The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-14

when a notion struck me that l could
fight for my country as well as any one
else. So / enlisted on May 5th, in the
First Heavy Artillery, in which l leave
tonight at Il o'clock for Sulllvan's Is
land, S. g.
guess my friends would Ike to know
OF my whereabouts.
Yours Truly,
W. c. WEST.
Heavy Artillery Sullivan's Island, ). Q.
Mr. West Is "A step-sOn Of Mr.. y. Il.
Halton, the Broad street furniture dealer
whose residence IS al Highland Park, and
he is a nephew of Captain W. F. West
OF the Southern Railway He has
large circle of friends in this city. who
are pleased TO learn Of his patriotism
THE REJECTED ONES.
While the free-and-easy side of military
life is attracting attention and no little
envy at this time there is one feature
that is strikingly touching. The exam
ming surgeons have been forced to reject
a number Of volunteers for physical de-
ficiencies. Most OF these were partcu-
larly anxious 20 enter the service OF the
United States in the war with Spain.
They had been with their companies for
years. and were deeply attached 10 them'
The idea OF their comrades with Wnon
they had so often eaten, slept, marched,
camp life. going off TO the war and leav-
ing them behind is keenly Disappointing
to them. There were close ties or COM
panionship and sympathy that linked
them together and IL looks hard to them
after many years OF membership IN
their companis to bid their friends ana
comrades good bye. and turn their races
away from the beat Of the drum and the
martial strains 50 dear to the heart q,
every soldier There is something SAD
about e. ali and more than once yester-
day was a pathetic scene witnessed as
some of those who were rejected walked
slowly away with bowed head ana
gloomy faces.
A PATHETIC SOLILOQUY.
As passed Tenth and Broad streets
last night two uniformed men fingered
near the corner. There was disappont-
ed look in the face OF each. they seem
cd 10 be thinking OF something Tar away
and an expression OF discouraseiHent SET
tied over their hrows.
"Nothine left to do" said one Of them
deiectedly' Never thought it would
come 10 this. All the boy II move on
in a day or two, breaks the links for
ever" and he turned his head aside 10
brush away the tear.
His companion tried 20 say something
but his throat went back on him. lie
took out his handkerchief and wiped his
ewes. Tears had crept down his cheeks.
Finally he braced up and with heaVy
sigh said IN uncertain tones.
Here I've been a member OF old COM
pany .. for seven years. We've spent
a many a night in camp, and marched
many an hour together. Every man IN
there 5 n friend of mine brother and
two cousins. Now that doctor comes
along and turns me down right az the
He stopped abruptly and stepped ASIDE
as n 10 make another start his woes
grew husky Presently he continued Win
apparent effort. Just at the time When
we have a chance to go into battle ana
show what kind o. stun We're made o.
they turn us down and tell US 10 20
hack. they don't want US. Oid man
sherman said war was hell. Right
This Is the hell OF It"
And then his comrade threw ms arm
around his shoulders and with detected
ioot they walked silently away. As
they disappeared around the corner Win
tears In their eyes on word was careiy
audible. cocktail"
AT THE ARMoRIEs.
Nothing of any special interest trans
plrsd last evening at thu local arn'"rses.