The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-31

to each man such substantial proof Of his
confidence in us as soldiers" And thus,
after three more rousng cheers, the boys
| who afterward became Co. E of the 141st
| Pa were ready for their first march and
| Journey to the camp of rendezvous.
Before 1862 the company took up its line
of march to Waverly, four miles distant, to
| take the cars for Harrisburg.
The company reached Harrisburg little
after p. N. of the next day, and after
partaking of meal far less sumptuous than
recent ones had been, started for Camp
| Curtin, distant about one and One-half miles.
Each man carried his own luggage, and SO
gained true knowledge of its avOirdupois.
Thousands of new troops were assembled.
| The field was covered with tents of different
degrees of whiteness, and as the company
entered the guarded inclosure other new
Pennsylvania troops sent up cheers Of greet
| ing to the new arrivals
Only few days were spent in this camp,
and they were days of constant activity In
learning the rudiments of war. The com
pany was examined as to the fitness Of each
individual to enter the service. In large
tent sat the examining board of three, and
each soldier, separately, Invested OF his gar
menls, appeared for examination. Only one,
an old man, plead inability to go farther, ana
he was wisely allowed to return home. When
the writer was called, with the agility OF
youth he bounded before the board, striking
both clenched hands against his chest,
and with antics in general showed at once
he was free from stiffness of joints or de-
formity of limb.
When the examination was completed the
company was formed into line, and, with
l. i. a. Il ~, IF 1Axyo w
administered, and the company was at last
fully entered into the service of their country.
On the day following the company drew
uniforms. By means of much swapping
and the tailoring ability of the men as they
brought into requisition their housewives
SO recently furnished by the ones left behind,
the company soon presented a fairly well-fit-
| ted appearance.
The next tussle was with Uncle Sans
shirts. They were of the coarsest wool,
rough wove, with immense collars that per-
sisted in chatting the person of the wearer,
till even the most hardy of the boys became
nervous and worried to degree that In some
cases provoked comments not favorable to
the reputation OF the shirt or wearer.
The month was August and the weather
was hot and dry, and the mems coats but
toned up the entire front to stiff, choking,
standing collar, underneath which the i'm
mense shirt-coIlar would rumple, much to
the discomfort of the wearer. But however
unpleasant some of the features of the gar
ment were, there was protection and health
| in wearing them. The writer remembers
many cases where the army shirt was laid
aside for homemade cotton one, but al
ways with bad results in the way of colds,
If nothing worse.
Then came the packing of the knapsack.
Who could accomplish the feat? In most
cases the knapsack was either too small or
the valise or bundle too large. At any rate,
there was at this time wedding out Of the
unnecessary necessaries, and they were sent
home along with the citizens clothing, 80
recently exchanged for the new Uniform.
The proper rolling of the blanket and over
coat and the strapping of them on top OF the
knapsack was something requiring more
skill Than at first seemed necessary.-WM.
E. LoRING, Sergeant, Co. E, 141st Pa, AZ
South First street, San Jose, Cal.
Ito be continued