2
THE BATTALION.
:neiit not noticeable to the ordinary
observer.
Next step you vill be ordered to the
store room for a new uniform. Should
you happen to be a dude you may not
find your uniforms to conform to the
latest fashion in regard to being tailor
made. Likely you may get a pair of
pants or blouse too large or too small.
.However you must not worry over such
trifles. After a few month’s service t’ou
will become a full-fledged soldier and
have your clothes made to fit you by the
best of army tailors.
s At meal hours you will be conducted
to a hotel or restaurant and when
through you will be marched back to
the rendezvous where you will undergo
... little exercise in the setting up drill,
saluting, etc. Should you wish to leave
the premises you must receive permission
toleave, and if granted, report on return
«nd on time.
When there is a sufficient number of
recruits to send away to the recruiting
•depots, which are situated on David’s
Island, N. Y., H. or Columbus Barracks,
Ohio, you will be sent under charge
of one of the old soldiers previously
mentioned at the recruiting rendezvous.
Upon arriving at the place of destina
tion he will report to the commanding
officer or adjutant, who will assign each
recruit to a company.
After being assigned to a company of
instruction you are called into the or
derly room and issued a set of accoutre
ments consisting of a rifle, belt, bayonet,
etc., and four sheets, two pillow slijis, one
bed sack (white) to cover your mattress,
all of which are issued free to you and
you sign for them, and are held respon
sible for any loss or damage done them.
Next morning after breakfast you are
marched with the other recruits, which
arrived the previous day, to the hospital
for vaccination.
The daily occupation of a recruit for
the first month consists in the setting up
drill and in the manual of arms about
two hours eachday.
If he is proficient enough at the end
of the month he will be put on guard
duty. Should he be a neat soldier he
will shine up his rifle, belt, etc., in first
rate order and stand chance of getting
off guard, which means the cleanest man
or two men in a body of men formed at
guard mount, one or each of the two
men will be detailed as orderly for the
commanding officer and the next officer
in rank. This relieves the young
soldier of walking post at night, some
thing so desirable that there is a compe
tition going on each day among the re
cruits, each one trying to be the neatest.
It sometimes happens that there are, say-
three men, equally^ as clean in general
appearance, then they have to draw lots
with straws, or guess a number, as may
be directed by T the adjutant.
Should you happen to he the lucky-
one you will establish your reputation
as a neat soldier and be a credit to your
company commander and company. As
a rule it is such men that are selected by
the captain for promotion. 1 have seen
the competition so close that the adjutant
would tell the soldier to open up his
shirt front and examine his breast, and
also have them remove their shoes and
stockings before deciding.
The tour of guard is twenty-four hours
on. Go on at say, nine this morning
and come off at nine next morning. A
sentinel -walks post two hours and has
four hours off, that is, he only w'alks
eight hours out of the twenty-four.
The day you come offguard, as a rule,
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