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HISTORY

OF

Company K

First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry,

DURING THE

Spanish- American
War.

COMPILED BY ^
Private George B. Thayer.

HARTFORD, CONN.:
Press of R. S. Peck & Co.
i8q9

To
the memory ' of
MY SISTER
FLORINE THAYER McCRAY
who during her last illness did much to
sustain and inspire me while in camp
THIS WORK IS
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

To those who by pen or picture have
aided him in this work, the writer grate
fully acknowledges his indebtedness. Many
things were written under circumstances that
tried men's souls ; but time has softened
some of the sentiments expressed and all
resentment has vanished. And so the work
has been prepared and issued in the spirit
of Othello's last words :
"Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice."

CONTENTS.

Biographical, By Private George B. Thayer, . 9-58
Statistical, " " " " " . . 59-61
Personal, " "  . . 62-93
I.NDiviDUAL, . 94-139
Fort Knox — Foit Preble, By Private Alfred B. Pimm.
Society as we found it, " Corporal Edward F. Sanderson.
Life of a Private, " Robert K. Vibert.
Confessions of a "Non-Com." " Corporal Ralph B. Pierce.
Among the Recruits, " Private Edward C. Fowler.
Array Rations, " Albert C. Fulton.
Treatment of the Sick, " Edmund P. Nunan.
Chronological, By Private George B. Thayer, . 140-333

CAPTAIN SAUNDERS.
LIEUTENANT WATERMAN. LIEUTENANT VALENTINE.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

BY PRIVATE GEORGE B. THAYER.

J-

CAPTAIN HENRY H. SAUNDERS.
Does lie not hold up his head and strut in his gait.
— Shakespeare.
This excellent drill-master, than whom none better was in
the regiment nor possibly in the brigade, found his voice quite
early in life and it is presumed at once instinctively cried,
" Company, atten  tion." This was in the city of Hartford
some forty years ago and the company then present paid strict
attention, without doubt. His father, P. H. B. Saunders was a
successful merchant tailor and upon his death, the business
was carried on by Captain Saunders whose laudable ambition,
both in civil and military matters, has ever since been to
induce men to dress up. He joined Company K twenty years
ago and was elected captain in 1895.
J-
FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWARD H. WATERMAN.
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar, and give direction. — Othello.
Lieutenant Waterman first started for the front, in the
spring of 1858, following close upon the sun as it crossed the
line in March. He lined up with Company K in 1879, rising
from the ranks to his present position and making a model
first. sergeant on the way. Hartford has always been his home.

IO biographical.
He was formerly with the firm of Wiley, Waterman and Eaton,
printers and was one of the first to volunteer upon the declara
tion of war. He had an uncle on the famous flagship,
Hartford. J-
SECOND LIEUTENANT NATHANIEL G.VALENTINE.
Business dispatched is business well done.
But business hurried is business ill done.
— Bulwer Lytton.
In 1863, in the midst ofthe Civil war, soon after his birth.
Lieutenant Valentine at once engaged in business, the business
of drawing rations. For many years past he has been
associated with the Beach Manufacturing Company as book
keeper and with the Hartford Tube Works as superintendent.
He joined Company K many years ago and made the best
quarter-master sergeant the company ever had. He has
always lived in Hartford. Upon the muster out of the
regiment, followed by the resignations of both Captain Saunders
and First Lieutenant Waterman, Lieutenant Valentine was
elected captain of Company K, C. N. G.

J-

FIRST SERGEANT SAMUEL G. HUNTINGTON.
Like other charmers, he -wooed the caress more dazzlingly when
daring in full dress (uniform). — Byron.
The Rose of New England, the beautiful city of Norwich,
gave birth, some thirty years ago, to this member of Company
K in whose ranks he has served faithfully for over eleven years.
He comes of fighting stock, his great grandfather having served
in the war of the American Revolution. For a number of
years Sergeant Huntington has been connected with the Con
necticut General Life Insurance Company of Hartford though
Portland has a strong attachment for him still.

biographical. I I
QUARTER-MASTER SERGEANT ROBERT L. BEEBE.
Good nature and good sense must ever jpin ;
To err is human, to forgive divine. —Pope.
In 1873 the great financial panic occurred during which
many, especially in Boston, were crushed beneath the wheels
of fortune or misfortune. A year later this amiable bank
clerk appeared at the Hub and ever since the wheels of trade
and money matters have run smoothly.
Sergeant Beebe's father was in the Civil war, his uncle in
the Mexican war and his great-great-grandfather helped to
bring the war of the American Revolution to a successful close. '
How one so good natured could come from such fighting fore
fathers seems strange. Sergeant Beebe is now with the
Connecticut Trust and Safe Deposit Company and has been in
Company K four years. Upon the return of the regiment
Sergeant Beebe was promoted, first, to regimental quarter
master and soon after to paymaster, with rank of heutefiant.

SERGEANT RICHARD W. DeLAMATER.
For his patriotism, it was fit,
To match his learning and his wit.
— Hudibras.
Here is a member of Company K of eight years standing,
a photographer by profession, whose uncle was in the navy
during the Civil war and who had two great-great-grandfathers
in the war of the American Revolution. It is hardly to be
wondered at that there should descend from such good fighters
a first class shot, — snap-shot. He now makes us see ourselves
as others see us. He was born in Hartford twenty-six years
ago, lives in Wethersfield and being a " trusty " is allowed at
large outside the walls. He is a member of the firm of R. S.
DeLamater & Son, photographers. Sergeant DeLamater has
since been elected first lieutenant of Company K, C. N. G.

12 BIOGRAPHICAL.
SERGEANT HENRY L. HUNTINGTON.
In arguing, too, the sergeant owned his skill,
For, e'en though vanquished, he could argue still.
— Goldsmith.
This member of Company K like his brother, First Ser
geant Huntington, was born in Norwich, assuming early in
life the color of the rose, — a red rose in fact from the Rose of
New England. Later in life he was transplanted to the capital
city and learned the trade of machinist, at the Pratt & Whitney
Company. Like his brother he comes of good old Revolu
tionary war fighting stock. Sergeant Huntington has been a
member of Company K over six years and is twenty-eight
years of age. J-
SERGEANT HENRY T. HOLT.
A favorite has no friends, I guess nit.
If that favorite is the captain's pet. — Gray.
This favorite drill master has both English and Scotch
blood to feel proud of. An uncle, Lieutenant J. A. Turnbull
of Springfield, Massachusetts, served in the Civil war. Sergeant
Holt is himself a son of Massachusetts, which explains why he is
such hot stuff when there is any fighting to be done. He was
born in Springfield twenty-four years ago and is- now book
keeper in the ^tna National Bank. When the war broke out
he had already served in Company K four years, and hke the
child, Samuel, " grew on and was in favor with his lord," the
captain. Sergeant Holt has since been elected second lieu
tenant of Company K, C. N. G.
SERGEANT JOHN D. BONIFACE.
All people said he had authority. ' — Tennyson.
While he says he never set forth to climb his ancestral
tree, Sergeant Boniface has just the right solution of Irish and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 3
English blood in him to make a good fighter, rheumatism
aside. He is a New Yorker by birth, passing his first physical
examination at White Plains. He is an insurance clerk and
Hartford is his home. He also was a member of Company K of
four years standing. J-
CORPORAL CHARLES A. CARROLL.
Eyes of gentianellas azure.
Staring, winking at the skies.
— Bf^owning.
This natty member, was born in Hartford, of Irish parents,
twenty-seven years ago.- He had an uncle and several cousins
in the Civil war and did his best to get mixed up in this. He
has been three years in the company and many years as clerk .
with Smith, Bourn & Company, harness manufacturers. Cor
poral Carroll says he enlisted with the determination, as Macbeth
puts it, to die, if need be, with a Smith, Bourn & Company
harness on.
CORPORAL FRANCIS M. JOHNSON.
Alas ! in truth the man but changed his mind. '
Perhaps was sick, in love or had not dined. —Pope.
Twenty-three years ago, at Newton, Massachusetts, this
corporal, then a "little corporal," first began instructing in the
school of the soldier, using his toes as individual recruits and
trying in vain to keep his squad in line. More recently he has
been acting as salesman at the Pope Manufacturing Company in
Hartford. An uncle, with the rank of major, served on the staff
of General Sherman in the Civil war. All his ancestors were
English as far back as the family record goes. While at Camp
Alger Corporal Johnson did not enjoy the best of health much
of the time.

14 BIOGRAPHICAL.
CORPORAL LOUIS SILVERNAIL.
Comb down his hair ; look ! look ! it stands upright. — Henry VI.
The bald hills of Salisbury, Connecticut, gave birth to this
shining member of Company K and the family characteristic
still continues -to be exemplified. Corporal Silvernail, a
favorite with his present squad, was himself, some thirty years
ago, a member of an awkward squad, then so awkward that
while being taught the use of his arms he lost the control of
his legs and frequently fell on his face. At the first oppor
tunity since, he tried to fall again, this time, not on his face,
but on the enemy.
For many years he has been in the office of the Plimpton
Manufacturing Company. His ancestors were Dutch.
.at
' CORPORAL CYRUS W. WHEELER.
Thou know'st, great son.
The end of war's uncertain. — Coriolanus.
Corporal Wheeler certainly has reason to feel that the end
of war's uncertain. For weeks after the return of the regirnent
from Camp Alger his life hung as in a balance and it was many
weeks more before he had sufficiently recovered to get out and
around. He was born at Woburn, Massachusetts, in 1875 and
his business is that of traveling salesman.

CORPORAL GEORGE K. DWYER.
The ladies call him sweet ;
The stairs, as his toes on them meet, kiss his feet.
— Lovers Labour's Lost.
Corporal Dwyer, a little over twenty years ago, first cried,
" Turn out the Guard " and without further formality
announced himself. The proper salute was given. This

BIOGRAPHICAL. IS
occurred in Hartford where the corporal has since lived. He
now occupies a position with the .^tna Life Insurance
Company. His ancestors were Dutch, Irish and American,
and he had several close relatives in the Civil war and a grand
father in the Mexican war. J-
CORPORAL RALPH B. PIERCE.
High air-castles he cunningly built of words ;
The words well bedded in good logic mortar. — Carlyle.
Milton says architects need no Kings to make them happy
but are the architects of their own happiness. This is true of
the subject of this sketch. He never appeared otherwise than
happy, particularly when discussing with the First Sergeant,
the merits of his (Ralph's) Portland bill.
Blackstone, Massachusetts, is his birth place and Hartford
is still to be his home, his biographer is glad to know. Corporal
Pierce will be thirty years old before the end of the century.
He is still drawing plans and building castles in the air, up
eight stories in the air, in the Sage, Allen & Co. building, or
was when this sketch was written.
CORPORAL EDWARD M. WARD.
For thy sake, Tobacco, I
Would do anything but die. — Lamb.
Corporal Ward's father served three years in Company K,
Sixth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and
his great uncle took a hand in the Mexican war. An ancestor
also fought for American independence so that good old
English fighting blood still runs riot in the family. Corporal
Ward himself came within one of being born on Independence
Day but his anxiety to be present at muster and inspection on

1 6 BIOGRAPHICAL.
July 3, 1877, made him decline postponing the event for twenty-
four hours. The event occurred in Hartford. It is doubtful if
Corporal Ward would again enlist, in case of another war, and
run the risk of being deprived of his tobacco, for the indications
are that black powder in the next war will be totally discarded
and the men ordered to use nothing, but smoke less.

J-

CORPORAL THEODORE GRUENER.
I must to the barber's, for methinks I am marvelously hairy about the
face, (June 10. ) — Midsummer Nighfs Dream.
This thorough going soldier, who served his ten years
apprenticeship in military matters in the New Haven Grays and
the Governor's Foot Guard, was born in New York city thirty-
nine years ago while his parents were temporarily living there.
For many years, however, he has been engaged in merchantile
business in New Haven. Corporal Gruener's grandfather, the
first of his ancestors to become an American citizen, took part
in one of the European revolutions so frequent in the first
half of the present century, for which he suffered a long im
prisonment. Upon being released he settled in America.

CORPORAL WILLIAM F. CAMPBELL.
Much may be made of a Scotchman if he be caught young.
— Boswell's Life of Johnson.
This one, then, was caught young but how old he now is
the writer has, as they say in legal parlance, " no knowledge or
information on the subject sufficient to form a belief." New
York city, however, was his birth-place and Scotch and Irish
blood percolates through his capillaries. Corporal Campbell
also had some relatives in the Civil war.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 7
CORPORAL WILLIAM W. LOW.
I am monarch of all I survey. — Cowper.
Another good soldjer ^nd a civil engineer came from the
New Haven Grays to Company K, when Corporal Low joined
the First Regiment and, like Corporal Gruener, he too was
sorely disappointed in seeing other New England regiments,
that both might have joined, sent to the front and the regiment
of their choice broken up and kept near home. Corporal Low
was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, twenty-eight years
ago and came to New Haven not long after, graduating from
Sheffield Scientific School a's civil engineer. He had a grand
father and two uncles in the Civil war and an ancestor in the
Revolutionary war. He was a member of the New Haven
Grays three years.

J-

CORPORAL FREDERICK L. APPLETON.
I cannot rest from travel. I will drink life to the lees. — Tennyson.
About twenty-two years ago during the first Cuban insur
rection a volunteer presented himself at Chelsea, Massachusetts,
for examination and the surgeon present signed the following:
^' I hereby certify that I have inspected the above named
volunteer and that in my opinion he is qualified to perform the
¦duties of a soldier." This volunteer was Corporal Appleton
and the surgeon made no mistake in certifying to his soldierly
•qualities, then, however but slightly developed. His father.
Captain Thomas L. Appleton of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts,
served in the Civil war as well as did an uncle in the navy.
Since coming to Hartford, Corporal Appleton has been in the
office of the Pope Manufacturing Company, but is still full of
unrest, and anxious to travel.

1 8 BIOGRAPHICAL.
CORPORAL EDWARD F. SANDERSON.
He is the sweetest of all singers. — Hiawatha.
Cast thine emigrants upon the Western Reserve and their
descendants shall return to Connecticut after many days.
Moses Cleveland, a Connecticut surveyor, nearly a century
ago, laid out the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and now one of his
sons returns to Connecticut to try and lay out the Spaniards.
Would that this descendant of Moses had succeeded. Instead,
however. Corporal Sanderson has energetically resumed his
studies at the Hartford Theological Seminary and, like Moses,
is stretching out his hand towards all that is to be read. See !
He is twenty-four years of age, has Scotch blood in his cir
culatory system, and a fine bass voice in his throat.

MUSICIAN HENRY P. CAMP.
The trumpets loud clangor
Excites us to arms. — Dryden.
Trumpter Camp has always lived in the city of his birth,
Hartford. Some twenty-three years ago he first began sound
ing calls, usually at un-dress parade, and a certain style about
him soon caused his commandant to do away with dresses,
altogether. So, .this "'young' man" has " ever since worn
trousers. He is a machinist by trade. His ancestors were
Scotch and English, some of whom fought in the Revolution
ary war. Three uncles also took part in the Civil war.
at
MUSICIAN ROBERT R. ASHWELL.
Drummer, strike up and let us march away. — Henry VI.
Musician Ashwell, after exhibiting considerable diffidence
in the matter, finally drummed up courage to appear at Bloom-
field, Connecticut, some nineteen years ago. One of his first

BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 9
acts was to answer the call "To arms " and later, when the
company there assembled had been dismissed, he too
immediately fell out, out of his cradle. Musician Ashwell is a
cabinet maker by trade and doubtless will be called upon,
soon, to form a cabinet for the president. His blood is wholly
English and American and some of his ancestors served in the
American Revolution. He also had relatives in the Civil war.

J-

ARTIFICIER GUY F. ROWLAND.
The great artificier of all that moves. — Cowper.
Artificier Rowland is described by Webster as " a soldier-
mechanic attached to the service and designed to be employed
in the construction and repair of military material." The state
quarter-master's department apparently intended to keep
Artificier Rowland busy, judging from the number of guns,
tents, etc., which, when issued, were out of repair. Private
Rowland was born in Hartford twenty-four years ago, of
American ancestors, some of whom served in both the Civil
and Revolutionary wars.
Since the above was written, the true intent ofthe depart
ment, in issuing those perforated tents, has been disclosed.
It was to dispose, in preference to other and better ones, of a
lot of rotten, mildewed tents to the United States government,
at full price — a bargain apparently justified because of its
pecuniary benefit to the State of Connecticut. Now we know
why it was we were compelled to seek shelter in such tentage,
from the cold rains and sleet of the month of May. This
seems the more unkind when we recall the fact that it was
the act of an old veteran directed against a generation of
younger ones.

20 BIOGRAPHICAL.
WAGONER EDWARD F. AHERN.
We were two travelers, Jack and I ;
Jack's my dog. — The Vagabonds.
Wagoner Ahern is a builder by trade. He began his
profession in Hartford not far from twenty-four years ago,
starting as a boy with building blocks till now, as a man, he is
still building blocks. Before volunteering he had served five
years in the Connecticut National Guard and upon the return
of the regiment in September took Jack to his home and
kindly cared for him till his death. (See Jack's biography.)
J-
PRIVATE CHARLES D. BARROWS.
Work, feed thyself, to thine own powers appeal.
Nor whine out woes thine own right hand can heal. — Crabbe.
Private Barrows was born at Farmington, Connecticut, in
i860, just before the breaking out of the Civil war. He joined
the First Regiment, C. N. G. many years ago, serving one full
term of five years in one ofthe New Britain companies. He
is a machinist by trade but however thoroughly he understood
the workings of an ordinary machine, his own physical system
was out of repair most of the time, during the recent tour of
duty.
PRIVATE WILLIAM R. BARBER.
He stands erect ; his slouch becomes a walk,
He steps right onward, martial in his air,
His form, his movement. — Cowper.
Private Barber was born at Mooers, New York, eighteen
years ago. His ancestry is American and he had relatives in both
the Civil and Revolutionary wars. Though he had no previous

BIOGRAPHICAL. 21

military experience, he carried himself like a true soldier, join
ing the company at Portland. He is an architect by profession,
but realized the fact that if he volunteered and gave up his own
draughting, Uncle Sam would be less likely to have to do any.

PRIVATE ALFRED BARKER.
" Ay," quoth my uncle Gloster,
" Small beers have grace, great tanks do grow apace." — Richard III.
Private Barker is, by profession, a dentist, having early in
life displayed peculiar interest in the care of teeth by cutting
his own. This was not lar from eighteen years ago. He was
born of American parents and has always lived in Hartford.
He had a cousin in the Civil war but does nbt recall that any
ancestor took part in the Mexican or Revolutionary wars.
J-
PRIVATE GEORGE G. BEAUCHAMP.
I thought upon one pair of English legs
Did march three Frenchmen — Henry V.
" Gay Paree" gave birth to this member of Company K
some twenty-one years ago but Hartford, though said not to
be so gay a city, in time became the home of Private Beau-
champ's adoption. An uncle served in the Civil war. Private
Beauchamp is a blacksmith by trade and his willingness to
serve and become a part of his adopted country in time of war
indicates the welding is complete. a»
PRIVATE MERTON W. BASSETT.
I am a soldier and hence unapt to weep
Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. — Henry VI.
This member of Company K had four relatives in the
American Revolution, five uncles in the Civil war, was himself

22 BIOGRAPHICAL.
a Hartford member of the Connecticut National Guard for three
years and a half and yet was not satisfied to rest on his arms with
this record behind him. Being a watchmaker by profession,
he could not resist winding up his military career by striking a
blow for Cuba. For this act and others he seems in no danger
of running down in the favorable opinion of his friends.
Private Bassett was born in Bristol, Connecticut, twenty-six
years ago. at
PRIVATE HENRY E. BRYANT.
Now, in the name of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this, our sleeper, feed.
That he has grown so great. — fttlius Caesar.
Twenty years ago Private Bryant woke up in Hartford
and has managed, in one way or another, to keep awake con
siderable of the time since. He served in the Connecticut
National Guard two years and his father before him saw nearly
five years service, in the infantry and artillery, during the Civil
war. His ancestors were all English. Private Bryant is in the
insurance business and being such a good eater and sleeper is
-put down as a first class risk.

PRIVATE WILLIAM E. BRIGHAM.
Though we be sick and tired and faint and worn,
Lo, all things can be borne. — Elizabeth Akers.
That tired feeling first took possession of the subject of
this sketch early in life, some nineteen years ago, and has
never completely let go since. Middletown, Connecticut is
the place ot his birth but Hartford now calls him her own. At
present, Private Brigham is resting from the fatigues of Falls
Church. He had two uncles in the Civil war and he traces his
iblood back to Scotch ancestry.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 23
PRIVATE WILLIAM H. BROWN.
Your hero should be always tall, you know. — Churchill.
This one first scanned the breadth and extent of the British
Empire from the top of Brierly Hill, Staffordshire, England
and has been trying to take a broader and broader view of this
little earth ever since. Private Brown is now a sign writer and
no modern sky scraper is much beyond his reach. He was a
meniber of the Press Cadets at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for
two years before joining Company K.
a*
PRIVATE DWIGHT E. BROWN.
Worthy fellow; and like to prove most sinewy swordsman.
— All's well that ends well.
Private Brown was born at Simsbury, Connecticut, at a
very early age. He took to arms from the first and presented
a very soldierly bearing at his first annual inspection. He
joined the company at Portland and stood by till the last when
he fell sick with the fever, ,as so many others did. His
business is that of clerk. at
PRIVATE FRANCIS C. BURNELL.
What, is Brutus sick ;
Or will he steal out of his disordered tent,
Avoid the drill, on which he is not bent. . — yulius Caesar
Private Burnell was born at Rocky Hill, Connecticut,
nineteen years ago. He is now a student with his home in
Hartford where he was once a member of the West Middle
Cadets. He had ancestors in the Revolutionary war on both
sides of the house and some near relatives served in the Civil
war. Private Burnell has now fully recovered from a long and
severe illness, the culmination of periodical fits of ill health
which seemed to follow him through the entire term of service.

