. A moment later
the colonel passed to his tent, chucklins
over the incident and well pleased thai
the sentry had observed such strict i'm
partially.
It was time for the relief to go OF
duty and a corporal led the men out
AS they approached each sentry they
were halted and obliged to go through
as much ceremony as though they were
only one man and a total stranger al
that. The relieved men then marched
to the guard house, there to get some
sleep.
Lieut. Merrill next Inspected the
tents. He visited each one and looked
in to see how many men were in there
and what they were doing. When he
found light burning he questioned
the occupant
isn't it nearly time you fellows werf
in bed?' he usually asked them, ant
they invariably took the hint and {
moment later the tent was as dark a.
the others.
Over at one of the company canteen!
several guards had made fire. wher;
they were boiling coffee. Lieut. Mer
rill was tired from trudging through
the sand and cold from the chilly winG
that always blows at night from tn.
Golden Gate, and he went over to tn,
men and RECALLED himself with a Gull
of coffee and a piece Of bread, thei
turned into his tent.
Evan M. Jones.
/ 4 yHrruyu