The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31
Correspondence of the -l.y~iapa P.ziDdea'e-.
ONE OF THE CLEVELAND HOME
GUARDS.

The moment the flag was thi -atrnei large bed
il. Of men were called upon rally in its de-
fence. Being a large bodied mar. rallied and
enrolled myself with the Home Guards. The
drill is very severe on me tbs not weather, al
though | am constantly al.oSc an attendant
with fan and pitcher OF ice water. | sn 4
living paradox, for while getting Hdrdee an
growing weak. Talk about the times that tried
mems souls" these are the times that try men :
fat if they have any. The captain takes pleas.
ure in putting me through at a double quick
step. When go off think it will be with
"double quick" consumI ton.
am constantly reminded that one of the first
requirements OF a soldier is 10 throw out his
chest and draw in his stomach. Having been
burned out several times while occupying rooms
in the attic / have had some considerable prac.
tice in throwing out nv chest, but by what sys-
TEN of practice could ever hope to draw in my
stomach? | can't "dress up"--it il 10 use
trying. II my vest buttons are IN Inc I am lr
in ;he rear, and If toe the mark "a fearful bulge
indicates NV POSITION (There is no room for ar
gument in regird to my sentiments--everybodv
can see AT glaEcc ust where / stand One
evening we had new drill Sergeant who was
near-sighted Running his eye down the line
he exclaimed, sharply, " W hat is that man doing
in the ranks with d base drum" He pointed at
ine, bu' iaa'lt any drum, ;t was the surplus
stomach Ihat couldn't draw in.
am the butt cf uuuhelless Jokes as you
NAV well suprose Thcs lave got "A story in
the Guards that " hen first heard the command
=" Order Arms'-I dropped my musket, and
taking out my nose book begun to draw an order
on the Governor for y hat arms l wanted. They
say that ordered the WigaUs steam gun, with
a pair OF DAhlgren howitzer, Cor side arms Base
fabricators. Ny ambition never extended be-
yond ried cannon, and they knew it.
Although in respect TO size | belonel to the
heaviest" my preference is for the Light Infan.
try service. Ny knapsack is marked Light In.
fantry One evening spectators appeared con-
vulsed about something and nay comrades litter
ed by platoOns whenever my back was turned.
IL was all mystery to me until laid off my
knapsack. Some wretch had erased the two
final letters and had been parading all the eve.
ming labeled "LIGHT INFANT" The above is
one of thousand annoyances to which l am
subjected, and nothing but my consuming pat
rOtism could ever induce ne 10 submit; TO it.
rallied at the call OF my country, and am not to
be put out by the rGliying of my comrades.
overheard spectator enquire of the drill
Sergeant one day "do you drill the whole of him
at once?"
NO." he returned, in an awful whisper, " /
drill him By squads !"
| would have drilled him if Lad had bayo.
net.
| Specifications have been published in regard
to my uniform and contractors advertised for.
The making will be let out TO the lowest respon.
sible bidder. In case the Guards are ordered
| TO take the field special Commissary will be de.
tailed to supply my rations. That reminds NE
of narrowing incident. On last dgill night an
old farmer, who dropped in to see US drill, took
me aside and said he wanted to sell me IA yoke
/ o! powerful oxen.
! my ancient agricu!turist," said !, smiling a,
| his simplicity, 81 have 10 use for oxen"
perhaps not at present quoth he, but il
you 60 to war you will want them"
| "For wha'?' said |, considerably annoyed
| /" IIdnt 'em to drGoc your rations ~
| The Guards paid me delicate compliment al
the last meeting. They elected me Child OF
the Regi nent" with the rank OF First Compliant
and the pay OF chief "Blo~yei."i was ABOUT
10 return tnunAs IN a neat and appropriate
speech wien reporter who was present assured
me it was Eo use-he had got the whole thing
in type, speech aud all, and could read it in the
evening paper. He said they kept "neat anC
appropriate speech, standing in type continually
| got his views and held nay peace.
Yours for the Union, including
the Stars, also the Stripes.
FAT CONTRIBUTOR