The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-05-13
Our Soldier Boys.
CAMP EATON, ISLAND LAKE, Mich,
May IL, 1898.

CAMP EATON, ISLAND LAKE, Mich,
May IL, 1898.
This Is mastering week In camp, and the
mastering in of troops, physical examina'
tiOns and routine camp duty are all going on
at the same time, while the rumors of war
and reports of the probable destination of
the various regiments are changing almost
hourly; and apparently no one here knows
any more of the time of leaving camp or the
place to which the troops will be sent than
ing that the men here do not believe any of
the reports and have concluded that they
will know when the movement has actually
begun, while from indications some people
outside seem to think they know all about
It. But in the meantime the mastering of
troops is going on, and those who were in
camp Sunday had the privilege of seeing
the first (or the thirty firsD regiment of
Michigan volunteers mustered into the
United States service.
Company A, 1st regiment, of Ann Arbor,
was the first company to be mustered in and
Sunday morning at breakfast the men were
all ordered to keep within regimental lines
In order to be ready at any moment for the
call to muster. But one Of the first lessons
to learn here seems to be patience, and the
hours dragged little as the forenoon pass
ed and the crowds began to come In, and
still there was no order to fall in for muster
ing Finally it was so late that the compa-
ny assembled In response to the call for din.
ner instead, and 1t was about two O'Clock
before the men were finally lined up and the
roll called. Two men were absent, and
ing. Another delay, and then another roll
call, and then the company marched out to
the parade ground between regimeDtal head
quarters and the company officers tents.
Here after opening ranks, our command
ing officer, Col. Gardner-who will be re-
membered by OwOsso people as the Capt.
Gardner who inspected Company g several
times--accompanied by mastering officer,
Capt. Irvine. of the 18th U. 8. Infantry,
Capt. Mundy, the U. s. examining surgeon,
and Capt. Granger, of the mastering com.
pany, passed up and down the line inspect
| ing each man closely. This being finished
satisfactorily the roll was again called.
This time the officers stood off at one side
and as the company captain called the roll,
each man as his name was called answered,
Here" and walked past the officers, to
take his position in lire again beyond them.
When this was ended the mastering officer,
Capt Irvine, read the oath, to support the
constitution. obey the President, etc., while
the men stood with uncovered beads and
uplifted right hands. On being asked IL
they agreed to this oath, they answered IN
chorus, 1--WE do" and the dramatic part of
the ceremony was over.
The crowd of thousands still remained
about the hollow square, however, and Gu
riOusly watched the men, who now as their
names were called walked into the captains
tent and signed the muster roll, which
makes them subject to Uncle Sans orders
for two years unless the war is ended before
that time; and it is needless to say they all
expect 1t will be. In fact, the greatest fear
has been that something would happen to
keep them from leaving this place.
Such was the brief but impressive cere-
mony of mastering in Co. A, 1st Michigan
Volunteers, but 1t was fair sample of the
way in which all the rest either have been
Or are being treated. In one way, however
1t was different Only those who were mus
tered in Sunday afternoon were watched by
so large crowd; otherwise they are treated
the same The is no band playing or other
occurrence to excite or arouse the enthusi-
asm of the men. Their minds are made up
and the ceremonies are short and business
like.
Before mastering, every man is subjected
to quick but usually rigid physical exam
nation. 1t doubtless happens occasionally
that an enlisted man is unjustly thrown out
and 1t also happens both men and officers
are occasionally passed VINO .would have
been rejected If the examination had been
more careful. AS to the officers who are
believed by their friends to have been
thrown out rather for political than for ply
sicial reasons, the public will form its own
opinion anyway, and in at least one case of
interest to The TIMES readers there is prob
ably ample reason for that opinion.
Company g lost rather heavily from the
physical examinations, though not as heayi-
ly as a number of other companies. Their
examination was given Tuesday. OF the
rejected men some Of course expected it but
the majority were quite as much surprised
as were their friends. In nearly every case