The Forrest City times., 1898-08-12
The Second Arkansas.

from the 2nd Arkansas oluntcers now in camp at Chickamauga, no doubt caused by the prospect of peace @and consequent homesick- ness. The punishment for deser- tion in time of war is, death, but it rests entirely with the court mar tial. It is not probable, however the extreme penalty will be meted out to them.
 The following extracts from an interesting letter from Capt. New man, to his paper, the Harrison Times, are taken from the Arkan. sas Democrat:
 It is evident here that much of the enthusiasm of the volunteer troops has gone out with the pros. poets for returning peace. But a month ago there was vim and fire about their sham battles, their drills and their camp life, inspired by the prospects of actual fighting which then seemed matter of course. As time wore on, how ever, and it became apparant that the largest part of our nations army would be held in reserve, and that only favored few would be permitted 10 see fighting ser vice, enthusiasm gave way to anx- iety-each regiment fearing in turn that it might be left at home -and now, when it has developed that Spain must call quits without further opportunity for Americans to show their fighting qualities, no wonder that their ardor should fall to point seriously endangering discipline.
 Strange ss it may seem to the peaceably inclined, the most timid soldier begins to long for real ser vice before his first month in camp has rolled away. Like the hunter in search of game he comes to consider that there is but one real object in life, and that is to fad the enemy and annihilate him. Take this prospect away from the average volunteer and the monot- ony of camp life and even drill be- comes unspeakably d1ll.a This was strikingly illustrated Here this week by the conduct of the Fifth Illinois regiment, which had been ordered to move but was returned to camp at the last moment to make way for an Indiana regiment. Instead of accepting the disap- pointmcnt cheerfully, as some others had done, they grew furious when the orders were recelved; officers broke their swords, prl- yates smashed their guns over trees, and pandemonium reigned for awhile, then they all went to Chattanooga without leave and proceeded to get on a drunk which is even yet in progress. Next they will be courtmartialed and severely punished and all because they were not permitted to go down to Porto Rico and become targets for Spanish bullets.
 Although in less degree than many others our regiment has felt some of this depression as indi- cated by quite a number of descr- tions. Even Company K has to report three assertions, w. NJ. Mo Clean, one of the Fayetteville re- cruits; Henry Hurst, from Marion county, and James Tabor, of Pro Fem, Mo. All of these men have been absent now for week with out permission, and rewards are out for their apprehension; if they arc caught they will find that they have committed a serious crime. None of them have ever complained of their treatment, and it is presumed that they sim ply became so homesick that they were willing to risk almost any thing to get back again. It IS amusing to find in many instances that it is the biggest, stoutest men like Lee Lane and Rufe Stevens. ct al who get homesick first and worst. They are not scared and have no special complaint against their duties, but they want to Ego home and can't help II. The other even