Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-16
Crimean Recruiting in New York-Ex-
traordinary Adventures OF a Printer.

Crimean Recruiting in New York-Ex-
traordinary Adventures OF a Printer.
A compositor in one of the largest printing
offices in New York has just returned to that
city, after being kidnapped by recruiters for the
British army in the Crimea, and taken as far as
st. John, N. d. 1t appears he started from home
on the morning Of the 4th Of July, and soon be-
came overpowered with punch and patriotism,
in which state he remained for three days. His
subsequent adventures, commencing on the 7th
of July, he narrates himself as follows:
The first thing | remember was waking up
with very confused idea Of where | was.
found myself laying on some barrels marked
'Genesee Flour, and around me, in the grey
light of the morning, sailors were hurrying to and
fro, and from the sound of creakng ropes, flap
ping sails, and rushing water, ] began to realize
that was on board a vessel. And so it proved.
4 asked sailor, who came toward me, where l
was, aud he replied that was on board the brig
antine Isaiah, Captain Altman, bound for st.
John, N. b.; and, moreover, that had been
shipped with squad Of recruits to enlist in the
British army in the Crimea; whereat | expressed
great astonishment and Indignation, as had no
idea OF embarking on any such expedition. But
no one on the vessel could give me any satisfac-
ton, or tell me who brought me aboard, or by
what means found myself in my present situa-
ton. The party that accompanied me proved to
be composed of eight persons--six Germans, one
Frenchman, and myself-all of whom were ship
ped for the Crimea. One of the Germans had
been inyeigled board under false pretences
lie was from Schenectady, and had come to New
York to find employment. On nquiring at an
intelligence Office, he was promised birth aboard
vessel, where he was told he would have good
pay and light work; and his surprise may be
judged when he found himself bound for the seat
of war.
Those who were regularly enlisted in New York
expected to receive office on their arrival in the
Crimea, and the Frenchman had been promised
$50 and a gold watch--in fact, the recruiting
officers seemed quite profuse in promises.
Our treatment on board was shameful. As to
the food, cannot do justice. 1t consisted Of bis
cults, made venerable, but unpalatable and musty
by age; moasses of an unsaccharine flavor, and
beef OF an exceedingly firm texture, which it
was impossible to digest. To add to our misery,
we were compelled to sleep on barrels, and were
otherwise roughly used.
After stormy passage of ten day we arrived
at St. John, N. B. was in no enviable state of
mind, as | had left wife and family in New
York, who must necessarily feel deeply distressed
at my su lden disappearance. The morning after
our arrival tried to get away in boat; but the
mate had orders from the captain not to let me
leave, and was compelled to stay on board In
the evening determined to swim ashore, and
cred and prevented from doing SO. ] was told
that no doubt Il would be let off when got on
shore, as all the captain cared about was my pas
sage money and the bonus he was to get for the
recruits, and as this seemed probable believed it,
Presently we saw party of soldiers on the
shore, surrounded by the populace and there
was steamer in the harbor, we supposed they
were going on board; but on entering the boat,
they pulled towards our vessel and came on deck
The soldiers were fine looking fellows, and when
our awkward squad was drawn up it excited con-
siderable merriment amongst them. They were
quite facetious, and made little fun of the
Dutchmen. We were taken ashore, protesting
the while against what deemed an outrage We
were marched to the barracks and drawn up be-
fore the Colonel, whose name | dld not learn,
who lnterrogated us one by one. Il told him my
story-how was kidnapped and my unwilling
ness, as an American citizen, to serve in the ar
mics of her Bntanic Majesty. He replied that it
was hard case, but he could not interfere until
he received dispatches from the government Off
GERS in Halifax. Here German doctor, who
had examined me, nterfered and said was an
Italian, upon which told him he lied, U was ex-
cited then,) and informed the Colonel ] was a
Scotsman by birth and American by adoption.
We were then treated to dinner, which was the
only decent meal had eaten since / left New
York. The sentries were given orders not to al
low us outside the barracks; but was determn-
cd TO get away, and fortunately succeeded, ac-
companied by the German from Schenectady,
whom have already mentioned. We then made
our way to another part of the city. Next day
was fortunate enough to secure work in print
ing office, with gentleman who, sixteen years
before, worked in the same newspaper establish
ment belonged to in New York. After working
ten days made enough money to pay my pas
sage to New York, by way of Boston, and ar
rived home August lst, much to the surprise and
Joy of my family and friends, who had supposed
me dead tf sT }G- h4g