第26章

YEARLING CAMP.

IN this chapter I shall describe only those phases of cadet life which are experienced by "yearlings"in their "yearling camp."Beginning July 5th， or as soon after as practicable， the third class receive practical instruction in the nomenclature and manual of the field-piece. This drill continues till August 1st， when they begin the "School of the Battery."The class attend dancing daily. Attendance at dancing is optional with that part of the third class called "yearlings，" and compulsory for the "Seps，" who of course do not become yearlings till the following September. The third class also receive instruction in the duties of a military laboratory， and "target practice." These instructions are not always given during camp. They may be given in the autumn or spring.

Another delight of the yearling is to "bone colors."Immediately in front of camp proper is a narrow path extending entirely across the ground， and known as the "color line." On the 1st of August--sometimes before--the "color line" is established， this name being applied also to the purpose of the color line. This ceremony consists in stacking arms just in rear of the color line， and placing the colors on the two stacks nearest the centre of the line.

From the privates of the guard three are chosen to guard the stacks and to require every one who crosses the color line or passes within fifteen paces of the colors to salute them. These three sentinels are known as the "colors，" or "color men，" and are numbered "first，" "second，" and "third."Those are chosen who are neatest and most soldierlike in their appearance. Cadets prepare themselves specially for this， and they toss up their guns to the adjutant at guard-mounting. This signifies that they intend competing for "colors." The adjutant falls them out after the guard has marched to its post， and inspects them. Absolute cleanliness is necessary. Any spot of dirt， dust， or any thing unclean will often defeat one. Yearlings "bone" their guns and accoutrements for "colors，" and sometimes get them every time they toss up.

A "color man" must use only those equipments issued to him. He cannot borrow those of a man who has "boned them up" and expect to get colors. Sometimes-- but rarely--plebes compete and win.

The inducement for this extra labor is simply this：

Instead of being on duty twenty-four hours， color men are relieved from 4 P. M. till 8 A. M. the next day， when they march off. They of course enjoy all other privileges given the "Old Guard.""Sentinels for the Color Line.--The sentinels for the color line will be permitted to go to their tents from the time the stacks are broken till 8 A.M. the following morning， when they will rejoin the guard. They will be excused from marching to meals， but will report to the officer of the guard at the roll-call for each meal， and also at tattoo and reveille."--(From Résumé of Existing Orders， U. S. C. C.)It is the yearling who does most of the hazing. Just emerged from his chrysalis state， having the year before received similar treatment at the hands of other yearlings， he retaliates， so to speak， upon the now plebe， and finds in such retaliation his share of enjoyment.

The practice， however， is losing ground. The cadets are more generous， and， with few exceptions， never interfere with a plebe. This is certainly an advance in the right direction； for although hazing does comprise some good， it is， notwithstanding， a low practice， one which manliness alone should condemn.

None need information and assistance more than plebes， and it is unkind to refuse it ； nay， it is even not humane to refuse it and also to haze the asker. Such conduct， more than any thing else， discourages and disheartens him. It takes from him all desire to do and earn， to study or strive for success. At best it can be defended only as being effective where regulations are not， viz.， in the cases of rough specimens who now not infrequently manage to win their appointments.