Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-17
RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY.
Examination of a Man Who Wishes t,
Enlist in the Service of Uncle Sam.

Enlist in the Service of Uncle Sam.
Fifteen recruiting stations are main
tanned, two in New York city, one each in
Albany, Buffalo, Boston, Washington and
several other cities, the farthest western
one being at Denver. In New York ap-
plcants are received for cavalry and in
fantry. There are three great depots
where the newly enlisted men go through
their training. One, at St. Louis. is de-
voted to cavalry; the other two at Column
bus, O.. and Davids island, \. Y, pre-
pare the recruits for artillery and infantry
service. Davids island is the principal
depot"
Most young men have an idea that it
would be perfectly easy for them to be-
come soldiers if they should wish to do so,
but when they look into the requirements
it will not seem so easy. Suppose man
wishes to enlist. In the first place he
must go to the recruiting office, let US say
at Front street, New York, down by the
docks, crowded with steamers and ships.
He mounts a crooked flight of wooden
steps to the second story of a small. old
fashioned building, and, opening the door,
finds himself in the presence of a captain
and a sergeant seated at desks. There he
must submit to a prescribed routine.
Every applicant first fills out a little
blank form, giving his name, age and
other facts regarding himself. Only men
between 1S and 80 can be taken. Then
he walks down corridor, and into room
where he is weighed. If he weighs over
1S0 pounds he is at once rejected. If not,
he steps into an adjoining apartment and
takes bath Then he is escorted, fresh
from his bath and without a stitch Of
clothing on him, up back flight of stairs
to a room where the examining surgeon
and private soldier are on duty. The
surgeon examines him carefully, makes
him kneel to test his leg joints, swing his
arms, expand and contract his chest.
The surgeon also thumps the cand idate's
chest, listens to his breathing and the
beating of his heart; turns up his feet, and
scans the soles and toes for any trace of
warts or corns; looks at his teeth, rigidly
tests his sight, hearing and spine; and
asks him a long list of questions as to
whether he ever had any illness and what
kind of illness, whether he has ever been
hurt on the head, arms or legs; and, if his
parents or brothers and sisters have died,
what was the cause of their death.
The candidate must also state whether
he uses Intoxicating liquors, and if so, to
what extent, and must mention any in
juries or surgical operations he has under
gone; especially burns, cuts and severe
tinized as if he were a horse offered for
sale.
Then he is given Springfield rifle to
handle, cock and uncock; and the joints
of his fingers and the suppleness of his
wrists are inspected. If he goes through
all these tests ne is accepted and enrolled,
and is lodged and boarded at government
expense in the recruiting station for two
| or three days, until he can be sent by boat
| to Davids island, at the head of New York
harbor, on Long Island sound.
If, however, he fails to read the eye
sight cards across the room, or is at all
deaf, or is guilty of corns, or has any one
among the long list of prescribed defects,
| he cannot pass. During three months
| AGA applicants came to one of the New
York stations, but only sixty-nine of them
| were accepted; that is, not much more
| than one-seventh of the whole number
| G. P. Lathrop in Youths Companion.