Daily Republican., 1885-08-10
4 CONsCRIPT's MEMORANDA.
Tho Diary cfa Drafted Man In ths
War of the Lase Rebellion.


The author of the follow ing diary 10
a we'll known citizen of Wilmington,
whose name will be withheld for
prudential reasons, though he has no
objection to 1t being known, and la
not Ashamed Of the part he took TO put
down q wicked rebellion. The diary
IL somewhat lengthy, but very interest
Ing. Only half Of It will be given In
this issue OF the REPUBLICAN,, the
balance will be given to morrow I
was enrolled on the 9th of August,
1862, and drafted on the 7th OF March,
1865, for the Seventh district of the
State OF Pennsylvania, County of Della
ware, township of Neither Providep
In the service of the United States for
the period Of one year. Reported ut
the place of Rendezvous, Provost Mar.
shaPs Office at WestCbester on the 10th
Of March, 4. l.. Christman, Captain Of
Provost Marshal, John G. Price, of
Media, Commissioner, Doctor X. H.
Smith, examining surgeon.
After examination l was sent down
below to the barracks, where there
were twelve substitutes, white men,
and four or Ave drafted men. The
time passed heavily and slowly. At
night we were taken up stairs and
dressed up In soldiers clothes. Passed
q weariaome night on boxes and on the
floor. 1t rained considerably through
the night. The 18th dawned o fine
morning. We were sent or taken to
the cars by the guards, with the excep-
tion of four or five black men, who
were sworn in as substitutes and were
left behind. Reverie-as we rode
along in the cars and passed over our
native hills and wales with depressed
feelings and heaviress of heart at the
thought that 1t might be the last time
we shou Id ever view those endearing
and cherished native scenes. We ar
lrived at the West Philadelphia depot;
got into horse passenger car and rode
to 10Th and Market streets. Marched
from there to Camp Cadwallader.
While the preliminary business was
going on took out my pocket bible,
and my eye caught the Hath Psalm,
which reads: " Blessed be the Lord
my strength. which teacheih my hands
TO war and my fingers to fight" eto. 1t
had Q tendency to mitigate aversions to
the feeling of horror that had been in
stilled into my mind against the terri
BILE calamity of war, formed from pre-.
cepts Of Scripture, such as: Thou shalt
not kill; and, They shall beat their
swords iAto ploughshares and their
spears into pruning hooks; and, Ma
tion shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war
any more; aud, on earth, peace and
good will toward men.
After receiving the balance Of our
equipment we were marched to bar
racks No. 2, amid the deafening greet
l., 80 D., lal. ! R.h \ 4,
fish ! We were kept in close confine-
to me. The first day and night passed
tediously aud slowly. On the 18th of
March tome Of my friends came to see
me.
Sunday, 10Th of March. Camp Cad.
wallader-This is the first Sunday I
ever spent as soldier, and 1t is very
different from the Sundays formerly
spent in the country. The most of the
soldiers In the barracks am used them
selves by card playing, obscene jest and
profane speech, etc.
Monday, 20.h-Unwell. TIE rations
this morning-hard tack, coffee and
Ibeanssdid not 60 down with very good
relish. We were ordered to take our
haversacks In our hands and get one
days rations.
Tuesday. .2lst-A fine morning. Was
let out with . guard to the hydrant to
wash myself. The water and pure air
felt very refreshing.
Wednesday, March Obtained
through the night, but fine, plea ssnt
morning. There is iran lying In 4
bunk opposite noe, suffering in fit OF
mania-potu... His cry ia terrible it Is
give me whisky, o, whisky, O,whisky,
boys, whisky, etc. l looked out and
saw a soldier punished by riding a
wooden horse, the guards standing by
ready TO prod him with their bayonets
il he offered to resist.
Thursday, 81 was awakened from
my sleep by a row. A crazy German
was butting hts head against red ho,
stove. He ran against 1t two or three
times with his head like billy-goat
He was mt last tied and put in the
guard house. As our barracks became
full and overfiowing with men, squad
of ITS were taken out and sent of to-
day.
Friday, 24-A fine, clear morning, tel,
rather unwell this morning.
Saturday, 25-A fine morning no,
very well.
| Sunday, 26-Dull morning. Scrub
bing out the barracks. In the afternoon
there was meeting for religious wor
ship in the barracks By the Christian
lCommission.
Monday, 27-Clear morning. In the
afternoon Mr.. George Randolph came
in to see us and gave us some oranges
and apples. We were all vaccinated
this afternoon.
Tuesday, 2S-Cloudy morning. Was
lot out with a guard to the sink. Was
visited to-day by some friends. Drew
rations and we left the barracks at camp
Cadwallader about four O'Clock, and
marched down to Broad and Prime
Got on the cars and left there about six
O'Clock.
Wed dnesday, s9-Arrived at Balti
more about one or two o'clock, and We
had to stop out of doors until morning
in very filthy, loatheome yard
crowded with soldiers. We ate break
fast Snd dinner here. Left about two
O'Clock and marched to O steam boat
which ran all night.
Thursday, 30-On board of steamer
lstopped at Fortress Monroe in the
morning. Landed part of our men, but
took on more soldiers from steamer
that was lying opposite to the Rip Raps
We steamed off in the evening, and
cast anchor in the James river about
twelve o'clock.
Friday, 31-Arrived st City Point
1t rained from morning until noon,
whom 1t broke away. We answered tG
Iour names and went to the Bull pen bar
racks, which were crowded with Rebs.,
who were still coming In thick and fas.
Welay out all nigh. on the ground and In
the mud, for they gave the "Johnnies'