The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-06-19
WARTIME TALES RETOLD.
A RAW RECRUIT.
His Experience Following Sherman on
the Meridian Raid

In December, 1863, was loyal 15-year-
old lad suffering from malignant form OF
Dixie fever, contracted upon the firing upon
Fort Sumter in the spring OF 1861; and as an
only means OF relief folded my afth reader In
the old frame school house standing out on
the snow-clad prairie in the little village OF
Naples, Ill.,, to become raw recruit In the
ranks OF Uncle Sam.
Then after passing rigid surgical examin-
alton, and a little prevaricatlon on my part.
concerning the date OF my FIRST discovery or
Americu, was finally accepted as target
for tho rebs. Then saw the old specialized
Surgeon iot down my age at II. the prettiest
II ever witnessed penned-the seal that
transformed me from schoolboy to a Union
soldier.
went Into the ranks OF the old 14th ILL.,,
then lying in winter quarters at Camp Cowen
IN the rear OF vicksburg, Miss.
had barely reached the regiment aud con-
nected with Co. X when Uncle Billy Sherman
dropped down from Memphis, and we were
of for the famous Meridian raid, $4,000
strong. 1t was n march OF 800 miles into the
very heart of the Confederacy, with our COIN
munications completely severed for 30 days.
What made the excursion the more enjoy
able for me was the 14th. When | formed its
acquaintance 1t had passed Its day Of rigid
discipline, and the mess OF nine old soldiers
to which had been assigned Informed me
that they were lteralists In belief, holding
that all private property In Dixie, especially
fresh PORK, poultry, and sweet potatoes. be-
longed to the priyates. Hence they said,
whenever 1 was favored with the opportunity
Of lifting an old hen or rooster of Southern
sassafras pole must lift. And, should the
privilege present itself OF peeling tho hairy
envelope of Dixie porker, 1 was to peel,
| and then be sure and not permit either the
| lifting or the peeling to puncture the peace
Of Ear vpa al n MI n
priating private provender by private for a
patriotic purpose, and in no possible manner
| could 1t be construed TO mean stealing.
This most reasonable and easy doctrine
seemed to exactly fit my faith and fancy,
| and at once dropped the anchor OF my
small sloop In the old soldiers doctrinal
| harbor.
| At Camp Yates, ILL.,, before leaving the
snowy and frozen North for the sunny and
fragrant South, I had the misfortune to have
my nose, toes, ears, fingers, and forehead
| frozen, aud on this march they peeled of.
These burning and smarting rents In Ma
ture's uniform, added to other serious losses
Of precious rawhide on my youthful anatomy
In the shape Of stinging and painful stone-
bruises, blisters and gals, l think, consti-
tuted me unquestionably one Of the rawest
| of raw recruits on the Meridian raid. How
ever was one Of those unripe recruits OF our
Uncle Samuel whose patriotic rawness easily
enabled him to extract an immense amount
OF loyal comfort out OF his maiden excursion
into the Southern Confederacy.
After our return to yicksburg very gladly
exchanged Sherman's leather pontoons, as
tho old soldiers styled my big boots, for a
! pair OF sewed army brogans, and In the
future trod Dixie mud and dust with much
| more comfort.
| On The third day Of October, 1864, / was
taken prisoner IN the valley between the Ken
esaw and Alla,oona mountains. Georgia. light