The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-07-22

They Make the Beat soIdiers-TaIk Win
Recruiting omeer.

They Make the Best Soldiera-Talk Witl
a Recruiting oncsr.
Lieutenant C. p. Terrett returned to
Augusta Saturday night after having
spent a couple of days in Savannah
He has completed arrangements for es-
tabl sliing the rendezvous post here, and
will open up for the examination of ap-
plicants aud reception of recruits to the
army on lsis return to Savannah next
week
A notice appeared. which stated that
able bodied unmarried men between the
ages of 81 and So years were wanted for
the United States army.
The advertisement calls FOR able bod
ied 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 tlIe average saloon loafer might as
well attempt 10 crawl through the eye OF
the biblical needle as to pass the trict ex-
animation required OF all Candidates for
admission to tile army.
Ti.ers Is a belief among some people
-tisnt Uuc'e Sans army is composed of
the r.ffrsff Of the earth, aud OF tough
characters generally. Lieutenant Ter
rett Is frequently aecosted with some
such n remark as this by prominent
citizens: with our large floating popu-
lation you ought to get n IN ge numLer
of recruits in Savannah There are
great many sailors here, and large
class of the rough cement.
The lieutenant quietly snil when
ever this remark vas made. lie had
heard it so often before.
mo. lie would reply, the floating
class of population furnishes very few
recruits. A man has TO be able to give
some local reference ms 10 his character
to get into the United States army.
Oar largest class of recruits aud the
best class are the country boys from 81
to 90 years of age. They are strons and
healthy, have few Lad habits, and are
readily trained, and they make the best
50 dierS
Now, in time>of war. if were going
to raise n regiment # soldiers. had
rather have a regiment composed OF
tougls and fellows from the cities who
are used to sitting up all night, drinking
whisky, and playing cards. They are
already toughened. and they can stand
night watches aud 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 at
first, and break them gradually. They
are trained to the work, and in n 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-
ber of recruits at Savannah.
Are you going to enlist negroes,
"oh. yes; we have negro trOOpO to
recruit. too.
You can get oil you want here,
then.
well. emil very few coIored re-
cruits, about one out of every 100 ap.
plicants, 1 suppose. When a negro
comes in and says he wants TO enlist
llOn't trouble to examine him until I
find out whether he can tell where he
xas born. what his age is. whether lie
has any relatives dependent on him for
support, il he is married, and whether
lie can give any references as TO his
general good character. A man must
be hand free and foot loose to get into
the 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 Terrett on his return.
-TSavannaII GAL News