Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-20
The Draft ReinfOrcements I'm the
Army Of the POtoma c.-Tbc New nc e.
cruIts Put Trough Their PAGES.

We are beginning To receive the advance spe-
cimens of our national defenders, whom the
draft, and lack of the three hundred dollars to
substitute added TO their unidentified patriotism
have induced TO enter the service, and their al
vent among us adds not A little TO our chapter of
comedies. The old soldiers seem to consider the
new corners legitimate prey and the way they
enlighten the c0nscripts upon the matter OF the
appearance, size and domestic habits of the war
elephant is vastly more exciting than agreeable TO
the victims, and considerably more entertaining
TO the old than to the new soldiers. The con
scripts of course. come into their service
very much our new militia regiments used to
go to the feld-provided with immaculate cloth
ing and outfit complete TO which they have add.
eel the pin cushions aud needle cases. and innu-
merable eiceteras which their anxious wives and
sisters and sweethearts had bestowed with loving
hands upon them. They 10, indeed. look nice
in their new toggery. when compared
with the seedy looking veterans all around and
about them and the objects Of undoubted
jealousy on the part of their new found com
rades. But some how they do not long retain
their new clothes. and blankets. and haversacks.
and havelocks. and dear home mementoes; for,
after the first two or three days marching and
drilling. hungry. because they can not crunch
the .'hard tack" and thirsty. because their stom-
achs will not bear the vapid, inspid stagnant.
mud sweetened element called water; they soundly
sleep away not only the dark hours of the night
but long into the morning after their experienced
tent mates have arisen Then they ind. TO their
sorrow. that they minus the beautiful blue
uniforms of which they were the undoubted pos
SCISSORS the night previous. whose places have
been supplied with tattered garments, bearing the
unimpeachable marks of many n tedious march.
AID indubitable proofs that soap - scarce in the
army. Complaint would be useless: but the ex
pletives used by the conscrpts. when they dis
cover the fraud betoken that the remembrances
of their youthful Sabbath school precepts has
passed away with their losses, and they take their
revenge in highly unchristan comments uDon the
morality and honesty of the Army of the Po-
tomac
INSPECTION or coSscRIrTs.
But this exchanging of clothing only one
way the old soldiers have of extricating amuse-
ment from the new corners. After the duties of
the morning are over. an enterprsing observer
might discover a crowd of veterans escortng n
party of recruits To some secluded place near
camp. where inspection" is 20 take place. Now.
il might be supposed that this "inspection" is
that inspection referred To- in the army regula.
tons. but it is sort of rude ritual improvised
for the occasion. The party as they pass out of
camp. are generally under charge of a non com
missioned officer. selected for his humor and abl-
ity 20 create the most profound impression upon
a point in some field near where perhaps are
ensconsed the commissioned officers OF the
regiment. within the thick foliage OF The hazel
and blackberry. the candidates are ordered to
divest themselves of their clothing and to form
into line III the day be one Of those intensely
hot ones. such have afflicted US for few
DAYS past. the denuded patriots are not
kept facing the sun over half an hour NJ a
time. when they allowed TO about face" and
90 through the manual of arms until cooked ND
on each side alike When this culinary process
Is completed. the inspected" are allowed to don
their habiliments. when they are told that such
must be gone through with in order To harden
them 20 the service. Ii n rain comes up during
the day. some high private who does not mind
getting wet parades the green soldiers for squad
drill until the shower Is over. To the no small
annoyance of all concerned OF course. none of
the officers know anything OF the joeular indg
mites practised by their suhordnates. or. Of
course. none of them would allow "sich things
TO be carrid on" but I notice they never as vet
have been able TO ascertain who, if any of their
commands are the guilty party Another thing
| notice. i the fact that after the new corners
learn the "sell. they are tho first 20 avail them
selves Of the opportunity TO inspect the next
batch that arrives. Every man has his turn .
and every dog his day. is the motto with all
alike