The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-16
SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD.
Experience of "a Man Who Rose from
Private to Captain.

Private to Captain.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Your editorial, Take Keer of Yourself"
and Lieutenant Colonel Mays expression of
ideas are the only words of advice or coun-
sell so far as my observation goes, that
have been offered to the men who are now
entering upon the life of soldier in the
field. While Colonel May may have had a
broad experience in the field, there are
some things which he advises which my ex-
perience has taught me are not essential.
He says that the plan of compelling SER
geants and corporals to live in common with
prlvates is not conducive to the enforcement
of respect for them by the privates." En-
tering the service at the age of nineteen,
in April, 1861, 1 served as private, drill SER
geant, lieutenant and captain and came
into very close relations with the officers,
noncommssioned officers and privates AS
those above me passed out Of the company
by resignation, promotion and death,
learned to anticipate future duties and to
note carefully what those duties were. Of
one fact l became fully aware, viz: that
the well-being and efficiency of an army
rests with the regimental line officers and
especially with commentaries of companies
When as lieutenant came into the COM
mand of the company / abolished my Off
Ger mess and threw my rations and that of
my servant into the company commissary,
detailed company cook, excusing him from
ali camp and outpost duty, and gave him
my servant as an assistant, eating
my meals with my men, When not on duty
or otherwise wise ENGAGED | was constantly
pitching quoits, playing cards, leaping, in
speeding their quarterSA clothing looking
after the weaker ones and seeing what were
their special or unusual needs, attending
roll call and answering to my name super
vlslng the drawing of their rations, etc. The
M no rsIvr, nc
duty. addressed me as Lieutenant Ed" or
Captain Ed. But the moment the as
sembly sounded the line was instantly
drawn. There was no clash. assumed my
place, they theirs. Discipline was the bed
rock upon which the company was gov
erned. | obeyed orders to the letter and
required obedience. Authority and example
brought willing obedience from the men
The orderly was given the immediate charge
or the company. The remaining sergeants
were charged with the supervision of an
equal portion of the company and required
TO drill their squads in the manual of arms
ana section and platoon movements and to
see that their men came to the ranks in
proper condition. When the company was
formed and Inspected by the orderly he
turned over the command to me with the
proper ceremony. With all the Familiarity
that existed between the company and nv
Set never found II necessary to punish a
single member in all those years while the
company sustained the enviable reputation
OF being the best disciplined company in the
ahlrd DIVISION OF the Fourteenth Corps.
by brigade and division officers how If was
that In camp and on the march my men
We're so orderly and obedient and why il
was that | reported from ten 10 fifteen men
more FOR duty than other companies, INV
answer was: We do our duty under ali
circumstances. We are at all times soldiers
That is our business" When on the march
we matted TO rest the men of other com
nahds were racing over the country for
| water; we sat down and rested. We were
provided with water before setting ont
When feeling of dryness of the mouth
and throat. which is so often mistaken for
thirst, was felt we munched a bit OF cracker
or partook sparingly Of cold coffee or water
from our cdnteens. | supervised the draw
ing OF rations, taking care to save what
was not used especially coffee and salt)
Tor use when so circumstance as to be
unable 10 obtain supplies from the commits
sary department. When deprived of our
company wagon and away from our supplies
each man was required to carry supply of
salt and coffee, which added but little in
weight to blankets and accoutrements and
very much to our comfort If we were ~
remain in a camp often, but temporarily
terminates were required TO construct beds
raised from the ground, thus avoiding damp
ness Under all circumstances the quar-
tiers were thoroughly policed every morning
and the utmost care taken to keep the
quarters OF the men sweet and clean
The comman dant of a company who does
his full duty will find little spare time He
must become thoroughly acquainted with
eacn man and know how TO govern him
When men are in the hospital the daily
visit OF their officers and attention 10 their
minor wants Is OF more value often than
the regular attendance. A feeling that they
are not neglected or forgotten inspires therl
with confidence and hope-a tonic that costs
but little in effort which Is a sacred obliga-
ton of officer Every man was made
acquainted with the law military and with
the effects which followed dlsobedience. He
was made TO fully understand the reasons
for the requirements of the law and the
necessity for precision of movements in
drill. Thus understanding, he felt a per-
sonal interest in all matters that pertained