Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-29
Adrine ,nn Younr Soldier.

Inc IOllOWlng lelter addressed 10 sOiuleE
recently enlisted, was written by veteran in
the service, and contains many valuable
hints:
MY YouEs Friend: Your letter came to
hand last night, and I will answer it directly.
There is no great use in giving young SOL
dier many instructions, as he will receive
enough of them when he gets Uncle Sans
blue coat on his back. Nevertheless, will
give you few items relating to things ex-
perienced myself, and which may be Of some
service to you.
Do not arm yourself with anything more
than Government furnishes you with. A re-
voIver will do you no good and is very
troublesome to carry, and you are very apt to
lose it. In the way of clothing don't take
anything from home except two pairs good
wooIen socks, two merinO undershir,s (blue),
two pairs drawers, two pairs good shoes.
These articles Government does not furnish
of a very good quality. All the rest of the
equipments you can draw from the Quarter
master cheaper and better than you can get
them up. Do not commit the fault of most
new soldiers in overlooking yourself when
YOU leave home. You must recOIlect that all
the means Of transportation Government al
lows you is yOur back, and leave al knick-
knacks at home and take only what is neces-
sary.
In camp or on marches, avoid all eatables
but your rations. Rather live on crackers
and water than overload the stomach with
Suffers cake, cheese, &c. Aost diseases In
1 the army originate from that very cause.
| Recruits are apt to drink out Of every spring
/ and creek on march, and especially in hot
weather. Try to get along With but little
| water, and when thirsty, chew green leaf OF
| something Of the kind in your mouth. l dc
not advise you to drink any liquors, but
! smaU pbial, with a little good brandy, for the
! erst few weeks may save you q good deal Of
fever and diarrhea. Lie down at tattoo, ano
get up at reveille, regularly without fail
and YOU will see the advantage Of it after I
while.
The first thing good soldier looks to is hi
arms Let eTeTything else go to Jessie, bu
keen your arms and a0oOltTements, and keel
them in good order. Strict obedisRos Of or
ders is the most essential thing to make (
good soldier. It has been, so far, a bad habi
in many volunteer regiments, to think tina
because they were volunteers they could d
pretty much as they pleased. This is foolish
and most injurious to the service. After
recruit has taken the oath he is soldier, ant
has to submit TO bis superiors, whether b.
volunteered or was drafted.
On guard, be wide awake and Watchful o
everything Ground you, as the lives Of thou
sands may depend op the fulfllment Of you
duty. Don't let your mind be flied with
girl, or the " Grand round" viii either fin
You asleep or looking towards the moon.
On long aRd weary marches, don't neve
allow yourself to straggls qFay from you
company, OF command. ItshOws an u1faith
, ful soldier, and accounts for the great mum
: Der Of the missing cur armies have after a
, engagement. When you are tired and giEin
ont. do alWaYs remember that your eomrade
are in the same tx, and it is your duty
! hold out as long as they do.
In an engagement follow the commands c
! your officer precisely; whether right G
wrong, that Is none of your business, an
9 thew alone are responsible for It. Neve
sioT to look after a wounded man even If
is FeuF own brother; there are others VII
: attend TO that. Above all things keep coo
e Donit get heated up and excited. Your ey
must be on your commander and on the enc
nv. What is being done on your right {
e left don't concern you; shoot when you 81
= told to shoot, and stop when you are told I
D stop.
Nv last advice for you would be, never
correspond With newspapers when you are
+ the field. Toa will Be before cOurt-mai
y tial. and in thousand other troubles befOl
Won know It, snd without doing the lea
/. good.
9 There are some movements going foFwal
i IN our department, but they are con rabar
), e vet, and not 10 be talked Of.
Now, my friend, We have been on mar'
Tor the last three days, and am much Wol
2 / out, or would write Yop better letter
y Ny regards to 81 friends aHa keep 70
head above water, A.