The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-06-10
Guard Duty in the sIst Mich. Vols.

Guard Duty in the 3Ist Mich. Vols.
Co. A, SlsT MICH. CAMP THOMAS.
CHIcKAMAUGA, GA, June z, 1898.
So far as the private soldier is concerned
his duties, In this regiment at least, form a
cycle of changes about what is known as
guard duty. Here 1t is twenty-four hours
of duty counting from six o'clock one even
ing to six o'clock the next evening. The
next day brings fatigue duty to all of those
who have just finished their guard duty,
then on the third day the men who have
done their duty for both proceeding days
or more properly all who have not been
caught shrking or running away from 1t
are given leave of absence of six hours
from camp which relives them from two
drills, but does not give time enough to go
either to Lookout mountain or to Chatta-
nooga.
People who pass in front of regiment
such as ours and see the sentres walking
slowly back and forth, apparently in an
aimless sort of way, would be disposed to
smile at the Stiffness of 1t all and put 1t
down as mere military show, an excuse to
keep some of the men busy. If the same
people undertook TO stroll through the lines
Of the 31st Michigan Volunteers, however,
they would Immediately change their minds
and no matter whether they tried persua-
sion or bluffing, they would cease to speak
of the meaninglessness of it all and begin
to complain about military strictness in
| stead. As it is however, though every
| thing the boys have is either carried with
giyings as to its safety, for only Michigan
fellows can get inside our lines without
special permission. That is one advantage
of having strict guard duty even in
friendly camp. Now if you wish we will
look at IL a little from the standpoint of
guard himself.
Sometime during the afternoon he is
notified by his first sergeant to be ready for
guard duty few minutes before six and at
that time, with FIVE or six others of his own
company he marches over to the open space
IN front of regimental headquarters and
takes his position in line with similar
details from the other eleven companies.
Then, If he does not happen to be one of
the few picked out for orderlies, because,
neater looking and more soldierly in ap-
pearance than the rest, as soon as in
spection Is over and the band has played
the required numbers Of times, he
marches off to the guard house.
At the guard house the seventy.two
privates are divided into three reliefs.
There being but twenty-four sentinels on
duty at a time, and accordingly one senti-
mel finds himself in the first second or
third relief, as the case may be. If in the
first, he is sent out at once to relieve the
guards now on post, but if he is assigned to
the second he has twenty minutes in which
to get his supper and get back to let the
third relief have similar opportunity. AS
each relief is walking to posts for two hours
at time, it is ten o'clock before he gets
called to go to his post if he happens to be
a member of the third relief.
Even If the moon is shining and the night
is clear, the trees cast varying shadows,
and spot of moonlight on the ground. a
piece of paper, or rock all look much
alike and deceive the drowsy relief into all
sorts of grotesque steps, and stumblings as
he marches from the guard house to his
post. But IL the roots and rocks, with
which the camp abounds, do not wake him
up sufficiently, he does become aroused
when he steps forward to receive his in
structions from the old sentinel, and wher
the corporal commands, "Relief, forward
march," and he is left alone on his post
he is wide awake and can see all sorts o
things in the moonlight and shadows.
1t Is nearly an hour by this time since
taps was blown and lights were put out
Nearly everywhere the camp is quiet ant
in all quarters the noises which were 81
noticeable to the former relief have practi
cally ceased. In moment however, there
comes the ringing trill Of an old chanticleer
so silvery, fine spun, and leng drawn ou
that the sentinel can hardly believe 1t really
comes from camp, tho he Is assured of 1t by
faint murmer of laughter and mild ap
plause which comes from the direction o.
the Tecumseh company, as the boys chez
one of this number, who has provided mor'
amusement for the camp than any othe
one person In 1t. by the inimicable way II
which he conjures up all kinds of barr
yard fowls and animals after dark. 1t wa
only an imitation, though it would drive t
suicide from pure Joy any but we'll trained
and experienced rooster with perfect voice
But back and forth he goes slowly, peer
ing cautiously around In every direction
but in silence which becomes oppressiv,
and which finally as he pauses a moment
seems to be broken by a low mumblinl
, murmer which is scarcely perceptible, bu
which Is finally located as coming from tn,
nearest tent, where some sleeper Is singinl
the deep bass tone solo of the sleeper, re
inforced by the still less perceptibe mur
, mer from the whole camp. The sound o