The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-03-12

battle every day with charges and
counter charges. The force was di-
vlded equally into the Browns and
Blues, marching out Immediately af-
ter stables and returning about two
or three in the afternoon. These
drills were very interesting and we'll
liked by all the boys except whe we
were called upon to entrench and
fortify particular position. Dig
ging trenches is no summer dream,
as pick and shovel does not appeal
strongly to cavalryman; in fact he
would rather charge a battery any
day than use his entrenching tools.
During the late summer and fall,
numerous prairie fires provided ex-
citing times and diversions for the
troops.
Army Fire Drill
Say. AL. Ft. Riley had fire drill'
worn to frazzle that fall. and this
is how we did the trick. The stable
sergeant saved all the grain sacks
and when the bugle sounded Fire
he issued a wet sack to each man,
we would mount and at the gallop
seek the fire line, then in ex ended
order, horses to the rear, each man
falls to and beats the blaze out.
The winter passed slowly as there
is room for but one troop to drill at
a time in the riding hall. but with
the opening days of spring drills on
the prairie began once more. Our
squadron was remounted and each
troop given new horses, all of the
same color. This system is now
used in all cavalry regiments and
adds much to their splendid appear
ance. One troop had blacks. anoth-
er grays, and another bays, then
there were sorrels and roans. You
can bet the boys we're glad to get rid
of their old nags some of which had
been In the service for 20 to 25 years.
Each man was required to train his
own mount, and it was not long be-
fore they knew the bugle calls as
we'll as the men. When the bugle
sounded the charge it was impossi-
ble to hold in the fastest of them
and on several occasions, some of
the boys had to stick to leather for
several miles before they could Sc
cure control.
Breaking the Horsea
The greatest fun came when G.
troop was detailed to break in the
band horses. Now, it's nice to hear
mounted band, especially when
headquarters require them to give
concerts for the benefit of prominent
visitors, but when it comes to break
ing in their horses for them, why
that's bugle call in a wrong key.
Well, several of the old timers in
G troop were expert horse trainers,
and in addition to training the
band horses to their work, taught
them sundry tricks. McAlllster was
training the Band-masters' horse, a
beautiful gray, one of the boys in
duired, how are you getting along
with your horse Mac? Fine said
Mac, I've got him trained so he will
shy at hurdle or a ditch quicker
than any other horse in the outfit.
and if he don't kill that d-n, Jew
the band leader, the first time he
gets on him, 1t will not be my fault
So when the band was ordered to
ride at Guard Mount, most every
body off duty came out to see the
fun Say take it from me. four ring
circus was not in it when the band
started in to play. You know
band man must guide his horse with
his feet. strap running from the bit
to each foot; and after the horses
were through their prancing and
bucking, there were band men and
horns of all kinds scattered all over
the parade ground. The adjutant
was wild as the colonel and a lot of
headquarter officers were laughing,
besides most of the men in the ranks.
The colonel thought the trouble was
caused by the band men being un-
able to ride, so he ordered them to
take special course of instruction
in the drill hall.
Ever bunk near the band quar-
quarters! Well, our outfit was quar-
tered in the same building with the
band, very thin partition separat-
ing the rooms. One of the sacred
privileges of an old soldier is his
afternoon nap, especially if he has
just come off guard or extra duty,
and it will spoil any soldiers dispo-
tion to be kept awake listening to the
continual practicing and footing of
horns, and it became so unbearable
that the first sergeant was prevailed