The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-05-02
A Dau in the National Army
AS TOLD BY THE BUGLER

A man generally is marked: quart
ers,D which means he does not have to
work that day; eight duty" which
means he will be given few light
tasks or "duty" which means he
must drill or do fatigue. There isn't
much use to go on the sick report,
planning on beating duty for a day.
You may walk into the doctors office
with an exceedingly long face, pain
full appearing limp and a days
growth of beard on your face, but you
can't fool the M. d. It's been noticed
time and again where these masquer-
aders have come back marked duty
and they grudingly take their places
in the ranks for the days work.
At seven o'clock they're off. In
every direction columns are marching
to the drill grounds and from then on
till "Recalls at 11:30 a. m, and from
Fatigue and drill call" at 100 p. m.
till 500 p. m. there is no buster bunch
of men than the officers and men IN n
the new National Army. Horses ana
men are every where.
Physical exercise, close and extend
ed order drill, grenade throwing, bay
onet drilling, trench digging, charging
flag signalling, gas mask practice, ane
everything pertaining to modern fight
ing is going on in different quarters,
according to each units schedule, al
day long with machine-like precision.
Rain or inclement weather simply
modifies the schedule; it doesn't stop
it. Nothing stops it except your half
holidays on Wednesdays and Satur-
days and you are fortunate II your
company is not doing guard at these
times or if you have not been glVen
"extra duty for some carlessness dur
ing the week. Occasionally a parade
or some field tactics of modern tight
ing in open warfare breaks the days
schedule of work.
At 500 the bugler calls you back
to your barracks. You police" your
self up for Retreat" which is quite
an awe-inspiring procedure, especially
to a recruit or stranger looking on
At "First Call' you fall out. At 'as-
sembly" comes roll call. Each soldier
comes to parade rest" when Ere
treat" is blown, and Immediately
thereafter presents arms to the Ma
tional Anthem which the band plays,
and the officer in charge does a hand
salute. The playing of the Star
Spangled Banner always halts the
wheels of Che army. Sentinels. stop
on their posts and present" arms
Officers and soldiers stop no matter
how urgent their business, face the
music and salute. All honor and re-
spect are given the National
Anthem" To the colors and our Ma
tional Flag.
It's supper again. You sure have an
appetite and after this is over, you
have chance to get your breath. Still
these periods can easily be utilized at
washing your, clothes, sewing or get
ting your rifle and equipment ready
for Saturday inspection. Any old
soldier knows what this latter spells
If you are "non-com," you will at
tend school after. supper until nearly
900 p. m. You get few minutes to
make your "bed" after this before
the Getty is again shrouded in dark
ness as all lights in squad rooms arr
Tattoo is blown. And at this cal
turned off at this call. "Call to quart
ers" comes at 10:45 p. m. and general,
ly the shows at Liberty Theatres ano
Y. M. C. A. buildings are out at this
time. "Taps" is blown at 11:OO p. m.
but a good percentage never heaf Il
they're deep in slumber and the day
is done.