Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-06-09

the morning when our train arrived
in two sections. Company /. of the
9th rom Freeport, 10 men occupied
two coaches and company NJ Of Galena
lilo strong in two more coaches, COM
PAM G Of Dixon, lis men were then
loaded into coaches on the regular
and amid the shouting of people ana
booming Of cannon. the Dixon boys
started on their trip Of $50 miles
south to Springfield.
We were greeted at all the towns
along the line by large crowds. bands
etc. We arrived at Springfield at
p. N. Of the 9th. where we were
unloaded at the State Fair Grounds
and then marched to the Exposition
building where we were to spend our
time while in the service of the State
of Illinois. In the same building
were located the Sd Illinois. Col.
Bennett commanding.
In company H of the 81 from Rock
ford found former Lancaster boy,
Fred Auchter
Our first two weeks were very mo-
notonous it being nothing but drill.
The building was the barracks of
about 1850 men and it still left us
plenty of room to drill on rainy days
On the 9th of May we were marched
to the State house, distance of three
miles. in company of three other COM
panies,where we again passed through
physical examination, six different
physicians examined us and if man
passed all six of them he could assure
himself that he was,nearly physically
perfect. Our company lost eleven
mer, most OF them being rejected on
account of poor eyes and teeth, but
we still had full companies.
On the 18th of May we were march
ed on the parade ground, one COM
pany was marched up at time. The
regular army officer called the names
from the roll and as each mans name
was called he stepped forward and
took his place on the line, his captain
verified each man as he stepped for
wars. We then removed our hats and
held up our right hand and swore 20
uphold the United States and the
government thereof etc. $50 help me
God" Then rousing cheer was Civ
en- for the 1st regiment having its
full quota sworn into the United
States service since 1860. The 9Th
Illinois National Guard was a thing
! of the p: st, and the 9th III. Vol. being
added to the Vol service.
Nothing eventful happened until
Saturday when the 3rd regiment left
for Chickamauga Park, Ga. The
building was in an uproar all night
the boys of the third rejoicing over
the fact that they were going to leave
for the front. | saw them off the
next morning. After bidding Fred
Auchter goodby returned to the old
routine of drill. Nothing eventiul
happened until the 2lst when the 9th
got orders to move to Washington, d..
G. The next day was taken up with
packing and issuing such clothes as
were necessary. In the evening we
were marched to the depot where our
trains were waiting. Weleft in three
trains each company being assigned
two tourist sleeping cars. AS soon as
we were settled we retired and it was
very pleasant change from sleeping
on a cement floor to mattresses and
clean sheets. When we awoke we
were in the state of indiana, travel
ing through that state all day and
next morning found US half way
through t1e state Of Ohio. We we're
greeted at every town by large crowds.
We passed through West Virginia,
Virginia and Maryland, saw the John
Brown monument at Harper's Ferry.
We arrived in Alexandria, Va. that
night at 1880 We slept on the train
that night on account of trains, being
VIC had the entire morning to our
selves we visited the town and were
greeted with true southern hospitality
by the people, nothing being to good
for US We were given flowers. cigars
and lots of eatab!es. Myself and a
friend were stopped on the street by
an old lady who asked Us into her
house and gave us a good breakfast
of coffee, bread and butter, ham and
eggs, she told US that she had lost her
husband in the late rebellion, he being
urdpy CaneraI Fifz HUGH Lee and her