Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/324

 manhood had ridden at the head of my Grand Army Post through the streets of Philadelphia, but I had grown old and heavy and was unused to the exercise. There was no inducement for me to make a display of horsemanship. A man unaccustomed to the situation is more apt to be absurd, and when one of my predecessors fell from his horse at Pottstown the story went forth broadcast that he was drunk. If the purpose be to observe the manner in which the soldiers keep their lines and steps and carry themselves, nothing is more likely to interfere with that purpose than to be required to give attention to a horse made restive by the music and excitement. Moreover, army regulations recognize these facts. Marshal Bazaine reviewed his army from a barouche and the President of the United States reviews his army from a grand stand. My being on foot among the troops had many good results. It showed them that I was interested in what they were doing and willing to make the effort required. At Mount Gretna it was very warm. A young soldier standing stiff in line to be inspected plunged over on his face unconscious. It is not an unusual occurrence and it has a sort of hypnotic influence. Soon others were falling in various directions. The orders had been that when the inspection began the troops were to take the position of a soldier and I felt sure that the continuous rigidity of attitude had much to do with this effect. I then on the spot gave orders that until the particular line under inspection should be reached the troops should remain at “parade rest.” The tension was relieved and there was no more falling. A correspondent of the Press, thinking it would be agreeable to that journal, sent to it a malicious and untruthful account of the occurrence, evidently so intended. I concluded to have him drummed out of camp to the tune of “The Rogue's March” and sent Colonel Walter T. Bradley after him, who soon returned bringing the culprit. Seeing, however, that he was very young and in a sad state of fright, I pointed out to him the impropriety of his communication and dismissed 308