People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-05-19
From Camp Leedy.

ress, will write few words 10 re.
gard TO their experiences up to the
present time.
On leaving Wellington many tear
was shed by the brave boys who had |
enlisted, but before we had gone far
all were jOvial and having a good
time. We arrived in Topeka at $50
on the 9Th inst. Were met at the
train by Lincoln Post GAR. and
escorted out to Camp Leedy, about
two miles distant from the depot.
The people Of Topeka gave US a rous-
ing cheer and many oid Wellington
citizens cheered the Wellington boys
as we passed through the street. We
went into camp that evening. Had
supper Of-bacOn, hard tack and coffee.
Next Monday commenced the duties
Of soldiers under the management of
lst Lieut.. Sumner Carver, whose ex.
cellent drilling qualifications won for
him the love and respect OF every SOL
6ier in the company. He taught the
boys many movements and the duties
of soldier, and when private business
called him home aud he notified the
company that he would have 10 leave
them, not man in the company could
conceal his emotions, and many Of the
boys wept like children. Upon his
resignation the boys called an election
Immediately elected K. l.. Collins
(your humble Servant) lst lieutenant.
Prior to this two reckless, worthless
fellows, who could not be depended
upon, had deserted before they were
sworn in. We were only too glad to
get rid Of them. On the 10th we were
in the parade and gained many CON-
pliments for our excellent drilling
and gentlemanly action in line. Many
disgraceful scenes have been enacted
by the soldiers, yet not in single in-
stance have our boys taken any part
10 them. The E;an from our company
who struck the negro, was not properly
from our company and has been trans
ferred to another.
We have as yet not been equipped,
and do not expect to be until we get
to Chickanauga, for which place we
leave on the 18th bound for Cuba. We
were in the hopes OF being sent to the
Philippines, but being placed in the
2lst regiment we have second choice,
OF rather second place.
Many OF the people will be inter.
ested In knowing who the officers OF
the regiment are, so / will give the
names and title Of eur regimental
officers, also the officers of the COM
pany from Wellington, which is now
company l.: Colonel, Thomas G.
Fitch; lieutenant colonel, ChaS. Nc
Crum; major, Harry A. Smith; major,
W. L. Brown; adjutant, John B. Mich.
olson; quartermaster, John @. Little;
surgeon, Frank G. Armstrong; assist.
ant surgeons, II. c. Riddle, W. f.
Turner; chaplain, W. E. Woodward;
sergeant major, Fl. w. Parker: quar-
termaster sergeant, Wood; chief
musician, Martin Watson; principal
musicians, Harry Summers, Harry
Scott; hospital stewards, Chas. Brit
tenstine, Alexis Mckenzie, Herbert
Spencer.
Officers of Company L, 21st Regi.
ment Kansas Volunteers: Captain
j. P. Grinstead; lst lieutenant, r. L,
Collins; I'd lieutenant, Emerva E.
Wilson; lst sergeant, Herbert Fl. Bur.
cham; I'd sergeant, Alya G. Albright;
Sd sergeant, Myron Marshall; 4th ser.
geant, W. Fl. Earnest; 5th sergeant,
Charlie Helm; 9th, or commisSary ser.
geant, a. Fl. Weller; lst corporal,
Herman Stein; I'd corporal, Will s.
Heath; Sd corporal, Jesse B. Purcell;
4th corIoral, Fred H. Marshall; 5th
corporal, Terry Hilton; 9th corporal,
]. W. Godfrey; Isaac Curtis, 1st cook.
Our company has been made the
first company 10 the regiment, and
our officers made the senior officer In
the regiment. We are all proud Of
our position and are going to be the
guide for the regiment. Many old
soldiers know what honor 1t Is t0be
the senior officers Of their regiment
and the ranking company. Sumner
county can feel proud Of the soldiers
she has sent to her c0untry's call. for
the Wellington company Is noted for
Its gentlemanly acting men through
out the camp and the city Of Topeka. |
After the resignation OF 1st Lieut.. |
Sumner Carver, the company met and
passed the following resolution:
We, the soldiers OF Company L, 2lst
Regiment Kansas Volunteers, feeling
the worth Of our beloved comrade and
lieutenant, Sumner Carver, wish TO
thank him for the valuable service he
rendered our company during its
youthful days, wishing him the honor
that Is due him and the success he de-
serves.
I We shall forever remember him
with the kindness Of feeling as long
as we live. Respectfully,
|, LIEUT.. r. L. COLLINS.
Camp Ieedy Nav id 1sQ8