The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-07-04

Washington) tapped me on the
shoulder and requested my pass. When
l informed him that l had none, he
turned me over to the officer in charge
who happened to be lieutenant or
captain of the regular army. Believ-
ing that few words would set mat
ters right, l again told my story; but
it was no use. The officer only said:
"My boy, your story Is good one; l
feel very, very sorry for you, but have
been too long in the business to swal-
low ii"
Needless to say that within five
hours l was back from where l started |
from, and this time the boys gave me
the ha, ha, good and plenty. even the
captain had to come out and help to
rub it in. Now as things were getting
somewhat interesting about this time,
due to the fact that General Skaters
expedition had just sailed from Tampa,
Florida, for Cuba, and rumors of the
7th Army Corps following as soon as
it could be organized were heard on
every hand, began debating with
myself whether or not l should cast
off the uniform, take to the woods, and
trust to the proverbisi leaf for gar
ment, when President McKinley's
proclamation calling for seventy-five
thousand volunteers to fill up the COM
panies to one hundred aud six men
each, was issued. Feeling at last that
the opportunity 50 much desired had
arrived, l Immediately presented my
self at the recruiting office for enlist
ment, and this time with success, for
as luck would have 1t the first lieuten-
ant Of Co. b was recruiting officer that
day.
Now the lieutenant, who knew my
story, looked me over quickly, then
smilingly told me to hold up my right
hand and be sworn into the service of
the United States. Did l do it? Well
l should say did. And was assigned
to Co. B where l was afterwards known
as the mascot of co. B, 3rd Mo. VOL
very soon found out that soldering
for the United States was far different
from that required by the State Militia,
as the routine duty at Camp Alger
kept us constantly on the move from
early morn It'll late at night. Ifit wasn't
drill it was fatigue, such as quarter
master, cOmmissary or sanitary. Our
camp was located on small knoll
just outside of Falls Church, Va, and
altho considered healthy, was far from
it. Chills, fever, and that most dread
ed disease, dysentery. were very much
in evidence. and were the cause of
many of the boys being sent home
Speaking of drill reminds me of one
of Uncle Sans methods of training raw
recruits for the unexpected. About
ten miles from Camp Alger is an old
rifle range, and there was always q
regiment going out one day and re.
: turning the next, supposedly for target
practice. We of the 3rd waited long
and anxiousiy for our turn, and when
it finally came we were happy and
care-free lot. On the outward march
the boys were singing and joking with
one another. But wish you could have
t seen them coming back! We arrived
! at the (?) range about four p. m. ant
4 soon had our little dog tents up read!
for the night, and grelS things wer.
t promised for the NOR ow, and wher
), taps sounded we laid lown to sleel
8 and dream of hitting the bull's-ey'
ninety y-nine times out of hundred
r But listen! about 1890 we were aroused
q by great commotion outside, and th'
!. bugles sounding the calI-to-arms
d While on every side from out of th'
J, darkness came the report of firearm
8 and running horses. The first sergean
was trying to form the men in line ant
il had just started to call the roll whel
7. some one yelled Spaniards! and tina
Q settled it. Forgetting that we wer
i still in the United States, we starte'
O for home, and had not the camp beel
d completely surrourded by the enemy
+ we would no doubthave reached ther
d in double quick time. 1t afterward
. turned out to be troop Of regula
y cavalry who were encamped not fa
q from the scene Of action, whose sol
u duty was to teach the volunteers tn