The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-20
THE AMERICAN IRREGULAR,
Interesting Observations Upon On
Soldiers hy n Fnreigner

Soldiers by Foreigner.
Letter from London Times Correspondent.
on Board Transport Gussie.
On the trip of this ship to Cuba no officer
or man has ever worn a tunic excepting at
guard mounting inspection. The fifty men
who went ashore near Cabanas on May IL
their coats behind and fought in their blue
flannel shirts. OF the officers some wore
a sword, some did not, though all carried a
revolver. No orders were issued on the sub
ject-it was left to individual taste. have
experienced hotter days at German maneu-
.vers than on the coast of Cuba during the
days we happened to be there. yet I nave
never noticed any disposition in the army of
William il to relax the severity of service
cerely believe that the black stock and the
hot tunc are what has made Prussia
In the way of clothing, the American pri-
vate carries a complete change of UNDER
drawers, undershirt, socks, laced boots and
was CARRYING a double allowance of socks.
handkerchiefs and underwear. He had
toothbrush and comb. That is the heavy
marching order knapSack. For light march,
ing, which is the usual manner, the man
begins by spreading on the ground his half
tent which is about the size lie; Of travelling I1s
1t up tightly into a long narrow sausage,
having first distributed along its length a
pair of socks, a change of underwear and
two sticks of his one tent pole. Then he
brings the ends Of this canvas roll to-
gether, not closely, as in the German army.
by a rope which at the same time stops
the ends of the roll tightly. When this
horseshoe is slung over the mans shoulder
it does not press uncomfortably upon his
chest. The total weight is distributed In
the most convenient manner for marching.
The packing of the mans things is strictly
according to regulation, excepting only the
single pocket in his knapsack, where he
may carry what he chooses, as he chooses.
His light canvas haversack is much like
the English one, and his round, rather fiat
water flask is covered with canvas 1t Is
made of tin, and the one l inspected was
rusty inside 1t would be better If of alum
minimum In the haversack is a pannikin
with hinged handle that may be used as
a saucepan. Over this fits a tin plate, and
handle of the pannikin hts over both by
way of handle 1t is an excellent arrange
ment, but should be of aluminium instead
of metal liable to rust. The most valu-
able part of this haversack is big tin cup
that can be used for great variety CT pur-
poses, including cooking coffee 1t is hung
loose at the strap of the haverSack. OF
course, each man has knife, fork and spoon.
each in a leather case.
The cartridge belt contains one hundred
rounds, which are distributed all the way
around the waist there being double row
of them. The belt is remarkably light, be-
ing woven all in one operation. 1t is OF
cotton and another material which prevents
shrinking or loosening. The belts have s.ood
admirably the test put upon them ( the
last six days, when it has rained every day,
on top OF the ordinary heavy moisture usual
at sea in the tropics. The test is the more
interesting from their having been previous
ly in very dry country. Officers and men
alike unite in praise of this cartridge belt.
The particular private whom I was inspect
ing said he now carried one hundred as
easily as he formerly carried fifty. This
belt rests loosely on the hips without any
straps over the shoulders. 1t is eminently
busness-like in appearance. The hat is the
gray felt of South Africa. Australia. and
fort and cost are consulted. No boots are
BACKED on expeditions of this kind. The
men who form in line for guard duty have
their TUNES well brushed. but that may be
due to eXtraneous assistance.
For fighting purposes, then, the United
states private has nothing to keep clean ex-
cepting his rifle and bayonet. He carries no
contrtvances for polishing buttons, boots,
or the dozens of bits of accoutrement
rope. In Spain, for instance. the private.
though he may have nothing in his haver-
sack: will, nevertheless carry clumsy OUT
posing
Now, as to discipline in the American
army, cannot speak at present for the
war is yet too young Ii may. however lie
worth noting that in this particular regf-
ment, while most complete liberty was al
rail journey from San Francisco to Tampa,
not single case Of drunkenness or any
other breach of discipline was reported
Among the los men on this boat there has
not in the past seven days been single
case of sickness of any kind or any occasion
Tor Furnishing. The firing discipline during
the three times We have been under fire has
been excellent; the obedience of soldiers to
their officers has been as prompt and intelli-
gent as anything / have seen in Europe: and
as TO GOODNESS under fire and accuracy of
aim, what have seen is most satisfactory.
The men evidently regard their officers as
soldiers of equal courage and superior tech
meal knowledge To the Yankee private
West Pointer means what 10 the soldier
of Prussia is conveyed by noble rank. In
my intimate intercourse with officers and
men aboard this ship / cannot recall an in
stance of officer addressing a private
otherwise than is usual when a gentleman
Issues an order have never heard an off,
Ger or noncommissioned officer curse man.
During the engagement of Cabanas. the or
ders were issued as quietly as at any other
time, and the men went about their work
as steadily as bluejackets on a man-of-war.