The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-03-20

forward march. After finishing
this we had rest and dinner, which
we all appreciated. After dinner
we had repetition Of the mornings
drills, and then were free until
next morning.
At 6 p. m. | fell out with the rest
OF the recruits to stand "retl eat"
which means that the labor for the
day, except the guard duty, is fin
ished. Retreat is very pretty
and impressive ceremony and con-
sists OF all troops in the garrison
getting in ranks and after roll call
the various companies are brought
to "parade rest" and then the band
strikes mp some patriotic air, such
as the "Star Spdngled Banner"
and the cannon is fred aud sold
Glory" Is hauled down and is not
raised again ill next morning.
The rest was just a repetition OF
the previous night and | went to
bed very tired and a much wiser
recruit. fully realiz ID soldiers
life was not bed of roses.
remained there three months
and the routine grew very monoto-
nous to me. l. was then transferred
from there TO Alcatraz Island, Cal,
to this Company, which was then
doing duty there guarding military
convicts, Of whom | will speak
later on. After arriving there 1
was taken into the quartermaster
sergeant's room and issued spring
bunk. mattress, sheets, pillow, gun,
belt, knapsack, haVersack and can
teen, and was shown into good
quarters where there were good
fires and everything nice and clean.
After getting everything well set
tied, supper call sounded and i
went down to the mess hall and
ate my first meal out OF nice china
dishes since l had been in the
army.
This entire island is only nine
acres in area, and great was my
despair when / found out | was
nearly a. much prisoner as those
we were guarding. The next day
| was taken out by corporal and
drilled in the use OF the gun. In
two weeks | was considered prof.
cient enough to do duty with my
company. In two days | was de-
tailed for guard duty, being placed
on certain post, given orders and
remaining on duty two hours. To
each post there are three reliefs, so
that each man does eight hours ac-
tual duty and rests sixteen. The
greatest of vigilance is necessary
here to prevent prisoners from es-
Gaping.
After remaining on Alcatraz Is
land three months my company
was ordered to this port. We left
July II, 1902, and went to Oakland
Cal. and we're there loaded into q
special train OF sleeping cars for q
trip OF four days, We Travelled
through the states OF California
Oregon and Washington. While
passing through the states Of Wash
ington and Oregon we saw some
Of the grandest scenery in the
world. We stopped in Seattle five
hours and then came by steamer
to this place, which is 40 miles
northwest of Seattle. This pori
stands ON an island called WILDLY
on the Puget Sound and as yet il
, comparatively new port.
AS to pastimes we have very
good base ball team, a good foot
ball team, and we indulge in al
kinds OF track athletics. Aftel
r the days work is ended we gathe
| in the squad room and play game
4 of cards and have all kinds of mu
4 sic. We have guitars, mandolin
7 and violins and the evenings ar
q made lively with all kinds of songs
6 Sentimental music appeals YER
!. strongly to a soldier. We ais
have post school and library
We are blessed with fine Captain
who is our commanding oflicer,an
:, he is without doubt, cne of nj
lures noblemen. In the estlmt
: tion of the boys Of his company, h
= is the best, or | should say one
~ the best officers in the Unite
u States Army today.
g With best wishes OF success
lie dear old Kentucky,
1t MANFoRD G. TuRMAN.
IN 63rd. Co. G. A.