The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-01
THE DAILY LIFE
OF A SOLDIER.
How the Day in Wartime is Spent
from ReyelIIe Call to Taps,
HE MUST LEARN HOW TO COOK.
Each Man Required to Serve n Month
in the observation-disclosures at the
First Break of Dawn and Pre-
pares Quarters for Inspection

In all probability the soldiers OF the
regular army will shortly be called upon
to enter into active hostliues. and un-
dergo the hardships and privations Of
the Cuban campaign To -lccessfuLiy
withstand the exposure and fatigue at
tendant upon such an invasion, the Sol
der must nave received some prelml-
nary training. and there is no better way
of forming an estimation Of his ability
in this direction than by acquaintance
with his daily nfe and habits.
The soldier is Always an early riser
as at the first break Of dawn he is
awakened from mis- dreams of martial
glory and heroic deeds upon the tented
field, by the trumpet tones OF the reveile
call. lie Immediately arises, dress and
prepares his quarters for inspection.
For this inspection regulations require his
bed TO be made up; room swept and
busted. and his clothing and equipments
placed in a neat and orderly manner.
all Of which is done I'm q uniform and
prescribed styfN Ty the completion Of
this duty. the boom of the reveiile gun,
and the raising Of the post flag. accom-
panied by the patriotic strains Of the
Star Spangled Banner, rendered by the
post band. announces 90 the world that
the official army day has commenced.
The soldier then has n Few minutes 20
devote 10 personal adOrnment, as he is
required. on an occasions 20 present q
neat and soldierly appearance.
REVEILLE CALL
This task completed. he with the other
members OF his company assemble on tho
company parade ground. 20 answer the
first roll call of the day. Known as re-
veille call. At the prescribed signal. the
first sergeant forms the company, and
proceeds go call the roll. and 90 It's COM
pletion dismissos the company. and
makes his report 10 an officer detailed
for this purpose. known as officer Of the
day. The welcome notes of breakfast
call next invite the soldiers attention
and this call IS answered with prompt
ness and willingness. by oven the most
chronic GROWER and kicker IN the COM
pany even If he does berate the cook,
and complain OF the quantity and quail
ty Of the breakfast. which. as with al
meals consists OF the most substantial
and wholesome food cooked and served
in an appetizing manner.
Every soldier Is required 20 learn the
rudiments Of cooking. as an OF the wOrn
is performed by men detailed from the
company, each man being required 70
serve a month in the Kitchen. under the
also an enlisted man. After breakfast
the first duty is gymnasium drill; all
army posts having q gymnasium, which
is equipped with an the necessary app
paratus for athletic training. This drill
usually lasts one nour. and each man is
required 10 exercise in every department,
thereby insurng the dcyelOpmn- OF every
muscle After this drill a short inter
mission IS allowed .7fter which the regu-
T..v .GrHHf fe. 81.
either by battalion or company. This
drill occupies two hours. with short i'm
tervals Of rest and IS frequently I'm heavy
marching order. and fuh-ield equipment.
which weighs about sixty pounds. a
great many Of the manOeuvers arc re-
quired 20 be executed I'm double time.
and. consequently. mis- drill is a great
development Of endurance. The remand
or Of the forenoon is usually occupied
with instruction i'm signal and hospital
drills. every soldier being required to
learn how 10 best provide for a wounded
cOmrade. until the arrival Of a surgeon or
member OF the regular hospital corps.
Theoretical and practical instruction in
pitching tents. and the use of such in
struments as are necessary in warfare,
such as surveyors transit. range-hnders.
thermometers for judging velocity OF
wind, and many others is sometimes
substituted for regular signal and hos
pital drill.
FOR DINNER.
At u O'Clock mess call Us again sounded.
this time for dinner After dinner the
soldier is allowed until o'clock for Tecre-
alton and rest at which hour fatigue call
goes. and every man detailed for such
duty must turn out 20 perform all OF the
necessary work around the garrison.
such as cleaning the grounds, cutting
wood, and delivering coal. and all other
necessary work which is required 10 be
performed. This work usually Fontin-
ues until 4 o'clock. but in some posts
drill is engaged i'm from 9 10 4 o'clock.
At o'clock supper is announced. and
shortly after first call goes for full
dress parade. land retreat This cere-
mony is performed with a great deal
OF pomp and display and at its termi-
nation the plaintive notes OF retreat ar
companied by the boom Of bhe sunset
gun, and the inspiring strain OF the Star
Spangled Banner as tire flag Is lowered.
ushers out the official day. After this
the soldier II he be on pass, is at liberty
TO follow the bent of his own inclina-
nations, but as only a limited number
are allowed passes daily. there are yet
two more calls 10 be answered. At
o'clock tattoo is blown, at which call
the lights in the sleeping apartments are
ItQulItd 10 iF eAllill ulnutu. ~ IL q CLOCK
the stiffness of The silent night IS broken
by the sleep competing sound Of taps
after which the glimmer OF lanterns can
be seen. as the non-commissioned officer
in charge Of quarters makes his round
to ascertain Il all men not on pass or
other duty are in bed. After this, quiet
ness reigns supreme, except the meas
ured tread of the sentries on their respec-
tive posts.
In addition 10 the aforementioned
duties. each man is required to do a
guard every six or seven days and Il
can be readily seen that his duties do not
allow him 20 engage in any gross mis-
conduct or immortality, and consequently
he is prepared by the hardness Of his
constitution and the thotoughness of his
training to undergo any ordeal that he
may be called upon to perform.
SIOUX MAY FIGHT SPAIN.