24 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE JOSEPH BURNELL.
'Tis the soldiers life
To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. —Othello.
Private Burnell is, by birth, a Canadian, having been born
at Montreal in 1870. He came to Hartford later in life and
learned the trade of polisher. Possibly this explains the cause
why so many balmy slumbers at Camp Alger were
waked with strife. The polisher, in trying to wear off the
rudeness and rusticity of his tent mates, created considerable
friction — in other words, strife. In the morning, however, on
the surface all was smooth and serene.
at ,
PRIVATE HENRY L. BORLAND.
What sweet delight a quiet life affords.
— Drummond.
Twenty-two years ago, at Yonkers New York, Private
Borland quietly took his place in line and if he cried at all it was
to simply say " Here." His father served as captain in the
Civil war, descending from good old fighting Scotch blood.
Private Borland is a machinist, employed in Hartford and
living at Thompsonville. at
PRIVATE ARCHIE L. CANNON.
Cannon to the right of them,
Cannon to the left of them,
Cannon in front of them,
Volleyed and thundered. — • Tennyson.
No one blundered, however, when Private Cannon was
proposed for membership of Company K, nearly five years
ago, nor has this Cannon ever thundered since, though he
came near saying, " By thunder " at Portland once, when his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 25
fingers were split open trying to catch what he claimed was
Cannon's ball. Private Cannon was born at Russell, Massa
chusetts, twenty-four years ago of English ancestry. An uncle
served through the Civil war. •at
, PRIVATE FRANK J. CAD WELL.
Turn, turn my wheel ! Turn round and round
Without a pause, without a sound. — Longfellow.
Those large "loving" eyes of Private Cadwell first opened,
and took a sort of peep sight as it were, at Elmwood, Connec
ticut, nineteen years ago. Ever since they have been peeping
into the hearts of the " enemy " but have never yet caught
sight of a Spaniard, much to his regret and ours. His father
served in the Civil war in an Ohio regiment. His ancestral
blood is a mixture of Scotch and English. Private Cadwell is
also widely known as a record breaking wheelman.
at
PRIVATE ROBERT A. CASE.
Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you.
— Pock me io sleep.
Private Case (R. A.) still survives in the town of his birth.
East Hartford, though he expresses a strong desire to be buried
elsewhere. May no spot on earth, however, receive his
(cigarette) ashes for several scores of years at least. Corporal
Austin A. Case, an uncle, served in the Twenty-first Connecticut
during the Civil war and another uncle was in the Union cav
alry. Private Case also had ancestors in the Revolutionary war
and that of 18 12. Enghsh and Scotch blood mingle in his
make up. "Mother" Case, as he was familia.rly called, had been
a member of Company K nearly two years. Though a good sol
dier, Private Case always disliked that general order which com
pelled him to salute all colors or standards and officers not Cased.

26 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE WILLIAM O. CASE.
Blue ! Tis the life of heaven, — the domain of Cynthia. — Keats.
Private William O. Case was born at Granby, Connecticut,
thirty years ago, his paternal ancestors coming from the state
of his birth and his maternal from the state of Maine An
uncle died of fever while with his regiment in Virginia during
the Civil war.- His great-grandfather also fought in the
Revolutionary war. While the poet seems to think blue is the
natural domain of Cynthia, as Private Case was familiarly
called, the members rarely if ever found him in that condition.
For several years he has been stenographer for the Hartford
Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. Private
Case is such a capital fellow a printer would say he came from
the upper- case. at
PRIVATE HENRY H. CHAMBERLIN.
A Rose my red, red Rose !
Where has thy beauty tied ?
— A Red Rose.
Private Chamberlin was one of the smaller members of the
company and necessarily, from early childhood, he always had a
short memory. For instance, he failed, early in life, to observe
his general orders in not walking in a military manner and it is
said, he did not report every breach of his trousers which he
had busted by force. He was born in Hartford twenty-two
years ago and joined the company at Portland. His occupa
tion is that of bookkeeper. at
PRIVATE LAWRENCE A. CONVERSE.
First Sergeant. — "How does your patient, doctor."
Rathbun. — " Not so sick, my lord,
As he is troubled with thick-coming fancies"- (just before drill.)
—Macbeth, Act, V. Sc. 3.
Private Converse has lived in Hartford much longer than
many of the shorter members of the company. In fact, there

BIOGRAPHICAL. 27
may have been something about his birth-place, Long Meadow,
Massachusetts, to cause hiip to live so long or rather, grow so
tall. He first began to complain of not feeling well some
nineteen years ago but has had spells of being in good health
ever since. He had three uncles in the Civil war.

at

PRIVATE HOWARD S. CLAPP.
May that soldier a recreant prove,
That means not, hath not, or is not in love. . — Shakespeare.
Another Massachusetts man, born at Hanam, twenty-one
years since, and now night watchman at the Hotel Adams,
Worcester, Massachusetts. He takes pride in the Yankee blood,
undiluted, that courses through his system and may well men
tion the fact that an uncle served with Custer in the Indian wars.
Private Clapp's experience with Company K was his first
military venture, thus showing his love for his country, at
least, by volunteering.
PRIVATE MINOTT C. DENNISTON.
Nightly sings the staring owl, To-who
Tu-wit, to-who, a merry note .
— Love's Labour Lost.
In the Revolutionary war Private Denniston had a great
grandfather. In the Civil war his father and an uncle saw ser
vice and .the son saw to it that his generation- should not be
unrepresented in this war. He was born in Washingtonville,
Orange County, New York in 1872, and is, by trade, a civil
engineer. He was also one of the quartet of sweet singers in
the Denison tent at Camp Alger, filling as a civil engineer
might express it, the part, not exactly of a gunner's but of a
soldier's quadrant.

28 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE FRANK E. DENISON.
How shall we rank thee upon Glory's page?
Thou more than soldier and just, than .less sage.
— Moore.
Now we come to some fighting stock from 'way back.
From a full blooded Norman, possibly one of those who
came over and fought with William the Conquerer, there has
descended a line of Denisons to be proud of. First there was a
Denison in both the Revolutionary and the Mexican wars ; then
George E. Denison, father of Frank and "Fritz," served all
through the Civil War and now his two sons make the same
offer for this. Surely the Denisons are hot stuff. Frank is
twenty-six years old and was born and has always lived in
Hartford. at
PRIVATE FREDERIC R. DENISON.
Stay, little cheerful Robin I Stay,
And at thy window sing. — Wordsworth.
The English poet when he penned those words, possiby. with
a prophetic eye, saw " Fritz," sitting at the window in his little
pine arbor at Camp Alger and heard the fine harmony that
came from the throats of the male quartet within. If Words
worth didn't hear, the writer at least did, many and many a
night, much to his delight. What is true of Frank's fighting
blood is also to be said of Fritz's. Both are associated with
their father, a contractor and builder, who by frequent visits to
camp followed the fortunes of Company K closer than a brother.
Fritz is twenty-three years old.

PRIVATE HOWARD L. DICKINSON.
Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long. — Goldsmith
Company K seemed to want little men judging from the
fact that two or three fours of short men were welcomed to its

BIOGRAPHICAL. 29
ranks. Nor was there ever a time when the company wanted
those little men long. The " little runts " got there every time,
short as they were and " Little Dickey " was always among the
number. His first appearance among little folks was at Marl
borough, Connecticut, nineteen years ago and East Hartford
is now his home. His father served in the Civil war, his
ancestors coming from England and Scotland. Private Dickin
son's business was that of window dresser at Fox & Co.'s dry
good store.

PRIVATE CLARENCE J. DRISCOLL.
He bears a duke's revenue on his back
And in his heart he scorns our poverty. — Henry VI.
Private Driscoll, in the Civil War, had a father, grand-father
and two uncles — a pretty good record for one family. The
son's record in this war was all right, too. He dropped the
business of selling yeast and tried to raise the standard of the
company by enlisting under its flag. Down at the kitchen, they
say at mess he was like unto an oven into which he took and
hid three measures of rations at a meal, till the whole supply
was leveled. Furthermore, he had one advantage over the
other members in their quiet little games at Camp Alger, to wit :
He always knew how to raise the dough. The " Duke " is
traveling salesman for the Fleischmann Yeast Company.

at

PRIVATE JONATHAN E. ENO.
Farewell! Eno's fighting occupation 's gone. —Othello
Private Eno comes of unadulterated American ancestry,
all his forefathers having come to this country previous to 1700.
He had two great-grand-fathers in the Revolutionary war and
his father, Captain Eno, was provost marshal during the Civil

30 BIOGRAPHICAL.
war. He was born some twenty years ago, in the old town of
Simsbury, Connecticut, and was brought up in a farming
community, first acquiring, in his very early childhood, the art
of milking.
PRIVATE EDWARD C. FOWLER.
Surely, He shall deliver us from the snare of the fowler.
— Psalm gi:3.
If Company K had no more to fear from the noisome
pestilence of Camp Alger than from the snare of this fowler,
the command would have feared nothing. A more reliable
member was not in the company. He descended from
English and Dutch ancestors, had a great-grand-father in the
War of I'S 1 2 and an uncle in the Civil war. Private Fowler
was born at Cornwall, Connecticut and his home is now in
Bloomfield.
PRIVATE ALFRED M. FISHER.
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord.
— Jeremiah i6: ib.
Four years under military instruction at Paris, France, was
the experience of Private Fisher previous to joining Company
K and this went far towards excusing him from the schooling
necessary in the awkward squad. He was born at Syracuse,
New York, twenty-three years ago and will make New York
City his future home. By trade he is an electrician.

PRIVATE ALBERT C. FULTON.
Give him great meals of beef and iron and steel, he will eat like a wolf
and fight like a devil. — Henry V.
About the time that the great general of the Civil war
was upon the point of leaving the presidential chair, another

BIOGRAPHICAL. , 3 I
soldier of equal greatness, in some respects, presented himself
for military duty at Indianapolis, Indiana. This was Private
Fulton who, as the writer knows, is as big-hearted as others in
the company think him, a great-eater. He is now a student at
the Hartford Theological Seminary. Both his father and grand
father served in the Civil war. at
PRIVATE FRANK E. FULLER.
It takes a fuller to groove a bayonet. — Webster.
When the Mayflower landed in i6-20, Company K was re
presented, in embryo, in the form ofthe Scotch and English an
cestors of Private Fuller.. Later, an ancestor fought for American
Independence; still later, in the war of 18 12, a great uncle took
a hand and in the Civil war three uncles served their country,
one as first sergeant in the Twenty-fifth Connecticut. Private
Fuller was born at Odel, Illinois, twenty-three years ago, now
lives at Windsor, Connecticut and has turned his hand both
to dentistry and carpentering, pulling teeth and drawing nails.

at

PRIVATE HENRY C. GILLETTE.
A better soldier never couched lance;
A gentler heart did never sway in camp. — Henry VI.
At the age of nineteen, this lovable lad is found serving his
country in time of war, the supreme act which can fall to the lot
of any man to perform. He had relatives in the Civil and ances
tors in the Revolutionary wars but had, himself, no pervious
niilitary experience. His ancestors were French and English.
Private Gillette was born in Hartford and is now in tiie office of
the Pope Manufacturing Company.

32 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE JAMES P. HYNES.
Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights by my side,
In the cause of humanity, if our creeds agree. — Moore.
Private Hynes was born at Borris, County Dublin, Ireland,
nineteen years ago. He came to this country several years
since and settled in Hartford. Besides undergoing the fortunes
of a soldier, he has experienced many other ups and downs in
hfe. He runs the elevator at the Linden. An uncle served in
the Civil war. at
PRIVATE HENRY H. HALL.
Ay me! what perils do environ
The man that meddles with cold iron.
What plaguy fever and mishap
Do dog him as an after-clap. — Hudibras
Private Hall, by his military bearing, exhibited the effects
of three years training at the Riverview Military Acadamy,
Poughkeepsie, New York. An uncle served in the regular army
during the Civil war, ranking as lieutenant colonel, and an
ancestor fought for American Independence. Private HaU's
maternal ancestors were north of Ireland folk and his paternal
ancestors came to this country before 1650. He is twenty
years of age, was born at Short Hills, New Jersey, and is now
clerk in the insurance agency of his father, James P. Hall, who,
by frequent visits and opportune offerings, remembered Com
pany K more than once in its hour of need. After his return
home Private Hall fell sick with the prevaiHng fever.
at
PRIVATE WILLIAM H. HATTON.
To be slow in words is only a virtue.
Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Private Hatton was born at Yonkers, New York twenty-iive
years ago. Before he had left his cradle he had learned his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 33
general orders, or some of them. At night he always exercised
the greatest vigilance and long before broad daylight was
challengjng persons seen around or near his bed post. His
ancestors were pure English. Hartford is his home, where he
is employed with the Pope Manufacturing Company.
at
PRIVATE EDGAR G. HAYDEN.
My long sickness
Of health and living, now begins to mend. — Timon of Athens.
Private Hayden was born in East Hartford about twenty-
one years ago, and still continues to make that town his home.
He had two years of previous military experience in a military
school, and had relatives or ancestors in both the Civil and the
Revolutionary wars. He has not as yet recovered sufficiently
from his long sickness to warrant his undertaking any business.
at
PRIVATE JAMES D. HENDERSON.
Then and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being, little. — Henry VIII.
This member in the ranks of the "little runts" comes of
Scottish blood. In the city of Hartford he first took his place
at the left of the line, where all little folks are told to be seen
and not heard (they are not ashamed to be seen, either — ask
any one of the little runts). Private Henderson has always
lived in Hartford, and is a pressman by trade.
at
PRIVATE EBEN C. HOLLIS.
Is this a dream ? O, if it be a dream,
Let me sleep on, and do not wake me yet. — Spanish Student.
Private Hollis awoke from his first trance twenty-one
years ago at Worthington, Massachussetts. Since he came, as

34 BIOGRAPHICAL.
a builder, to help build up Hartford, as a rule he has success
fully resisted the tendency to fall into the hypnotic state. He
served two years in Company K before ' volunteering, and had
an uncle who served in the Civil war. He is of the firm of D.
W. HolHs & Son, builders. at
PRIVATE ROBERT M. HUMPHREY.
O, it is excellent
To have a giant's strength. — Measure for Measure.
Private Humphrey was born in Burlington, Connecticut,
twenty-four years ago,, descending from sturdy English and
Welsh ancestry. He had two uncles and a cousin who served
in the Civil war, but knows of none taking part in the Mexican
or Revolutionary wars. He had no previous military experi
ence, but Holyday aptly describes Private Humphrey when he
says his " strength must be either of love or war." We will
call it war. at

PRIVATE EDWARD W. JUDSON.
Let us sing by the camp fire
Ever higher,
Sing till the night expire. . — Longfellow.
Here is a member whose ancestors were Connecticut
Yankees from 'way back. Private Judson, himself, was born at
Woodbury, Connecticut, twenty-four years ago. He had had
some experience at a military academy before volunteering.
His profession is that of an electrician but Company K will re
member him as a sweet singer — long remember him as the tall
est of the Denison quartet, so tall, in fact, that he could easily
carry the air, however high the notes. Hartford is his home.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 35
PRIVATE WILLIAM C. JOHNSON.
Brother should not war with brother
But worry and devour some other. — Cooper.
Private Johnson was born at Newton, Massachusetts, the
birthplace of his brother. Corporal Johnson. He also went to
war with him but did not war with him, as the poet seems to think
brothers some times do. Private Johnson had several years ex
perience in the Connecticut National Guard. His uncle, Major
J.B. Bell, served in the Civil war. "Will" is now perpetual
inventory clerk at Pope's. May he occupy the position so long
as perpetual inventories exist. He is twenty-four years of age.
at
PRIVATE EDWARD G. KOBER.
Thanks to the gods! My boy has done his duty. — Addison.
Private Kober, a post office messenger, volunteered with the
other recruits and, as in the case of Private Sarvan, another
post office messenger, not long after the coming of these mes
sengers Santiago surrendei'ed and the peace protocol was signed.
They seem to have both been messengers of peace, then, and
we can now sing, in the words of Mendelssohn's " St. Paul,"
" How blessed are the messengers that teach them (the
Spaniards) the gospel of peace." Private Kober delivered his
first message, announcing to his happy parents his safe arrival,
about eighteen years ago, in the city of Hartford. He had a
grand-father in the Civil war and a great uncle in the Mexican
war. *
PRIVATE ROBERT KIRKLEY.
Both plain and without pomp
And rich without show. — Dryden.
Private Kirkley's biographical data are as brief as his pre
vious military experience was short. He says he had had no

36 BIOGRAPHICAL.
military experience whatever before joining the awkward squad.
We must take his word for it, though he quickly caught on to
the manual and movements afterwards. He was born in Eng
land twenty-three years ago. at
PRIVATE JOHN B. KNOX, Jr.
A polished perturbation ! Sleep with it now !
He, whose brow, with homely night-cap bound.
Snores out the watch of night ! — Henry IV.
When Shakespeare thus referred to King Henry, could he .
have also had in mind the polished snorer of Company K?
Possibly, for he exclaims, " Sleep with, it ! " as if the very
thought was a nightmare. But this can be said to the credit
of Company K's snorer. Like Macbeth, one who can so con
stantly murder sleep is not afraid to fight. Private Knox is
nineteen years of age, was born of Scotch and French ances
tors, and always lived in Hartford ; had five years' experience
as a West Middle cadet and one year in the Connecticut Na
tional Guard, and is now in the insurance business.
at
PRIVATE MYER LANDERMAN.
This disturber of our sleep
Buzzes in the people's ear. — Shakespeare.
Private Landerman is of Hebrew blood, was born in
Russia eighteen years ago, and later was engaged in making
bicycles in Hartford. As a disturber of the peaceful sleep of
the people of Camp Alger, there is considerable discord of
opinion, and the final decision must be left to his tent mates.
His military experience, up to the time of volunteering, was as
a cadet at the Good Will Club. Since being mustered out he
has joined Company C, First U. S. Infantry, and was ordered
to Cuba.

BIOGRAPHICAL. ^ 37
PRIVATE OTIS D. MARION.
Still to be neat, still to be drest,
As you were going to a feast.
. — The Silent Woman.
Private Marion has sifcceeded in tracing his paternal
ancestry back to France and his maternal back to England.
His success in that line of work possibly may have had its
effect in securing him the position of tracing clerk for the
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., which position he now holds. He
has been a member — one of the neatest dressed members — of
Company K for two years. He was born at North Woburn,
Massachusetts, twenty-one years ago and now lives in East
Hartford. In the Revolutionary war, Private Marion had an
ancestor. at
PRIVATE EUGENE T. MARVEL.
I looked upon her with a soldier's eye,
But now I am returned and that war — thoughts
Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires. — Much Ado About Nothing.
An electrical worker, born at Rocky Hill, Connecticut,
and now a resident of Hartford ; French paternal ancestor and
English maternal; a father in the Civil war and a maternal
ancestor in the Revolutionary. Such, in brief, is the biographical
sketch of Private Marvel, now in his eighteenth year.
at
PRIVATE MICHAEL E. McGRATH.
I smelt roast meat, beheld a huge fire shine,
A cook in motion, with his clean arms bared. — Don Juan.
Private McGrath, the company cook, had five years' ex
perience in the regular army, in the far west, before joining
Company K. He was born at Windsor Locks, Connecticut,

38 BIOGRAPHICAL.
in 1865, and is now employed at Ingraham, Swift & Co.'s beef
establishment, where, because of Mac's modesty, the men
handle all the hind-quarters of beef and legs of mutton, dressed.
The writer can add nothing as to the capabilities of Private
McGrath as company cook. The unanimous opinion of the
members of the company, as expressed in another part of this
history, is the highest tribute that can be paid him.
at
PRIVATE JOHN McKONE
Death is the universal salt of states,
Blood is the base of all things — law and war. — Bailey.
This student ofthe law hoped, in common with the rest of
the company, to also become versed in the art of war but like
the others was disappointed. He returned at once to the study
of law at Washington, D. C. upon coming home from Camp
Alger. Private McKone is twenty years of age and was born
at Hartford whe.re his home still is. An uncle, during the Civil
war, died in that hell, Andersonville prison.
at
PRIVATE ROBERT A. McKEE.
" Is there no hope " the sick man said,
The silent doctor shook his head,
And took his leave with signs of sorrow.
Despairing of his fee tomorrow. — The Sick Man and the Angel.
Private McKee is a drug clerk, twenty-three years of age,
and during the company's tour of duty, was detailed as a
member of the hospital corps where he served efficiently. His
home is in Hartford and he is of Scotch ancestry. He also had
relatives in the Civil war. Though a drug clerk. Private
McKee's duties at Camp Alger and later at Niantic were far
from being so slight as to cause him to exclaim with Byron
" vvith pleasure drugged, I almost long for woe."

