The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-23
.THEREGULARARMY
The new. Wheeling Recruiting
Station in Full Operation.
AN UNUSUAL RECORD is MADE.
In the Ratio Of Successful Applicants
for Enlistment, Twcnty.onc out Of
Observation-Disclosures Muster.
Major Hcnniscc Talks Of his Work.
Sergeant schuicr, his Assistant, a
Santiago Veteran.

About week ago the war depart
ment opened recruiting station at
1143 Market street. for the purpose of
recruiting soldiers for the regular army
in accord with the provisions OF the
Hull bill. to fill the gap caused by the
discharge from the service OF men who
enlisted in the regulars during the war
on the condition that they be given
their discharge at the wars close.
The station is in charge OF Major A.
G. Hennisee, OF the Second United
States cavalry. and on Tuesday Ser
geant L. s. Schiller. OF the Tenth In
fantry. and Santiago veteran, came
to assist him. So far twcnty-one re-
cruits have been sworn in at the
Wheeling station, and Major Hennisee
Is well satisfied with the prospects. He
considers the class of applicants as re-
flecting highly on West Virginia man
hood. for out of twenty-seven men
who applied for enlistment only six fall
ed to pass muster. How favorable this
ratio is can be seen when It is learned
that often five men are rejected before
one Is received
OF the Wheeling recruits, only four
Will be used to fill out the Sixth Artil-
lerv. at Fort McHenry, Nd. Most young
men prefer the cavalry or Infantry, but
1t isn't 4 question of mere preference,
for artillery recruits must pass a high
er examination. They must have high
er standing educationally. says Major
Hennisee, because 1t costs the govern
ment 5000 every time one OF the twelve
inch modern rifles is fired, hence higher
abilities are needed for heavy artillery
men. The largest gun hereafter, ac-
cordlng to Major Eennlsee, for either
army or navy. will be the twelve-inch,
which has proved to be Of sufficient size
for the heaviest work.
Major Hennisee is striking figure. a
typical regular army officer, and a pol
ished gentleman. He is six feet In
height. which Is above the maximum for
the cavalry service with which he has
been connected since the civil wnr, but
the height or weight does not enter
strictly into the qualifications 70. off,
GERS. The major and his regiment only
went as far rs Florida last summer, but
he got far enough to contract malarial
fever. from the effects OF which he has
not entirely recovered. He was given
sick leave, but in response to ais re-
quest for lish: duty In the meanwhile,
ne was dispatched 10 Wheeling. His
stay here Is indefinite, but will extend
two months. probably. Sergeant Schu-
Ter is also suffering from sickness. con-
tracted while in Cuba. They IRE guests
OF the Stamm house.
During their stay the major ind his
assistant will seek to interest all young
men in the surrounding country in the
army. and they hope to enlist many of
the boys who were with the volunteer
regiments. The period of enlistment is
three years. 1t used to be five years,
but better results are attained under
the new system.
The following are some OF the rules
which govern the recruiting OF soldiers:
Applicants for first enlistment must
be between the ages of eighteen and
thirty-five years. OF good character and
habits, able bodied. free from disease,
and must be able to speak, read and
write the English language.
Married men Will be enlisted only up
on the approval OF regimental COM
mand. Minors must not be enlisted with
out written consent of father. only sur
viving parent or legally appointed guar
dian.
Original enlistmentB will be confined
to persons who are citizens OF the Uni
ted States or who have made legal dec
laratlon OF their Intention to become
citizens thereof. Applicants will be re-
Quired to satisfy the recruiting officer
regarding the age and character, and
should be prepared to furnish the neces-
sary evidence.
For infantry and artillery the height
must not be less than five feet four
inches, and weight not less than 100
pounds, and not more than 100 pounds.
For the cavalry the height must not
be less than five feet ten inches. and
weight not to exceed 165 pounds. No
minimum weight is prescribed for the
cavalry. but the chest measures must
be satisfactory"
The soldier can deposit his savings In
sums not less than S. with any army
paymaster, and for sums so deposited
for the period Of six months or longer.
the soldier, on his final discharge will be
paid interest at the rate OF per cent
per annum. These deposits are non-for-
feltable except for assertions.
Whenever q soldier is honorably dis
charged with the expiration of his en-
listment or on account of his disability
not caused by his own misconduct, his
travel pay is ample to carry him to the
place of enlistment. By care and econ
omy soldier can save a considerable
sum, payable TO him on his discharge.
For soldiers who have served hon
sestlF and faithfully twenty years. or
who have been discharged for wounds
or disease incurred In service COM
Portable home is maintained In the
city Of Washington. The sum of twelve
and one-half corts per month Is deduct
ed from each soldiers pay to be applied
toward the support OF the home. After
thirty years service enlisted men are
entitled to be retired, and upon retire
ment receive three-fourths OF the
monthly pay allowed by law TO them in
the grade they held when retired and
50 so per month In communication for
clothing and subsistence.