The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-28
CHAPTER III.
OUR APPOINTMENT WITH THE
MAJOR


MAJOR.
Brainard and spent an hour and quite
q lot OF money In shops not far from head
quarters. taking care 10 return In time to
meet the major at noon, according 10 re-
quest.
AS we approached headquarters from
the opposite side OF the street we saw
Hamilton and Cloyne coming down. and
Brainard stopped me, exclaiming:
did you ever see two finer looking sol
diers2r
said l never had Each was tall,
straight. well formed and carried himself
with the grace and ease tnat came OF mill
tary training long before they, with us,
had Joined Billy Beechams company OF
the Ninety-ninrh. Their cavalry uniforms
had SSen carefully altered and refitted. so
there was none OF the awkwardness about
them that made the volunteer soldier ap-
pear more shabby than the average citi-
zen. Each wore "A slouch hat and plume.
like the regulation dress hat, only much
finer, and they attracted more attention
from passersby than any OF the commis-
stoned olsccrs whom one meet every mo-
ment or two on Broadway In those days.
! wanted 20 tell Brainard how much more
distinguished they would look within a
day or two when they had received the
commissions. about which the major un-
doubtedly wanted TO gee them and me, but
I hadn't the heart TO speak OF good for-
tune from which poor Brainard was to be
excluded, so l said nothing
The two fine fellows entered the stair
way which led TO the loft In which our
regiments recruiting headquarters were.
and / followed them. Quite a number OF
uniformed recruits were there I'm the back
part OF the room. so II seemed 10 me that
other officers and would be officers must
have been more successful than our trio at
Summerton | was about 10 tell Hamilton
and Cloyne OF my luck with Brainard, but
Charley begged me not TO. lie SAID ne
wanted to surprise them when we re-
turned TO Summerton Until then ne
would try 10 keep out OF sight. joined
them alone. therefore, and the three ot us
walked about together. amusing ourselves
by observing the old sergeant, who seemed
70 be trying to find some one or count the
recruits, we could not discover which. -,
lieutenant. who always seemed 10 pe
on duty as aid or assistant Leaned from
the window as II looking for the major,
Finally he withdrew his head. walked TO
the rear OF the room and shouted:
Attention, mani Fall inG
Il wonder II he is going 10 indulge In
both of them stopped aside. followed
by me, I'm order 10 be out OF the line
which the men were forming by the ala
Fail IN. men, said the lieutenant. APP
''Yees. understand" said the lieuten-
preaching us.
Beg pardon" said Hamilton. saluung az
gracefully but we've an appointment AT
noon wftt-tife rrfater,C at hfs-ew
"Yes. I understand" said the lieutenant.
81 represent the major. Fall in-accordlhg
III he meant drill" muttered Hamilton
to Cloyne, why didn't the old duner say
so? Did he think we wouldn't obey or
ders. that he got us here by such uhrnih-
tary ways"
"Right-dress!" shouted the old ser
geant. who had stationed himself at the
front, pushing some men back a little ana
pulling others forward. Finally he re-
turned to the right and shouted Front!
Then the lieutenant looked at us as care
lessly as II merely TO see N our general
appearance was fair. At last he shouteu:
"Attention! Men. orders have come Tor
all recruits for the Thirty-eighth cavalry
TO be sent 10 the regiment at once. You
must remain here. therefore. until the or
der for transportation comes. Well get
of some time this evening. THAT'S all
Break ranks-marchl'
The yells, roars and oaths that went up
from two or three score OF the men
were worse than any | ever had heard.
/ couldn't blame any OF the other recruits,
however for / was as angry shocked ana
frantic as they. Get or some time
this evening"" That meant | couldn't see
father, mother or Ned before | started
couldn't see them In three years unless the
war ended sooner. II was awful-lt was
worse than the worst shing ever had i'm
agined about war.
Some OF the more excftable fellows made
a rush for the door 10 find there for the
first time an armed guard. beyond whom
at the head OF the stairs were several
more They did not belong to our own
re egiment either Then they dashed 10 the
rear of the loft and threw up the window