The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-16

Members OF the Maryland National
Guard have about completed their
preparations for the annual encamp-
ment near this city. The advance
guard will arrive tomorrow, but the
main body will come IN on Sunday
The encampment will last one week
Very difficult, indeed, Is the militia
encampmento oftoday from that Of years
gone by. Then q mountain or seaside
resort was selected, all extra clothing
and equipment forwarded days ahead.
the tents erected, and then the various
commands, decked In the gorgeous re-
gala of full dress, marched proudly
away. timing their Steps to the music
Of applause and admiration OF left-at-
home friends, 20 enjoy summer va
cation A few drills. showy dress
parade and an awe-inspiring guard
mount. together with the entertaln-
ment OF friends and visitors. made ~
the routine Of military duty
Now how changed The sight se-
| lected r. one chosen for sanitary rena-
ons, coupled with topography that
will admit OF extended mansuvers
/ practice marches, hikes. and the soly-
ing of problems Of defense, attack
| outpost and picket duties.
4 After a short drRl the old militia.
man returned to his tent 10 don his
white ducks for dress parade: now
after a 10 or ~ mile hike. he and his
buddy" pitch their little shelter or
dog" tent, spread their poncho OF
blanket on Mother Earth aud turn
in for such sleep as they can catch
before the bugle notes summon then
TO duty. Then Il was the snowy whits
b. AMI iatInt feather trimming and
other pride, pomp and circumstance
OF glorious war; now II is equipment
for instant and varied services and
for utility and not show
A dull olive drab or khaki uni
form. campaign hat, blue flannel RhirI
and russet shoes make up his extern
ais Around hiH waist is a cartridge bel
made up Of series OF canvas pockets
TO contain the clips OF FIVE cartridges
row used in the magazine rife. Az
taohed TO the belt Is a suspender-lik.
/ arrangement. which does not add ts
the attractive appearance OF the sol
der, but is OF great value to him. foi
II carries most OF the weight OF thiI
belt and its multitude OF appendages
thus relieving the waist OF the entire
strain.
The first belt attachment Is the bay
onet scabbard OF russet leather, Il
which the knife bayonet. WEIGHING
something over a pound, Is carried
AS II to balance war with humanity
in the rear OF the belt is another
pouch containing first aid 10 III,
| injured" packet. A oanteen is swun(
on one side, while on the other a tiT
pannikin or saucepan. tin up,knlfe
| fork and spoon. Toilet articles ant
rations are also carried In this mill
tary Noah's Ark
This would seem enough for on,
man to carry. but. like the turtle, the
Twentieth Century soldier carries hii
house upon his back, and many OF III
| furnishings also. These are con
tanned in the blanket roll which hs
wears around his body, resting upoT
the left shoulder aud fastened upoT
his right thigh. In IL are one-half o
a shelter tent weighing three pounds
two sections Of a tent pole, supply
OF tent pegs, an army blanket, rub
her poncho, chambray shirt ant
changes OF underciothing. A nine
pound rife completes the equipment
with the exception vr the intrenchinf
tools, for the infantry soldier of to
day must be enough OF an engineer L
be able to protect himself with in
trenchments If necessary.
4 The first sergeant OF the COMPANY
is the fortunate man In this respect
as his share OF the equipment con
sists OF a two-foot rule and three wir,
cutters. The remaining sergeants ar,
furnished with axes, while TO eacI
4 squad Of men two shovels and two
picks are served out. 1t goes almos
without saying that these articles
are likewise supended from the belt
whose duties seem to be "multitudl
nous, multifarious and neYerceasing.
But don't for a moment imagine
that these articles are OF the regula
ton size and wonder how a five-foo
shovel can be hung from mans belt
II Uncle Sam provides better than that
for the shovel handle is about /,
inches long and would delight kid a
Foichester or Bay Shore. The pick
J have handles of the same, length witt
\ detachable heads.
One of the duties OF a soldier is Il
keep track of this big array OF equip
4 ment, and upon the return to tn
armory, every article, from the expen
siye rife to the insignificant knife o
tent peg, must be returned to tn