The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-14
HAD BALL CARTRIDGES
THE CLOSEST COL. GUNDER's MEN
CAME TO ACTUAL FIGHTING.
Hurry Call One Night This Week,
When the Boys Expected to Have
to Shoot Brother Soldiers.
Correspondence of the Journal.

oct. 1.-THE exciting events of the last few
days gave the volunteers of the One-hun-
dred-and-sixtieth Regiment their first taste
of danger, and this event will long be treas
ured by those who took part. It's provost
guard had killed a soldier, shooting him
down as he ran. In the dead mans regi-
ment there was heated talk of quick re-
venge, and within a day a guard died, doing
his duty. There were rumors of riots.
brawling and loud threats, and a fighting
Western regiment, hoping for excitement,
promised to join in any violence All even
ing in the quiet camps at the divisions ex-
IRENE there had been much talk of pos
sible "hot time" wise sergeant took a
pipe from his mouth long enough to pre-
dict that the regiment would be called out
before morning. Many times cheering and
wild yells rose where frenzied men drank
firewater to brace emotions. In other regi-
ments the assembly was heard, and at
times the long roll added it's stir. 1t seemed
that the far off drummers played with sticks
upon the taut nerves of men who sat wait
ing. A sharp voiced bugle at brigade head
quarters and the echoing blasts from the
regiments answered impatient questions.
The wise sergeant who foretold action
dashed down a company street calling, Fall
in, with arms!''
Groups broke up. men who read by ner-
vous candles threw aside Opie Read but
with earnest protests and unanswered argu-
ment. Sleepers with dreams still clinging to
dIowsy senses, swore at knotted shoe str ngS
and growled because of missing garments.
The lines formed.
Somebody open up a box of that am
m ..Ihd9 said the lieutenant; ,
private, ard questions and answers flew
from end to end of the company.
Shut up" said the lieutenant, land keep
quiet from this on" The talk was reduced
to an abashed murmur.
i've kept it hid for five months but
guess they've found me out now," solemnly
proclaimed soldier.
Found out what?"
THAT I'm a hero, was the reply. A
smothered laugh marked the group for the
dispeasure of the lieutenant
Pretty night for a march to town, amt
g 7 , come ss out to fight spaniards, and id
Why don't you go homer" asked a
youngster.
Can't find the sucker that hired me-
Remember the Maine" tall and gloomy
wag remarked, and a scared man laughed
cOnVulSively.
Lieutenant I've got broken firing pin.
came in a plaintiff voice.
Huffman, change guns with Rybolt
Hurry now and get you another one ne ,
belt, and out on the parade the. dark COM
pany joined other black shapes that formed,
men were silent. Commands were softly
given. Mounted officers ratified among the
companies or grouped for. council;
IF we get into it, said one. land they
shoot, I'm goin' to shoot and aim low. I'd
rather wound d man than kill him.
"Aw,, you couldn't hit regiment, Payne
Talk about how you'd aim--Why, you'd get
your back punctured the first fire"
Shut up!'' missed the lieutenant.
A long wait on the wet grass dreary
contemplation of the serene stars, a nerv-
Gus listening to various trumpet calls and
vocal outbursts from the tents of revelers
and the companies were returned to quar-
tiers, where, after two men with bucket
relieved them of cartridges, they were told
to remain silent and ready for action at a
minutes notice
ITS all Off," said a long soldier, as he re-
f1ectively rubbed his bare feet.
The quick thrill of assembly cut his
words short. Again ten rounds were given
out.
what are you doing here, Kenyon said
sergeant; thought you was sick! StoVer,
your sick, too. ChaSey, what do you want
here? You're on permanent detail. Wen,
there's old! Sam Abel. come clear up from
Thought 1 smelt a little excitement" an
swered the new arrival as he fell in, button
ing his blouse.
Two sets of tours on drill to-day. and
here there's more'n fifty suckers in line, =
commented the observant corporal. Then
the cartridges were taken up again.
IF they send US out without ammunition
we're done fer if we git in a scrap"
go on, Emerson; whatd you do with
cartridges?"
There were many comments rejecting Sc
riously on the mental balance of those in
charge of the adventure. But out on the
road, leaving the white mules behind All
seemed absorbed in keeping close tours and
shifting heavy guns on sore SnouioerS.
Hacks and carriages were stopped ana SOL
der passengers arrested. Some made earn
est objections. There were frequent plcket
guards where prisoners. regaining good
humor clamored derisively and statuesque
sentinels posed in solemn dignity. The WIN
dows of house set far back in a grove
cleaned queerly with the half-ught caught
was no sound, no motion. Army shoes
dumped upon the macadam and Scabbards
ratified A mounted officer dashed through
a roadside puddle and splattered mug upon
the men, who swore vigorously: Coming
suddenly over hill, the glare of arc lights
struck painfully upon unused eyes, a f 4ruhk
two guards. He Joined the night marcners;
going reluctantly and looking with dulled
eyes for an opening TOT escape ee,d tne c e.
tain Send me to No. 80, called out one
who had been there.
ssThis amt MCGOWAN street." loudly as
serted another. The adJutanL sent colnpd-
cts to be a cleaning up he remarked
to the captain. Column right march!' The
company clattered along a street dark, but
promising much far up where many lamps
fiared, and house fronts showed glowing,
wide-open doors Squads passed along the
Sidewalks and enlisted men were halted,
rounded up and marched on with the patrol
In the length of the street seventy or more
uniformed victims were captured. There
were eager claims and many passes to
show, but the busy patrol had no time to
argue.
The prisoners were put with many hun
dred others on Main street before the
provost marshars headquarters. Some were
laughing boisterously, some walked about
modify There were philosophers who sat
upon a curbstone and chewed meditative
Guilds Many were simply drunk, They
danced awkward filings and sang in berry
tones They made sport of the guards and
put forth abortive and exaggerated efforts
repetition of the joke Constantly other
squads tramped in with other indignant
captiveS, and they were welcomed with
boots and jeers and affectionate embraces.
One Sad-eye man sang Just Break the
News TO Mother through heavy. dropped
minor quaverS that score of his friends
assaulted him on all sides and sat upon
him. His mournful notes throbbed on TO
the end Of the song, when he realized his
abased position and began most outland-
iSh curSiDg.
There were cheers for regiments by loyal
partisans, and violent declarations. The
jokes and gibes Of the prisoners continued
during the length of the march back to
camp. The guards, tired after the hard trip
ing, those who were left behind for street
patrol Rests were often given and Gladly
taken. Save for frequent arguments with a
bad niger from an immune regiment,
the guards were silent. The prisoners sang.
yelled, grumbled and hung back When
halts came many lay fiat in the white dust
and were Weakened slowly. There were oc-
casional daSheS for freedom, but the guards
were many and alert
So it was that the careless construction