The sun., 1898-04-03
IN OLD SOLDIER ON WAR
Does Not Think It Would Last
Long.
IMPROVED FIREARMS IN USE
Great Service Rendered by Delaware
Troops During the Civil War;
Survivors Would Again
Enlist.
IMPROVED FIREARMS IN USf

At thcIprcscnt time, there is nothing
heard, but war. There is even fight in
the smallest school boy.
The women wish to fight; and tell their
ncghbors: "Well if they call on my
John. will let him go to help wipe out
the Spainards; and if ''war' was dc
clared, and cher john was called to
the front, it would take a wash tub to
hold her tears.
Young men, of this city, can be heard
saying: ''lct them fight, we will be right
there. In the majority of cases. the
''there," does not mean on the battle
field" but among the rocks on the
Brandywine, or between the feather
beds.
The Spainards are class of people
that do not believe in fighting like human
beings, bnt like animals. They do not
wish to kill outright, but to torture.
The firearms at the present time, are
not what they were years ago, or during
the Civil War. \ city is not safe, if the
enemy is ten miles away; for with the
improved guns, they can she'll it with
little trouble.
On asking an old soldier what he
thought, of war. lie said; III war is
declared against Spain it will not last
long; and think the loss OF life will be
very small, especially, il the fight takes
place in Cuba. Our navy can fight from
the shore. while the militia fights from
inland
Every soldier will be supplied with
| improved firearms. which will be an
advantage over soldiers in previous wars.
They will see no fighting like the First
regiment of Delaware, that was mustered
ont at the opening Of the Civil War; and
doubt if the standing army OF today,
is any better drilled than We were"
There are not more than thirty
survivors Of this crack regiment that left
| Wilmington, one thousand strong, in
| April 1861, Tor the field of battle.
They were mustered out of service iIl
July of the same year, only to rc.enlist
f.r three years, when there was a call fol
drilled soldiers.
u The First Delaware, WAS the first regi
ment to re.enlist, under the veteran
Act" Each man received -four hun.
drd dollars" and thirty days furlough
Most of the money, the men left with
their families.
This regiment was in service from the
Battle of Antietam, September, 1862, tC
the close Of the war. They were always
run to the front to open Skirmishes, on
account of their excellent discipline.
The soldiers in this regiment, drilled
entirely by the bugle, were the finest
body of men that left the state.
Al the off-start, everything seemed tt
be against the First and other regiments
Of Delaware, for there were men in this
city, who endeaTOred to turn the soldiers
against their own side. This state, it j.
alleged. was more Of Confederate state
than Maryland.
Erke Battle of Antietam was the first tc
start the Delaware boys going; ard whcI
they did start, they went at il with ;
will
Some of the survivors say, it was .
terrible sight to see the soldiers moved
down; but the First Delaware kept to the
front during the battle, and met witt
with heavy loss.
They we're not discouraged however
but kept up the good work.
There was one instance related, where
some OF the rebels were sitting in tree
directly over spring, from which tn,
Union soldiers took their drinking
water; and as soon as a soldier stoopeC
over to fill his cantcen, he was shot.
The rebels in tree were finally caught
by one OF them accidently dropping hi,
cap into the spring
In the above battle tn" loss OF commits
stoned officers, killed and wounded, was
greater IN t. e I rst regim, mt than an,
other regiment in service, in proportinl
to number Of men.
1t was to the First Delaware that tn,
Mayor of Norfolk sllrrcndcd the city.
The Battle Of fredericksburg. was als'
a notable conflict; and was considered
almost as fierce as Anletam.
As usual the First Delaware was II
the head, doing good work, but the odds
were terribly against them.
Under the covcrof night, the soldier
on both sides would dig trenches for tht
Sharp-shooters.
Holes were made in the bank, to skoo
through, and as soon as bullet would
whistle through the hole, the shot wa
returned. When soldier was killed OF
either side, his comrade would hold VI
! cap on the end Of his bayonet, to tel