The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-02-24
Strangsst OF aii HILLARY Brlgades.
(F. Stanley Livingstone in The Boys
Worldly

(F. Stanley Livingstone in The Boys
Worldly
One Of the most unique military
organizations in the world is found in
the upper part Of New York City
On the beautiful green campus of
the New York Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb, brigade of boys may
be seen drilling, every member Of
of which is deaf and dumb.
This company perforl 3 the most
difficult evolutions with, t word of
command seemingly from the superior
officer. 1t is q strange sight. We
miss the shouts of command, the bugle
calls, the throaty order of the officers,
the tap and roll of the drum, the burst
of military music.
They arc stalwart little band,
ches, out, heels together, all eyes
ike: m the military instructor. Sud
denly the rifles are shouldered, the
line steps brskly forward, and the
march is maintained to the limit of
the campus, when the corps marks
time, changes front and swings along
in direction ohliguely off from that
of the first route, marches and coun.
termarches, fixes bsyonets, halts,and
fronts again in the direction of the
drillmaster, everything being done
with maohine-like regularity; but who
gives the orders2 Not q sound is
heard; the silence is 80 profound as
to give the spectator feeling of mys-
terious agency in the irilling of this
strange regiment. but close watch
of the drill-master solves the problem.
Every boy is looking with steady gaze
at the drill-master.
A quick motion Of the hand, and
the rifles are shouldered; another ges-
ture, and the company kneels, aims,
fires and rises to the original position;
few rapid nasaes Of the hands, and
the entire battalion forms fours and
marches obliquely forward.
Such splendid discipline and fault
less drilling would attract attention
in company of men endowed with all
their faculties, but when We consider
the fact that every member of this
corps is without speech and hearing,
the performance is most interesting
aud remarkable. The orders arc given
in sign manual, invented by the
principal Of the institution, Mr..
Enoch Henry Currier, uho establish
ed the system Of military training.
When this institution was first es-
tablishcd and uniforms ordered for
the boys, the military tailor reported
to Mr.. Currier the fact every boy had
a narrow chest but broad back, which
showed retarded lung development due
to the lack Of exercise-the natural
result of the boy being deprived Of his
vocal organs.
This showed Mr.. Curricr the lads
must have gymnastics, and the idea
of the military drill occurred to him.
A marked Improvement was soon
noticed in the boys. tho exertion of
shouldering arms, going through the
bayonet exercise, breathing tho fresh
air. proving just the exercise to build
out their sunken chests. There are
no longer auy broad backs and mar
row chests. The school today shows
as healthy lot Of boys as could be
desired. Mr.. Curricr says: "It re-
quired no small amount of trouble to
teach these lads to drill. At first the
novelty gave it charm, but this soon
wore off and the drilling seemed irk-
some, which was largely due to their
poor physical condition. The en-
feebled state Of the lungs rendered
the exertion of drilling very tiring,
but, when they developed the ncces
sary physical strength to stand the
strain, their interest grew in tho work,
aud keen enjoyment seemed to spring
no in their hearts. They received
many compliments from army experts.
and these afflicted boys, who. are
patrio,icto the core, realized that thoy
were becoming more useful, manly