The Washington herald., 1910-07-03

OF soldier anyhow II he isn't where
there's ighting?"
Yes, this is the usual remark. But
what is the real essence Of this matter?
Does not the civilian know he has no
right whatever within the gate OF a milf
taTy post? He has parted with his right
for a consIderatioH-that, namely, OF be-
ing protected in the enjoyment OF hfs
property by the military In one instance
Il appeared that the property in question
was a number OF golf shoes and the SEN
tinels business to see that no member Of
the club slipped away with two pairs OF
shoes. one pair on his feet and the other
IN his pocket, leaving a rival TO go over
the course In his stocking feet.'
All are not however ignorant OF the
uses and advantages of a sentinel. Even.
yerdant youth Of but eight summers
sometimes knows better than the man
OF larger experience. We ian officer and
a youth. are passing a sentiners post
down comes the musket with a rafting
present; the salute is returned. Uncle"
the little fellow inquiries. doesn't that
make you feel very proud?''
True story of Sentinel.
Numerous stories are told Of poor NOR
tails dressed up in soldiers clothes and
vested for the time being with author
ity 70 command kings and potentates
should they trespass upon the sentineTs
prerogatlves, and here is a true story.
4 son Of Erin, representing as he did.
for this occasion, one Of the aforesaid
class. was serving as a member OF the
guard at an army post and for the first
time. To all challenges the answer came
promptly: Friend" or Friends with the
countersign." All went smoothly and &C
cording 20 formula until a young couple
happened along, quite unused TO being
addressed in this summary way. No an
swer 20 the challenge. Again. who goes
there" Still no answer. Answer. an
swer" yelled the sentinel-"Say some
thing! Say friend or say foe. but for
Gods sake say something
But how far away from West Point
are we wandering and nothing as yet
said relative 10 the details of the guard
system at that post
In the first place. there is issued each
day a small triangular form OF note.
the ''cOuntersign" and parole for the
night; usually the name OF some battle
as c0untersign oonjOined with that OF
some hero Of the day. as parole. The
story as We have il comes down in reg
ular sequence Of years andNshows how
the ladies sometimes POSSESS themselves
OF family secrets Lieut.. Washington,
a. tactical officer serving at the Acad-
envy, fair, fat, and forty-five,'' met
party OF young ladies ION the old north
stoop." who requested the lieutenant to
inform them concerning the counter
sign" and parole" A messenger was
dispatched 20 camp grounds with a note
80. h -
intercepted and the note did not reach
its destination; however, the usual form
OF reply was prepared and dispatched
TO Lieut. Washington and passed. IN
read by him, TO the young ladies who in
silence but smilingly read-Countersign
'Fatted;" parole. calf"
Giving the Countersign.
Following the posting OF regular SEN
tinels, orders and instructions of a pur-
poseIy complicated character were given.
How to receive 'grand rounds; how to
receive a body of calvary if friends, and
how to receive them If enemies; which
later method consisted in fleeing from
oIe's post, firing ones piece and calling
out in retreat: Turn out the guard! turn
out the guard! Body OF the enemy's
cavalry" If one were a plebe and a
steamboat arrived on his post. In like
manner and m all seriousness the officers
Of the guard gave Instructions as TO how
II should be received. If at night, the
pilot would be required ito dismount
from the pilot-house and advance with
the countersign." If at some other hour,
different method OF receiving the craft
was prescribed.
oil bic
bat as the great Gen. Winfield Scott said
before election (and il killed him politi-
cally): Everything is done with a view
to soup" GA hasty plate of soup is the
way the Democrats had IT.; and these
stories are told for a specific purpose,
that OF demonstrating that there is more
business for the sentinel, more especially
for the plebe sentinel. than the casual
observer might suppose, ard none of
plebe class can say. with any degree of
truth after a summer camp spent in the
manner described. that he has not seen
active service.
If those Of a very practical turn of mind
should ask, how can steamboat traverse
a sentry post? the query can be answered
in few words. II is only a Theoretical.
steamboat, theoreticsf body of the en-
emy's cavalry. represented at one time.
by new-fledged ''yearllng" Just out OF
plebedom and at another by a dignifed
cadet officer who desires TO see If the
sentinel can keep his wits about him and
remember his orders. Remember his or
deFs! No sentinel III time of war, on the
very picket line itself has such a stack
Of orders to remember and none are ever
advanced upon by such scarecrows and
h0bgobiIns as are the (excuse usD. as
were the plebe sentinels Of our day. If
gentlemen who take up arms for brief
period, in the service Of their country,
We're put through course of West Point
guard duty for a single night. or. better
still, for a single week, when the grand
rounds approaches, the order of things
The capteen Is abolished, but golf stn holds
sway ia the army.