Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-04-21
MY FIRST BATTLE.

the Regular Army.
was sixteen years of age when
Lieut. $. opened recruiting Office In
my native town, an historical village on
Lake Champlain, where years before,
when only kid, pushed my way
through a mass of people to the hotel
steps, where Gen. Winfield Scott
the old hero OF many battles-was adj
dressing the citizens Of the town, and,
interrupting him by pulling his coat
tail, told hun mother named me after
him, Winfield Scott. remember he
lifted me and stood me on the railing
In front, and II was some time before he
could speak, and ! recollect Of seeing
tears rolling down his cheeks. Many
of my playmates were in the audience,
who began TO hurrah for Scott (of course
they meant mel. After some pertinent
remarks to his audience on my account,
he asked me " | attended school
regularly. answered that did.
That's right" said the general, land
promise me that you won't leave school
until you are a smarter man than /,
whom your good mother 80 honored."
] promised.
Nine years later broke that promise,
left school and enlisted. An attach
ment sprung up between Lieut.. \. and
fair schoolmate of mine, lovely girl,
which subsequently ended in an engage
ment. Miss e., we will call the young
lady, said she wished would go with
the lieutenant; that she was sure I
would like the regular army best,
though my choice was the volunteer
service.
However, ! visited the recruiting Of
fee of her afiianced, with the result that
was mustered into Uncle Sans serv-
ice. A week later we, a squad OF four
teen, were on our way To Fort Preble,
Portland IIarbor, To join our regiment,
which was soon after ordered south.
My first fight was single-handcd
combat with Johnny b., one of the four
teen who enlisted when did, and the
hght took place on the night OF our ar
rival at Fort Preble. We arrived at the
fort about nine in the evening; | re-
member taps sounded soon after. We
were marched toa large, bunklcss room,
and were told 10 make ourselves as com
Portable with the floor for bed. In
little while sergeant came in and
said: Boys, come with me and get
blankets" We were taken 10 the quar-
termaster's, received blankets, and re-
turned to quarters; that Is, all except
Johnny u, who was out looking for the
suffers store, which he did not find,
however, nor did he get a blanket. II
was cold night in September, and the
room was without a fire. had just
rolled myself mp in my blanket, when
the door opened and in walked Johnny,
who asked where he could get blanket.
! told him, but instead of going he said
he guessed he would have part OF mine,
at the same time trying TO pull II from
me, and further said that IL kicked he
would take il ALL
IAN right" said I, "you or shall
have II ALL" jumping TO my feet and
throwing the blanket behind me.
LET the best man have IT,.
II was not scientific bout, perhaps,
but we got there all the same II last
ed one round, with the result that had
a scratch on one ear and the enemy was
bleeding at the nose and had both eyes
damaged.
Johnny rushed from the quarters, say
ing: I'm get even: just wait"
rolled myself up again and waited.
II was a half hour, perhaps, when he
returned, both eyes in mourning, and
with him came tall, hcavy-set, black
bearded giant, wearing quartermaster-
scrgcants stripes, and In hand heavy
cane.
"Who did you have the trouble witn2"
said the piratical-loolsing martinez.
Johnny pointed 10 me, and whaclf!
down came the cane on my shoulders,
and half-dozcn more on my back.
I'm learn you 10 fight" said the
brute. you'll have Il different kind Of
fighting TO do before long"
agreed with him on that point, but
he did not accompany the regiment
south, and after leaving Fort Preble ]
never saw him again.
Holmes was the sergcant's name, and
II alive he can youch for the truth OF
this narrative, 30 far as he was con-
eerned in II. In all these long years
since that night Of the clubbing have
not grown any taller, and am bald
headed and gray, But now for revengel
Next morning an old scar-faccd vet
eran who saw the fracas Of the previous
night said 10 me: Young man, / saw
what happened last night, and the ser.
geant had no right TO use Il club on you.
You can have him reduced. You SEQ
the adjutant over there on the parade
ground inspecting the guard" (it was o
o'clock guard mount; you go and re-
port the affair 10 him. Now is a good
time; you'll get revenge"
Alasl must | confess such ignorance
step for the center Of the parade ground,
and when within two or three PAGES Of
the adjutant, said: "Adjutant, wish
To-"
That was all was allowed 10 say.