The National tribune., 1903-12-03

volunteer service were permitted to choOs
their commissioned officers, providing
satisfactory agreement could be mad
among themselves. OF course this relate
to the formation Of the company priO
to muster into the United States service
After that no choice was given to mem
bers. The 13 non-cOmmissioned officer
of n company were chosen by the officers
and those were likely to stand q goo,
chance who were friends or favorites o
Of the Captain, or First and Second Lieu
tenants. Hence it was not an uncommon
thing in the volunteer service that officer
of every rank were men badly qualified
Strife and bartering for position was no
confined to. company organizations, bu
regiments often suffered delay in organiza
ton on this account.
CHAPTER III.
FROM WILLIAMSBURG TO CAMP CHASE.
In response to call for recruitin:
rally to assemble at Williamsburg on Aug
3, 1861, patriotic delegations from ever!
locality within q radius of 10 miles wer,
present. Not having been acquainted will
any of the aspirants to office on that Oc
casion, l am not prepared to say as Il
the amount Of strife and wire pulling
The election resulted in selecting as Cap
tain, William Feeney, of Williamsburg
First Lieutenant, George McDOnOugh, oi
Crosstown; Second Lieutenant, Johr
Srofe,;s of New Hope.
At this time the little town of Williams
burg had a cornet band in good practice
The members, having enrolled their names
with the company, had taken part in the
election of officers, having decided to &C
with the company to the rendezvous camp
and. if possible, become the military band
of the regiment to which the company
should be assigned.
Capt. Feeney instructed us to reassem
BILE at Williamsburg on Aug. 13, in read
iness to 60 to rendezvous camp. This or.
der left us four days to get ready tn
serve three years term in the army OF
the front. -
1t was short time for such an event
full preparation, yet the order was wise:
if it had given twice four days in all
probability the company would never have
in sufficient strength to have
gone at all. Two-thirds of the members
would have scattered, and enlisted else
where, as. was the common practice.
NEcEssARlEs OF WAR.
During those four days there was great
activity among the men. Some were set
ting up business affairs; some providing
for the care and comfort of their fami-
lies and dependents during the uncertain
time they should be absent. Others were
laying in such private army supplies as
they deemed Indispensable for a soldier
in the field. For example; n citizens suit.
two white shirts and q pair of
patent-leather shoes for spe-
cial occasions when out Of camp. Some
thought it wise to take full set of uten-
sils for self-defsnse, such as pistols, dirks,
brass knuckles, etc. The unmarried man
laid in supply Of writing-paper, en-
velopes, and all kinds of writing tackle,
with which to describe from time to time
the dangers and tribulations he Overcame
or suffered. Then, too, the handy house
wife, presented by ones aunt, well filed
with buttons, thread. needles, pins, darn
ing yarn, pair of shears, tweezers, and
other appliances sufficient to set up a
ba ck-street tailor shop.
Hymn books, Bibles and prayerbooks
were abundantly furnished by ministers,
deacons, and other kind friends.
An interesting feature of the war sup
plies was the picture gallery. Every girl
in every neighbOrhOOd considered it he.
duty to present to every soldier going to
war an impression of her last smile, taken
at the nearest ambrotype foundry, pre-
served, protected and concealed from dis
closure, securely framed in handsome
case, with clasp and hinges. God bless
those girls, they did much to make good
soldiers out of us! The country is their
debtor vastly.
After all the war supplies had been ar
ranged and rearranged by the different
suggestions of each member of the family
50 that the package should present q con-
venient and uncumbersome bulk, the goo1
bless her! God bless her,
would find room enough for quilt or
blanket and pillow that her dear boy
might need.
SWEET HOME, GoOD-BY.
The four days elapsed. Tuesday, Aug.
i3, 1861 came. The morning gave evil
dence that a cheerful day was opening,
and the promise was inspiring.
The aci of that day was worthy of
careful and solemn consideration. How
was it that men could turn from their
families, and leave dependent ones whom
they loved dearly, often wholly TO the
care and mercy of the community? How
was it that men should abandon good,
easy and well-paying positions, for the
pittance of private's pay, and endure the
common to a soldiers life? Boys
who were yet in their teens, many of
whom had never slept from under the roof
of their parents commodious homes
why did they desert such comforts for n
tented field! And more wonderful than
all, how could the affectionate mother, as
was often the case, encourage her only son
TO buckle on the accOutrements Of war,
knowing that he would face the dangers
of bullets and bayOnets! The answer is
in one word. Patriotism.
The day had come, and the boys were
ready to go. Parents, sisters. brothers,
uncles, aunts, cousins, and neighbors gath
cred to bid farewell and see the boys off.
Boys, j say, yet there were men going
TO war, men mature in years; in many
cases, fathers and sons, uncles and
nephews. and men who had attained the
age of 80 (who had TO enlist as under 45l
were going TO fight side by side with their
sons and other boys in their middle teens.
The average man who was not going
then explained that he would go with the
next company from that settlement; or, at
least, as soon as he could settle up his
business, sell cow or q horse to leave
something for his family to live on till he
got back and so on.
The farewells were said; hands were
shaken and rcshaken, over and over again.
each shake reinforced by a warm GOD
bless you, my boys; hope you will get
back all right" When all farewells had
been said and done. and the last hand
shake was taken, it was not infreauept
that mothers, wives, sisters and sweet
hearts who had fairly disguised and con.
trolled their grief, would at last give way
10 their distress and enact scenes thai
owuld be well-nigh heartrending.
Husband and wife, mother and son
father and child, brother and sister-witl
hands clasped in the last go0d-by! These
distressing evidences Of the depth and
worth of our American patriotism are moi
to be described. They are not to be pie
tured. They can be seen by the world
but felt only by those who make th,