The National tribune., 1900-06-21

10 he CAPTAIN and carry the sword, and
generally succeeded in that respect.
When in April. 1861, war WAS declared,
/ had lust turned into my 10Th year, and
was living near Bridgeyilie, Del, on
farm with a man named Daniel Clifton,
whom | always called uncle. lie also
had been in the United States navy and
knew my father and family; had taken Il
liking to me, and / was to live with him,
become q farmer, and POSSIBLY n slaNe,
owner But III a twinkling of an eye all
was changed. The news came of the fall
of Fort Sumter, and the hauling down OF
the old Stars and Stripes. 1t created con-
sternation among the people OF Delaware,
especially those who owned slaves. Gift
ton had several, and as the State was
thought to be in favor OF the South, there
were meetings of the farmers and talk
for and against the Union. Abolitionists,
Abe Lincoln, and freeing the darkies were
discussed pro and con, us was the seces-
sion of the State.
l attended several meetings with Cliff
ton, who vigorously opposed the most yio-
lent advocates of breaking up the Union,
and thereby became marked man among
his neighbors. William o. Reiden and
Clifton raised the Sd Del. and did good
service during the war.
The oyerseer of our farm had joined
the 1st Del. three months service, had
became a commissioned officer, rein
listed~ for three years, and came down
from Dover TO Bridgeyilie and vicinity for
recruits. This was Il short while after the
battle of Bull Run, which had made the
friends of the South jubilant and very de-
fant and filed the country with wild ru-
mors.
Clifton at this time I remember, pur-
chased two large-caliber Colt revolvers
and constantly had them handy. He
showed more courage to the square inch
(being a very small man than any one
knew of at that time. So when Lucas,
the overseer, came to see him he aided in
getting men TO join the 1st Del.
ENLIsTlyG WITHOUT PERMISSION.
/ also was filed with ardor and desired
to go 10 war, but was told ! could not,
they wanting men, not boys. However,
determined TO 80 10 Dover myself, which
did, and enlisted in Co. +, 1st Del, as
drummer, the latter part Of August, 1861
Clifton wrote my mother what / had done,
and when the regiment went into camp az
Hare'S Corner, near Wilmington, Del.
she came down from Philadelphia and pro,
cured Iny discharge as being under age
and enlisting without her consent.
To say | was disappointed would be put.
ting it mildly, as the regiment had been
ordered TO 20 somewhere, near Fort Mon.
roe. l thought ] was losing much in not
at least seeing that great work and its
lmprcgnable walls. Going home to Phila.
delphia / was astonished to see the differ,
ence in the people Squads of soldiers
were going around the city getting re,
cruits; the martial music of the fife and
drum was heard on all sides, and every.
body seemed imbued with patriotism and
the danger of the hour.
All this made me doubly feel that ]
must do something for my country or
would get left, so informing my mother
that unless she would allow me to enlist
would run away and join regiment al
ready in the field she at last gave bel
consent and enlisted in Co G, l09th Pa.
Feb. 3, 1862, for three years.
The company was the one selected Il
carry the regimental colOrs, and | well re
member among other cautions given IN,
by my noble and patriotic mother an(
grand old grandma was that / should
never desert my fag:" il | ever did
should never cross the sill of their doc
again. These words will remain with IN,
as long as ] live.
On Dec. 90, 1861, the regiment wa,
mustered into the United States servic,
and went into camp at Nicetown, a sub
arb of Philadelphia. From the above dat
until May 8, 1861, they were drilled an,
disciplined for the field. Shortly after IN,
enlistment / was stricken with typhoj,
fever and was convalescing when the reg
ment received marching orders for Wash
lngton, at which place we arrived May 10
1862, and went into camp on Capitol Hill
Here company and battalion drill and III
manual Of arms were the order of tn
day. When we received our muskets tn
Scott and Hardee tactics were learned un
der difficulties, the officers knowing abou
as much as the men; but by the diigen
efforts of our Colonel we were soon abb
TO pass inspection and rated good enough
10 go to the front, which we Were all anx
lous TO do. So we were glad when we go
orders to break camp for Harpers Ferry
where We arrived May %, and were bri