BIOGRAPHICAL. 39
PRIVATE JAMES McLAUGHLIN.
Among common folk the law of sacrifice takes the form of po.sitive.duty. — Froude.
Private McLaughlin was born in Hartford and at the age
of twenty-one made the greatest offer that lies within the power
of man to make — his life for his country. His ancestors were
Irish. Private McLaughlin is now engaged as salesman in
Hartford.

PRIVATE PETER J. MOLLOY.
Wisely and slow! They stumble that run fast.
— Romeo and Juliet.
Private Molloy was born on the " old sod " twenty-two
years ago and he never has let the grass grow under him since,
neither while escaping from court martial at Portland nor while
running the private canteen at Camp Alger. His nearest relatives
in the Civil war were cousins. His business is that of waiter.

at

PRIVATE JAMES L. MORAN.
Maintain your post; that's all the fame you need. — Dryden.
Private Moran had some experience with munitions of war
before enlisting, having been employed in a cartridge factory at
Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was born at Scranton, Pennsyl
vania, in 1877, of Irish ancestors and had an uncle who served
in the Civil war. Private Moran was one of the faithful
recruits, of whom Burke says, " The state is to have recruits to
its strength and remedies to its distempers," but,like some other
members of the company, Private Moran himself fell a victim
to the prevailing "distemper," typhoid fever, luckily, however.
recovering after a time.

40 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE JEREMIAH MORGAN.
We came into this world like brother and brother ;
And now let's go hand in hand, not one before another.
— Comedy of Errors.
Here is another son of Ireland ready to fight for the
country of his adoption. Private Morgan was born in Irdand
twenty-two years ago, and came to this country with his
brother, Joseph, both of whom were among the stalwart recruits
that joined the company at Portland. Since coming to this
country Private Morgan has been employed as watchman,
which, possibly, accounts for his readiness at Camp Alger in
answering "All's well" when the call, in biblical language,
was, "Watchman, what of the night."

PRIVATE JOSEPH MORGAN.
The Romans were like brothers
In the brave days of old. — Macauley.
Private Morgan, like his brother, Jeremiah, offered to fight
for his adopted country, and both alike were disappointed in
not reaching the front. Joseph was also born in Ireland nine
teen years ago. Since coming to this country he has acted as
" elevatorer," an occupation which consists in lifting men till
they become tipsy, if we may believe Walter Scott, who tells
of the "elevated cavalier" who "sent for two tubs of merry
stingo." at
PRIVATE REUBEN H. MORLEY.
A-sleep-in' Jesus, blessed sleep. — Sacred Hymn.
Private Morley was born at Saginaw, Michigan, twenty-
two years ago, where he has since lived. He entered Yale,
but gave up his course of study when the war broke out.

BIOGRAPPIICAL. 4I
When the company was sent to Portland Private Morley, in
his effort to get nearer the firing line, succeeded in getting
transferred to the 32nd Michigan, then stationed in Florida.
There he remained with his regiment, however, till November
10, when the regiment was mustered out. " My transfer," he
writes, "did not get me to th'e front, as I so fondly hoped, and,
needless to say, I am pretty sore." Private Morley is of
English descent and had relatives in both the Revolutionary
and Civilwars. at
PRIVATE EDMUND P. NUNAN.
I will attend my mate, be his nurse;
Diet his sickness, for it is my oifice. — Comedy of Errors.
Private Nunan was born at Terryville, Connecticut, twenty-
seven years ago and is now clerk in the dry goods store of
Brown, Thomson & Company, Hartford. His ancestors were
Irish and, like many of that hot fighting blood, if Private Nunan
could have got at the Spanish army there would have been a
terrible mix up. The gentler side of his nature, however, had
an opportunity to assert itself when Private Walsh, fell sick at
Camp Alger with the fever, for then it was that Private Nunan
stayed behind and nursed him like a mother.
at
PRIVATE EDWARD M. OVIATT.
Beneath the rule of men entirely great.
The pen i« mightier than the sword. — Bulwer Lytton.
Private Oviatt has used a pen. He is a newspaper man.
Immediately upon the arrival of a certain Hartford newspaper
at Camp Alger one afternoon in August, an order was issued
compelling the members ofthe regiment to vote upon the ques
tion of coming home and being mustered out. For fuller details
4

42. BIOGRAPHICAL.
as to the cause of this mighty commotion at regimental head
quarters see the daily doings of the company as recorded in
The Diary. Private Oviatt was born at New Britain, Connecticut,
twenty-four years ago, of maternal Scotch ancestors. His
father and uncle served in the Civil war.

at

PRIVATE GEORGE E. PATTISON.
Fair fighter, with ironlike legs spread out,
And blood-extracting fist and mighty arm. — Bryant.
With paternal ancestors from Scotland and maternal ones
from Ireland, is it to be wondered at, the Herculean result of
stich heredity. Private Pattison fails to give his age but it is
safe to presume he is no older than he used to be. He had an
uncle in the Civil war but none in the other American conflicts
so far as he knows. He was born at Simsbury, Connecticut.

PRIVATE JOHN B. PERRY.
They also serve who only stand and wait. . — Milton.
Private Perry was formerly a member of the Naval Reserve
at New Haven but had had no previous experience in the
National Guard. He was born at East Norwalk, Connecticut,
nineteen years ago and now lives in New Haven where he is
employed in a buckle shop. His ancestors were French but
none of the present French love for the Spaniard survives in
his make-up. Like the other members of the company, he
wiUingly served his country though it was but to stand guard at
Camp Alger and wait, only to be ordered back home.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 43
PRIVATE ALFRED B. PIMM.
From camp to camp, through the foul womb of night,
First orderly, then private, always looking for fight. Henry V.
Private Pimm, besides his three years in the National
Guard, has done more camping since than any member, of the
company, Trumpeter Camp not excepted. First he went to
Niantic, then Knox; then Preble and Niantic again and finally
Alger and back to Niantic. For further information in regard
to his experiences in going " from camp to camp, through the
foul womb of night," see his article further along in this history.
Private Pimm was born at Newington, Connecticut, twenty-
three years ago, and had an uncle in the Civil war. He is now
stenographer at Stedman & Redfield's." This is understood to
be a life position, as he is kept c'onstantly busy taking down, in
shorthand, the excuses being made by one member of the firm,
why he didn't go to the front.

PRIVATE JAMES H. POTTER.
We are the clay, thou our potter. — Isaiah 64:8.
Private Potter is a Southerner by birth, first reciting his
general orders at Atlanta, Georgia, possibly as a member
of the Gate City Guards. This was twenty-one years ago.
For several years he made his home in Hartford and is now
located at Suffield.
He is a bookkeeper by occupation. When the prophet
Isaiah spoke ofour Potter and of the rest of us as being the
clay, he had in mind Virginia clay, no doubt. During the
water famine at Camp Alger, to be sure, it was pretty hard to
say which was clay and which was Potter. For that matter, we
were all clay, most of us, from head to foot.

44 BIOGRAPHICAL.
PRIVATE EDWARD H. RATHBUN.
If they cannot cut, it may be said,
His saws are toothless and his knives are lead. —Pope.
The ' doctor" was born at Oswego, New York, some thirty-
five years ago, and is now engaged in the printing business in
Hartford. His ancestry was English and he had some rela
tives in the Civil war, just how near the writer is unable to
state. Private Rathbun had no previous military experience
and was detailed to the hospital corps soon after the regiment
went out, where he served efficiently.

PRIVATE WILLIAM A. ROBERTS.
Small service is true service. — Wordsworth.
Private Roberts, another one of the recruits, served his
country well, though his term of service was not so long. He
was born in Hartford eighteen years ago, and, in answer to the
question as to his present occupation, replies "draughtsman."
Webster makes a distinction among draughtsmen : some are
skilled in the execution of drawings; others, he says, drink
drams. In which class Private Roberts intended himself to be
placed is not a matter of serious doubt. The statement that
he drinks drams without any scruples must be taken with
several grains of salt.

PRIVATE HERBERT E. ROOT.
Let us leave this keen encounter of our wits.
And fall somewhat into a slower method. — Richard III.
Private Root is a native of Connecticut, having first shown
an interest in land by taking root at West Suffield twenty-three
years ago. While, at first, as an infant, he observed his general

BIOGRAPHICAL. 45
orders to this extent, that he held conversation with no one,
in time he became sufficiently interested in military matters to
offer himself as a volunteer. He, too, was one of the many
who feU sick with the fever upon returning home.

at

PRIVATE WILLIAM H. ROGERS.
Every one is the architect of his own fortune. — Pseudo-Sallust.
Private Rogers is an architect, in business in Hartford.
He was born in South Windsor, Connecticut, of English an
cestors. His father served in the Civil war as engineer on
the flagship Hartford. He also had a great-grandfather in the
American Revolution. Private Rogers served as a mem
ber of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards before
volunteering. at
PRIVATE HERBERT J. RIPLEY.
Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look ;
He thinks too much ; such men are dangerous. — Julius Ccssar.
Cassius probably got that lean and hungry look doing the
skirmish and other drills four or five hours a day in the hot
sun at Camp Alger. At least, if he didn't others did. The
Caesar at Camp Alger, unlike the other ambitious one, did not
seem to want men about him that were fat. The fat was tried
out of them trying to get them to Cuba.
Private Ripley, however, since his recovery from the fever,
appears to have succeeded in getting rid of his lean if not
hungry look very well. He was born at Unionville, Connecti
cut, is twenty-two years old, and is a telegraph operator by
occupation. ^

46 BIOGRArmCAL. '
PRIVATE ANTHONY J. SANDNER.
He did look far into the service of the time,
And was disciplined of the bravest." —All's Well That Ends Well.
An Austrian by birth and a piano-maker by profession,
Private Sandner played' well his part. Before volunteering he
had served in the Connecticut Naval Reserve from New Haven,
where his home now is. He joined the company at Portland
with the other recruits. Engaged as he was in manufacturing
musical instruments, when the Maine was blown up and every
Spaniard to a man denied complicity in the matter, then it
was that Private Sandner gave up hammering at pianos and,
like Apollo, turned to strike the liar.
at
PRIVATE ERNEST A. SCHARPER.
Like hungry guests, a standing company looks ;
Plays are like suppers ; poets are the cooks.
— The Way to Win Him .
Private Scharper's chief claim in the book of fame is as
"Mac's" right-hand man in the kitchen, where he served long
and well. Next to "Mac," no other man deserved so welt of
the company. They both strove to win the good will of the
men by studying the lesson every good housekeeper must
learn, to wit : "the wayto a man's heart is through his stomach."
Private Scharper, besides being a good cook, is incidentally a
poet, at times. He is twenty-four years old, was born at Hart
ford of German ancestors, but says his previous military ex
perience was so slight he only knew what "rest" meant. His
father served in the Civil war. at
PRIVATE FRANK H. SARVAN.
The welcome news is in the letter found ;
The carrier's not commissioned to expound. — Dryden.
Private Sarvan, before volunteering, was connected with
he post office at Hartford as special delivery messenger. On

BIOGRAPHICAL. 47
his return, he was appointed to a position inside the post office.
He was born at Suffurns, New York, twenty, years ago. His
only previous military experience was as a member of the
Boys' Brigade. Instead of coming with the recruits, had
Private Sarvan joined the company during the first weeks ot
wet weather at Niantic and Portland, the company would have
turned upon this post office messenger and, in the words ofthe
Countess of Ronsillon, exclaimed, "What's the matter with
this distempered messenger of wet."

PRIVATE CARL H. C. SCHULTS.
Heaven (or Schults) sent us good meat, but the devil sent some
others, cooks. — Garrick.
Private Schults was detailed to the commissary while at
Camp Alger, which may account for the good quality and
quantity of rations issued to us. During the Civil war both
his father and grandfather served their country, as the son and
grandson has since done. Private Schults does not trace his
ancestry farther back, claiming he is not accountable for
antiquities. But he will say the blood of his ancestors was
blue. He was born, he says, at Canton, Connecticut, twenty-
two years, eleven months, two weeks, six days, eleven hours,
thirty minutes, fifteen seconds and two ticks ago, so exact does
the professional stenographer that he is become.

PRIVATE MAURICE B. SHEA.
Have you heard of the wonderful one-hoss shay ?
And the end of the wonderful one-hoss shay.
— Oliver Wendell Hohnes.
Private Shea is far from being a one-horse attachment,
but is in himself a whole team and a horse to let. And as for

48 BIOGRAPHICAL.
the attachment, they say Private Shea has formed such an
attachment at South Portland that they can easily see his finish
— in other words, the end of the wonderful Maurice B. Shea.
May he never go " To pieces, all at once, —
All at once and nothing first, —
Just as bubbles do when they burst."
He was born at Hartford twenty years ago, of Irish ancestry.

PRIVATE JOHN A, SOBIERALSKI.
'Tis a petty kit^d of fame
At best, that comes of playing violins. — George Eliot.
Private Sobieralski and his fiddle seem likely to become
famous in the annals of the company, judging from the recent
claim for damages presented to the company. But, neverthe
less, the violin and the violinist aided materially in causing
many a moment to pass pleasantly away during the twilight
hours at Portland. Private Sobieralski was born at Brooklyn,
New York, nineteen years ago, and still makes that city his
home. His ancestors were German and Polish, and by pro
fession he is an actor. at

PRIVATE FREDERICK L. SHERMAN.
They serve best who best bear the mild yoke. — Milton.
Private Sherman was born at New York City and now
makes West Haven, Connecticut, his home, where he served
for a time in the Naval Reserve. His father served in the Civil
war and was confined in both Libby and other prisons of the
Southern Confederacy. He comes of a family famous not
only in the history ofthe state but nation as well.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 49
PRIVATE GEORGE B. THAYER.
What a beard thou hast got ! Thou hast
got more hair ou thy chin than Dobbin, my
thill-horse, has on his tail. Merchant of Venice.
Private Thayer was the oldest member of the company,
having been born at Rockville, Connecticut, May 13, 1853.
He had served seven years in Company K, going out some
two years ago as sergeant. When the Maine was blown up
and war seemed inevitable, he at once re-enlisted, asking only
that he be allowed to remain a private, whatever else befell
him. He was nearly through his three years' course at the
Yale Law School when the regiment was ordered out. He
had relatives in the Civil war and both paternal and maternal
ancestors in the war of the American Revolution. Upon the
return of the regiment he began the practice of law.
at
PRIVATE MICHAEL J. THOMPSON.
My voice is still for war. — Addison.
Private Thompson was born at Fallins Naas, County Kil-
dare, Ireland, twenty-six years ago, and after coming to this
country made Hartford his home, where he is now engaged in
the grocery business. He had a great-uncle in the Civil war
and comes of fighting blood, or as Milton puts it, in writing of
the people of Ireland, " The whole Irishry of rebels."

PRIVATE ROBERT K. VIBERT.
We relish him scarce more in the soldier than in the scholar. — Othello.
Private Vibert was, for a time, occupied as teacher in the
public schools about the state, but rather than continue in

50 BIOGRAPHICAL.
the task of teaching " the young idea how to shoot," he pre
ferred trying his hand at a little shooting himself and so
enlisted. He was born at Unionville, Connecticut, of French
and Scotch ancestors ; and, besides the satisfaction which he
has in having had a grandfather in the Mexican war, he had
two uncles in the Civil war. He is a graduate of Yale.
at
PRIVATE THOMAS H. WALSH.
You are a worthy judge ;
You know the law ; your exposition
Hath been most sound. — Merchant of Venice.
Private Walsh, though now a mere salesman with Brown>
Thomson & Company, will figure in history as not only the great
exponent of, but as the efficient instrument in the enforcement
of the law at Portland. And it is doubtless true, also, that no
member of the company who came under his searching in
vestigation, from Marvel to Molloy, ever felt the water, cold
and raw, with good opinion of his law. "Judge" Walsh was
born in Hartford twenty-one years ago, having in his veins,
from his father's ancestors, the blood of Irish martyrs, and
from his mother's that of the Highland laddies. His father
fought in the Civil war and the "Judge" mentions the fact,
with some inward satisfaction, it would seem, that the son came
within one of being in as many engagements as fell to the good
fortune of his father. The writer cannot refrain from here
mentioning the fact, though the "Judge" seems to dislike
being reminded of it, that a brother of the "Judge" also had
the good fortune to fight under Dewey at the battle of Manila.
at
PRIVATE ROY C. WEBSTER.
His slumber was an iron sleep —
While fighting for his country. — The Iliad.
Private Webster, for a time, was detailed as stenographer at
regimental headquarters. He and Admiral Dewey are both

BIOGRAPHICAL. 5 1
distinguished sons of the Green Mountain state, the only distin
guishing difference in their service being this — while Dewey was
blowing up Montejo, Webster was taking down Burdett. The
effect was much the same in each case. Both detonations, as
the Parisian chemist, Fourcroy, describes it, being accom
panied " with considerable noise." Private Webster is twenty-
five years old, of English and Scotch ancestry, and is now
stenographer at the Pratt & Whitney Company. He had an
uncle in the Civil war and ancestors in the Revolutionary war
and had served two years in Company K before volunteering.
As a sound sleeper his tent mates say he had no equal.

at

PRIVATE PAUL L. WHEELOCK.
Virginia answered : " O, my dear -brother, the rays of the
sun in the morning give me less joy than the sight of you."
— Panl and Virginia.
The rays of sun down in Virginia, it is true, gave us all
less joy, morning, noon or night, than the same rays up at
Portland, and doubtless Paul and Virginia separated in this
instance with far less lamentations than was the case so famous
in fiction. Be that as it may. Private Paul has survived the
wreck. He was born at Paterson, New Jersey, twenty-two
years ago, of English ancestors, and some of his family relatives
served in the Civil war, just whom the writer knoweth not.
His home is in Hartford. at
PRIVATE CHARLES B. WOLCOTT.
In worst extremes, and never on the perilous edge of battle.
— Paradise Lost.
Thisi seems to have been the experience of not only
Private Wolcott, but of many other members of the regiment.
From the cool coast of Maine to the hot cornfields of Camp

52 BIOGRAPHICAL.
Alger, and never once on the perilous edge of battle or any
where near the edge — this was the common experience of all.
Hold ! The First Connecticut was once under orders to join
the provisional expedition to Porto Rico, but it never joined.
Private Wolcott was born in Hartford twenty-six years ago
and his occupation is that of clerk.

at

PRIVATE ROY H. WILEY.
Whoe'er has gone thro' our company street,
Has seen a Butcher (Weyler) gazing at his meat. — Hood.
Twenty-three years ago Private Wiley first started the
growth of whiskers which, when cut in the approved style,
made that remarkable resemblance, later, to that infamous
author of the reconcentrados, "Butcher" Weyler. The beard
first began its career at Wakefield, Massachusetts. Private
Wiley's home is now in Hartford. He had an uncle in the
Civil and lineal ancestors in both the Mexican and Revolution
ary wars. He had been a member of Company K two years
before volunteering.

Itt Mcmormm.

PRIVATE IRVING DIMOCK.
God's soldier be he !
Had I as many sons as I have hairs
I would not wish them to a fairer death. —Macbetli.
Private Dimock, one of the recruits who joined the com
pany at Portland, was the first to fall. He died at the home
of his father on Vanderbilt Hill on the evening of Wednesday,
September 21, while his comrades, little realizing his dangerous
condition, were celebrating their last night in camp. He con
tracted typhoid fever at Camp Alger and was brought home,
about three weeks before his death, with a number of other
sick soldiers, his father making the arrangements for the trans
portation of the entire party to Hartford by special sleeping
can Medical skill and the tenderest care failed, however, to
arrest the progress of Private Dimock's disea.se and, while the
whole city was welcoming home the other members of the
regiment, one home in Hartford was inconsolable with sorrow.
Private Dimock was born at West Haven, Connecticut, and
was twenty-five years of age, the oldest of five children. His
father. President Ira Dimock of the Nonotuck Silk Company,
for many years has owned the, beautiful home on the summit
of Vanderbilt Hill. An ancestor. Captain Shubael Dimock,
was with Washington in crossing the Delaware and other
maternal and paternal ancestors served in the Revolutionary
war. The funeral occurred on Saturday afternoon, September 23.
The bearers were Corporals Silvernail, Sanderson, Campbell,
Appleton and Gruener, and Privates Ahern, Fowler, Morgan
and McGrath. Lieutenant Valentine was in command of the
company and the firing party consisted of Corporal Carroll

54 IN MEMORIAM.
and Privates Pattison, Marion, Humphrey, Gillette, Hollis,
Brown, Denison and Bassett.
The escort proceeded to Cedar Hill after the services at
the house and fired three volleys over the grave. Following
this ceremony taps were sounded by Trumpeter Camp.
at
PRIVATE CHARLES D. GALE.
Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er,
Dream of fighting fields no more. — Lady of the Lake.
Private Gale joined the company at Portland, enlisting
with the other recruits who came to fill the ranks of the com
pany at that time. He was twenty-eight years of age and was
born in New York City, where, for many years, he had been
engaged as salesman. He contracted typhoid fever upon the
arrival of the regiment at Niantic in September and was
brought to the Hartford Hospital, where he died Friday,
October 7. The remains were taken to Jamaica, New York,
for burial. Captain Saunders, Corporal Carroll and Privates
Bryant and Knox attending the funeral.
at
PRIVATE MERLIN A. PIERCE.
Sleep, soldier ! Still in honored rest
Your truth and valor wearing. — Song of the Canip.
Private Pierce, one of the twenty-five who in June helped
to recruit the company up to 106 men, was born at Moria,
New York, twenty-four years ago, and had been a teamster in
that section for many years. He contracted typhoid fever,
probably at Camp Alger, and, with nearly 100 soldiers, all
suffering from the same disease, was brought to the Hartford
Hospital soon after the regiment returned to Niantic. He died
in that institution Tuesday, September 27.
The remains were taken to Dickinson Center, New York,
for burial, accompanied by Corporals Carroll and Campbell.

