, 1864-03-03
FLEEcING RECRUITS.
Doings at the Armory-Confnement
Paying for services-A Mod
ell Guard.

Almost infqufto1s system Of vasca1ity appears to
have been fully estRhlished at the Armoty, the new
ree1uits being the ycmq, and their older brothers
In anne the victi1nizers. II all be true TINT has
been reported the doing Of the predecessory insti
Police Court thrown into the shade.
number Of recruits va1ying from dfty to three
hundred, are cooped up for several days In one
room, and the guarding soldiers have considered
them tair game; not certainly shooting at them
through the doors and Windows, as at Richmond,
hut uaing veritable kind Of pecnniary 1asEo which
thrown. around the new-fedged soldiers, bounty
draws 1t out az efectualy a. the new patent Bills
tering p1aster 1alees the skin Of the patient.
The method Of dealing with recruits has been
very simple. On being mustered in they are at
once turned over to Captain Young at the Armo1y.
where temporary quarters are provided In the
room which for 20 long time served the purposes
OF Police Court. They arc taken from this place
under guard TO receive their bounties from the
county, and then marched back 10 the Arnory
to await forward orders 10 the rendezvous. OF
coursc the guarding force Is respouetble for their
safety, and fH1oughs md passes are thing I'M
known The sudden change from freedom to con-
l1cnent In one room tR, Of course, rather trksome
to the majority, who cannot for some time realize
the changc rs being compatible with the dignity Of
dtizene. Bat in few days they become ereeoacaed,
and by the time the order comes to transport, the
honest portion are all right. We're these an that
arc to be dealt With, restraint would
be unnecessary, hut among recruits, as
among MI other large collections OF
men there are to be found many who hare no con-
science. and after htving received the bounty
would eetxe the Arst opportunity to desert There
are also nany who with such eum In their pos
session, feel too glad to be allowed to 60 roHnd
prpmiscuousIy; the ealoon and then the honse OF
Insane would IN few honts swallow mp their
e. r3xa% I'm -.
called IA bad way" the men wish
to 20 ont for the purpose Of sending the
money to their families CT Of settling up their af-
la1rs. Guard ia speciay detailed. who IL held per-
eoua1lv responsible for the return Of the rccrat but
no NESS is issued It has been the Custom OF the
guards when Of duty voluntarily to assunae this re-
eponsibtlity-lcaye being procured from the Cap
taip-and accompany the recruit on T1sit 70 ms
family or places al. amusement This,
properly regulated would be highly commendablc
5eature, hut unfortunately it appears to haEe been
abused, very much abused. Tho guards nor being
In du1y bound to extend this accommodation hare
N many caees-ff not In a--chaged for it, and the
poor recruit has had to pay through the nose tor
rery amu1 favor. 4 great number Of complaints
,,,re rnne to the Office Of the TRlBCAE, many Of
which doubtless contain exaggerated statements.
Int Ill Of them pointing to the one iact fhat mem
bcrs Of the guard have taken Advantage
Of their pent up condition 10 p7oduee
Shameless extottion. Many Of the recrutts are
young men, and aze anxious to spend their money
IN tic procurement Of sach creature comforts us art
denied them Dy the raton regulation. It is affirmed
te1t two dollars Inns been charged by the guard for
fetching twenty-five cents worth OF cigars. 1t may
be enid at these arc not articles of necessity, but
grave charges re1nnin: behind It IL stated, for
instance, On very good authority that one Of the
| crrite-fincc ttanefcrrcd d--wnnted to 60 ont for
tic purpose Of procuring satchel from tue hoaac
1t which he BOARDED previous 10 enlistment, and
was charged 1ve dollars for the privilege. He alao
wanted 10 gct his pay from the Railroad Company,
in whose employ lie had been, the money not being
,uya1lc III the first of the month. For this be was
again chs1gcd five dosia1s. In fact, 1t Is claimed
that for every little service, fec Of from two to
five dollars must be paid to the guard, ana that thus
the 1ot recruits are deeced out OF the bulk Of the1'
I money tc5mc the time Of departure coa1es-
Noise inssanccs crea than those above quotc1 are
u.cni!ored One man il reported to hare had pres
a.r,p occsBIon to riAA relative about half mile
| distant tetcre be had received his bounty. I3s
| moor fei;ow had no money. bat he bad 'slaaass