The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-05-04
WAR EXPERIENCES.
FEIGNED DISEASES.

With this number propose to conclude
my treatise on that variety of army tmpedt-
yaenta, specified US Feigned Diseases
feigners commonly called "play offs AS
heretofore described. To be remembered,
they not alone taxed the medical depart
ment. The company 10 which one belongs,
constantly under draft tor details, for pick.
cts, for guards and other special duty, Is
proportionately laid under heavier contri'
button, accordingly as some are excused
for cause, and others continue TO evade
service by playing of" In early eXpe-
rence the plea of sickness awakened the
sympathy of all officers and comrades, and
the extra duty resulting 10 the rest would
be cheerfully assumed by one of them.
But when discovered that in certain ones
prevailed the spirit and practice of shirk.
ing, indignant resentment took the place
OF com passion; and the true men joined
the Surgeon in their efforts to suppress the
imposture. Only fair 10 show both sides Of
the picture. 1t was amusing successful
10 deceive their comrades and :" beat the
old Surgeon" but ere long, when matters
very serious came TO be encountered,
though for season successful, be sure
their sins did find them out" and they du'
ly expiated their oifenses: if not strictly
as prescribed in Regulations, morally,
justice was satisfied.
Our school of summer practice, after
COrinth, WAS fruitful of good works; though
not truthfully could 1t be said the Great
Commander was faithfully prosecuting the
war. We had done well Ia testing the
stamina OF the men tor physical endu,
RANGES, and their mental and moral charac-
ter and value We also became well freed
from many "bounty jumpers and those
who had taken the j3d ia their course of
repeated enlistments, with view not
only to bounties but 10 future pensions, un'
der various, different names, like McAleer.
Though not severe, the duties imposed
we're gradually inuTng and developing
their fitness for it, and they were steadily
preparing to become the Spartans the sur,
yivors showed themselves, when 1t came to
the long, grand, and final March to the
Sea, and in triumph 10 the National Capt.
tai.
And now was coming forward modi
ned variety OF this species of imped5D,enta:
ieigners who had planned to stay with us
and practice their specially on home &C.
count; do duty when agreeable and be ga
little ailing" when not. Not quite abb 10
march In ranks" when conditions were
unpleasant. Wholly and absolutely disa,
bled when the duty looked too severe or
dangerous to suit them. And these had
good supplies Of plausible pretenses always
Ia stock think, in their way, this class
of artists eXcelled the McAleer variety.
very good illustrative specimen of this
strain, was one John Drew, of Co. D,-and
think, II Capt. w. IL Norton, of La Sale
county happens to see this, he will not
have forgotten him. He was of medium
height square, compactly built solid,
silent, slow'mOtioned fellow; of impulsive
temperament; never demonstrativc. Never
certain II he We're pleased or dissatisfied
with whatever. Thus, eifectually" keep
ing his own COUNSEL 1t was difficult 70
daft nd lpyata I'm, 10, Il 4
much was sincere or wilful and contrary.
When Claiming excuse from duty, or what
ever, 1t was with quiet, half mandatory
tone and manner, tending to deceive one
not liable TO suspect him of deception. He
did not haunt the Surgeon pre-
sented at sick call He saved up all his
chances for special excuses from extra
duty, or marching. During a period of
much special detailing he would manage
TO be placed under treatment as Sick in
Quarters" Never could get satisfactory
report from him as to the effects of treat
ment; oftenest II was unfavorable. and
given In tone OF "smal) faith In his doc
tor His lumbago, dreadful pains in
his back" was not removed nor improved
by whatever means tried. Carried Ii at
times to severe tests, partly TO test him. /
DO not remember the Acknowledgements of
the least result, nor other, except that for
some time afterwards would not see him
as often. This Circumstance at length excit-
ed suspicion, and began peremptorily to
deny him excuses, though Captain Norton
continued faith In him, even till after
Vicksburg.
One day, before finally Withdrawing
from that post in SO, being about to pro.