IN MEMORIAM.

SS

PRIVATE CHARLES A. TINKHAM.
Wild was the night ; the wintry sea
Moaned sadly on New England's strand. — Bryant.
Private Tinkham Jost his life on the steamer Portland,
wrecked off Cape Cod in the gale and snow of Saturday night,
November 26, 1898. His body was washed ashore at Orleans,
Massachusetts, and was identified by the discharge papers from
the regiment found in his pocket. His friends knew he was going

\

OBTIAKB

STEAMER POliTLAND.
Wrecked ofi Cape Cod, Saturday Night, November 26, 1898.
to Portland to enlist in the Heavy Battery, regular army, on
duty in that city, but knew nothing of his having taken passage
on the steamer until a telegram came announcing the finding
of the body.
Private Tinkham was born in Hartford and learned his
trade as a florist with McClunie. After working for some time
in New York at the business, he came home and enlisted with
Company K. He was assistant cook for ai time and was weU

56 IN MEMORIAM.
liked by the members of the company. He was a graduate of
the West Middle School and formerly belonged to the Asylum
Hill Cadets. He was twenty-four years old and when he was
mustered out of the service, having worked for McClunie during
his furlough, he made up his mind that he would enlist in the
regular army and was on his way to do so, as has been
said. The name Tinkham did not appear on the passenger
list of the Portland, as pubhshed, and. his death was a great
shock to his comrades.
His watch stopped nearly two hours later than the watch
of any other of the ill-fated passengers, indicating that Private
Tinkham fought long and hard, as he doubtless would had he
been given an opportunity to battle for his country, instead of
for his own life. Chaplain Kelsey conducted the funeral
services and the bearers were Corporal Campbell and Privates
Fisher, Brigham, R. A. Case, Cadwell, Barber and Wheelock.
The firing party was Corporal Dwyer and Privates Webster,
Cannon, Gillette, Hollis, Johnson, Hatton, Scharper and HaU,
The burial was at Zion HiU Cemetery, Trumpeter Camp sound
ing taps. at
PRIVATE ARTHUR W. ZOLLER.
The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. — Spurgeon.
Private ZoUer was born at New Haven, Connecticut, and
at the age of nineteen, with the other recruits, joined the ranks
of Company K with Privates Perry, Sandner and Sherman, all
from the same town. By trade Private ZoUer was an iron
worker. While the company was at- East Falls Church he was
stricken down with typhoid fever. The day the company
broke camp he refused to give up, even when the company
started for the station to take the train for Dunn Loring, and
insisted upon walking, with the assistance of some of his com
rades, across to the station. Upon being brought home he
was taken to West Haven, where he died at the home of his
parents, on Tuesday, October i8.

IN MEMORIAM. 57
The bearers were Corporals Silvernail and Gruener and
Privates McGrath, Marvel, Perry, Sandner, Driscoll and the
firing party, consisting of Privates Fuller, F. R. Denison,
Denniston, Nunan, Brigham, Gillette, Hollis and Cannon, were
in charge of Corporal Campbell. i^s (3* <5*

JACK BRUTUS.
Et tu, Brute,
Then fall, Santiago ! — Julius Caesar.
That, in effect,, was what General Toral, the Spanish com
mander at Santiago, said when he learned Brutus had joined
Company K. »
Jack's ancestors came of good fighting stock and served
in many a battle. He himself was born at Cumberland, Maine,
in 1891. He had friends in most of the cities in. New England
through his associations with the traveling public at the West
End Hotel at Portland. Frequently he visited them in their
own homes, taking passage in some steamer or boarding some
train, and returning to Portland in due time. His longest stay
was two weeks in Boston, but he also frequently visited New
York, New Brunswick and other cities connected with Portland
by lines of steamers. When the company arrived at Portland,
Brutus at once enlisted for the war and followed the fortunes
of the company faithfully.- At Camp Alger he suffered much
from the heat and possibly would not have survived but for
the tender care of Sergeant Boniface. Upon the muster out of
the regiment Wagoner Ahern gave Jack the freedom of his
home and during his last sickness had a physician attend him
once or twice. Jack died of spinal troubles and constipation,
November 20, 1898, and was given a suitable burial.

IN MEMORIAM.

JACK-BEUTTJS.
Armed and E(iiiipped.

STATISTICAL. at
«
By Private George B. Thayer.
at
The average age of the members of Company K was
between twenty-three and twenty-four years. The oldest
member was Private Thayer, who was forty-five, four days
before the company was mustered into the United States
service. The youngest members were Privates Barber, Barker,
Kober, Landerman, Marvel' and Roberts, each of whom was in
his nineteenth year.
Connecticut is the birthplace of sixty members ; New
York, fifteen; -Massachusetts, twelve; Ireland, four; England,
two ; New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Ilhnois, Georgia, Canada, France, Russia and
Austria, one each.
The occupation of the different members was as follows :
Clerks, thirteen; insurance clerks, six; traveling salesmen,
five; machinists, five; students, four; stenographers, four;
electricians, three; tailors, bank clerks, architects, printers,
civil engineers, joiners, builders, dentists, watchmen, elevator-
men, two each ; photographer, mason, draughtsman, black
smith, watch-maker, sign-painter, bicyclist, contractor, book
keeper, window dresser, pressman, bicycle-maker, cook, drug
gist, waiter, cartridge-maker, newspaper man, stamper, piano-
maker, actor, teamster, grocer, florist, teacher, iron-worker,
lawyer, one each.
Eight members left wives and children behind when -the
company started for the front.
The ancestral blood of the company, upon being analyzed,
resolves itself into the following elements : American and

6o STATISTICAL.
English, fifty - four ; Irish, twenty - one ; Scotch, eighteen ;
French, nine; Dutch, three; German, three; Welsh, Hebrew,
Austrian, Polish and Indian, one each.
The fathers or grandfathers of twenty-two members served
in the Civil war. Uncles or cousins of thirty-five other mem
bers also took part in the same conflict. Ancestors of thirty
members, other than the above, served in either the Mexican,
Revolutionary or War of i8i2. Only seventeen members
report no relatives or ancestors in any American conflict.
The record of the previous mihtary experience of the
members is as follows : Membership in Company K for periods
varying from a few months to nearly twenty years, forty; mem
bership in the Connecticut Naval Reserve, four ; regular army,
one ; military instruction at schools or colleges, fourteen ; no
previous military experience whatsoever, fifty. So, it appears,
scarcely more than half the members had ever before shoul
dered a gun. One member writes : " My previous military ex
perience was so shght that I only knew what 'rest' meant."
Another replies : " None, except sweeping floors."

at

QUARTERMASTER'S SUPPLIES.
The foUowing were the prices for clothing issued to the
enlisted men: Blouse, $4.41; blanket, $3.33; cap, $0.74;
campaign hat, $0.85 ; leggins, $0.64; shoes, $2.25; trousers,
$2.75 ; flannel shirt, $1.95 ; stockings, $0.23 ; drawers, $0.48 ;
undershirt, $0.24; gloves, $0.10; suspenders, $0.19; canvass
suit, $1.91; overcoat, $11.74. The first six months of the
first year of enlistment the privates were allowed for clothing,
in addition to the $15.60 per month, the sum of $56.57 and
for the balance of the year, $9.67. The total allowance, for the
second year of enlistment was $28.10.
The following were the prices at which the arms and
accouterments were .charged to! those who retained: them:

STATISTICAL. 6 1
Springfield rifle (caliber .45), $10.00; Colt's revolver (caUber
.38), $10.00; saber, $3.60; blanket bag, with straps, $1.15;
scabbard, $0.50; belt, $0.75; belt, double row of loops,
$1.00; canteen, $0.43; gun sling, $0.24; haversack, $0.72;
meat can, $0.14; tin cup, $0.08; knife, $0.04; fork, $0.03 ;
spoon, $0.01.
The following were the prices for the clothing issued to
the enlisted men by the State of Connecticut: Blanket, $r.oo;
blouse, $0.75; cap, $0.35; campaign hat, $0.20; leggins,
$0.20;. overcoat, $1.50; poncho, $1.15 ; trousers, $0.50.
The symbol of the Second Army Corps vPas a four-leaf
clover. The divisions of the corps were represented by
colors — first division, red ; second division, white ; third divi
sion, blue.
General Order, No. 99. " The corps symbol, to be
habitually worn in the form of a small badge on the front of
the hat or in the center of the crown of the forage cap by
enlisted men, and upon the left breast by officers, will be of
felt of the color designating the division to which the wearer
belongs; the badge to be i)'2 inches high, or occupying a
space 1^2 inches square."
The regiment, upon its arrival at Camp Alger, was
assigned to the first division of the Second Army Corps but
was not brigaded. On August 2nd, the First Connecticut,
Second Texas and the First Delaware were assigned to the
fifth brigade of the Porto Rico expedition. Later, the First
Connecticut and the Third Virginia were organized into the
second brigade of the third division of the Second Army Corps.

PERSONAL. at
By Private George B. Thayer.

When the idea of writing aj history of Company K was
first suggested, the writer sent out to the members a circular
asking for their individual opinions upon some fifty different
topics. These opinions, or answers, have been compiled and
are presented without change except byway of slight abbrevia
tions. The motive uppermost in the minds of the members when
they made the offer (none greater ever falling to the lot of
man to make) have been expressed, so far as it is possible to
put such a thing into words, as foUows : Sense of duty
to his country, fifty-four; loyalty to Company K, twenty;
love of travel and adventure, twenty; desire to test his
courage in battle, nineteen. Some members answer:
"A little of aU four;" others, "A great deal of each."
A sergeant replies : " My reasons for going were, first
and principally, duty to the old flag ; secondly, a
pride for dear old K, and thirdly, a sUght desire for ad
venture and glory in battle." Another sergeant writes :
" The desire to serve the company and positive hatred of the
Spaniard in regard to the Maine incident and the treatment of
the reconcentrados were the prime factors in the case, although
my love for the United States knows no bounds, and it is my
sincere desire that it never wUl." One of the newer corporals
writes: "I knew men in Company K;" and then he gives as
his motives in enlisting: " Duty and love of country, a little
love of travel and adventure, and desire to test my courage in
battle." Another member repUes : " If I hadn't belonged to

PERSONAL. 63
K I should have stayed at home." A member, of EngUsh
birth, answers: " Duty to my adopted country and love for
Company K." Another member, of Connecticut birth, writes :
" I belonged to Company K and was single. The country
caUed for volunteers ; old K was going, and as I was proud to
represent her in peace, I was doubly proud to do so in war."
Another private answers : " I wanted to help protect our
country and was willing to test my courage in battle. I also
loved the travels and adventures we had." Still another
private, one of the recruits, says : " My motives were to try
army Ufe, and more or less a sense of duty to my country."
" Love for my country and the desire of giving liberty to
others " were the motives urging another to enlist. Another
member, who joined just before the departure of the company,
gives this answer: "The community was laughing at K (re
ferring to the current report that only four members had
volunteered), and I knew quite a few of the members. My
motive was to save the reputation for courage the company
had and as far as possible I wanted, as an individual, to help
save it. I also desired to test my courage under fire." This
is the reply of another : " Having once enlisted in Company
K and not having completed my term of service, I was bound,
when the country called for them, to be in the bunch. Sense
of duty to my country was partly my motive also." Another
fighting member puts it this way : " I wanted to help revenge
the Maine and free Cuba, and also to fight for my country."
" I thought young men were needed," is the answer of one of
the older members. A member of the hospital corps says :
"Love of country," and adds, "The welfare of the members of
the regiment was mostly in mind — to minister to them in sick
ness and distress." "Loving excitement and being of a curious
disposition, I thought enlisting would fulfill my wishes to the
fullest extent," writes another. " To revenge the battleship
Maine," was the sole motive of another. This is the way one
member puts it: "Loyalty to Company K, because it was
composed of men of my own standing, therefore, gentlemen.

64 PERSONAL.
As for courage, I had none. My stand-by was plenty of gaU,
and my ability as a bluffer." One member says he enlisted to
have a good time ; another, for sake of humanity. But five
members reply that love for the Cubans was a moving cause in
their enlisting.
To the question, "Do you regret enlisting," but one
answered "Yes." Most ofthe members (some stUl on beds of
sickness) answered briefly, " No." Some replied : " Not a bit,"
" not at aU," " not on your life," " no, glad of it," " no, am
proud of it." One sergeant writes : " Decidedly no. Would
not seU my experience for many dollars." Another "regrets
being held in reserve without a chance to try our metal and
serve our country in a manner that was our intent. Possibly
we are better off, but I would rather see our men die in
action than to be obliged to return home wasted with disease,
only to die at their hornes and in the hospital, as four of our
poor comrades have." 0ne of the corporals replies: "I con
sider I have gained an experience that is very valuable to me."
Another is emphatic: "Regret? No, sir, not by a damn
sight." One of the privates replies : " I am only sorry we saw
no action." Another looks at the question in this light : " I
don't regret enlisting, for I never loved home as I do since our
return." Still another answers : " I think I have had enough."
One private replies : " No ; I am glad of the experience."
Another: "I am well pleased that I enlisted." Another:
" My experience was one I shall always look back upon with
pride and pleasure." One member answers : " I lost time,
spent money and didn't see what I wanted to see." The'
question stirs up one member to say : " Have never regretted
enlisting (think of the suppers in Portland ! !)." One member
answers : " Yes ; because of the treatment we received from
the government and our state." Another replies ; " No, not a
damn bit."
In reply to the question, " Would you again enlist in case
of another war?" the members speak out as follows : "Under

PERSONAL. 65
some circumstances I certainly would enlist again." " No ;
have tried to do my duty once, and am not pleased with the
fiasco." " It all depends upon whom the next war is with."
" Yes, in defense of our country, but not if the war would take
me out of it." " No, unless there was a great need of
volunteers." " Yes, sir, if not too old." " No, unless we were
in danger from invasion." These answers came from the
"non-coms." The privates talk this way: "I should think
twice. If reially needed, yes." " Yes, if I was positive we were
going to the front." " Yes, if I could get a commission."
" It would depend on the cause of the war, the need of men,
etc." "Yes, ifl was going to see some fighting.'' " I suppose
I should have the fever again as bad as any, and should awfully
hate to see old K and the First Connecticut march away and
leave me behind." " In case of another war a few years from
now, I should advise younger men to go and stay at home
myself." In all, seventy members of the company answer
" yes " without qualification, fourteen say " no " just as
decidedly, and the others qualify their answers more or less.
This vote indicates that the patriotism of the members has not
been dampened to any great extent by the alleged ill-treatment
by the government. Whatever else may have been preserved
by a. patent process, the patriotism ofthe members of Company
K has not been enbalmed — except in history. It will again
spring up afresh, let only the occasion arise.

Are the members inclined to do garrison duty in any of
the American colonies? One corporal repUes: "Yes, in Porto
Rico." Another: "Yes, in Honolulu." One of the privates
answers : " Yes, in Cuba." Another : " No, not by a damn
sight." Another : " I do not think garrison duty very profit
able for an ambitious man." Another: "Yes, in Porto Rico."
One private is wilUng to go to the Philippines. Two privates
concur in saying: "Such duty belongs to the regulars."
Another answers : " My time is too precious to waste in doing

66 PERSONAL.
garrison duty, but if ordered I would choose Porto Rico."
Another repUes : " Yes, if I could choose Portland, Maine."
Still another writes : "I have no use for garrison duty. Too
much like a county home." Another says : " The regulars,
who are in it as a business., should do it." StiU another:
" Not on your tin-type, Georgie." In all eighty members
answer "no," eight reply "yes," and the others are non-com
mittal. What military duty did the members like best? One of
the sergeants answers : " I enjoyed moving as much as any
thing in my line of duty." Another says : " The parades and
ceremonies — they were inspiring." A corporal replies: "Read
ing the articles of war." One of the privates says : " Receiving
and spending my salary." Another replies : " Building tables
for the First Sergeant." One private puts it this way :
" Learning how to curse." Another says : " I suppose digging
is a military duty, hence I prefer digging to drilling." Still
another answers : " Falling in to be paid off." Dress parade
was the favorite -with sixteen; guard duty, eleven; provost
duty, ten ; ordinary drilling, ten ; answering to the mess call,
five; digging sinks (the writer is ready to verify this count),
three ; extended order drill, three ; calisthenics, guard mount,
practice marching, two each; police, hospital work, running
canteen, cooking, sighting and aiming, sleeping, acting as
quartermaster sergeant's clerk, evening parade, one each. Two
members join in preferring to obey the order "Rest" to any
other duty. One member likes the duty of stenographer at
headquarters best. Another says: "I wasn't wildly fond of
any particular duty, after the novelty and surplus patriotism had
worn off."
What military duty did the members detest most? One
of the sergeants answers : " DetaiUng men for anything and
everything." Another replies : " I really disliked nothing."
Another one was displeased at nothing "excepting digging

PERSONAL. 6^
sinks." A corporal detested " check roll call, especially when I
wasn't in camp." Another corporal says : " DriUing Fulton in
the awkward squad" he detested most. "The duty of driUing
by trumpet signals on a hot or windy day " our trumpeter dis
liked most. " Fatigue duty with a pick and shovel " was what
a private detested most. Another answered : " Being obliged
to keep StiU when I wanted to say a hell of a pile." " If
listening to the Top-notcher call out 'Fall in for drUl' was a
duty, I detested that most," said another. Still another writes :
"What I detested most- was being obHged to salute some of
the officers of the regiment." Not to give in detail further, the
summary of the vote is as follows : Guard duty was what
twenty-four members detested most ; digging sinks, nineteen ;
fatigue duty, eleven ; drilling, four ; digging sinks on Sunday,
four ; practice marching, two ; poUcing, guarding prisoners,
provost duty, dress parade, waiting to be mustered out at
Niantic, getting up in the morning, guarding sinks, digging
holes all day, special duty at division headquarters, show
parades, one each. ^ ^ tIt -5ft T^ ^ ^
The causes of the sickness in the company, in the opinion
of the members, were many. The location of the company at
East Falls .Church and the provost duty at Aqueduct Bridge
were, in the opinion of twenty- eight members, the direct cause
of so much sickness. " Too much intoxicating liquors," " too
much sporting" and "poor water" were the answers given,
two members concurring on each. Other members gave these
replies : " Six in a tent," " poor drainage," " drink," " booze,'
"too much to eat," "climate and food," "no wUl power,"
" climate," " neglect of men," and " situation of camp," one
each. Other members go into detail a little. One of the
sergeants thinks " close proximity to the sinks, over indulgence
in sweet things, and something (I can't say what) about East
FaUs Church." Another puts it this way: "Georgetown
bridge, the stagnant Potomac, with its mosquitoes and malaria,
and the camp at East Falls Church that had been occupied for

