The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-05-02
Practice Marches.

these days Tor more reasons than Que.
The boys at Fort Sheridan heard
some time ago that the Secretary Of
War would order long road marches to
be made by the various organizations
Of the field artillery. According TO
the seasoned soldier, such merches
and msnoeuvres not only give the men
courage to undergo all sorts of weather
and emergencies, but develop sinew
and health.
Just now the daily topic of CONVEX
sation in the barracks At Fort Sheri-
dan is, "What are the chances for Sec
ing service in China and the Far
East?' Prior 20 the bobbing up Of
the possibility the boys we're deeply
interested in the proposed marca to
Washington. Officers, too, discussed
the march with the men, but some Of
them spied war cloud lowering over
the Orient, 80 they began to study
the new type of heavy field guns.
There are many intricate and delicate
adjustments to the sight arrangements
on the new guns, and daily drills and
hours Of study on them are required
of the men.
The soldiers look forward to an op.
portunity for making long marches.
What the daily life Of the soldier 10 in
one Of shcse marches is described by
Capt. L. G. Berry, stationed at Fort
Sheridan:
"A days march usually consists Of
from fifteen to thirty miles travel,
and this distance is, as a rule, covered
in from eight to nine hours, depend
ing, Of course, upon the condition Of
the road and the weather. During the
greater portion OF that time the men
are in the saddle. Borses are given
rest Of from ten to fifteen minutes each
hour, and during the rest men dis.
mount and remove the collars, In or
der to give the horses time to cool, as
they usually get sweaty and chafed
erom the constant rubbing Of the iron
collars and other parts of the harness.
latter while the men on these
marches perform their various duties
with q glad heart and a willingness
which betoken genuine joy. They do
not dub the work hard, but, on the
other hand, realizing the vast benefits
derived, thank themselves and their
country for such opportunities.
''The first thing in che morning.
when out on a road march, is, Of
course, re7eille and this is generally
held at about daylight. The sound Of
the trumpet notifies the men when to
assemble. All who know anything
Of soldiery knows what is done at
reveille and just for what it is held.
Every one must answer to this call,
and at that time q soldiers days
work begins.
"4mmediately after reveille the
horses Gre fed and then meas call for
the mun 10 sounded. Thia always is
happy time for tho men, and to see
them working ss eagerly 90 . lot Of
beavers 10 good sigp OF their ft'elins
Of contentment. The mess On msrohes
is not to be complained Of and usually
consisto Of suoh foodstuffs as can be
easiest kept aud carried long distances.
After mess comes stable call.
Horses are groomee and catered.
Through all Of this work the utmost
caution Is exercised, and both horses
md men are given particular care.
Everything is done hurriedly but we'll.
Nothing is left half done.
"Many mornings the men work in
front Of good sized audiences, the peo:
pie Of the communities in which We
camp being impeIied by curiosity to
see what soldiers do and how they
live. This is fun for the men. Pso-
ple-meu, women and ohildren-visit
the camp, sad I never have seen SOL
diess cot uugentlemanly, in their pres.
ence. American soldiers srs ali gen.
tlemen. They give their visitors on
these occasions good ran fer, their
money 90 to speak, and no one ID
ever dissatisfied with the show. (aeta.
phorically) because the actors are
clever aud the scenery in a genuine
aud beautiful work Of art snd is az
pretty az nature can produce. :'.-s. .:...:. :
"Theu comes the interesting part OF
the road march. After the horses are
groomed aud all equipments are il
readiness, suoh as packing the doa
tents, cooking utensils and oshei
camping paraphernaiia, which requires
thirsy-6ve or forty minutes, the organ
isasion ia formed aud the march be
ann. Bnt, inst hefora leavino Damn