New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19
III q b b e r t O n

VIZ gan the work of
= preliminary inspec-
ton and such men
as were ordered to improve their appearance obeyed
with alacrity and cheerfulness In other companies
similar changes of manner noted by captains
who stood afar off to see how their sergeants
would succeed with the possible mutineers.
Soon the buge sounded the ASSEMBLY"
signal to march to the battle-ground Hardly had
the first sergeants in charge of the details shouted
"Right-face! Forward -marchi" when the band
struck up ''St. Patrick Was a Gentleman" In
moment the Adjutant shivering wretchedly on the
paradeground, was warmed by the spectacle of ten
detachments emerging from many company
streets, each detachment of proper size, and ap-
preaching him with a jaunty, marching swing
He turned his head sharply and when he saw the
Colonel near the flagstaff and in an expectant
attitude, he sgnaled 'An right" so vigorously
with his head that his cap fell off.
The line formed in quicker time than it ever
before had been made bv the Twin Counties Rifles
so the Sergeant-Major said in an undertone when
he reported the Adjutant that the guard details
were " All present" Then the officer of the guard
who himself expected trouble before the day should
end marched glOonily along the front the center
and then twelve PAGES forward, and the sergeant
of the guard took post four PAGES behind him, the
three corporals formed line four PAGES in rear of
the Sergeant, and the Adjutant ordered:
Officer and non-commissioned officers, about
face! Inspect your guard-1narChl"
The guard brought to open order and
the most wearisome duty of guard-mounting be-
gan But the guard did not at the
air of weary resignation peculiar to guards under
inspection-for the band began to play Killarney"
1t also caused the only delays and bitches of the
ceremony for some of the men became oblvious
in reverie that they neglected to pass their rifles
promptly to the inspecting officer when he ap-
preached them, and one large and unusually
Irishman from Killarney itself acted as if asleep
with his eyes open until he was reused by a sharp
well sir?''
When the inspection ended the signal being given
by the officer of the guard taking his post, the
officer of the day accompanied by his predecessor
and both resplendent in red sashes across their
breasts-though the guard agreed to man that
green-the new officer of the day took his place a
few PAGES in rear of the Adjutant, who then gave
the command: "Parade-rest!"
Seventy-five right feet moved eight inches back
ward and at right angles with seventy-ve left feet,
seventy-fve rife-barrels inclined leftward and
clasped by one hundred and fifty white gloved
hands directly in front of their owners hearts,
and the Adjutant, looking toward the band ordered
''Troop-beat off!
A rattle of drums, a crash of cymbas, blare of
brass-wind, and the band, moving from the right
and wheeling, marched down to the left and back
again, playing all the while The Bold Soldier Boy"
men stood during this detail of the ceremony; but
when the Adjutant shouted attention." the
movement, slight in itself, nevertheless was as
spirited as the first step of a dash at the enemy.
When they heard the command Shoulder armsl"
the seventy-ve rifles found their places with single
click: Close Order-1narchl" and the ranks
closed; "Present-arms!" another single click