68 PERSONAL.
so many months by different companies." " Whatever the
cause," writes another, "it was not from neglect or fault- of the
men." One of the corporals thinks this : "The boys stayed in
their tents too much during the day instead of getting out and
finding a cool (sic) spot in the open air. With one or two
exceptions our sick contracted the disease in that way."
Another corporal says : " It was a combination of unpleasant
circumstances." Another: "Being placed near typhoid fever
infested troops, and camping on old, contaminated grounds at
Falls Church." Another: "Lack of .floors and mattresses
upon arrival at Niantic from Virginia. Situation of camp at
Falls Church." Another: "Poor camp ground, heat, insufficient
water supply and carelessness on part of men." Among the
privates these opinions are given: "Excessive heat and un
healthy locality;" "sinks too near the kitchen and food that
should not have been issued to us in such a warm climate;"
" extreme heat and volunteer officers who were unfit to care
for the men, but instead, had some political pull, water that
was unfit to drink, rotten meat and no facilities whatever for
bathing;" "locality of camp, a typhoid section, as shown by
the dozen cases of fever every year among the few inhabitants
at Dunn Loring;" "change of climate and water, and over
loading of stomachs with cake, ice cream and other things ;"
"refreshments sold around the camp;" "poor location of
camp, hot weather, insufficient water supply and carelessness
of men;" " proximity of division hospital, from which germs
were carried by flies to the food, also carelessness and dissipa
tion among the men;" "men didn't let liquor alone and ate
everything;" " improper care of the person ;" " improper care
of themselves, eating and drinking everything they ought not
to, change of climate and allowing the system to get run
down;" "many causes — great swarms of flies from the sinks to
the kitchen, covering the food and breeding disease — water
that was never pure nor tasteless, to my knowledge, should have
been boiled — location of camp, in a poverty-stricken and God
forsaken spot, prominent for its rich mud, clay, stagnant water

persOnaE. 69
and half-starved population — proximity of camp to Washington
was the only redeeming feature;" "camping at East Falls
Church on grounds already full of typhoid germs ;" "eating
everything that was sold in camp;" "lack of discipline in
sanitary matters ;" " poor water and rotten whiskey;" " home
sickness and worry about camping out;" "living so near the
barn at FaUs Church and drinking the water from that barn ;"
"indiscretion of the men in regard to temperance;" "poor
food and impure water;" " using water from a well at Falls
Church that was but six feet from a livery stable floor;"
"camping on grounds used all summer by previous details;"
"proximity to division hospital;" "eating improper food,
drinking filthy water, loss of appetite caused by heat and
homesickness — systems in such a condition they could not
resist the invasion of the ever-prevalent germs of more serious
illnesses;" "sinks and water;" "fault of men in most cases,
such as uncleanliness, drinking liquors, eating everything and
at irregular hours, and inactivity of mind as well as body;"
"men lost interest after peace protocol was signed;" "the
diarrhoeal effect of the artesian well water at Alger made the
conditions ripe for typhoid germs and the malaria at Aqueduct
bridge." Were the sick men in the company treated as well as they
could have been under the circumstances? Sixty members
answer " yes " and seven answer " no " without further explana
tions. One member says : " yes, when Dr. McCook was
there." Two replies: "no, not at division hospital." Another
says: "yes, if Dr. Griswold had been sent home." Among
the " non-coms." these replies were received : " Very well,
indeed;" "could not have been treated better;" "the best
of care under the circumstances;" "the stewards in the
hospital were neglectful;" "the sick men, some of them,
should have been sent home sooner than they were;" "the
treatment might have been better." The privates talk this
way : " our sick were treated as well as the attendants knew

70 personal.
how, which is not saying a lot;" " they received fine treat
ment;" "yes, but the circumstances could have been im
proved;" "no, hospital men didn't seem to care;" "yes, but
there was a very great lack in camp of sympathy on the part
of the officers;" "yes, our surgeons were superior to any in
our army corps;" "everything possible was done for them;"
"yes, in regimental hospital, but not in the other:" "the
Hartford Hospital treated us white;" "yes. Captain Saunders
did nobly, and too much praise cannot be given him for his
untiring care when the men were ill or in trouble;" "the only
complaint I ever heard came from the worst kicker in the
company, so I think all it was possible to do was done
for them;" "no, and but for the extreme kindness of a com
rade yours truly would have received a grand military funeral;''
" in some cases I know they might have been treated better;"
"Captain Saunders deserves the approval of all for his kindness
to the sick."
What changes in the daily duties at Camp Alger, either
from a military or sanitary point of view, the members would
have had adopted, appear in the foUowing answers. A
sergeant who was often at guard mount suggests : " The
blouses should not have been worn at guard mount." Another
sergeant says : " I would have had the men drill more and
would have compelled some to bathe more frequently. They
should have spent less money during their Washington trip."
" Practice marches for a day or two, camping out in the mean
time," says another. Another writes : " Large bodies of
men should not stay in one camp longer than a week. By
moving frequently, practice in marching, loading and unloading
baggage and, best of all, a change of scene, would follow.
Danger from and disease caused by the sinks would thus be
avoided. The minds of the men would be kept in a happy
condition, there would be less suspense and moving
would not have been anticipated with dread." Another
sergeant says : " Setting up exercises in the cool of the early

personal. 71
morning, frequent change of camp grounds, thus giving the men
something to do, though it might look like hardship at first,
danger from infection would thus be reduced to a minimum —
more shade for camp grounds." A corporal would " do away
with dress parade and devote more time to rifle practice and
skirmish drills. Instead of starting in the next day at Camp
Alger to drill the men, their health and sanitary condition
should have been looked to first." Another corporal says :
"The best change would have been to change the entire
camp." " Better accommodations for bathing and sinks
farther removed," says another. " Shorter drills and none at
all in the heat of the day. Sanitary conditions too bad to talk
about," says another. " More light exercise in the cool morn
ing hours and more lime to spread around everywhere;"
"inspection of food by officers and sinks farther removed ;"
" half-hours drill at calisthenics might have done more good
than the regular drUls;" "more water and floor in tents" —
these from the "non-coms." The privates think: "The
prisoners should do the policing and the sink digging instead
of the faithful privates;" "two hours only of driUing and sinks
farther removed and constantly kept filled with a good disin
fectant;" "no drills at all when it was so hot;" " sinks too
near and no swimming place;" "frequent but not too long
marches and fewer troops in a camp;" "no drills and com
pulsory baths five times a day;" "driUing was carried on too
near the sinks," "less driUing and better sanitary arrange
ments;" "less drilhng, and sinks more than ten feet from
kitchen;" "higher ground for a camp and the custom of
covering the sinks should have begun sooner;" " driU by
moonlight, as other regiments did, and sleep days;" "the
lying down part of the skirmish drill should have been
omitted, in view of the foul condition of the driU grounds;"
"drills only in the early morning;" "floors in tents, sinks
better attended to and more good weUs;" "calisthenics every
morning and company or battalion drills on alternate days
only, retreat parade only, Sundays included;" " calisthenics in

72 personal.
place of morning driU and sinks farther, removed;" "calis
thenics for forty-five minutes and aU other drills over before
9:30 a.m;" "shorter and.less fatiguing drills, in the heat of the
day. Larger hospital facilities and greater variety of supplies,
removal of sick farther away from the spot where the dis
eases were contracted," " we should have been compelled to
go somewhere, once a week, and take a bath, such as General
Graham said we took, but didn't;" " drills earlier in the morn
ing or later at night;" " rising an hour later and calisthenics
when the dew was off — then no drills till evening;"- " another
team to bring our meat in than one that was used without
being cleaned afterwards to cart every and anything in during
the rest of the day;" "the reducing of several officers and 'non-
coms' to the ranks;" "camp should have been near a stream of
water, hospital sinks should have been regulation depth;" "no
company driUsr — as it was, the heat itself was almost unbear^
able;" " drills only in the cool ofthe day and when there was
any fatigue work, have all do it instead of small details ; "
" earlier drills and no Sunday sink digging at all"  these are
some of the answers from the privates. Twenty-two members
have no changes to suggest. Fourteen merely answer "shorter
drills" or "none at aU." Eight say "move the sinks farther
away;" seven, "change the camp;" two " better water " and
one "remove division hospital." "Placing a guard at the sinks
and making the men use a shovel should have been adopted
from the first. CompeUing the men to throw themselves, hot
and perspiring, down in the dirt and dust of that old cornfield,
when the opportunities for bathing were so poor, was entirely
unnecessary." *******
The election returns show a wide divergence of opinion as
to some of the candidates and a remarkable unanimity of choice
as to others. The most popular officer in the company is
Lieutenant Waterman. In voting for him, a sergeant explains
his vote : "AU tried to do their duty impartially and justly."
A private puts it this way : "WeU, you know Captain Saun-

personal. , 73
ders was, at times, troubled with a swelled head. Lieutenant
Valentine was Uttle more than his parasite. Good old Ed.
Waterman, always the same, was surely first in war, first in
peace and first in the hearts of Company K." The vote stands :
Waterman, 83 ; Saunders, 6 ; Valentine, 2.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ *
The most popular non-commissioned officer is Sergeant
DeLamater. One of the privates replies: "The ' non-coms'
were, generally speaking, aU right. Dick DeLamater (accent
on the Lam) and Ralph Pierce respectively as sergeant and
corporal were very popular but I might mention several more."
Another answers : "Who the the most popular? Dam fino."
Another: "Give it up." Another, "All popular with me."
The vote stands : DeLamater, 44; Pierce, 20; Holt, 8}4', Sil
vernail, 6}i ; Gruener and Beebe, each, 3 ; Dwyer, Carroll and
H. L. Huntington, each, one.
*******
Who was the most popular private? The figures elect
Private Thayer but you know figures can be made to Ue,
especially when the one who counts them is himself what the
Irishman calls a " liyer." Be that as it may, the writer under
the circumstances can only make this offer — if, as the vote
progresses, there arise any contested elections, as for instance,
over the result as to who is elected the " biggest eater " or
" the worst one to whine about himself," the writer promises to
seal up the ballot boxes and preserve them, to be opened for
the purpose of a re-count upon a proper order of the supreme
court. In this instance the vote cast and counted is as
follows : Dimock, Bryant, Chamberlin, Gruener, Marvel,
Denison, F. R., each i ; Case, W. O., Walsh, each 2 ; Gillette,
3 ; Case, R. A., 4; McGrath, 5 ; Thayer, 64. There were also
eight scattering votes, not counted on account of attempted
bribery, irregularity and profanity, as follows : " Geo. B.
Thayer by Gosh," "Little Georgie Thayer, of course," "Geo.
B. Thayer, the sawed off," " This is a hard one to answer, I
don't think, Geo. B. Thayer," " Geo. B. Thayer (25 cents,
6

74 personal.
please) ," " I don't want to 'taffy' him but think our oldest and
shortest member is the most popular," " Why, George Thayer,
of course." " Georgie Thayer, I'd play him for first place
against odds."
The best driU-master, among the officers, is Captain
Saunders, the vote being: Saunders, 86; Waterman, 3.
Several members add : " Saunders, the best in the regiment."
One member replies : "Waterman, he could get the most out
ofthe men."
The best drill-master among the " non-coms." is Sergeant
Holt, the vote being: Holt, 56^^; DeLamater, 24)^ ; Pierce, 3 ;
Dwyer, 2; Boniface, Wheeler and Carroll, each i. One mem
ber writes : " Boniface puts on too many airs." Another, in
voting for DeLamater adds : " Especially when he allows us to
rest through our drill and then refuses to wake up those who
have fallen, asleep."
Who, among the privates, was the best all round soldier,
doing every duty well and without complaint? Again the
writer is open to the charge of having employed the Louisiana
Returning Board methods and elected himself. Some of the
members divided up their votes among several, as follows :
" Fuller, HaU, Scharper, Thayer and Walsh," " Pattison, Jud
son, Fulton, Denison, F. E., Potter and Humphrey," " Marion,
Cannon, Hynes, James and Jeremiah Morgan and others."
One member voted for Thayer because " he never heard him
complain." Another says : "Thayer, I never heard him com
plain but once and that was when Colonel Burdett made us
vote to retract our oath of miUtary service;" " I guess you
are it, again, George;" says another. " The vote is as foUows:
Humphrey, Webster, Vibert, Scharper, Fuller, Dimock,
ZoUer, Landerman, Potter, Pierce, Rowland and Thompson,
each, I ; Fulton and Dimock, each, 2 ; Chamberlin, 3 ; Case, W.
O., 5 ; GiUette, 10^ ; Thayer, 50^^. The foUowing votes were

personal. 75
thrown out, in accordance with a recent ruling under the
Australian ballot law: "Oh, Thayer;" "George Fair;"
" Thayer, the nonpareil," (meaning a small type ot a soldier,
doubtless) one each. ^ 7|r ^ TV v^ 'K' ^
Corporal Gruener kept his uniform and equipments looking
the neatest, in the opinion of the members. The vote is as
follows: Gruener, 23; Marion, 9; Burnell, F. C, 5^ ; Fisher,
S}4 ; Fuller, Brown, W. H. and ZoUer, each, 4; Thayer, 3;
Hynes and Carroll, each, 2 ; Gillette, Barber, Pattison, Bryant,
Hatton, Eno, Knox, Tinkham, Camp, Holt, Pimm, Humphrey,
Morgan, Jeremiah and Scharper, each, i. One member repUes :
"Allthe sergeants and corporals and Thayer, Knox, Marioa,
Rathbun and Frank Denison." Another says : "Mac, our cook,
because he never put it on only on state occasions." This is
the opinion of still another : " Private Fulton was the company
dude, as was shown at guard mount."

Considerable wire pulling is to be seen over the contest
for the best tent. The combinations are numerous and the vote
close, except for first place. The tent occupied by Corporals
Gruener and Low wins by a handsome plurality, as follows :
Gruener and Low, 14; First Sergeant's tent, 9; Denison tent,
Sanderson, Fulton, Thayer and Webster tent, each, 8 ; Camp,
Case, Tinkham and Chamberlin tent, 6; Holt and DeLamater
tent, Ahern tent, each, 5 ; Pierce, Barker, Rogers and Burnell
tent, Bryant, Sobieralski, Pimrn and Cadwell tent, each, 3 ;
Schults and Barrows tent, Henderson tent, each, 2; Tent 17,
Tent 3, Fisher, Silvernail, Brown, W. H., Gillette, Johnson, W.
C, Thompson, Vibert, McKone and Tinkham, each, i. Prob
ably this vote will appear somewhat undecisive. Some may
have had in mind the Portland tent; others, those at Camp
Alger. Possibly the only thing settled by this vote is that in
regard to first place. About that thei-e can be no doubt. The
writer has separated and analyzed the various and somewhat

•]6 personal.
confused answers as best he could, as to the other contestants.
One member replied: "If it was, who had the worst, I would
say, Roberts." *******
The most popular regimental officer is Major Schulze.
The vote is : Major Schulze, 86 ; Lieutenant Colonel Hammond,
7 ; Chaplain Kelsey, 2 ; Colonel Burdett, i .
The most popular surgeon is Lieutenant McCook, his vote
running well ahead of his ticket and making his election prac
tically unanimous. The votes cast is as follows : Lieutenant
McCook, 90; Major Rockwell, 2; Private McKee, i ; Lieutenant
Griswold, o.
In case of another war and the regiment was going into
battle, the members express the following preferences for
officers to take command : To lead the regiment, Schulze, 61 ;
Hammond, 21; Burdett, 3. To command the company:
Waterman, 42 ; Saunders; 38; Moore, 2 ; Newton, 2. One
member replies : " Saunders, for he generally keeps his wits
about him and does the right thing at the right time "
Another, apparently trembling at the very thought, answers :
"By giminy, I wouldn't want Burdett!! Hammond, that
regular, is the man." *******
The duties of the First Sergeant are, without doubt, the
most trying of any which it falls to the lot of a soldier to per
form. This fact should be kept in mind in considering the
answers to the question, " How did the First Sergeant perform
the duties of his position ?" Here are some of the answers :
"As good as could be expected;" " He could have done much
better ;" "As weU as he could ;" " His treatment of the men was
anything but commendable;" "Upon the whole, very weU, but
his whining manner and lack of tact and system gained him
the iU wiU of the men;" "Very faithfully;" " He lacked tact

personal. , T"]
and was quite unsatisfactory;" " Pretty fair;" "Very poorly;"
"Acceptably;" " Unmilitary;" " Rotten. His reports may have
been O. K. but the details were made with very apparent par
tiality ;"" Mediocre;" "On the hog;' "He made to much
of his position;" "On the buiii;""Very weU, considering;"
" He did nothing in a decent manner but in the meanest and
most unmilitary manner possible. In fact, rotten;" " Awk
ward, thick-headed manner;" "Rotten. He was too mean to
the men;" " He lacked tact;" " Those that didn't stand in with
him got the blunt of it. I'm not afraid of him He can't lick
me, big as he is;" " He did as well as any one could but had
an underhanded way of doing things;" "With a rare show of
partiality and in any but a military manner. He lacked tact
and good judgment, though having much to contend with;"
"In my estimation, all right;" "Like the south end, of a livery
stable, going north;' "With amazing incompetency, partiality,
meanness, slowness and to cut a long story short, simply rotten ; "
"He did as vvell as I could in his place, it was a hard place;"
"Very well, when social duties didn't interfere;" " I think Sam
did his damnedest to do right but — but — let us draw a veil over
this distressing topic of conversation;" " It was a hard position
to fill but I think our top-notcher could handle a company
of ladies rnuch easier, of which occupation he was very fond;"
" Hard position to fill— room for improvement;" "Faithfully and
but for his womanishness would have been more popular with
us;" "WeU, considering the material;" "Half and half;" "Can't
complain;" "Sordidly;" "Very rotten;" "Rank to rotten."
Two members each say: "Fair;" "Passably good;" "Ritten,
rooten, rotten." Three members each say : " Might have done
better;" "Fair to rotten;'' "Satisfactorily;" " Frst class."
Four members each say: "Very weU;" " Fairly well;" "Well
enough." Five members say: "AU right." Eight members
simply say: "Rotten;" "Very poorly." " He was too easily
irritated and too willing to soak some willing non-kicker in place
of some shirk who made a bluff to get out of it. In short, he
didn't have back-bone enough for his job," this is opinion of
one member. " He should have had an assisant ;" says another.

78 PERSONAL.
Private Knox is elected the loudest snorer, though Jack
Brutus snored well, considering the nasal combinations against
him. In fact it might be said that "Jack" Knox and Jack
Brutus, together, lead the whole company by the nose. One
member writes : " Brutus was pushed pretty hard by Corporal
Gruener. They slept in the next tent to me and I used to wake
up in the middle of the night, hearing an awful noise in
Gruener's tent. I lay there one night and wondered which it
was, Brutus or Gruener, tiU, at last, to satisfy my curiosity, I
got up and found that the dog was quiet and all the noise came
from Gruener." Another member answers : " Knox and the
dog, both. I know them well for I have slept with both dogs."
Another member writes: "John Brutus Knox." Another:
"McGrath, aside from Jack." The vote is as foUows : Knox,
48; Brutus, 33; Fulton, 2; Henry L. Huntington, 2; Gruener,
Nunan, S. G. Huntington, Jos. BurneU, Moran, Marvel,McGrath,
R. A. Case and Gale, one each.
*******
The vote for the best natured member of the company is
scattered among twenty-four men, showing that a large pro
portion of the company were remembered with kindly
feelmg by their comrades. This ballot is as follows : Barker,
Webster, Fulton, Jos. Burnell, Pattison, Jack Brutus, Frank
Denison, Sanderson, Ahern, Dickinson, GiUette, each i ;
Bryant, Corporal Pierce, Dimock, Silvernail, Jeremiah Morgan,
Fowler, Bassett, each 2 ; Marvel, Walsh, each 3 ; DeLamater,
4; Gruener, 5 ; R. A. Case, 15 ; Thayer, 34. No one has a
hiajority, hence the result, under the Connecticut constitution,
rests with the legislature. *******
While there were found to be many good natured men in
the company, the next baUot shows also some twenty members
who, like boys at school playing hookey, delighted in playing
shirk. The vote for the biggest shirk is as foUows : Bryant,
23 ; Barrows, Knox, each 12 ; F. C. BurneU, 9; R. A. Case, 4;

PERSONAL. 79
Tinkham, Ashwell, Brigham, each 3 ; Converse, Fulton,
Kirkley, each 2 ; Landerman, Dwyer, Rogers, Hynes, First
Sergeant, Judson, Rowland, Walsh, Shea, each i. Here too,
no one has a majority. ^ tSt fl|t T^ T^ 'flfr -iif-
The number of lazy men in the company is not so
large. The vote results in the election of Private Knox, by a
majority of only one vote, however. The governor of
Massachusetts was also once elected by a majority of only one
vote, hence Knox, at once, finds himself in distinguishe'd com
pany. The vote: Knox, 41 ; Bryant, 17; Kirkley, 4; AshweU,
Barrows, each 3; F. C. Burnell, Barker, each 2; Brigham,
R. A. Case, D. E. Brown, Rowland, Fulton, Shea, Molloy,
Walsh, Wiley, each i. One member answers, "It is hard to
say who was the laziest. We had several laziest." Another
repUes: "Too much competition. I think I won."
*****-**
The contest as to the worst kicker had a large field of
entries. The result showed such a close vote that the official
returns were found necessary to determine that there was no
election. F. E. Denison had 1 1 votes and Brigham the same.
Barker and Judson were also tied for second place, each re
ceiving 8 votes. Barrows and F. C. Burnell were tied for
third place, each receiving 7 votes. The other candidates
were: Knox, 6; Henry L. Huntington and Converse, each 2;
Corporal Pierce, Denniston, Campbell, R. A. Case, Sarvan,
Fulton, Fisher, Bryant, W. C. Johnson, Rathbun, and Tink
ham, each one. *******
The canvass to determine who of the 106 men was the
greatest eater has brought about some curious results. Henry
L. Huntington started off with a good lead but the friends of
Fulton soon began to rally about him and from that hour the
contest grew closer and closer. In short, the right of either
to the title of being the greatest eater became day by day
more and more uncertain and precarious till it was little less

