Life at the Fort Thomas Barracks
Courier Journal, Louisville Ky. 31 May 1896, page B1
LIFE AT FORT THOMAS
How Uncle Sam's Troops Pass Away the Time at the Kentucky
Military Post-A Beautiful Spot Opposite Cincinnati
NEWPORT KY. May 28-Fort Thomas, the United States military post in Kentucky, is one of the most interesting spots in the State. The 500 soldiers and army commissioned officers stationed there never see any real service, but they are kept busy enough being drilled and schooled in the art of war so as to be ready for work at a moment's notice.
Fort Thomas is situated four hundred feet above the Ohio River at Newport and consists of 111 acres, exclusive of the rifle range. At the cost of $500,000, Uncle Sam has erected forty-two buildings there and it costs $65,000 a month to maintain them and their occupants. The buildings are brick with stone copings. Four are barracks for the privates and non-commissioned officers. Every commissioned officer has a house to himself.
The first impression which one receives when entering the place is the air of cleanliness and discipline which pervades everything and everybody. The private sauntering down the street suddenly becomes as rigid as the proverbial lamppost and his hand goes to the visor of his cap as he passes an officer. The Colonel Melvin A Cochran, Commanding Sixth U S Infantry, is followed by an orderly wherever he goes about the post. That orderly has the proud consciousness of knowing that he was the cleanest man in his company, and for that reason was appointed the "old man's" orderly for that day, a duty which is regarded as a "snap." About the middle of every month the men receive their pay, which amounts to $13 a month for the privates, $15 for corporals and $18 for sergeants.
Most of the food supplies are shipped from the army depots, but the Quartermaster at Fort Thomas disburses over $59,000 a year besides for this purpose. The officers do not receive their rations from the Government. The privates and non-commissioned officers are supplied with food, clothing, quarters and medical attendance. The commissioner officers pay for everything except quarters and medical attendance.
Early in the morning these Sons of Mars are awakened by the drums and bugles. After that comes roll call. Then they makeup their beds which is an artistic feat in itself and has to be done in a certain way, which to the uninitiated is very puzzling. Then they clean up their quarters after which comes breakfast, then guard mount which is one of the features of the day. The sentinels who have been on duty all night and most of the day before have a day off and the new guard come on. At that tie the Colonel's orderly is selected.
After guard mount the men attend to various duties to which they are assigned, such as police duty, where one armed with a rake and another with a wheel barrow clean up the grounds, but most spend their time cleaning their accoutrements.
Soon the bugle sounds for them to "fall in" and two companies at a time, they are marched to the gymnasium, where in their oldest clothes they go through a series of gymnastic exercises with and without their rifles. After enjoying themselves coaching the recruits through the "school of the soldier" and sitting on the front porch of their barracks commenting upon their officers. If the weather is not too warm they have dress parade in the evening, or battalion drill, after which comes supper and roll call, then taps, during which the non commissioned officers have to see that the lights are out.
When a soldier has done anything to merit punishment all the officer does is to tell him to go tot he guard house and place himself under arrest. He salutes, looks as pleasant as he can and goes at once. The cases are extremely rare where a corporal and squad are required to make an arrest.
The Fort Thomas men have not been called out for any active service. Last summer a company under Capt. Walker and Lieut. Bandholtz took part in the encampment of the State Guard.
The rifle range is situated thirteen miles up the Licking River. during the summer the battalions alternate in spending a month there, which time they devote to target practice and field evolutions. Some remarkable fine shooting is done here, but most of the men do not like new guns. The soldier who has made a good record at target practice wears a miniature target upon the lapel of his coat.