Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-30


needed and there had meyer been any difficulty
in recruiting, and the state and national nu-
thorites shared Mr.. Lincoln's opinion that the
time had come when the willing horse must
pull the load. There had been no draft in the
state, and every effort was being made to avoid
one. In every village recruiting offices were
open, war meetings were being held; bounties,
national, state and local, we're given; I'm fact,
every inducement was offered. The War De-
partment had ordered that recruiting should
end January 5, 1864, and that n draft should be
made as soon thereafter possible. I had the
war fever very badly; about all my classmates
small for that age, it had never occurred to me
that could enlist, and living in the country
and seldom visiting town, had not been
brought into contact with the recruiting officers
and did not know how many points could be
strained by man whose commission rs cap
tain depended upon his filling his company. L
expected to 20 to school after the holidays. and
one morning went to town to buy my books
One full company Of cavalry and several Of in
fantry, besides recruits for q number Of regi-
ments, had gone from our little town and there
were three recruiting Offices open, one for each
branch Of the service. From each a flag was
displayed and at one Of them a drum and fife
were playing lively air.
FINALLY ENLISTED.
As was standing listening to the music the
cavalry and infantry officers, both of whom 1
knew very well, came out and the infantry cap
tain said: "Austin, there is q fellow big enough
FOR you; Frank why don't you enlist?" fairly
gasped for breath, but managed to ask if he
would take me. The cavalryman asked my age
and I'had presence of mind enough to say
nineteen, and he said II guess 1 can squeeze
you in; go down to my Office and wait till
come" l started down the street irving to
walk straight and look like soldier and told
the first man I met that I had enlisted. He
asked me why did not go in the artillery, as
that was the best branch; the artillery officer
who was then there had been the principal of
our school when the war begun and had gone TO
the front taking with him nearly all the boys of
his school who were old enough to wear a uni
form, and a number had afterward gone to Join
them Beyond knowing in q general way that
cavalry had horses and that infantry went on
foot and carried guns 1 knew nothing Of the
different arms Of the service and consequently
had no choice, 30 / at once turned toward the
artillery headquarters After a short interview
tape line was produced and 1t was found that
BY liberal construction OF the recruiting laws
could be made to pass muster and soon
walked out with the proud consciousness that
was IN fair way to be a soldier / soon met
the eavolrymnn and his remarks when told
him what had occurred would not look well
In print
STARTED FOR THE STATE CAPITAL.
For q week we remained at home and one
cold. bright day we started for Springfield, the
state capital. Most OF the people turned out
to see US of; there was the customary amount
OF weeping and cheering, and we felt that we
were heroes. We arrived in Springfield late
one evening very tired and very hungry having
had no OppOr tunity to get any thing to eat since
noon. Moving in all directions saw squads
OF recruits, some uniformed and some in plain
clothes. and we were surprised to that al
most all Of them were escorted bv armed guards
We had not learned that jumping the bounty had
become fiOurishing industry in many places
where large sums were paid for men, and that
Uncle Sam took every precaution to prevent the
escape Of his recruits before joining their regi-
nents. Our lieutenant led us somewhere mud
reported to somebody, then marched us to the
court house, where we answered to our names.
and he took receipt for us and left us to get
his supper. We now began to see some Of the
rough side OF being q recruit. We were con-
Quoted to the court room. where we found
several hundred patriots like ourselves The
air was thick with tobacco smoke. the benches
had not been removed and altogether the ac-
commodations were not luxurious. The first
thing our squad of thirteen did was to raise
number to go FOR something 70 eat, hut an
armed guard at the door refused to let him
pass.
STOPPED BIZ THE GUARD.
We were indignant, but thu guard was firm
and 1t was useless to argue with him; finally a
soldier outside kindly offered to do the GRAND
for US and took our list of eatables and our
money, but We fear he must have got lost. for
he did not come back. After time our lieu
tenant came in to see how we were situated. and
he got the officer of the guard to send o man
with one Of our fellows and We supped on
crackers and bologna sausage. About mid
night hundred or more men were taken out
and the rest OF us each given pair Of blankets
AID told we were to remain till morning. We
were inst from comfortable homes and accus-
toned to clean beds so lying on a narrow bench
or dirty floor in a crowded room did not seem
pleasant way to pass the night. SO took pos
session Of bench and resolved to sit up. There
had been several buckets Of water brought in
and one Of them about half full was on the
bench near me; toward morning the crowd had
become pretty quiet and | was very tired and
spread my BLANKET on the floor and lay down
on 1t. l soon fell asleep, but some fellow upset
the bucket OF water 20 it fell on me. thoroughly
drenching me, SO sat up till morning.
MARCHED TO CAMP YATES.
Soon after daylight we were marched under
guard 70 Camp Yates, some two miles from
town, and given some stuff called coffee, served
in greasy tin cups without milk or sugar, some
cold salt pork and sour bread, and were then
taken back TO the city to draw our uniforms.
During the interval between enlisting and
going to Springfield had been given plenty Of
advice by well-meaning friends as to what
would need and my guardian had got me every
thing suggested. had several changes OF un-
derwear, half dozen pairs Of stockings, an ex-
ira pair Of fine calf boots, pair each Of wooden
and buokskin gloves, rubber blanket. half q
dozen towels, in fact enough stuff to fill large
yaliso and make q good-sized bundle besides
We went into large room with q counter at one
end behind which were tiers Of shelves filed
with clothing OF all description; the room was
filled with recruits Of all nationalities and sorts.
The list was taken BY regiments and as each
mans name was called he pushed his way TO the
front, clerk rapidly named the articles and
those he wanted were thrown TO him. As the
squads were supplied they were marched OF,
but new arrivals kept the room fnll We waited
nearly two hours for our turn; did not then
know that . soldier has O certsin amount al
lowed yearly for his clothing. and that every
article he draws Is charged against this account
at stipulated price, and that any excess must
be paid for, but supposine al we got was .
free gift thought Il vol 10 get q much -
posstble.
rooK AL TEE cxo1n1xa.
When the slsrk asked me II wanted an over
coat ssid yes. Boota? Yss. SAosse Yes, aud
20 through the entire list, taking everything
be named, and when he got through / had .
Tremendous pie Of stu6, which I learned later
neariy exhausted my ysar's allowance. In one