80 PERSONAL.
than a hand to mouth affair. Some of the friends of Thayer,
later in the contest, undertook to run him in as a sort ot dark
brown horse but the attempt faUed. In the end the result was :
Fulton, 24; H. L. Huntington, (including 4 for "Red
Muzzier") 17; Thayer, 11; Bryant, Landerman and Beau-
champ, each 3 ; Kirkley, Converse, W. H. Brown, each 2 ;
Low, Boniface, Barker, Henderson, D. E. Brown, 'Marvel, M.
A. Pierce, W. O. Case, Jack, Barber, Schults, Shea and Ward,.
each one. One member writes : " I honestly believe, in cool
weather, Geo. B. Thayer is the biggest eater." Another, re-
caUing the first rations of field corn at Camp Alger, answers:
"Thayer (9 ears of corn)." Another swears to this state
ment: "Beauchamp. He would go around four times and
then kick." * * * * * * - *
The freshest member — here again no one has a majority
but Barker comes within two of it. The vote (including three
for " Willie Sponge ") is as follows: Barker, 41 ; F. C. BurneU,
9; Landerman, 7; R. A. Case, Sobieralski, each 5; Tinkham,
3 ; Camp, 2 ; Bryant, 2 ; Shea, Hynes, Kober, Wheeler,
Judson, Molloy, Marvel, Walsh, each one.
There is less diversity of opinion upon the next question
— who was the biggest tank. Among other big tanks, the
most famous, perhaps, is the Heidelberg tun, a tank capable
of holding 49,000 gallons or, in more familiar terms, 800,000
glasses of beer. Yet, 50 members of the company notwith
standing, think the biggest tank is Private Chamberlin. One
member thinks " the straws lie between Chamberlin and
Bryant." Two others reminds us that " Barker could hold
nearly as much as his uncle." The vote is: Chamberlin, 51 ;
Bryant, 10; R. A. Case, 8; Camp and Barker, each 5;
Driscoll, Fisher, McLaughlin, Jeremiah Morgan and Walsh,
each one. 7|& flf Tjp -Sp ^ ^ ^
Private Dimock, by a large plurality, is found to have
been the most generous member in the company with which

personal. 8 1
decision his own tent mates fully concur. The vote was :
Dimock, 27/ Corporal Pierce, 9; Gruener, 7; Nunan and
Thayer, each 5; Holt, 4; Silvernail, W. O. Case, Scharper,
McGrath, each 3 ; GiUette, Bassett, Hall, Fowler, S. G. Hun
tington, each 2 ; Captain Saunders, Walsh, Dwyer, Landerman,
Sanderson, Webster and Beebe, each one. One member says :
"The most generous were Sergeants Sam Huntington (?) and
Bob Beebe ( ?) (two for one)."
*******
Twenty-three different men in the company were looked
upon by one or more of their comrades as the most accommo
dating, which speaks well for the average accommodating spirit
in the command. The vote is as follows : Nunan, 16; Gruener,
13; Thayer, 10; Silvernail, Fowler, each 5; Corporal Pierce
and Dimock, each 4; GUlette, Beebe, Holt, and S. G. Hunting
ton, each 3 ; Walsh, Bassett and DeLamater, each 2 ; Gale,
Chamberlin, Hatton, Waterman, Wolcott, Scharper, Webster,
McKee and Sanderson, each one.
* * * * ^ * * *
Who was the biggest gambler ? The canvass of the votes
upon this question produced such a surprising state of facts
that a recount was at once ordered. The result, however, was
the same. Some one in the company thiftks that Private
Webster was the biggest gambler in it. The first impulse of
the canvasser iri stumbling upon this vote, was to suppress the
damaging fact but he soon saw his only course was to let the
truth be known. But Webster did not receive all the votes for
the biggest gambler. There are others. The official count or
recount is: Bryant, (including 3 for "Fat" Bryant) 25;
DriscoU, (including 3 for "The Duke") 21 ; Carroll, 15 ; Cor
poral Johnson, 8 ; Shea, 6 ; Rowland, 3 ; Hollis, 2 ; Ahern, 2 ;
Corporal Pierce, Scharper, McKone and Webster, each one.
*******
Will wonders never cease ! Not only is Webster thought
to be the biggest gambler but some one else claims Corporal

82 PERSONAL.
Sanderson is the most profane. Possibly the same mistake was
made in his case a:s was made in that _ of Private Hawkins of
Company F, charged, during his trial by court martial at Port
land, with excessive use of profanity. The evidence was that
Hawkins was simply recitirfg portions of scripture, which the
ungodly mistook for swearing. The vote is : Hollis, 23 ; R. A.
Case, 16; Camp, 10; Tinkham, 9: McGrath, 8; Barker, 4;
Landerman, 3 ; Jeremiah Morgan, 2 ; Bryant, Frank Denison,
Marvel, Dickinson, Webster and Sanderson, each one. One
member is of the opinion that, in the matter of swearing, " the
company had a super-abundance of good(?) material."
Another member puts it this way : " The whole damn company
was 'most profane'." A jif jfc -A -jic A A
One member of the company, possibly now that he is out
of it, dares to vote Captain Saunders the homeliest one in it.
But upon this subject there is a great diversity of opinion.
The vote is: Kirkley, 13; Rogers, 10; Rathbun, (including i
for "Cross-bones") 7; H. L. Huntington, (including 3 for
"The Red Muzzier") 6; Marvel, 6; Beauchamp, Jeremiah
Morgan, Barker, each 5 ; Walsh and Hynes, each 3 ; Thomp
son, Molloy, each 2 ; McGrath, Bryant, Sherman, Hatton,
Corporal Pierce, Nunan, Joseph BurneU, Borland, Dickinson,
ChamberUn and Captain Saunders, each one. One member
claims "Thompson, when shaved," was the homeliest. Another
claims Rogers was the homeliest in the regiment. A third
says : " Corporal Johnson was the worst looking mug." StiU
another replies : " AU coons look alike to me."
*******
The company beauties are many. In the opinion of
eighteen members Private ZoUer was the handsomest soldier,
while sixteen members took Sergeant Holt as their type of
beauty. On the other hand, eleven of Private Marion's
comrades saw in him the handsomest man in the company.
The vote in detaU is as foUows: ZoUer, 18; Holt, 16; Marion,
II ; Sanderson, 9; Fred R. Denison, 6; Campbell, 4; Marvel,

PERSONAL. 83
Gale and Scharper, each 3 ; W, H. Brown, 2 ; Silvernail, Bryant, '^
Dickinson, Fulton, Brigham, S. G. Huntington and Gruener,
each one. One answer was : " The whole company are beau
ties." Another replied: " My innate modesty forbids an
answer." Another answered : " Otis, of course." " Where do
you mean? Down at Alger? We were all beauties down
there," says another. 4Gt ^ ^ ' -^ ^ ^ ^
Among the sleepy members in the company, the name of
" Reuben " Morley, now long absent but not forgotten, is found
upon one of the ballots. The vote upon this question is more
scattered than upon any other, thus far no less than twenty-
eight members being looked upon by one or more of their
comrades as the sleepiest. The vote is as follows : Rowland,
(including several for "Chick" Rowland), 16; Knox, 8;
Kirkley and Marvel, each 7 ; Ashwell, 5 ; Wiley, Ahern, D.
E. Brown, Brigham and Bryant, each 4; Holt and Hayden,
each 2 ; McKone, Dwyer, Corporal Johnson, Hollis, Camp, -
Pimm, Fulton, S. G. Huntington, W. C. Johnson, Beebe,
Driscoll, Hynes, Ripley, W. O. Case, Converse, " Reuben "
Morely and .Landerman, each one.

No election since the Hayes-Tilden campaign in 1876 has
been more exciting nor was the result in any election for a long-
period ever more in doubt than in the contest now just brought
to a close to determine which member of Company K was the
" greatest one to whine about himself." The early returns
seem to insure the election of Barrows, but when the results in
the smaller cities and towns became known, it was evident
Brigham was polUng a handsome vote, leading all other
candidates and running far ahead of his ticket. The fickleness
of political fortune, however, is proverbial and the present is
no exception to the rule. The later returns from the country
districts showed that Brigham was losing heavily and when the
result in Barkhamsted was thrown upon the canvass, the defeat

84 PERSONAL.
of Brigham became overwhelming. The vote shows the
triumphant election of Barrows by a large majority over all
other competitors: Barrows, 50; Brigham, 22; Barker, 4;
Frank Denison, Tinkham, Bryant, R. A. Case, DriscoU,
Rogers, Judson, Shea, F. C. Burnell and " Jack " Boniface,
each one. One member meets the question by a plea of
" Guilty — seven and costs."
*******
Snaps? Who were looking for the softest ones? WeU,
two members say: "Everybody was looking for them," and " I
never found enough of them," says another. Another replies:
" No choice, each was looking for them." " Judson," another
answers, "yet he did the most work." The vote is: Knox, 34;
R. A. Case, 10; Bryant, 9; Barrows and Brigham, each 3;
Fulton, Boniface, HoUis, Cannon, Barker and Kirkley, each 2 ;
S.'G.Huntington, Marvel, F. C. Burnell, Judson, Marion, Row
land, Converse, Gale and Ahern, each one.

The greatest masher at Portland is found to be First
Sergeant Huntington, though Private Tinkham polls within one
as many votes. One member writes : " Tinkham, but all did
their share, except George Thayer," unconsciously dropping
into rhyme. Another answers : " There were too many to
mention." Another : " Hard to tell." The vote is . scattered
among sixteen members as follows: S. G. Huntington, 27;
Tinkham, 26 ; McKee, 7 ; Scharper, 6 ; Carroll and Fisher,
each 3 ; Dickinson, Cadwell, each 2 ; F. C. Burnell, R. A.
Case, Wiley, Kirkley, Brigham, Captain Saunders, Ashwell and
Sobieralski, each one. *******
The worst, or possibly he might be called the best
borrower, was Private Bryant, though several others have not
been forgotten. One member mentions : " Fulton, except
money." The vote shows a large class of borrowers, 28 in all,
as follows: Bryant, 20 ; Marion, 10; Rogers and Landerman,

personal. , 85
each 6; Barker, 5; Fulton, 4; F. E. Denison, 3; Brigham
and Chamberlin, each 2 ; CampbeU, CarroU, Dickinson, Row
land, Barber, Bassett, Fisher, Beebe, Sherman, Clapp, Cannon,
Judson, Camp, Kirkley, Molloy, Nunan, Driscoll, Converse,
Walsh and Boniface, each one,
*******
Private R. A. Case is easily the brightest or wittiest mem
ber, if his comrades are any judge. In voting for him one
member says "Bobby Case — snorers and snorters are insepara
ble." Another member votes for " Sachel-back " Rogers.
The vote is as follows; R. A. Case, 38; Camp, 12; Corporal
Pierce, 8 ; Walsh, 7 ; -Thayer, 6 ; Fulton, 3 ; De Lamater,
Sobieralski and Scharper, each 2 ; Landerman, McKone,
Knox, Captain Saunders and Rogers, each one.
*******
How did " Mac," our cook, perform the duties of his
position? Let the members speak: "No other company in
the entire service fared as well and all on account of " Mac;"
" Very well and very sacrificingly ; " "He was the whole thing ; "
" Hunt the United States over and you can't find a better;"
" He will always be remembered by the boys as deserving all
praise ;" " He treated all alike and did more than was expected
of him ;" " He had his failings, but they were personal and did
not affect his being the best cook in the regiment;" "He dis
charged his duties with a care, zeal and understanding that was
pleasant to look upon and will always be a happy memory;"
" The boys have lots to thank him for ;" " An excellent cook
with an ungovernable temper, who would become angry and
be over it in a minute,' always accommodating and on the
lookout for the welfare of the sick;" "There was little room
for improvement;" "Through the medium of fire — Buzza-
cott outfit, the best cook in the regiment;" "As only a Mac
could ;" " To the letter ;" " Could have done no more for us ;"
"Outof sight;" "Great;" "Damned weU;" "On the top
notch;" "Splendid;" " Dainned fine;" " i8-carat pure;"
"Bang-up." Two members say : "Perfectly;" four, "Excel-

86 , PERSONAL.
lent;" six, " First-class ;" ten, "O. K;' ten, " AU right;"
three, "A No. I ;" four, "WeU;" four, "Good;" eight,
"Could not have, done better;" two, " Very satisfactorily ;"
two, "Best in regiment;'' four, " Very weU, indeed;" six,
" Fine." And the writer would like to add that no work in
preparing this history has been more pleasant to him than
compiUng this feature of it — a record with no word of com
plaint in it, from beginning to end.

Among the other regiments at Camp Alger, the one most
popular with Company K was the Third Virginia, why is not
difficult to discern. These are some of the answers : " We
had a good chance to snub them and didn't, but treated them
the best we knew how;" "Because they were our opposites
in so many ways;"' "We got along with them the best;"
"They were very friendly ;" "Our first friends after we left
home;" " Treated us kindly every time we called;" "They
came to us and made friends and were a capital, crowd of
soldiers;" " Most sociable;" ""Treated us better;" "They
were gentlemen ;" -'Becauseof their polite manners ;" "Because
we stopped the riot." The vote was: Third Virginia, 65 ;
Seventh Ohio and Sixty-fifth New York, each 3 ; First New
Jersey, 2 ; Eighth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Pennsylvania, each
one. One member answers: " The Twelfth and Eighth Penn
sylvania, because of the beer and whiskey they sold. When
we had such stuff ourselves the Virginias were the most
popular." Two ofthe members in voting for the Sixty-fifth
New York say: "They were popular, because of their beer."
When the result of this ballot became known the writer
communicated the fact to Colonel H. Nalle of the Third Virginia
and incidentally mentioned the fact that Company K was the
first to reach the hospital grounds on the night of August 8th.
The writer added, however, that he hoped the Virginians did
not take K's promptness as evidence of any unfriendly feeling
in the rnatter. The following letter has been received in reply :

personal. 87
Commonwealth of Virginia,
Adjutant-General's Office,
Richmond, Va., April 6, 1899.
Mr. Geo. B. Thayer, Hartford, Conn.:
Dear Sir: — I was greatly pleased to receive your letter
of the 2d of March, last, in which you very kindly gave me the
result of a vote taken by your company to ascertain " which
regiment at Camp Alger was the most popular with Company
K," of your regiment, the First Connecticut.
Let me thank you, most sincerely, for having thus advised
me of the feeling entertained for us, of the Third Virginia, by
your company. The fueling is reciprocated, I assure you, and
the First Connecticut will always hold a warm place in the hearts
of the Third Virginia.
You need be under no apprehensions that the action of
your regiment, on the evening in August, last, to which you
referred, was misunderstood, in the least, by any of us. You
received an order, and, like true soldiers as you were,
you obeyed it. There was nothing else to do. Your
letter reached me while I was in attendance upon three of my
children, who were then critically ill, and one of whom, an ex
ceedingly bright and interesting little boy, of three and a half
years, lately died.
Knowing these facts, you will, I am sure, par^ion the delay
in replying to your letter. Very truly yours,
W. Nalle.

Did the niembers save up or send home any money? That
question seemed to paralyze most of them. See what they say :
" I sent home one dollar because I thought I might want to
borrow a dollar and so would be sure to get it when I asked;"
" Yes, I sent home some once but drew it out at the ratio of
16 to I ;" ;' No, broke in twenty-four hours after I was paid,
every time;" " No, I was a private;" "Yes, but it was'nt

88 PERSONAL.
exactly from my governmental pay but rather from my poker-
al pay;" "A soldier can save money only by being either in
the guard-house or hospital aU the time. As I was in neither
I saved none;" "HuUy gee, no;" "Yes, in pig's eye;"
"Divil a cent;" "BarreU full;" "Not so's you'd notice it;"
" Not a damned cent." In all some twenty-five members
answered "yes," and sixty, "no." One member repUed: "Ifthe
truth were known I spent upwards of one hundred dollars
more than the dear government paid me."

Shall we keep the entire group of Philippine Islands?
Here are some of the opinions of the members : " It will be a
great mistake to keep them ;" " Only a coal station ;" " Yes,
we won them, so keep them;" "Not if Japan or any other
civilized nation will give us $200,000,000 for them;" "We
went through enough to keep them;" "Yes, if such men as
McKinley say keep them ;" " Yes, if there is anything in it for
us." In all forty-seven members say " yes," and twenty-four
say " no." ^ ^ ^ -^ ^ ^ ^
In politics the members expressed themselves as follows :
Republicans, 55 ; Democrats, 8; Prohibitionists. 7.
9|r t(& ^ fl|& T|& ^ 7^
Did love for the Cubans enter in as a motive for enlisting?
Two members answer "Yes ; " one, "a little ; " one "sympathy,
partly." The others answer, " No,"
*******
Company F received every vote in answer to the question :
" Which was the most popular company in the regiment."
*******
Finally, what is the opinion of the members in respect to
the treatment of them by the State of Connecticut and the
United States government? Here it is: "We had poor clothes,
rotten tents and were forgotten by the state;" "We fared as

PERSONAL. 89
well as a soldier could expect;" "The state sent us off with
clothes and tents which the government at once condemned,
but the state furnished good rations;" " Tentage was rank;"
"Our hay-making governor was the cause of our' being far be
hind other states in equipments, at the outset;" " Incompetent
jack-asses occupying positions secured by political influence
was the cause of the ill-use by the government;" "The state
was decidedly parsimonious ;" "Connecticut treated us very
shabbily, by comparison, our tents and equipments being very
poor ;" "U. S. rations were very poor for a hot climate and we
were too many in a tent;" " Connecticut, through its chief
executive, brought us into discredit by his supine neglect and
inefficiency. The war department, represented by the West
Pointers, showed its contempt for us volunteers, who eventually
bear the burdens of supporting those aristocratic paupers with
high salaries and subsistence that they may lord it over the
civilians;" "The State of Connecticut is the most miserable
piece of property on the face ofthe earth;" "We were charged
too much for our clothes but our rations were all right;" "No
complaint except leaky tents;" "Poor clothes and leaky tents,
rotten to the core;" "Connecticut treated us very mean;" "We
had reasons to kick about our tents;" "The dear State of
Connecticut never treated us anywhere near right. Six in a
tent made sleeping anything but comfortable;" "No use to
kick now;" "No kick except against the old corn field we
camped on ;" "The tents were so rotten we might as well have
been outside;" " Connecticut treated us about as mean as it
could;" " I would cut my head off before I would volunteer
again, knowing how Connecticut treated us;"i "The tents Con
necticut gave us were full of dents;" "Connecticut apparently
waited to see what other states were going to do in getting their
quota full. Our uniforms were seven years old and much worn.
Our tents were rotten and full of holes. Plenty of new tents
were in possession of the state at the time. Our authorities
seemed to think our regiment would cost a little money. Our
transportation from Niantic home should have been paid by the
7

90 PERSONAL.
State, as other states did;" "When, by some mistake we were
overpaid $6, the State of Connecticut began crying like a
school boy 'I want my money back.' This is only an instance
of the way Connecticut treated its volunteers ;" " Connecticut
treated us shabbily enough. Gave us tents that had been con
demned three years before ;" " I want to kick a little but least
said soonest mended;" "Connecticut showed herself close and
grasping;" "I was a 'Rookey' so Connecticut did not have a
chance at me;" "Through an oversight no sash was issued-
with which to decorate the holes in the tents doubtless intended
as windows;" "Connecticut was ungrateful in giving us poor
tents, in trying to make us pay high prices for old uniforrhs
and in taking no interest in our welfare while at Camp Alger;"
"My only kick is, we didn't get into a fight." Many of the above
answers are substantially repeated by others not given. In all,
but 15 members answer: "I have no fault to find." Another
says : "Yes I have fault to find. I think the reason why there
was so much apparently needless sickness, hardships and dis
comfort in the big military camps, might be summed up in
these three words : Incompete-ncy of Officers. They did not
know how to take care of their men, nor how to'make a vigor
ous kick for necessaries in the way of equipment, food and
medicine. Then, besides this, there was a big undercurrent of
politics and boodle that was constantly creating trouble. You
will find plenty of men in small country towns, in this state, who
personify the characteristics displayed by Connecticut towards
her volunteers. They are close-fisted, narrow-minded, ' small '
kind of people, who applaud when others do a generous thing,
but never do one themselves." at
RATION ALLOWANCE.
To each one hundred men in the army the government
issued, each day, the foUowing rations: 125 pounds of fresh
beef or 75 pounds of bacon or mess pork; ii2jS^ pounds of

PERSONAL. 91
flour or its equivalent in hard tack; bread or corn meal; 10
pounds af coffee; 15 pounds Of sugar; 10 quarts of beans,
split peas or rice; 100 pounds of veg.etables, potatoes, onions
or tomatoes (canned) ; plenty of salt, pepper and vinegar.
At Camp Alger each conipany could draw fresh meat
seven days and salt meat three days in every ten days. Once
in ten days 125 pounds of canned salmon cpuld be drawn in lieu
of fresh meat. The fresh meat could npt be commuted but the
salt meat could be and the flour also., In case the allowance
of these last were not all drawn, the balance;, at the end of each
ten days was paid to the company commandant in cash. Eight
cents a pound was allowed for the salt meat and three cents a
loaf for the bread. The amount thus , commuted by Co. K.
during five weeks at Camp Alger-.was $152.16. This- sum was
nised for the purchase of eggs, lamb chops, sausages, sweet
potatoes, green corn and other extras. During the thirty day
furlough the men were allowed twenty-five cents a day for
rations. While at the armory, waiting to be mustered out and
until finally paid off, November 7, 1898, the men were allowed
fifty cents a. day for rations. at
NICKNAMES.
What's in a name ?
That -which -we call a rose,
By any other name -would smell as sweet. — Shakespeare.
Captain Saunders, "Don Garcia Maceo," "Corkscrew."
Lieutenant Valentine, " Old Business," " 14th February."
First Sergeant Huntington, " Blac k Muzzier," " Top
Notcher."
Sergeant Beebe, " Boree Eyed Beeb."
" DeLamater, " Ragged Richard."
H. L. Huntington, " Red Muzzier."
Holt, " Captain's Pet."
" Boniface, " Bonnie Sergeantface."

