Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-06-23
the wide, open space. He had a bundle /

the wide, open space lie had bundle in
his right hand.
Suddenly an egg few out of the crowd
and struck him squarely on the head A
fusilladc followed and the wretched man
fairly staggered under the assault. He
turned around hclplessly and flung up an
arm to shield his face while the eggs flew
from every side, breaking on his back, his
head and his legs.
All the while the men kept up fire Of
cpithets. Some of the eggs went wild and
spaitcred or the tents or broke on the
ground. The other man had TO run the
gauntlet In similar manner.
The disgraccd men passed within 90 feet
Of the brigade headquarters tents Sew
cral officers came out and watched them
walk away without making an effort TO
stop the demonstration. Tho angry sol
dicrs crowded as near the boundary as
they dared and hurled every opprobrious
name they could think of after the depart
ing men.
Returning to their lines the soldiers
found six men who had been rejected by
the surgeons dcjcctcdiy preparing to leave
for home. Two of them big, stripping
fellows, knolt over their knapsaeks with
eyes blinded with tears, and when they
stood UP almost sobbed in their disap-
pointIncnt. Their comWdes put their
arms on their shoulders and walked up
and down With them, telling them to
"chccr up, old man." but even some OF
those who were TO stay had tears In their
eyes. There was manly sympathy for
the brave fellows that was affecting in
hi Il,
out to the men who could enlist and
would not
When the disappointed soldiers were
ready, there was hearty handshakc all
around and rousing cheers for each OF
them. Then they were lifted to the shout
ders of the crowd and borne aloft to the
guard line.
In this same camp three men were made
to march through crowd of soldiers &c
the derisive beating Of drums, while
Coward Yellow ilunkcr," ana Other
names less polite were flung in their faces
Even in their resentment the crowd dis
eliminated.
This is not for you, McCann," they
shouted You're all right"
William Mccain, one of the three, had
been forced TO 90 home because a family
dependent upon him was in need. The
others We're shrkers, and the things howl
| cd after them they will not soon forget
The seven members of the Albany bat
TALON who drew back at the last momen.
because they preferred the comfort and
safety of home 10 the hartiships Of the field
| and the dangers of battle find their names
emblazoncd in infamy.
Compare the enthusiasm of their com,
radcs when mustered into the United
| States army with the punishment meted
on, TO those who 1unked at the last mo
mcnt.
With flaming faces and bowed heads
| their buttons were cut from their blouses
| then To the piping OF The Rugues
| March" they were drummcd oQt Of camp
| while their comrades, the men with whom
they ate and slept and Were on terms OF
| familiar intimacy, hurled at them the bit
! terest epithets to which they could lay
tongue.
Amid the hooting and yelling, the
throwing of eggs, of clod5 of dirt, thess
| flinchers Were sent forth, OUtoasts and
| pariahs, with the fringe of scorn ever be
fore their eyes.
| For them mo minstrel raptures swell ,
| They will ever be 'unwcpt, unhonored
| and ursung" men without o country
| There were no tears of affection for them
no kisses, 10 hands TO wave them fond
adieus.
The hatred of men for a coward Is moth
Ing compared with that of a woman
Nothing could be more striking in con
trast between the honor given TO thos,
| who went to tho front and the obloguJ
heaped upon hose who showed the yellow
] that is in JheIn-