Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-05-10

something of an authority on arm!
ordnance in addition to being one o
the best musicians in the country
proceeded to put them through theil
PAGES. 1t was a number Of weeks be
fore the orders came to embark on
transport for Cuba, and in that period
of time the bandsmen attained a pro
fciency in the handling of a rifle
which, as was later proved, was no
excelled by any one in the Twenty
first.
Colonel McKibben, who was shortly
to be raised to a generalship for nj:
work in the Cuban campaign, wal
the commander Of the Twenty-frst
A strict adherent to the letter of army
regulations, it was not expected thai
he would lend a willing ear to any
such plan as was buzzing in the head
Of Mr.. Clarke. Nevertheless, as the
Saratoga, the transport on which the
regiment was embarked, neared the
shores Of Cuba and the expectation OF
actual battle began to thrill the ship
the head Of the band ventured into
Colonel McKibben's cabin and sounded
him on the proposition Of letting the
musicians accompany the rest Of the
regiment
1.-The band will remain right here
on the ship, Mr.. Clarke" said the col
onel. 1--WE don't want you in the way
when the fighting begins"
The Saratoga landed at Siboney
and in spite of all pleadings the musi-
clans had the humiliation Of being de-
tailed with the ship, while the five
hundred-odd regulars who constituted
the regiment were assigned to the
boats which would take them to the
shore and give them the chance OF
fighting for their country.
Once again they failed to reckon
with the enterprise of Mr.. Clarke
Before the last boat had left the Sara
toga he was engaged in exercising all
his influence with the lieutenant who
had been detailed in charge and final
ly induced him to agree to make a IA
vorable report to any staff officer who
might come asking about the number
of men who were left behind.
In a short time Captain Gilmore
a gruff but kind-hearted officer, who
was on the staff of General Shafter
appeared in a small boat and hailed
the ship.
How many men have you aboard?'
he asked.
The reply was given in routine form
and then the lieutenant added:
There are also 80 members Of the
Twenty-first infantry band, who ask
me to inform you that they are arm
ed and ready for service"
Captain Gilmore didn't hesitate for
an instant, but jotted down a note in
his pad.
who's in charger" he snapped out.
"Mr. Clarke, a civilian" was the re-
ply.
Ordered that the Twenty-first in
fantry band leave its leader and in
struments behind and join the regi-
ment in camp" said Captain Gilmore
1t was a five-mile march to the en-
campment of the Twenty-first, and
when the musicians appeared with
their rifles slung in soldierly fashion
over their shoulders a shout went up
from the regiment which caused Col
onel McKibben to appear on the run.
When he saw the band his face grew
redder and redder, and he spoke In
language which is particularly well
understood in the army.
What the - does this mean?" he
said. Didn't tell you to stay right
on board the Saratoga? Get right
back thereon the run-or I'll have
you courtmartialed for mutiny!"
Forward came leader Clarke, with
his most military bearing.
"Our orders are direct from Gen.
eral Shafter, SIR" he said. 'The
band was ordered to leave instru-
ments behind and join the regiment!
Didn't promise every one of your
mothers that nothing would happen
to you?" asked the colonel in a thun-
dering tone Of voice. Gam I or am
not in charge Of this regiment?'
Then he disappeared in his tent ap-
parently in high dudgeon. Close wit
nesses said that there was a twinkle
in his eye-a rumor confirmed wnen
half an hour later, he sent orders as
signing the musicians around three
and four to a company.
So it happened that, while some OF
the newspapers at home made nc
mention of the band, and others said
that it led the Twenty-first into bat
tie playing 1.-The Star-Spangled Ban
ner," the men in the show band OF
the United States army went up Sar
Juan Hill with their Krags working
as effectively as any company in the
whole Yankee alignment.
When the campaign was over -four
bandsmen had been killed on the
field of battle, thirteen others had
been either seriously wounded or laic
out with fever, and only fifteen were
abled to play their instruments.-NeW
York Herald.