The National tribune., 1902-03-27

TO be paid in installments during the term
of service.
NV home was then at Wyocena, Wis.
The following boys, residing at Wyocena
and vicinity, beside myself, concluded 10
enlist in this service, being convinced by
many explanations on the part OF the
members ef the recruiting party that we
would like the Regular service better than
the volunteer: Henry NJ: Oviatt, Horauo
Briggs, A J. Hodges, Wm. IL. Lobdeil
and George Eepler.
Lieut. Anson 0. Doolittle, of the Sd u.
S. Cav, was in command of the recruit
ing party. He is a son of Hon. j. X. Doc
little, of Racine, who was at that time U.
S. Senator.
Lieut Doolttle was a jovial, kind
hearted fellow, but had never seen much
service, having been appointed to the po-
sition he held chiefly through the influence
of his father
After enlistment we were allowed to re-
turn home and remain until a detachment
sufficiently large had been procured for
transportation to Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
About Feb. 10 we were called to Madison,
and two DAYS after were peaSy for our
Journey east l think there were in all
some IS recruits in our party. Sergt
Hodge, of the recruiting party, was de-
tailed to conduct us to Carlisle Barracks.
We had a nice time, of course, as all new
ly-made soldiers do when first they assume
the ''war paint 1t has been said that
the most quiet, unassuming farmers son
in the world-quiet even unto extreme
bashfulneSs-when once arrayed in the
garb of a soldier, and mustered into the
service, will not be long in astonishing
everybody by his skill and ready power
of invention where either fun OF mischief
presents. Some such safety-valve or con-
ISOLATION must exist in army life, otherwise
the thousand and one hardships of the
service would be intolerable.
Wa had many clOwinP and great antlCi-
pations of Carlisle Barracks from the nu-
merous descriptions given by members of
the recruiting party. We were to have
easy soldering, hrst-class quarters and
plenty to eat, and most, not all of us, to be
transferred to what was termed the per-
manent party or company of the Barracks,
which did duty there and never was called
to the front. Carlisle Barracks was then
Headquarters for the cavalry branch Of
the Regular Army. Qt is now the loca-
tion of an Indian school conducted by the
Government.) A long list of soft snaps
were pictured to our inexperienced minds
so faithfully and earnestly that we were
overjoyed to think that we had found
way to serve our country, which was at
this time so needful of every available
man.
In due time we arrived at Carlisle Bar
racks, and / we'll remember the first sa-
Lutte given us by the recruits of Co. A as
we were marched to quarters fresh
fish" OF course the exact meaning of that
term was not understood at the time. We
subsequently ascertained that the term
was applied to all new recruits arriving
at the post.
CARLISLE BARRACKS.
The location of Carlisle Barracks was
about two and a half miles northeast of
the city of Carlisle, and some Is miles
southwest of Harrisburg. The site COM
Ind fpa vic Off hl rif Eun-
berland Mountains and the talley stretch
ing far and wide, dotted with beautiful
farm buildings.
The barracks were built of brick, and
consisted of headquarters, officers build
ings, permanent compapys quarters, re
cruits' quarters, Commissary and Quarter
masters building, stables, bakery, etc.
These buildings were constructed by the
Government, and were models alike for
convenience and finish. They were built
forming square surrounding most beau
tifuI plat of 10 acres, which formed the
parade. This parade was crossed in neces
eary places by graveled walks, wide, COM
modious, and leading to different points
about the barracks.
In Spring and Summer this parade was
go well attended that not a weed or other
foreign vegetable could be found upon it
nothing but pure grass. The inmates of
the guard-house, occasionally assisted by
q detail from the recruits, made up a ia
tigue party which looked TO the beauty of
this place, and kept it SO nice and clean.
In all its appointments Carlisle Barracks
was equally as neat. The Regulars have
q reputation Of being thorough and clean.
Maj. Hastings, Of the I'd U. S. Cav,
was In command when we arrived. The
Major was in the Mexican war, and had
Seen considerable service on the plains
fighting Indians. He was q soldier, every
Inch OF him, thorough in discipline, but
frnta pri 70 haY
one Of his subalterns. In fact, think he
would be more strict with an inferior OF
fcer, expecting more from the position
that the officer held.
From four to six officers of the several
regiments in the field, ranking no higher
than Lieutenants, were detailed to instruct
the recruits at the barracks. These were
assisted by many non-commissioned officers
who had been long in the service, and
were also detailed from their respective
regiments for drill duty.
The permanent company, befor. men
TONED, was composed mostly of veterans Of
the Regular service and who were supposed
TO remaik 1t the barracks permanently. II
consisted Of about 120 men when full. To
the recruits this company was perfection.
Its tne equipments, soldierly bearing and
considerable experience in service, together
with the many yarns told by the vets
ef frontier service, hsir-breadth escapes
from the Indians, etc, made a transfer
from Co. to the permanent company
their chief and only ambition. In this
company were found men who were born
in the service. Their first duty, when old
enough, was bugling, which was followed
until old enough to enlist as soldiers fol
the general service.
] have been entertained often by ou
old Stable Sergeant, Bully" Welch, who
was conyersant with the movements OF
the U. $. Dragons, as he termed them
through the Mexican war and Indian trou
bles, as well US st their stations in times OF
peace. The old fellow had worn soldier
clothes all his life; had been all over tht
West; knew every officer and enlisted
man of the several regiments, both in
fantry and cavalry; in fact, was a walk
Ing history of military facts, anecdotes
etc, connected with his long service in tn,
Regular cavalry. He never got promote,
higher than Stable Sergeant / doubt 1
be would, il he could, accept anything bu
that position. There were others Of tn
permanent company who were very enter
tanning in their several experiences as Reg
MAR soldiers of long service.
We soon found that ii was no easy mat
ter TO get transferred to the permanen
company. The beys of the recruiting PAL
~ ct Madison were not the rightful sourc
whence came the orders for such transfer
Evidently the inducement held out wa
for the purpose of facilitating enlistments
In other words, the Madison party got tn
recruits, the commanding officer, Ma
Hastings doing the rest"