92 PERSONAL.
Corporal CarroU, " Natty."
" Johnson, "Joss."
" SilvernaU, " Slippery Top."
" . Wheeler, " Side Wheeler."
Dwyer, "Pop."
Pierce, " Ramrod," " Old Man."
Ward, " Eddie Winders."
, " Gruener, " Dixie."
Campbell, " Scottie."
Low, " Billy."
. " Sanderson, " Sibyl."
Musician Camp, "Scamp," "Young man."
AshweU, " Sheepskin Bob."
Artificer Rowland, " Chick."
Wagoner Ahern, "Bronco Buster," " Mule i Skinner."
Private Barrows, " Sissy."
" Barker, "Uncle."
" Bassett, " Mother."
" Bryant, " Hoppie."
" Brigham, " Whiner."
" W. O. Case, " Cynthia."
Dickinson, " May."
" DriscoU, " Duke."
" Fisher, " Pogey."
" Fulton, " Spike Hennessey."
" Gale,- " Rookie."
" GiUette, " Secret Service."
" Hynes, " Regular Army."
" Hollis, " Mother Metcalf."
" Humphrey, " Hump."
" Judson, " Chang."
" Johnson, " Bud."
" Knox, " Chain Ughtning."
" Landerman, " Isaacs," " Buzz Saw," ^ " Collar
buttons."
" Marvel, " Ikey."

PERSONAL. 93

Private Marion, " May."
" McGrath, " Sow Belly."
McKee, " Doctor,"
" Molloy, "Dog Robber."
" Morley, " Sleeping* Jesus."
" Nunan, "Yank."
" Pierce, " Old Buckskin."
Rathbun, " Rattle bones."
" Ripley, " Snorter."
" Schults, " Major."
" Shea, " One Horse."
" Sobieralski, "Fiddler."
" Thayer, "Joggie."
" Tinkham, "Ding Dong."
" Vibert, " School Teacher."
•; Walsh; "Judge."
" Webster, " Noah."
" Wheelock, "Birdie."
^' Wiley, "Butcher."

FORT KNOX— FORT PREBLE.
at

BY PRIVATE ALFKED B. PIMM.

at

I well remember the Sunday of May 22, 1898, one of
those lovely spring days when the sunshine so warms us and
the soft blowing zephyrs, laden with the perfume of blossoms,
fill the nostril and make even the poor soldier " glad he is
livin'.'' The First Connecticut had been under canvass at
Niantic for a little over two weeks and, seated in the spacious
tent at headquarters across the field, I could hear the merry
shouts of the basket-ball kickers, the base-ball fiends begging
the batter to " line 'er out," and even the spectators of some
boxing match, coaxing their favorites to hit harder and more
often, while from another part of the camp came the strains of
some popular melody, the distance blending the various sounds
into one joyous uproar.
Why shouldn't we be happy? Had we not been promised
we would see active service? The First Connecticut was the
only regiment we knew anything about ; of course the President
knew of us too and would surely prefer us to any other in
helping to drive the accursed Spaniard from Cuba. No doubt
of that and most of us could already see our names inscribed
in the "American Soldier's Temple of Fame." We were
assured by those in authority that it was only a question of
time before we started south. A question of time? Yes, yes,
they were right after all, but 
On the afternoon- of this glorious day, the officers, at
the caU of the colonel, journeyed across the field to head
quarters, with elastic step and smiling faces ; possibly they
thought the long looked-for orders had arrived, but no, nothing

¦ INDIVIDUAL. 95.
had been heard as yet from Washington. The gallant
commander had, however, received a bran new map of Cuba,
which he trotted out to his own undisguised pleasure. He
explained in a most elaborate manner the situation of the
many cities, the provinces conti^Ued by the Cubans and those
held by the Spanish, pronouncing with easy versatility the
tongue-twisting names of those towns and villages, etc., — when
out of the cleair sky came a thunder-bolt that knocked even the
poor orderly speechless for a time. A courier, coming post
haste from Fort Trumbull, had arrived, carrying the startling
news that the First Connecticut was destined to do coast
defence duty; all split up! no head! no tail!] no Cuba!!!
Of what was the President thinking? Surely there must be some
mistake, but no, the orders were explicit. The map of Cuba
disappeared ; no one knew where it went, no one cared. For
a moment all was confusion, but with the promise that the
wires to Washington would be kept hot, the assembly dispersed.
With slow, measured tread, with heads bowed, the officers
thoughtfully and mournfully returned to the officers' street.
*******
The next day Companies F and K started for Fort Preble,
Maine, and C for Fort Constitution, New Hampshire, followed
a few days later by E and I for Plum Island and B for Gull
Island, New York. What a change ! Dear old K had gone I
The four companies that were left were lonesome and an air of
desolation permeated the camp. The ghost-white tents that
once seemed filled to o'erflowing with life and fun, now stood
like spectres of the grave yard ofthe dead; while the fain fell
in ceaseless torrents, drenching us, chilling us to the bone and
as we splashed through the puddles, we came to the conclusion
that army Ufe " aint whatit's cracked up to be." But finally the
sun broke through our clouds of discouragement and iU-temper ;
the remaining ,four companies were ordered to Fort Knox,
Maine, and it is to that place we wiU shift our scene, for I, acting
as orderly to the colonel, and stenographer in the quarter
master's department, besides doing work for a number of other

96

INDIVIDUAL.

PUCKERING PIMM.

INDIVIDUAL. 97
illustrious personages on the staff, commenced to get acquainted
with the " high and mighties." It is away from home, away
from friends, away from all who are near and dear to us that
the characteristics of the men we serve are seen in their
true light. •
Allow me right here to indulge in a few harmless person
alities, the veracity of which can be confirmed by applying to
any of the members of the Fort Knox companies, (A, D, G
and H.) although possibly living as I did with them I have
become somewhat better acquainted with their whims, fancies,
eccentricities, etc. than the other enlisted men.
First comes our gallant colonel whose chief and only cry
was " On to Cuba" or to "Gather the dismembered regiment
together and have it sent to some southern camp," while the
majority of his staff, surmising that they would see no active
service, preferred to stay on the cool banks of the Penobscot
River rather than go south and bake under a tropical sun, but
they held their peace.
Major Hickey, next in command, quiet and unostentatious
though he was, held the esteem and good will of all.
Then comes dear, old Major Schulze, who, by his tact,
earnestness and good-will, his kindness to even the most humble
private, his hatred of all that was mean and unwholesome, placed
him second to none in the hearts of the boys. Nor was his
influence confined to tjie companies stationed at Fort Knox,
but was as a guiding star wherever the boys of the First Con
necticut were encamped. With Major Schulze at our head, I
think the boys would stave Hell's portals in.
I also found the sterling quality of the make-up of Major
Rockwell. From beginning to end, he fought dirt and filth
with such aggressiveness that it is no wonder the health of the
camp was of such a high order.
We were also blessed by having with us Assistant Surgeon
McCook, whose magnanimity and whose untiring efforts towards
the sick and the suffering, almost hallowed him in our eyes.
Our mothers could not be more gentle or sympathetic than he.

98 INDIVIDUAL.
It mattered not to him whether the patient be some officer or a
prisoner in the guardhouse, he did his best at aU times witb
such tenderness that many of us could and will rise up and call
him blessed. Lieutenant Bronson, our quartermaster, was popular, of
course, with the boys ; shall I say with the fair dames of Bucks-
port also? It is needless. It was very apparent from his numerous
trips across the river that he went over to see about something-
more than the governmental goods that came in, every now and
then, but of course I am not supposed to know.
Nor must I forget our worthy chaplain. When we arrived
at Fort Knox, all know that his chief cry was for " wood " ;.
" wood for the stables ", " wood for the officers' floors ", " wood
for the officers' eating place" and finally, "wood for the floors-
of the privates." It seemed strange to me then that the horses
should have been thought of before the soldier boys, but ex
perience has taught me that strange things are happening all
the time in military life. Horses cost money, you know, while-
privates can be picked up anywhere, gratis.
Captain Wainwright, whose face was frescoed with a bushy-
substance resembling the trimmings of some nanny-goat's
whiskers, was very much in evidence there. With Napoleonic
vigor, he issued forty orders aday (more or less) .forbidding-
the men to do this or that. A private seen drunk in Bucksport?'
" Then I'll issue an order that no man shall go to Bucksport
unless he signs the pledge." This is of course a somewhat
exaggerated statement on my part, but some of his orders were
issued on this principle, which shows in what esteem he was held
by his men. A private seen loafing about the store steps?'
(just outside of the governmental grounds) " No man shall
leave the grounds without a pass." "AU passes are void after
6.30 at night." "No enhsted man shall go out of his company
street after retreat." These were some of his orders. To get a.
pass, this was the formula : The enlisted man applies to the
first sergeant for a pass, who, in turn applies to his captain.
AU being satisfactory, he presents himself to the regimental

INDIVIDUAL. 9'9.
sergeant major with side arms and musket. The R. S. M.
examines his clothes, belt, gun and hat to see if any flaw may
be found in his dress. If not, he is requested to repeat the
General Orders. The private is then passed to Captain Wain
wright, who looks him over and, with a gutteral soUnd resembling-
the growl of a dog, he signs the pass and the soldier can
then pass through the lines for two or three hours. Laugh,
ye men of the regular army; I am sure you never heard of
a similar instance before and we never want to again. Do,
we, feUow privates? Court-martial was his uppermost thought
when his men strayed, however little,. from the straight and
narrow path he marked out for them.
While the line officers of the various companies for the
most part upon being mustered into the service of Uncle Sam,
assumed a rather haughty air toward the men in their com
mands, they soon found out that it did not pay as well as being
human, so they came off their high perch a little. Captains
Bailey, Leonard, Nichols and Mahoney of the Fort Knox
companies fought for the comforts of their men, for fight.
they were obliged to at times and, while their lieutenants, being
subordinate officers, did remarkably well in the performance
of their duties, I wish to pay a special tribute to the first
lieutenant of Company D, a man having many of the fine
qualities and nearly the same name as his most worthy
superior. Major Schulze. Lieutenant Schutz, though quiet
and unassuming in his manner, dealt out justice to all,
be he officer or private, bringing him very close to the
hearts of not only his own men but to all with whom he
came in contact.
With the permission to join my company, on the 29th of
June, 1898, I was once more with dear, old K at Fort Preble.
What a life of freedom and good fellowship we led, how
the hours seemed like minutes, how the girls seemed like
angels after living so long in the woods around Fort Knox and,
as I look back on those happy days, it seems more like a
beautiful dream than a reality. Although we had the freedom

lOO INDIVIDUAL.
of South Portland, with its places of amusement, its fine surf-
bathing and almost all that one could ask for, a K boy said to
me one day, complainingly, " We cannot go to Portland without
leaving our name with the first sergeant." With the memory
of how a pass at Fort Knox had to be obtained fresh in my
mind, I could not help but congratulate the boys of F and K
that they belonged to the two most fortunate companies in the
world. How different was the life; at Portland we had our
drills and our work was consummated, we could then do what
we wished ; at Fort Knox, nothing but work, work, work,
chopping down trees, for each company was obliged to chop
their own fire wood as well as for the officers' mess, digging
trenches, sinks, clearing land, repairing roads leading to the
fort, making foot bridges, building steps up some very steep
hills, etc., and yet, after the regiment was joined together, I
heard several Fort Knoxers say they had better times than the
companies at the other places, not excepting F and K at Fort
Preble. If they really think so, I am glad but I imagine they
would hardly wish to repeat their experience there.
My life at Fort Preble was a most happy one but it was
destined to be of short duration, for after living a few weeks
there, orders were received to pack up and proceed to Niantic,
where the regiment was to be once more collected, prior to our
departure for Camp Alger. We bade our many friends an
affectionate good-bye and, as the train moved from the station,
we received a shower of " God-speeds" that seemed to me
almost like a mighty benediction and, as we looked back from
our now rapidly moving cars, we could see handkerchiefs
waving a farewell but some were wiping away tears.
Colonel Burdett's prayer was finally answered ; the regi
ment was once more together; the regiment went South to
Camp Alger where it remained until sent North to be mustered:
out. What good did we accomplish by going? It satisfied
our colonel's ambition? Perhaps so. However, I cannot help
but think what empty honors were bestowed upon him when
I bring to mind the many brave fellows we have buried as a
result of this ambition.

SOCIETY AS WE HAVE FOUND IT.
at

BY CORPORAL ED-WARD F. SANDERSON.

at
For a U. S. volunteer in time of war to enter into the mad
whirl of social life is so decidedly anomalous and unmilitary
that it is with mingled feelings of regret and shame that we
chronicle the " society acts " of Company K.
"The evil that men do lives after them" and it is probably
such "social stunts" as Boniface's "beautiful dancing," Holt's
debonairity at theater parties and Fulton's trumping his part
ner's ace at the "Shore Whist Club " which will linger longest
in the minds of the hospitable inhabitants of Portland and
vicinity. Our first introduction to the social life of the place was a
grand banquet and dance at the Unitarian Church. The captain
and his staff having seated themselves and made sure of the best
looking waitress in the room, the rank and file entered and the
work of demolition commenced. Henry Huntington and
George Thayer were tied for first place that night in the eating
contest. The friends of Henry felt, as they saw his glorious
work, that he had never been in better trim and confidently
wagered their all on him. But the doughty little lawyer, though
saying nothing, was quietly absorbing everything that came his
way and when the last vestige of anything eatable had disap
peared he was still fresh and smiling while the blase lassitude
depicted on Henry's face showed with unerring certainty the
absolute repletion within. Had the ladies provided one more
boiler of beans, the outcome might have been different. As it
was, the six waitresses who had confined themselves solely to
George and Henry held a meeting after the first effects of their
exhausting labors were over and, after a heated debate, decided

I02

INDIVIDUAL.

that it was a tie and that the first prize of one dozen loaves of
bread would be divided equally between them.
While they were consuming these, the floor was cleared for
dancing and the blue blood of Knox, Eno and Marvel pulsated
with unwonted activity as they glided over the polished floor,
each with some seductive siren imprisoned in his grasp, their
languishing eyes seeming to say louder than any words, "Am
I in heaven or is this only Portland?" And then, as they

"WAR IS HEI,!,."
Davidson, Ridiardson, Pierce, Calvocoresses,
Cook, S. H. CampbeU, Bassett, McCook, Robbins,
Fisher, Silvemail, Carroll, Hawkins, Ackerman.
Pickard, Dresser, Jones, Thayer.
E. C. Green, K. A. Case, Clark, Hagg.
collided at the corners with McGrath and Humphrey, (who
were having troubles of their own on reversing) they came
back to earth and fluttered out to get the cool night air and
become better acquainted with their partners. It is so difficult
to get acquainted in a crowded, brilliantly lighted baU room !

INDIVIDUAL. 103
That night the maidens of Portland put little pieces of
wedding cake under their pillows and dreamed of McKee and
Landerman and Kirkley and blushed even in sleep as the deli
cate compliments of " the handsome captain of Company K."
flitted again in phantom profession through their brains.
Everybody had had a " gorgeous time." De Lamater had
forgotten for the time that he was married and Holt, that he
-was going to be, and all entered into the true spirit of the
occasion. From that time forth, the world was ours, that is,
as much of it as we could see with the naked eye from Pros-
!pe-ct Hill.
' Dance followed dance till Hollis got his "hop walse"
down to absolute perfection, and Humphrey could reverse as
'easily as he had once caught flies on the " Unionville Terrors "
baseball team.
The large armory in Portland witnessed one of the swellest
balls of the season. The carriages which rolled up to the door
poured forth a steady stream of the city's wealth and beauty.
Everything was arranged on a lavish scale. Fulton did not
discover till rather late that the large punch bowl at the end of
the hall was not an individual cup for him, but when he was
appraised of his mistake, he was most profuse in his apologies
and gallantly fiUed it up with water.
Interspersed with the series of dances came strawberry
festivals, theatre parties, card parties, long rides and picnics,
.sails in and out among the islands of Casco Bay, clam-bakes,
moonlight tete-a-tetes on the rocks, in fact every conceivable
pleasure which a kind and indulgent people could invent or
¦scare up was afforded us. Every afternoon after three and every
evening until ten, for two months, was one continuous whirl of
social gaiety.
Not that there were no drills nor fatigue duty, not that we
did not stand our weary tours of guard duty and undergo the
strictest of camp discipline, that goes without saying with
Captain Saunders in command, (there was not a better drilled
company nor a finer on parade in the whole regiment,) but

I04

INDIVIDUAL.

when the camp duties were over there was always something
".going on " and the monotony of drill and guard duty were
lightened to no small extent by the thoughts of some pleasant
soiree when the work was finished.
The gala time came at dress parade after mess each even
ing. Clothes newly pressed, buttons polished, shoes shined,
a white neckcloth and white gloves were required. Hundreds
of gaily dressed summer girls stood on the hillside and watched
with unstinted applause the machine like precision of.the evo
lutions and manual of arms.

SOCIETY AS WE LEET IT, AT PORTLAND, SATURDAY, JULY l6, 1898.
We were proud of that parade. Every man was on his
mettle. The captain tells me that night after night he stood
before those companies when not a man was a fraction of a
second behind the rest from start to finish. Absolute
precision ! It testifies that there was something more than the
pursuit of social amenities in the two month's experience.
After parade it was a sight for sore eyes to see the chic
and laughing maiden gaily wandering off to all points of the

INDIVIDUAL. 105
compass with her hero in blue and the picture of Marvel, silhou
etted against the evening sky on the summit of Prospect Hill
with a dream of angelic lovliness beside him, looking wistfully
into his handsome face, was a study for Raphael orDeVinci.
Mothers and sisters, wives*and sweethearts came up from
Hartford and New York. They were caught in the social whirl
and chased the phantom of Happiness with the rest.
One long sweet dream that was, until there came one
morning the clarion notes ofthe bugle, sounding the assembly ;
tents were struck, baggage packed, tear stained eyes of grief
stricken maidens were looked into for the last time; promises
were made to. write every day and twice on Sunday and, amid
waving of handkerchiefs and a prodigality of p,ursuing kissesj
the train pulled out for Niantic and the South.
Long live Portland ! Long live the landed gentry and
their wives ! And Portland maidens, live forever !
Social life ended with Portland. Camp Alger saw those
gallant knights of K and F, dirty, unshaven and unwashed.
Many a sigh was there for Portland, but only the letters of the.
faithful maidens cheered our weary lot. We tried to brush up
and "do a little society" at FaUs Church but it was a feeble
attempt. Fulton was the only man who was really su.ccessful.
and he needed no assistance. So the rest of us lay around and
watched his masterly conquests and. wished we had been born.
handsome instead of intelligent.
The war is over. Our joys and troubles are a thing ofthe
past. But if it is ever our lot to run across a man, woman or
chUd from Portland or vicinity, there wiU be nothing which is
within the purchasing power of money which we shall not
make their own.

I06 INDIVIDUAL.
THE RIPPIN', ROARIN', ROOKIES— COMPNY K.
at
BY CORPORAL ED-WARD F. SANDERSON.

We enlisted in the Spring time for to Uck the bloomin' Yap
What was persecutin' niggers an' defyin' us to scrap.
We pranced around the howlin' streets to music o' the band
And the women called us heroes and the men admired our sand.
The birds was croonin' love songs in the branches over head'
And our mothers' breasts was heavin' and their eyes uncommon
red
When we rippin' roarin' rookies left the town.
We was planted in Niantic for to learn the blasted drill
And the slashin' sweatin' sergeants gave each " rooky pup" his
fiU.
Then they shipped us off to Portland 'cause they raised a beastly
scare
'Bout Cervera bein' sneakin' up to-only God knows where.
Our orders was to comfort in a sympathetic way
The weepin' Portland maidens while their lovers was away
And we rippin', roarin', rookies never flinched.
The gen'rous hearted matrons ransacked their larders store
TUl Fulton was the only pup had speech to ask for more.
The sports around the bloomin' town broached "bots" and even
kegs
Till half the men got shockin' tight and lost their bloomin' legs.
The mothers brought their daughters to see the dress parade
And lost them in the bustUn' crowd and what a fuss they made
Till the rippin', roarin,' rookies brought them back.

INDIVIDUAL. 107
One night the snorin' Morley got a paster in the neck
And he swore the perpetrator should become a bloody wreck.
So he challenged him to fight and he took him to the well
And what Fitzsimmons gave to Jim, young Morley gave Burnell.
He fetched a rattlin' soaker ana caught him on the trap,
And the soldiers cheered like mad for it was a lovely scrap
Such as rippin', roarin', rookies love to see.

