The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-07-09
OUR COMPANY MUSTERED IN.
The Boys now belong to Uncle
Sans Army.

Tenn. Our Company was mustered
N Saturday and are now part of
Uncle Sans army. We were the
second company ready and are there
fore known as Company B.
Did you ever see a company of
stout young fellows "mustered into"
the United States service? If you
haven't you have missed a great deal.
One by one the names of those who
had passed the physical examination
were called out and after passing in
front of and saluting the mastering
officer, took their places in double
line. 1t was in the evening, under
meath the beautiful trees. the leaves
were being gently rustled by soft
breeze as the men left faced ard the
officers silently took their places
Capt. Seay, the mastering officer, a
fine specimen of humanity, took off
his hat and at the command chats
off," "hold up your right hands" as
those boys, the pride and JOY ofmany
homes stood there with uplifted hands
and heads bare a strange stiffness
seemed to come over the camp, even
the leaves above our heads ceased
rustllng and only gently waved with
out noise; solemnly and slowly the
officers repeated the oath and not a
boy in that double line b what felt
that he was taking step there and
then that was an honor to himself and
to his family, strange feeling, lsaier
and higher than he had known before
came over him and he felt as though
could do and dare things which he had
never dreamed before. The blue sky
looked bluer and the bright sun
cleaned brighter upon the white
tents, and believe that the Omnicieni
God above must have looked down
upon those brave boys with benign
Smile. As the oath was finished q
shout went up simultaneously from
every boy and as they right faced te
march back to their quarters, theil
step was quicker and firmer, theil
bearing more soldierly than before
AS they lined up in front of theil
company tents they shouted agair
and again and l felt a pride in eacl
and every boy. Blount County
Louaon County, Rhea County ant
Scott County, all of which have boy
in this company should know thes'
brave boys, for il they gre ever triet
upon the frey, bloody Geld of battle
they will never disgrace their coun
ties of their nativity. If they have a,
opportunity they will shed addltiona
luster upon the already bright name
of East Tennessee.
My heart is full, as I write, of low
and honor for each and every boy il
myscompany and know the heart o
Capt. Blair has the same feeling fo
as he stepped out of his tent on'
bright morning last week and looked
down over his company of boys HI
said: Goddard, it is sad thing t
think of these big stout, jolly boy
being shot, or cut all to pieces in some
battle" His thoughts were with hi
boys and he is always thoughtful o
their welfare. We all Ike Capt
Blair. He is a man of courage ant
good judgement, but above all he ha
heart.
Blount Cou0ty got good divide
among the non. commissioned staff o
the company. The following are from
Blount County:
1st Sergeant, Hugh L. Mathews
Quarter Master Sargent Richard A
Smith. Cerporals: Guy M. Badgett
John G. Burns, Caleb J. Fancher
Geo. Humphries, Jas. L. Jeffries
Jesse E. Wallace.
Bugler-George Riddle.
Artlfcer-Huse Walker.
None of our boys have been seri
ously sick since my last letter. Onl.
one has applied for medicine and h'
did not have to take his bed.
John M. Smith, of near EllejoY, i
now head company cook and he is
good one. This is one of the hardes
nlaces to fill.
The Surgeons of the regiment high
ly compliment the management