The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-05
COMRADES FOR YEARS
TWO INDIANA SOLDIERS RE-ENLIST
IN THE REGULAR ARMY.
For Eighteen Years They Have Been
Continuously I'm the Service To-
gether-A CoIored Soldier.

The close bond that exists between COM
rades in the army, more commonly called
"bunkies," was demonstrated at the local
recruiting station yesterday, when Charles
H. Accord forty-one years old. and John j.
Lynch, forty-five. filed their papers for re-
enlistment in the regular army. They have
been continuously in the regular army
service for eighteen years. during which
time they have shared each others blank
cts and have never been separated. They
enlisted together at the old recruiting sta
ton when 1t was on East Washington
street, in 1882, since which time they have
never been in Indianapolis nor east of the
Mississippi river. Both are natives of Indi-
ana, Accord having come from Muncie and
Lynch from Lafayette. They were close
friends before they enlisted, and their serv-
ice has cemented the friendship into an in
separable relation.
Their service in the army has been al
most as substantial as their companionship.
having been identified with but two regi-
ments. When they enlisted they were sent
to Columbus. o., where they remained for
three months and were then assigned to
the. Thirteenth Infantry.
At the expiration of their five years en-
listment they re-enlisted in Company c, of
the Eighteenth Infantry, from which they
were discharged Dec Is. 1900, having served
thirteen years in this one regiment. Their
discharges bear the highest compliment
paid to soldiers in the army. While they
have seen long service it has not been
without reward, for Accord was discharged
as sergeant and Lynch as an artificer.
MANY HARDSHIPS.
The service of these two comrades has
cd nd ha ha I'd
borne are innumerable. Spending nearly all
of the time in the West, much rigorous
campaigning among the Indians makes up
the greater part of their career of soldiery.
Fourteen months of this was spent in the
famous Geronimo campaign, when the SOL
diers almost forgot the use of hunks. In
1898 the Eighteenth was sent to the Philip
pine islands, and Accord and Lynch with it.
Their discharges credit them with partici-
pating in eleven battles and engagements.
among which were the battles OF Manila
and Iloilo, the two principal battles fought
in the Philippines. They returned with the
regiment in December and were discharged
in San Francisco. They returned TO their
getting service in Porto Rico, which favor
Major Noble is trying to have the War
Department bestow upon them. 1t Is their
desire to be placed on the retired list, and
as foreign service counts double time, they
wish TO be sent to the new possession to
shorten their length Of ervfe and
Their service in the army has brought
them in contact with many distinguished
officers, among whom was General Lawton-
CLOSE FRIENDSHIP.
So close has been the friendship of these
soldiers that one has refused favors the
other. could not share, and at the recruit
ing station, yesterday, one remarked that
If a lieutenancy was offered either, ii
would not be accepted unless both could
wear shoulder straps. Both have the de-
meanor of well-disciplined soldiers and are
excellent types of regular army gentlemen
They appear to be satisfied and look for
ward to their retirement with much ex.
pectation. Both say they have had easy
service which, according TO their state
ment, is within the reach of all soldiers In
the army when they conduct themselves as
gentlemen and soldiers.
Another unusual event at the recruiting
station yesterday was the re-enlistment OF
Henry White, a colored soldier OF Company
G, of the Twenty-fourth Infantry: be has
served twenty years in the regular army
and was discharged as a sergeant he Is
forty-four years old and is native OF
Louisville, Ky. White was in the charge
of San Juan Hill, where the coiored troops
distinguished themselves, and saw other
service in Cuba Later he was sent with
his regiment TO the Philippine islands
where he served one year. He desires tc
return to his old regiment, and hopes te
facilitate his retirement py SERVING All iof'
eign lands.
remarkable fact about all three Is that
neither has ever been wounded, ana nont
Is the worse for his army service.