The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-10-22


We shipped for Pittsburg on steamer.
We did not think we should have much
fighting to do, but if we did, three to SIX
months would annihilate the whole South
ern Confederacv. You see we started out In
fine spirits, for we did not know as mueh
about the stupendous job we had undertaken
as a flock of blackbirds know about equa-
tions.
We had several fathers and sons In the
company. Comrades Lambert and Jones
were near by so years of age but seemed as
full of fun as any of the boys.
We reached Pittsburg, stayed over night,
and boarded the cars next morning for Harris
burg, Pa. where we stayed for few days
at the e. S. Barracks.
Here we were examined by one Of Uncle
SANS Surgeons All were taken, with few
executions We donned the blue and took
our first lessons in the saber drill.
A certain Hungarian General of the Rev
olution of 1S4e, was our drill-master. 10
keep MS in good heart and show US how
active he was he said he would give any SIX
of us leave TO chop his head off if we could
do ii with our sabers.
Six of us stepped out OF the ranks ana
said we would try. as we did not think 1T
would be much Of job. The General stood
with his back to the barracks, so we could
not get behind him. We then sailed In to
kill our man. Every time any or all OF as
would strike to get off his head, 10 and be-
hold our sabers would fly away above our
heads, and our mighty efforts to get his
head were about as futile as fly trying to
eat an elephant. 1t would have been an
easy matter for the old man to take each OF
of our scalps then and there. But he did
4ha nf
promising soldiers.
After our Hungarian friend had drilled US
further and fully explained to US the real
necessity Of becoming masters in the use of
the saber and revolver TO accomplish any
thing as q company or regiment, we were
started in cars to Washington, ID. c., where
we located for the Winter on Meridian Hill,
near the Soldiers Home.
Here we were initiated into the mysteries
of camp life and camp drill. few morn
ings after my arrival / saw man carrying
a rail on his shoulder. Said / Hello,
Cap: YOU seem to have plenty of work TO
do. but it seems TO me that kind of exercise
would not pay any one very we'll" But the
man had no answer and took no notice OF
me. j thought a moment, and concluded II
II was nv case / should be much pleased
also # people would mind their own busi-
ness.
After further inquiry it was found that
the man had broken camp-guard, gone down
to the city, filled up on bugiuice," returned
with his pockets full CT bottles Of whisky,
and gotten many of his comrades as full as
himself
We had a fine place for camp. Plenty
Of small trees, good shelter, not annoyed by
citizens or city hustle. -Four or five OF our
companies were rot full till the Spring Of
1862 Our regiment was somewhat out OF
the ordinary. We had four American, four
German, and four Irish companies. Some
time in the Winter it was given out that
Col. Campbell was trying TO get a patrol in
the city for the 4th. You should have
heard the denunciations Of the Colonel by
the regiment Our Colonel did not want
10 see any active field service. for it was
dangerous TO life and limb. Finally, the
officers requested him to resign, which he
did, and Lieut.-Col. Childs became Colonel.
One day in January, 1862, the boys Of Co.
+ got tired of camp drill, and concluded
they would take rest. So on drill all iht