Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-29
RECRUITS QUARTERS
The Station on Seventh Street Both
Comfortable and Orderly.
LARGE NUMBER or APPLICANTS

only Arc Accepted.

Tho recruiting station for the United
states army. which was permanently es-
,ablished i'm this city October 2Sd. with
Headquarters ut No. north SeVeh'h
street has up to the present time en-
listed twenty-four men. The majority oil
,hese have entered the cavalry service
the rest being about equally divided be-
tween the two arms OF the general ser
vice.
The station is I'm charge Of Captain Ma
tile. formerly Of the Fourteenth In
fantry. with Sergeant Noonan as clerk
and Private Claiborne and McCue as
orderlies.
THE NEW QUARTERS.
The building now occupied has been re-
arranged to suit the requirements OF
recruiting station. The ground floor is
divided into Captain Matile's private OIL
fee and the general office in which
latter compartment recruits are examined
as to their physical condition, after hav-
ing satisfied the commanding officer IN
REGARD TO their mental and moral fitness.
The upper part OF the building Is d.
vded into dOrmitOries. The sergeant 8
room, the ordcrlies' ROOM a room for
white and a room for cOl0red recruits, are
all spic and span, and provided with
substantial cots, with hair-mattrcsses on
wire springs, and clean linen. The store
room is one OF the interesting features Of
this floor, and it includes a large stock
Of clothes, linen, brushes, combs, hats,
boots, socks and other articles OF APP
pare which ara dealt out 20 every re-
l.. 81. I.1
liminary examination.
4 report is sent to headquarters every
ten days as to the number of recruits
at the station, and orders are then sent
down assigning them 10 their posts, 60
which they arc promptly sent
The orierlies are on duty from . 20 T.
and from l. 10 4. on alternate days and
during the time that they are on duty
are at liberty To 90 and come as they
choose. and TO wear multi.
MANY HAVE BEEN REJECTED.
The majority Of the twenty-four re-
cruits enlisted hitherto have been drawn
from the surrounding country. 40 less
than scventy-hye applicants have been re-
fused, and these mainly on account If
being under weight or not coming no
% the standard lail down for chest moa-
suroment. Most Of those who have Of
fcred their services up 10 tine present
have been white men. and the negroes
have been. according 10 the statement Of
Sergeant NOonan, Of very low type.
The method OF enlistment is peculiarly
simple. No man is ever solicited By the
recruiting officer, and beyond a modest
display OF colored plates, which show the
style Of uniform worn By the men Of va
riOus regiments. no enticement or allure
ment Of any sort is used TO attract the
unwary under the shadow OF "Old Glory
The old custom Of giving the recruit g.
has long since been abandoned, and be-
yOnd the oath Of allegiance there are no
formalities
Captain Matle said yesterday that the
reason so few men were accepted was
that he had been notified by headquar-
/ tiers that the army was fun, and he could
| only enlist the finest men. Of splendid
/ physique and irreproachable character.
THE REQUIREMENTS.
/ Applicants for enlistment must be be-
/ tween the ages of q and % years. UNI
married. Of good character and habits
/ able-bodled, free from disease, and must
! be able 10 speak, read. and write the
/ English language. Original enlistments
are confined TO persons who are citizens
/ Of the United States, or who have made
/ legal declaration Of their intention &C
/ become citizens thereof.
For infantry and artillery the height
must be not less than feet 4 inches
and weight not less than 12s pounds. aul
not more than 100 pounds For cavalry
the height must be not less than feet
10 inches and weight not 10 exceed ~
/ pounds.
The appllcan. has 20 give two refer
ences as to his reputation for morality
and temperance. and upon being accept
/ ed, receives pay at the rate OF $l3
month. in addition 10 ratons. clothing
bedding. medicines. and medical attend
/ ance.
Under the act OF June 49, 1880. and ex
isting rules prescribed by the Presiden
in accordance herewith, a soldier in hi
first enlistment. after having served on
year. may be accorded the privilege o
purchasing his discharge at any tim
for several months thereafter. upon pay
ment OF 4 stipulated sum- 1920 being th
maximum purchase price.