The National tribune., 1899-04-20
AN ARMY NEWSB0Y.
"A Kids "reminiscences of the Fiery Front With the
Famous Old Iron Brigade
By DOC" AUBERY, Milwaukee, Wis.

When the drum beat the alarm in April,
1861, that told of the fall of Fo Sumter II
called to arms from snug little Green
noun ain home four brothers, sons oil a
widowed William, Cornelius,
Harvey, and James NJ. Aubery; the
younger three shouldered muskets, and
William, the eldest, took position as
Hospital steward on the non COMMISSION
ed staff OF the regiment.
While the 2d Vt. regiment was organ
liz ng the soldiers encampcd on the his
toric Battery at Burlington, Vi, witcrc,
on the sloping banks of Lake Champ!aln,
had once before, during the War OF 1Sl2,
encamped a Nations defenders. | was
then in nv 18th year, and spent all ol my
leisure time watching the formations, dnii
and dress paradcS OF the organizing reGi-
ment. II was placed under command OF
Col. Henry Whiting, and was ordered TO
the front. They marched down through
the streets of Burlington on the 2ith OF
June, 1861, TO the depot, the old flag 1ty.
ing, the band playing Yankee Doodle
and the "Girl Left Behind Me- Assem-
bled about the train in waiting were the
parents, relatives, and sweethe;trts, to bid
the boys Godspeed, and with many
"God bless you, my boy" and Jim, take
keer of yourself the boys boarded the
train and seated themselves comic taply;
OFF starts the train out of the ltutland
G. Burlington Depot, when suddenly
and before the train had gotten out of the
depot | was on it. The train whirled
away amid the shouts of the thronS VINO
had gathered TO cheer on their way a
thousand of the best blood and slnew OF
NermontS sons.
had to use a little strategy to keep out
of sight OF my big brothers. so remained
in a car with Co. l. from Montpelier,
where | made the confidence OF Ser
geant. ! did not see my brothers unui
near New York, when hurried telegram
went back TO mother. doc IS with us on
the train"
When we reached New York the resi-
dent Vermonters there gave the regiment
quite a reception. My uncle, being one
of the Committee Of Arrangements, took
charge OF me, and bought me pair OF
shoes, for was DafefOOted.
The regiment stayed i'll the barracks IN
the City Hall Park. My uncle seemed to
lose track OF me, however, and when the
train arrived in Washington | was there
We went into camp on Capitol Hill, Just
back Of the Capitol Building. there
went to work for an officer OF Co. H.
Lieut.. C. X Leach,-and that was the
starring point OF my army lie. He paid
me So week. He was kind, Christian
gentleman.
! acted as his body-servant, taking care
of his sword and keeping the tent in pre-
Sentable shape, SO that when the other
officers came 10 pay their respects, or on
regimental business, everything was in
trim.
The regiment drilled every day, and i:
was there that the boys first experienced
the hardships OF army life. Lying on the
ground with knapSackS for pillows was
far different from reposing on featherbeds
grandma had made.
Having perflrned my duties in camp,
would stroll around the city, for | seemed
TO be privileged character; went out and
in the camp at pleasure, and became
handy fellow all around. doc, here's so
cents. Bring me up some letter paper
and postage stamps. Say, don't forget a !
paper OF pins; and the buttons are all
coming of my trousers. Iwant some good, |
strong black thread"
"All right, Sergeant; l won't be gone
ong."
Seeing so much of military discipline
and prOmptnesS with which every order /
is dispatched, | seemed TO think my
duties were equally urgent. Itcturning |
with my purchases was greeted thus:
Here, Doc, is 10 cents. How much |
was those buttonS?"
'fTen cents"