The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-07-22
ooUNIRY BOYS cAN FIeHr.
They Make the Best ssidIsrs-raIk xvfts
Recruiting omeer.

They Make the Beat ssIdIsrs-Talk wfth
a Recruiting omeeE-
Lieutenant C. p. Terrett returned to
Augusta Saturday night after having
spent couple of days in Savannah.
lie has completed arrangements for cs-
tabl sliing the rendezvous post here, and
will open up for tile examination OF ap-
plicants and reception of recruits to the
army on lis return to Savannah next
week
A notice appeared. which stated that
able bodied unmarried men between the
ages of 81 and 50 years were wanted for
the United States army.
The advertisement calls for able bod
ie,l men, and no other kind is wanted.
UncIe Sam takes only the best class of
men. physically. for his army. and there
are some moral requirements. too Buns
and toughs stand no chance whatever
with United States recruiting officer,
and the average saloon loafer might as
we'll attempt TO crawl through the eye OF
the biblical needle as TO pass the trict ex-
animation required OF all candidates for
admission to the army.
rers IS belief among some people
-ti,at Unc'e Sans army is conlposed 81
the r.ffraff of the earth. aud OF tough
characters generally. Lieutenant Ter
rett Is frequently aecosted with some
such a remark as this by prominent
citizens: with our large floating popu-
lation you ought to geta n ge number
of recruits in Savannah There are
great many sailors here, and large
class of the rough cement"
The lieutenant quietly smil d when
ever this remark Vas made. lie had
l,aar.l n a., f,ffa,, hafnra
NO." lie would reply, sIlIe floating
class of population furnishes very few
recruits. A man has 10 be able to give
some local reference MS 10 his character
to got into the United States army.
| Oar largest class of recruits and the
best class are the country boys from 81
to % years of age. They are stron and
healthy. have few lad habits. and are
readily trained, and they make the best
SO diers-
Now, in time>of war. If were going
to ruise regiment If soldiers. 1 had
rather have a regiment composed OF
toughs and fellows from the cities who
are used to sitting up all night, drinking
whisky, and playing cards. They are
| alreatly toughened, and they can stand
night watches and marches and the ir-
regular army life better than the coun-
try boy who has always kept regular
hours. In about two years, however,
they would go all to pieces and be ut
terly worthless Now, we take these
country boys, who. notwithstanding
their country life, are very tender ut
first, and break them gradually. They
are trained to the work, and in few
months they become tough and hard
and able to stand any amount OF ex-
posure. In about two years they are
thoroughly toughened to the work. and
can stand fatigue like an Indian.
Yes, think / shall get large num-
Der of recruits at Savannah"
Are you going to enlist negroes,
tooP"
-oh. yes; we have negro trOOpu to
recruit too. F"
You can get all you want here.
then.
well. emil very few coIorsd re-
cruits, about one out of every 100 ap-
plicants, 1 suppose When negro
comes in and says he wants TO enlist
,lon't trouble to examine him until
find out whether he can tell where he
vas born, what his age is, whether lie
has any relatives dependent on him for
support, If lie is married, and whether
he can give any references as to his
general good character A man must
be hand free and foot loose to get into
tie United States army. Most of these
negroes have one or more matrimonial
complications. Very few can answer
the questions. and consequently very
few of them are examined.
This section has never been canvassed
for recruits for the army, and doubt
less large number Of applicants will
await Lieutenant TeTrett on lis return.
-TSavannall Gal News