About 2:00 o’clock one morning while making the rounds as Officer of the
Day, I was halted by a sentry on post. After giving the pass word and
being duly recognized, I asked for his special orders. You may imagine my
surprise as he stood at port arms and said:
“Sir (hic), my special orders are:
This post extends from tank to tank;
Salute all officers according to rank;
Take charge of all the shot and shell,
And all the water in the (hic) well,
And all the wood that’s in the yard,—
In case of fire, alarm the guard.
These are the orders I received
From the gosh darned sentry I relieved.
If this isn’t so, may I drop dead;
I’ve only had two hours in bed,
(Hic) Sir (hic).”
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