Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-04-10
REMINISCENCES,
wRfrfES ron rftE xAETixsBuKo isDEfgxbExT
By A BERKELEY BoY.
The ..FIaffoots'' on Parade.

| those OF the past than In matters
military. In my early life military
| trainings were a decided feature of
public affairs, and the "displaysu
sources of decidedly welcome,
| however questionable, excitement,
as we now look upon such things
They were sources of amusement,
too, to the more sensible people
who kept out of them. But, with
the sad recollections of the more
serious parades of the late fratrici-
dial war, they would hardly be con
sidered amusing, if lucklessly re-
vived, which they never will be,
let us hope.
Let me recall the regulations |
refer to. They required all white
males from the age of eighteen to
that of forty-fve to be enrolled and
do military duty. These were
formed into companies, battalions
and regiments, and there were
musters of these at stated times
and places.
/ particularly recall company
muster of the Fatfoots," as they
were popularity and satirically des-
ignated, although it took place at
the old tavern at Back Creek when
/ was less than seventeen years
old. AS the result in part of an
election for company officers, i was
chosen lieutenant, although under
mastering age, as will be noted
The mode of choice was for the
candidates for retrospective honors
to step out of the ranks, few pac-
es in front of the company, and
their supporters to arrange them
selves behind them. The candidate
having the most hackers literally
hackers you see-was proc aim
ed elected Among others | was
induced to step out-for / had vol
unteered to muster because |
thought it a big thing, then OF
course, / felt it was still bigger
thing, when l heard myself an
nounced as Lieutenant 50 by
the free choice Of my companions
in arms.
Ny election having teen duly
returned to Governor Floyd (the
elder r lloyd father of Jno. B Floyd
of wartime memory my commits
sion came in due time. / only mus
tered once afterwards. That was
at regimental, or general" pa
rade which took place on the out
skirts of Martin3burg. 1t was in
a field nearly opposite to the old
Burkhart mansion. That field Of
glory (for such it was to me, noun
| ted as | was a member of the staff
of Col. Robert " Snodgrass, who
was the chief officer in command.)
has most probably been absorbed
by Strinesville.
Battalion musterS used 10 be held
at my birthplace, and it was while
watching Major Daniel Kennedy
flourishing thereat,m boyish soul
was set all a-glow with military
ambition, for he loomed up as a
"big man" in my estimation. Now
/ feel like laughing at the very
thought of having been associated
with such a rabble as, for the grea-
ter part, compose the rank and
file of the aforesaid "FlatfoOts.'
Speaking of my companions in
arms" reminds me to give brief
description of the arms with which
the militiamen provided themsel-
YES. 1t was convenient enough Tor
the average Back Creeker to cont
ply by simply bringing his rifle or
Shotgun with him. Those who
were not so fortunate IA TO own Il
gun would substitute hoop pole.
or Il cOrn-StOck, or "a Sin~ll leuce-
raii-fOr it was with keen SON G
Of the ludicrOus, not unmiXed with
contempt for aFystem which COM
PEELED lab lring men, hose tdlai-
| lies needed the results OF all their
time, to go through IA so useless
performance ihat SOME OF the tNCu
did aci ualiy "aiu' themselves
with fence aails These they would
manage to poke into the faces If
th ir "comrades in arms" 50 call
ing forth from the de-leucc-Iess
| 0LpS," not 0Vcr-reVercnt impreca-
tinns aud l0uily audible COM
plants to the " Ctp'in" of surh
suidierly conduct
IftEere was need ii, before The
ate war, any evidence thai The
compulsory militia system was Of
no practical utility, there Nas GER
tainly none after it, seeing how
raw recruits, VINO had never even
seen muster o! any kind, proved
themselves ready for the perform
auce OF the soldiers duties iii the
most satisfactory manner. trust,
in this view # the case, this mis-
VrAbh. militia system, once i'm 50
much vogue in the Old Dominion,
viii never be suffered SO disgrace
the young Mountain State with its
farcial corn.StOck and fence rail
parades
l do not know what are the mi