The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-30
Sans
Blue Uniforms

inconspicuous of all officers. especially
on fatigue, with their dark blue shoul-
der straps. braided blouse of the same
color. with a simple III. s." in goId
upon Its collar. and stripeless trousers,
trousers which a minister might in all
proprfety wear in his pulpit.
Their are several established prin-
ciples in the art of uniforming soldiers.
one. for instance. Is hat no soldier
save a mounted one. shall wear a plume
In his helmet, and another that all
officers shall carry sabers, as
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES from the straight
sword a line officer of infantry wears
at MS side. The cavalry saber is a
long. graceful weapon and has a guard.
almost a basket, hilt. The saber Of
the artillery is not quite so long as the
cavalry saber. has a fuller curve and
has another hilt. The sabers In both
these arms are large and heavy, with
steel scabbards. which clang and clank
on the ground behind the big trooper
unless he gathers 1t up under his arm
or hooks IL to his belt. 1t is esteemed
very soldierly. however. to permit the
saber to drag on the Ground. and so
the practice is common. The sabers
or the officers are, of curse. lighter
more ornamental tina those of
the men. Mounted officers of infantry
carry cavalry sabers.
General Miles has recently introduced
into the army the saber tache (sword
pocket. a leather bag or portmaneau,
which bangles beside the saber at the
end OF the long straps from the belt
OF h mounted officer. The saber tache
has always been used by huzzars and
other OF the swell heavy regiments of
horse in Europe. They will be conven-
lent to carry maps, dispatch books and
various small articles. besides lending
a dashing touch to the staggering
cavalryman.
General officers and men OF the stan
departments, however. wear the sword
OF the infantry line officer. The straight
sword Is not suited to the mounted Of
ficer. and 1 have always failed to I'M
derstand this apparently arbitrary
and i~ncongruous rule. The sings are
too short and prevent the swords
hanging gracefully at the side. Many
a time have / seen,the ridiculous little
frog sticker of some old brigadier quar-
after thrashing his leg as
he galloped down the line after the
at inspection. leap finally from
Its scabbard and compel an undigni-
fed halt pending It's recovery.
The headgear of the soldier Is natur-
ally his most conspicuous feature. The
worn only with dress uniform,
Is the last development in the evolution
the old steel casque, and Ii now
of a lighter substance, felt or
cork. although the cuirassiers of
European armies still wear metal he'll
They come down Inter der Lin
den dazzling and binding and bewil-
dering the w h Infantry officers,
and l~ieutenants. in our army
helmets OF felt. covered with
black cloth, bearing the great, gold
plated shield and eagle OF the United
on the front and a huge chin
chain that ordinarily is worn hooked
over II. The helmets of the infantry
officers of the line are surmounted by
a spike. giving II a German appearance
and a resemblance somewhat to the
helmet Prince Bismarck used to wear.
the one we see on the head of the old
prince In the pictures made of him dur
ng the Franco-Prussian war.
The m of the mounted officers
ire Of the same block. made of felt and |
with black cloth. and are sur
by splendid plumes OF yak
Irm OF the service. the infantry white. |
yellow and artillery red. I
inow of no sight so inspiring as a regi-
nent Of cavalry In full dress, their yell |
ow plumes rising and falling in the
un as they plungge along after m
'ugle sings "Gallop!" or falling about
heir bronzed faces and sunburned
as they stand on parade.
While the plumes on these helmets Of
mounted officers are made of yak hair.
hose OF the men, which are smaller.
re made of horse hair. But they AXE
EXCELLENT care of them and 1t is no I'M
sight to see the troopers of a
afternoon carefully braiding or
laiting their helmet plumes. as a
~ A4aa h4. as. 1T. -.
hey may be more navy and more
FUZZY" the next time they appear on
arade.
II Is no longer possible from the for
ca of an officer. which Is worn
nth fatigue dress, to determine to
ar moi the service he belongs.
he present cap. which was adopted
years ago. is more comfortable
h old forage cap. which was
after the chasseur pattern.
hough II is not as 'natty' In appear
nee. Its introduction in the army was
riticised by some Of the old grumbIers
sticklers. who insisted that II was
OF military" a word that has a dis
net meaning to the soldier and one
'hich II is dihicult for the civilian to
The officers new regula-
on cap Is said bv Its friends to resem-
lie the cap worn by navy officers. and
y Its enemies those worn by street car
1t Is a round cap with a nat top and
visor that shades the eyes. The rig
r. of its outlines have been somewhat
ftened. The youngsters are learning
wear IL jauntily. and then we are
accustomed TO II. II Is orna-
ented In front by an eagle and cord
gold. and certainly IL is more COM
'rtable and a better shield TO the eyes
ian the old cap. Formerly. a chas-
'ur cap of an infantry officer was or
by W crossed rifles. and
Ie number OF his regiment. that of
Ie cavalry offcer by two crossed
Ibres n the regimental number, and !
at OF the artillery officer by two
ossed cannons and the regimental
imber. but those have now been {
on the coilar of the new regula- E,
IN fatigue blouse. The enlisted men :
tain h old crossed rifles. sabers and 1
with the reeimental number I
ID letter indicating company. troop or 1
Ittery on their caps. 7
There In. In addition TO this. the white $