The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-11-07
fflnl1it01oof 5}lI0I.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER. 7th, 1889.
llL.USEO SOLDIERS.
Causes of the Numerous BesCrtions from
the United states Army.
''Are you thinking Of deserting9"

the united states Army.
Are YOU thinking Of deserting?"
This rather impertinent question was
suddenly shot at a soldier of the United
States army who was sitting on the
strin@-picce Of the pier where the Gov
ernor's island boats touch the Battery,
saws the n. y IrijlRc. The man had
been wrapped in 4 revclic for some
time and the scowl on his face had in
dictated that it was an unpleasant one,
SO that the reporter who had thus in
terrupted him was prepared for an
angry answer. The effect OF the
question was electrical The man
started rs if someone had detected him
In a hidden crime-thent the angry blood
rushed up to his face. rs he said with an
oath: What DO YOU mean? I'll let
YOU know you can't insult
''Oh. come of. - replied the reporter
with an exceedingly nervous laugh
My dear sir. | was only in fun | was
reading few days ago of a large num-
Der of YOU fellows that do desert, and
/ was surprised ut IT. for | thought
Your lives in these piping times of peace
must be all beer and sllittleS and |
often have looked over from the hot
city to the cool lawns of Governors
island and envied You YOUR soft snap.
What makes the boys desert anyway?n
What do YOU want to know for?'
said the not Yet paciiied soldier. why
don't YOU list yourself and find out?"
II don't think would fill the bill at
all, " replied the reporter. Il haven't
JOY of her heart for, though a good
got any military ambition. War to
me is full of hor-
War" snapped the soldier with
a scornful sniff: Blood, Can YOU
push 4 lawn-mowcr? Are YOU handy
with rake? Have yuu rot the ability
to wash dishes for the cook without
breaking them? Couldyou hold up Your
end in the band ouany instrument under
heaven2 Does your taste run to weed
ING in the garden? ANY OF these little
accomplishments would 90 much fur
Their 10 win the good graceS Of the re-
cruiting officer than Spouting about
military ambition.
Il tell You sir" he added. warming
up TO his subject, more of the boys
desert because Of the monotonous
round of such petty, domestic, un-
military work than for all other causes
combined. Iou see that gloomy old
rattle-trap of fort over thcrc9 Well
there are bright Young fellows of pluck,
push and ambition who have been
lying there for Years, prisoners be-
cause they were driven to deScrtion by
keen disappointment at what they con-
sidcrcd to Toe the degradation of a
soldier to mere domestic drudge"
But these things have GOT to be done
by someone. haven't they?" queried
the reporter.
Yes. | suppose So said the soldier,
''but there should he some way fixed for
the discontinued ones to purchase their
discharge. The British soldier can do
this. and why should not we? Uncle
Sam should not keep up n mouse-trap
system OF holding against their will
men who have probably been deceived
into enljsting by an over-zealOuS re-
cruiting officer. The term of enlist
ment, too ought to be reduced TO three
years. That's long enough for man
who does not like ii in ali conscience.
and those who do like it are the only
ones worth keeping, anyway :"
A govI deal has been done lately.
though. argued the reporter, 'tomaLe
things easy for yuU.
Yes, | must say that's 80. said the
soldier. There's the ~etired list. with
three-fourthS pay Tor mon that have
served thirty years. Extra duty pay is
a new thing. and some OF the men make
well out Of that. Clothing is better.
food i better, SUNDAY morning in
speetioaS are abolished, the Army Aid
society sends Us books and papers; Vet
for all that the desertiouS last yearwere
nearly 5000 We Americans are rest
less lot. aud the mere thought that we
cant get aHay goads us night and dav.
As | said before, the disconnected man
should be allowed 10 purchase his dis
charge, for QUE man in the company
who Is q desertcr al heart makes a
dozen more men Disconnected"