|
From the Archives - The Army & Navy Chronicle
One of the earliest American professional military periodicals, The Army & Navy Chronicle was published in Washington by Benjamin Homans, formerly chief clerk in the Navy Department. A bi-weekly newspaper/magazine, The Chronicle contained official documents and reports, news with a military or naval slant, notices of promotions, marriage, birht, and death notices, personal accounts of actions, historical pieces, humorous items, and so forth. First issued in January of 1835, the publication folded in May of 1842.
Forthwith, some samples of the more amusing bits to appear in The Chronicle, lightly edited to suit modern stylistic preferences.
A company of militia assembled for the purpose of electing officers. When they had chosen all of their officers, from the Commander-in-Chief down to the fourth corporal, only one private soldier remained, who addressed the officers elected.
“Gentlemen officers, I am willing to be drilled, wheeled, marched and counter-marched. I will form a company or a platoon. But I shall object to being divided into sections”
Such a soldier deserved promotion, and we hope that he was not forgotten at the next election.
The Adjutant of a volunteer corps, doubtful that he had distributed muskets to all the men, cried out “all of you that are without arms will please hold up your hands.”
Incident at a Ball in Charleston
An Irish officer of distinction attended a ball, but was not as profient in dancing as in the use of his sword. While standing up in a cotillon, his partner called his attention to a young man opposite, who had previously exhibited much skill as a dancer, in the act of mimicking movements of the officer, who was of gigantic propirtion.
A little observation convinced the officer that it was the intention of the young man to ridicule him. Therefore, stepping up towards him, he inquired, “is that your natural way of dancing?”
The young man answered that it was.
“Well,” says the officer, “if so, by J___s if I catch you dancing artificially hereafter, I’ll knock you down.”
In consequence, the young fellow had to persist in his mimickry while he remained in the room.
|
