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

One of the mostinteresting features
Of the camp life Of the various sta
tions of the United States regular and
volunteer armies is the training of the
raw recruit. In all the camps there
are at least two drills day for the re-
cruits, in which they are taught the
use Of arms. There are many other
things for the recruit to learn, and a
description Of what is expected Of
him, as told by Capt. John Conlin.
who has charge of the recruiting work
at Ghickamauga, will be interesting.
ssIn the training of a volunteer for
service in the American army" says
the captain, ''he should have at least
from three to. six weeks Of practice
the longer the better-in order to ia
miliarize 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 regu-
lates his life Alright, the better for him
and the service, as both in marches
and in engagements he will be subiec-
ted to fatigue and other hardships,
which fall least heavily on the soldier
Of correct habits and good physique.
"The few weeks necessary for in
struction before proceeding to the
front may appear as being too short a
time for the serious work Of armed
conflict, but it will be remembered by
many that whole regiments. officers
included, went into the civil war with
little more than the most rudimentary
knowledge of arms. The men receiv-
ed 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 we're speedily
nodded into well-disciplined and effec-
tive battalions.
IF 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
petent non-commissioned officer in
setting up exercise and facings, the
length and cadence Of the step. They
should also be taught the position Of
the soldier, that is, standing in an
erect position. When they are con-
sidered sufficiently instructed in these
preliminaries they should be next
given arms and equipment, and taught
the manuel of, arms: loadings and
frings; 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.
s'The 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 are taught how to walk the
post and challenging. The duty of
the sentinel on post is to observe
closely, using his eyes and cars to the
best advantage. He must promptly
report any violation Of the regulations
or orders received when he goes on
post, and, in addition, anything which
cxcites his suspicion. He reports to
the corporal on duty.
''Thc recruits are taught how to
pitch and strike tents, and how to
keep camp properly policed, and in
sanitary condition by observing all
the rules Of cleanliness possible.
They are taught how to pack their
knapsacks and how to care for their
rifles.
''Regarding drilling, the general
exercise includes these steps: Squad
drill: without arms: company drill,
with arms; battalion and regimental
evolutions, 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 reveillc: 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
a camp of instruction, gradually in