Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-31

Bagley and other State officers, we
were admitted into the service o.
the St0te.
On May Goth, 1876, a general or
der was read, informing us of this
happy fact. | assure you, we were
Jolly lot Of boys, and that meet
| ing was not a quiet one. But oul
company was terribly decimated-
the winter campaign had been a
bad one, but recruiting now began
in earnest. The rink was secured
for an armory, and we entered into
the mysteries of Upton's tactics
with enthusiasm. Every effort
was made TO present a creditable
appearance when mastering in day
should come. The boys, after
working hard all day, drilled al
most every night, willingly and
hard. Some were awkward some
learned easily and rapidly, hut toy
persistent work, we finally learned
to distinguish the right hand from
the left. and by stopping to think
awhile after the command "Nlarch"
had been given, were able to step
off with the left foot first instead
of the right.
A name was the next thing in
order. OF course so fine COM
pany of boys were deserving of a
name, and then. you know, no or
ganization can live without a name.
But after searching ancient and
modern history in vain for one on
which we could agree, we called
our good friend, Mr.. Maltz, to help
MS out Of our difficulty and name
the company. He dubbed us the
Alpena Guards, and that night our
dreams were Of the tented field and
the field of carnage. Through the
smoke of battle, we saw our flag,
rent and torn with shot and shell,
but still being borne proudly to
the front. We heard the thunder
Of the cannon, the scream of the
shell. the rattle of musketry, the
tic of the Minnie as it passed close
to us; men were falling all about
us, and when it seemed we had
won the battle and were shouting
"Victory! Victory" we were
awakened by our better half with
the inquiry: "Are you bilious p
and the request that we get up and
build the fire.
We were mustered into the State
service June Bird, 1876, by Adju-
tant- General John Robertson. The
ceremony took place in the rink,
and Sc men, rank and file, took the
oath. "Bold sogers were we" and
Alpena now became full fledged
city. Our next anxiety was for
uniforms and arms, so that we
might take part in Alpena's grand
celebration on July 4th.
1876. Our clothing came in small
OTIS, and when the Fourth came,
we were only able to turn ont about
30 men, but we thought we looked
we'll and marched well, and / guess
we did. Soon after the Fourth,
The balance of our clothing came,
but no let up on drilling, for en-
was coming and the
1nards must I've ready for it. On
he 10Th of August, 1876, orr COM
pany was presented with bcauti-
mi flag by the Ladies Literary
Club of this city.
On the l4th of August, we went
into camp at Gross Isle with the
Third regiment, TO which we had
been assigned. Our company made
an honorable record there for pro-
liciency in drill and good deport-
ment. Although the youngest com
pany in the regiment, we number
ed II men-the largest company
at that encampment. In the tar
get practice, we made 1l5 points.
lacking only four points of WELD
ing the broom. At the close of the
encampment, our company was
by our Colonel in a
general order.
During the summer of 1877, we
expected to be called ont for some
genuine soldering. Strikes and
riots seemed to be the order Of the
day. Near midnight, July %, our
captain received the sharp and
definite despatch: "You will start
for camp tomorrow morning" and
at eight o'clock the next morning,
7S men, rank and file, marched
away to bayonet tramps aud cap
ture blood-thirsty strikers. Jokes
aside, every one expected serious
trouble in our State, and we think
the prompt and hearty response Of
the Guards to this order is deserv-
ing of some praise.
At camp Robertson last year,
our company carried off the broom
from the target contest, making so
points, with n team of five men, at
company practice. Comrade Bur-
ton made 20 out of a possible 80;
others have repeatedly made "a,
%, 26, q and 2S points. AS marks
men our record is second to no
company in the State.
To-day we have a full company of
Sc men. We own property worth
500, and we owe no man anything.
The gross weight of our company
is six tons and 1902 lbs. Our
heavy man weighs 206l lbs; cur
light man, 40 lbs; our average
man, 1871 lbs; our oldest man is AZ
years; youngest, 10; average, ~
Nnnra. nnr fnllnst man L. G fnnA nnI