They took Malloy "the Robber" and held him up for trial
And the shrieks of boistrous laughter could be heard for mor'n
a mile.
The judge he sat upon him and the jury tore his hair
And the bailiff soaked with water all the places that were bare
And they fined him just sufficient to secure a case of beer
And he skinned for Captain's quarters 'bout as- fast as he could
steer
And the rippin', roarin', rookies helped him on. '

We was shipped back to Niantic at the Colonel's sharp com
mand
And 'twas there we rippin' rookies got a hot tomaU hand.
We escorted Gen' ral Hawley from the station to the camp
And there wa'n't a bloomin' sound 'cept our steady rattlin' tramp
And we swung along the line with the shivers up our spine
And ev'ry blasted beggar praised the marchin' superfine
Of the rippin', roarin', rookies, Comp'ny K.
We was sent to old Virginny for to guard a bloody field
Till the hospitals was filled and half the rookies keeled.
Our bloomin' anger roused, till our tempers like to burst
And ev'ry beggar sat around and swore and sweat and curst.
And we vowed we'd shoot the colonel if we ever saw a scrap
And we'd plunk the captain too, if he didn't close his trap
We rippin', roarin', rookies — sizzlin' there.

io8

INDIVIDUAL.

But they shipped us off for home and we've lost our troublq.s
now
And we greet the " Cap " and Colonel with a most pretentious
bow.
We swore we'd smash the sergeant and .noses we would pull
But ev'ry man forgot his grudge — when gov'ment "paid in' full."
It would take a team of horses and a windlass and a rope
To get us in again but we bear no grudge, I hope.
We rippin', roarin', veterans, Comp'ny K.

: W^ ' 'Vf it-. ,,

Driscoll.

Shea.

Sanderson.

SIZZLIN' "SANDY."
-'And ev'ry beggar sat around
and swore and sweat and curst."

THE LIFE OF A PRIVATE.
at
BY PlUV.VrE ROBERT K. VlBERl'.
at
At eleven o'clock of the 4th of May, Company K's room
in the Armory was. the scene of much confusion. The eighty-
two men of the company were hurrying to-and-fro — some tying
up blanket rolls bulging with extra pairs of trousers and articles
of comfort supplied by fond friends, some overturning piles of
rubbish to see, if, per-chance, they could find a fatigue cap
which would not come over their ears, while here and there
some of the more stalwart ofour number might have been seen
vainly trying to force a connection between their state trousers
and their state leggins.
But what cared we for such trivialities, for were not we go
ing "to the front" and were not adventure, hardship,' fighting
and perhaps victory and glory in our van? However, the most
.^spare-chested men of us made the buttons of our blouses
strain their fastenings as we marched up Main Street and as we
passed our friends yelling "Hooray for K." How we resolved
to deserve them or die !
We reached Niantic and straightway our soldier life began.
For a day or so life at Camp Haven seemed like old camp week
but, our money failing .and the shackle-like regulations hanging
heavy, our lives became less roseate quite soon. Soon, too,
we were pregnant with the idea that straps and chevrons were
things to be respected. Instead of " How are you Herb?"
and " Say, Ed." it became " Good^morning Captain " and " If
you please, lieutenant.''
Drills were frequent and hard, for, as we soon learned, a
soldier is not made by a change of clothes. To get an idea of
what a good soldier should be, one must imagine a mass of

IIO

INDIVIDUAL.

matter, intelligent, yet courteously subservient to the every wish
of another — durable, though exposed to sparsity of food,
changes of climate, storms, loss of sleep and the omni-present
disease germ. Whether the soldier be durable or not is sup
posed to be determined by the surgeons before he is mustered
in, but to be made to take orders Uke an automaton the soldier
must be drilled. The question was once asked of Demosthenes
what is the thing most necessary for good oratory? He

LIFE OF A PRIVATE.
DETAIL OF SAPPERS AND MINERS AT PORTLAND.

answered Action. What next? Action. What next again?
Action. In this way it might be said that the most necessary
thing in the making of a good soldier might be said to be driU,
DRILL, DRILL, and he is a foolish and unhappy soldier who
does not recognize the fact.
At seven thirty we had squad drill for an hour ; then came
battalion drill for two hours. Two hours more of drill and
dress-parade at night finished up the days work unless, per-

INDIVIDUAL. I I I
chance, a sink had to be dug or the parade ground policed.
The recruits were not at first allowed to drill with the old mem
bers of the company but were driUed in little squads by a "non-
com." "Take your places in Ur^ now men;" "Right dress;"
" Every head and eye to the left — er r — I mean right;" "Hold
your gun straight, Fisher and Root, pull in your stomach;"
"Front;" "Heels together, everybody ;" "Hold your head
up, Rodgers, and Sherman only two fingers to the front of
your gun;" "Now, right shoulder — Landerman do wait for
the command ; Case, are you chewing tobacco in the rank?
Well! you ought to know better; Throw it away;" "Heads
straight, everybody ; " " Right, shoulder !  harms !" " Now
that's very good only Marvel you duck your head and your
whole body shakes. Smith ! and you are a little slow. Brown;"
" Order— Steady men, wait for the command." " Order — now
don't move the head — harms;" "Very good. Well, you
must be, careful and not drop the butt of the gun on your
toes;" " Pick up' youi; hat, Landerman, and swing the gun out
around the head."
Thus they pass many a dreary hour until the trumpeter
sounds the recall when, keeping time to the hep ! hep ! hep ! of
the sergeant, they go into the street and are dismissed. But
we were not without that spice of life, variety, for every fifth
day we "went on guard." How we polished upolir brass,
shined our shoes and oiled our guns hoping thus to be
appointed colonel's orderly and to escape the inconvenience
of being out a night's sleep.
But we cannot all be fortunate and I was placed on post
No. 17, down by the "loud sounding sea" but hark, for the
Company A sentinel, next me, has. challenged some one.
" Vel, standt oudt mit der countersind to pe recognized."
Ha ! ha ! the ubiquitos officer of the guard ! The
" Dutchy " gets the devU for not knowing how to challenge
and I think over my " General Orders." But my relief comes
on before the officer arrives near enough to challenge and, after

I 12

INDIVIDUAL.

" Open Chambers " and " Close Chambers," I take my place
in the crowded guard tent and am in the sweetest of sleep in a
second and, though the mattress may be wet and my pillow
my hat, dream on as pleasantly as I would in the Waldorf
Astoria. ^
Our food wbieh vras purchased with an allowance of
twenty-five cents a day was naturally somewhat plain. The

MONTE CARLO.
DriscoU. Ahern.
E. B. Pierce. McKone.

Judson.
Sherman. Perry.

steaks that we got were sometimes evidently " off the horn ;"
and beans and greasy " Sow belly " seemed quite too frequent,
but how good it tasted just the same.
The best thing about the life was the " bon cartiaradie "
which always prevailed. The college is supposed to be a
place where good fellowship is most prevalent but there is not

INDIVIDUAL. I I 3
such good fellowship in college as there is in a company. The
essential for universal good fellowship is universal democracy
and, although various colleges boast of their democracy, they
have none which can compare with that in a company. In a
company of soldiers there is no» distinction. A man may be
rich or poor, be bright or dull, educated or unlearned, he must
do the same work, wear absolutely the same kind of clothes,
eat the same kind of food and at night roll up in the same
kind of blanket. Can conditions be more perfect for absolute
democracy? How soon we got to calling one another "John,"
"Charlie," and "Pop!" What good old poker games we had by
the light of the candle ! Five cent jack pots went swift for us
on our "fifteen sixty" which went so soon. 'Was there a man in
the company who had money and refused to loan it? Will
anyone ever forget the blanket tossing— that leveler of "ail
distinctions. And the singing and the orchestra ! How
pleasant were those nights in Maine when we aU sang " NeUie
was a Lady," and " Tenting on the old Camp-ground," and even
yet I seem to hear the voice of one who has since left us
carrying the air of " Good night my sweet," our closing song.
Soon taps would, sound and then to bed.
These are a few pages from the life of a private.

THE CONFESSIONS OF A NON-COM.

BY CORPORAL RALPH B. PIERCE.

a*
Just why I should be detailed to police this subject is not
exactly clear to my mind, but I have acquired the habit of
obeying orders in my poor, weak way and filling the air with
large, sea-green cuss words afterwards.
Some are born non-coms., some get there by their winning
ways, while others have it rudely thrust upon them without
regard to their own feelings or the feelings of those whom they
are supppsed to boss around and be nasty to. It may be fun
to be able to walk around with a chip on one's shoulder, feeling
perfectly secure in the knowledge that nobody will knock it off,
but, for my part, I had much rather be a high private in the rear
rank than to ever have my sleeve decorated with three Vs with
a cute little square in the corner.
The first intimation that I was to be made a corporal was
on the evening of May third when the captain admitted it in a
shamefaced sort of a way, and, when I tried to show him what
a foolish thing it was for him to do, he became obstinate and
would hear of no getting out of it. Then " Bob " Beebe and
Henry Holt began to call me, " Corporal," and I kept them busy
dodging old boots and things till they let up. The following
day " Billy " Case and I bid a tearful farewell to the folks at the
home and trudged down to the armory, resolved to either bring
home enough Spanish scalps to make a door mat cr to leave
our own in some far off place. This was the first time " Billy"
had been in uniform and he put his leggins on so they laced
up on the inside. I remind him of that occasionally when he
makes sneering remarks about my failings.

INDIVIDUAL. I I 5
'There are many things in this life to be thankful for, many
times when you are glad you are living, but the proudest time
of my life was when we marched from the armory to the station,
through the throngs of people who witnessed the departure of
those who responded to their co^^ntry's call. We may be called
out a dozen times again but" we wiU never experience just that
same feeling.
Well, we arrived at Niantic and then the trouble began.
I'll never forget the first time I took a squad out to drill.
It was composed of men who had actually forgotten more
about military matters than I ever expect to know and they
were dead on to the fact and executed the orders with a snap
and vigor that made me wonder just how they did it. Archie
Cannon would look sideways at "Chick" Rowland, then they
would both grin and nudge each other when they thought I
wasn't looking and expectorate with needless elaborateness.
When the recall sounded we were the first ones to return to
the street and from that time on I always had a copy of the
manual of arms where I could refresh my memory at any
moment. " It is an 'easy matter to make the life of a non-com. miser
able. For instance : while in Portland, Fulton and Sanderson
were in a squad I had on drill one day. This was before
" Sandy " got his stripes. We went a short distance from the
camp and, after a cautious reconnoissance, discovered an
imaginary enemy concealed in the tower of a church about
h"alf a mile away. Promptly bringing my brave followers to a
halt, we prepared to dislodge the Spaniard with a tremendous
volley from empty rifles. "Squad, ready-  aim  fire!"
and, "Bang! " went the rifle of Fulton, he having sHpped in a
blank cartridge which he had swiped on the glorious day we
gained the victory at the battle of the Eastern Promenade. It
was a joke on me, all right, but I expected every moment to
see the captain come tearing over to see what had happened,
or to. have the top soldier rubbering, so we trotted off down
the road to get out of the way. Several other squads had

ii6

INDIVIDUAL.

been near enough to witness " Spikes " little joke and they
commenced to jolly me and ask foolish questions, till, just as
we came to the dustiest, dirtiest part of the road it occurred to
me that we were out for the purposes of drUI, so I gave them the
order to fire by squad, lying down. "Sandy" stopped laugh
ing so quick I could distinctly hear his thorax click, for , he

jM

k*^-

MiM^m^

'THE ASCE.\S10N." BY RA(l)PHAEL.
RALPH B. PIERCE.

and Fulton had just had their uniforms pressed and cleaned so
they might look pretty when they paid a party call that
evening, but they went down in the dirt like little men and
came to the conclusion that it wasn't always best to monkey
with a non-com. tiU after driU, anyway. ¦

INDIVIDUAL. 117
The illustration of my ascension shows what they do to
them between drills and I wish to state right here that it seems
an awful time coming down. "Bet your sweet," as Barker says
"Buckskin" would say. I remember one time we put "Cynthia"
up so high that the colonel sent«over and said that he liked to
see a man rise from the ranks but not feet first.
When Barker was "dog-robbing" for the captain he was a
man you wanted to stand in with, I tell you, for if you ever
woke up in the morning with a pink taste in your face all you
had to do was to mention the fact and Barker would take you.
over and set up the captain's whiskey. I suppose the captain
was at least a gallon shy by my own individual effort.
Brigham used to have a whole lot of cigarettes sent him
and I would call him one side and tell him a funny story
while " Robbie" Case would go in and pinch enough to last
us several days.
Now that we are out of the service vye can look back to
many things which seem funny to us now, but at the time they
were mighty serious. None of us would want to go through
the same experience again, yet we would not have missed it
for anything. We had sufficient cause to kick about poor
management and the too visible inefficiency of some of the
officials, yet there are many pleasant things which will always
remain in our memory. We can congratulate ourselves that
we had such a man as " Mac " to cook for us ;- there wasn't a
man in the company who was more thoroughly on to his job
than he, and Scharper was also just the right man in the right
place. Lots of times when I was feeling blue and grumpy,
Mac would come over to my tent and we would have the
nicest little mix-up imaginable. We would both loose con-
, sidsrable hair and; may be skin a few knuckles, but at the
finish we always felt a great deal better and able to stand a
little more rubbing in from the top notcher.
Perhaps it will interest Lieutenant Valentine to know that I
did e'en swindle him out of a pair of trousers. When we were
drawing our clothing at Portland my trousers were getting

1 1 8 INDIVIDUAL.
decidedly baggy at the knees and did not compare favorably
with those worn by " Nattie" Carroll. In fact they were what
might be called picturesque. Still, " Old Business " thought I
wasn't due for a new pair, but I used to do a Uttle society
stunt myself on the side, so I went over to Corporal Jones of
Company F and explained the situation to him and he kindly
loaned me what had once been the nether portion of a C. N. G.
uniform. I'm glad that only a few of you chaps saw me in
that rig for I was a sight. You know how his clothes would
fit me and when " Nat." cast his eagle eye on me he said he
didn't realize my clothes were in such condition and said I had
better have some new " panties." If those trouserloons of
Jones' had held together long enough, half the company would
have drawn new ones on them.
Now I think I have made a clean breast of everything
and my conscience ought not to trouble me any more. We
were mighty glad to go to the cruel, cruel war and were
tickled to death to get back. No more getting to bed at taps,
unless you want to, no more reveiUes nor drills and roll-calls
are things of the past.
There certainly is a bond of friendship between the men
in our old company which exists only in organizations of that
kind. When we started out my circle of friends was very
small but I fully appreciate that some of my best friends to
day are those whom I hardly knew six months ago. I wish I
could fittingly express my feelings towards the men who have
so often shown their friendship but all I can say is, "God bless
you every one." I want to thank my squad for the soldierly
manner in which they performed their duties ; never once did
I ever have cause to complain. I am proud of " Yank "
Nunan, the man who saved Walsh's life ; " Eddie " Oviatt,
who had so much to contend with and who had the toughest
luck of any one in the company; Pattison, old, steady and
reliable; Potter, bound to kick in any event, but always did
his duty and did it well; Schultz, always to be depended
upon, and Shea, who could raise more deviltry and get out of
it easier than any maij I ever saw.

INDIVIDUAL. 119
AN ALGERIAN PASTEL.
at
A sergeant sits on the ground with his back against the
guard tent. He is not happy ; he is not pleased. Hear him
curse. The lantern beside him flickers and grows dim. He
damns the lantern but the lantern is all right, — day is breaking^
A red light shoots up- above the trees over towards Dunn
Loring and the sergeant mutters something between his set
teeth about a hundred and thirty in the shade as the distant
tents begin to show a faint pink tinge. Tiny columns of smoke
rising beyond the camp indicate that the cooks are preparing
the frugal meal of fried chicken, poached eggs and cream puffs
to tempt the faUing appetites of their dainty charges.
Day is breaking. A corporal yawns and looks at his
watch ; then he spits on his hands, grasps his rifle and smites
twenty sleeping men on the bottoms of their feet. Hear them
grunt. " Second relief, fall in ! "
A blinking trumppter ambles across the parade ground,
buttoning his blouse as he comes. The camp begins to awake.
Here comes some drummers, then more trumpeters ; a soldier
emerges from the colonel's tent with a flag. Men shuffle over
toward the flag-pole with drums and horns and things.
Tired sentinels with bleary eyes sigh contentedly, thinking
that their last tour of guard duty is nearly over.
Day is breaking. Corporals go down the company
streets awakening their squads. Listen : hear Jack McKone
swear because some one is tickling his feet. What a vocabulary
he has. A captain sticks his head out of his tent and calls for the
dog-robber to put some cracked ice on his forehead. The
colonel turns over in bed and dictates another circular letter.
Day is still breaking. Slippery-top, in a moment of
abstraction, tries to comb his hair, then disappears behind the
cook-house with a low, sad wail of anguish.

r20

INDIVIDUAL.

Barrows stubs his toe on a blade of grass and goes to the
hospital. Men crowd around the - first sergeant's tent to
inquire the bill of dress for rOll-call and white gloves and
knapsacks are hastily donned. The "Red Muzzier" puts
another hot potato in his mouth. Reveille sounds.
" Fall in for roll-call !" Day is busted wide open.

V-.'i.

^v^rf«^f .^l|u

S.-^'^*S&-

.*'l-

CORPORAL PIERCE'S CAMP ALGER SQUAD.
Converse. Pulton. Puller. Pierce.
Judson. Eipley. Webster. W. H. Brown.

AMONG THE RECRUITS.

BY PRIVATE EDWARD C. FQ-WLER.
at
June 1 8, i8g8, was a memorable day for twenty young
fellows who were, on that day, mustered into the United States
service and sent to Portland, Maine, to help fill the ranks of
Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. In
column of twos we were marched to the Union depot about 2
P. M., by Sergeant Beebe. Before boarding the train we
received our first ration from Uncle Sam, consisting of ham-
sandwiches, doughnuts and a large bottle of coffee. The
journey to Portland was accomplished -without any very
exciting incidents. The only amusing event was the deluging
of a lady passenger with coffee from one of the bottles, in the
rack overhead springing a leak. Some of us had never had
any military experience and, as we recall some of the thoughts
that were in our minds at that time, we see how far the reality
was frorn what we imagined it to be.
We arrived in Portland in the rain, about 10.30 P. M., and
were met by Lieutenant Valentine and Sergeant DeLamater who
quickly formed us in line and started us away for camp. Soon
after leaving the ferry we struck the board walks of South
Portland which were rather narrow for two in the darkness of
that first night. After what seemed Uke a long march we
arrived- at the hall which was to be our quarters for several
days to come. We found no feather beds waiting for us but
had to content ourselves with the soft side of the benches and
chairs in the hall. We had no blankets.
We did not need reveille to wake us up the next morn
ing, as three or four hours lying on boards combined with the
9

122

INDIVIDUAL.

chilly air of the hall, vvas enough for most of us that first
night. When taking our bath in the morning at the faucet by
the camp kitchen, we found the air of Maine was several
degrees cooler then it was in Connecticut.
Part of the first morning was spent in looking around
camp and being initiated by the fun lovers of Companies F and
K. Among the performances was a roll-call and guard post-

Sherman.

SOME OF THE RECRUITS.
Job. Burnell. Zoller. Moran. McLaughlin.

Driscoll.

ing at the flag, well and other points of interest around the
camp. It soon began to rain, however, and taken altogether
our first'Sunday in camp seemed as long as two ordinary days.
Monday morning opened up bright and clear and we
found a half hour of calisthenics was to be our first drill.

INDIVIDUAL. 123
These setting-up exercises put more aches in our bodies but
as we found they were good for us physically, and helped to
make us better soldifers, we liked this drill the best of any, for
a whUe. Memories of the awkward motions of some of us on
these first driUs cause us to laugh, even now, as we think of
them. Sergeant DeLamater took us out on our first squad drill.
Some of the orders were so much alike that we got mixed up
quite often but there was one order we always remembered,
" Rest." We never forgot how to execute that movement
correctly. Pleasant memories come back to us of the time when we
lay around, on the green grass of Maine when on drill, talking
about the future. 'One ofthe topics which came up frequently
was about our uniforms. " When wiU we get our uniforms,
Sergeant?" was one of the questions the sergeants had to
answer oftenest but their stock of patience was large and our
questions were .always answered cheerfully.
The spirit of good-natured rivalry with the recruits of
Company F was prevalent among us. Some times it seemed
to us as if they were making more progress than we and at
other times vice versa. t
About ten days after we arrived in camp we received
orders to go over to the officers' quarters and draw mattresses.
We were not long in getting them filled with straw and placed
in position ready for use that night. But for the generosity
of the K boys, who lent us their overcoats at night, and ^Iso
of the ladies of South Portland and vicinity, who sent us one
comfortable apiece, the " rookies," as we were soon caUed by
the rest of the company, would have passed several much
more disagreeable nights than they did.
Among the first to. move from the hall into the tents were
Dimock, Driscoll, Gale, Chamberlin and Barker. Each
" rooky" was initiated on the first night of his arrival in camp,
some by going up in the blanket and others by running the
gauntlet, etc.

124

INDIVIDUAL.

One of the red letter days in our military experience was
the cne in which we began to learn the manual of arms. We
soon discovered that it was easy to learn the different move
ments but we had to apply the old adage, " Practice makes
perfect," to the work. We would think we were doing finely
until Captain Saunders would come and watch ;is drill, when
we soon found how far from perfect we were.
After three weeks of impatient waiting for our uniforms, we
received orders one day to go over to Fort Preble and draw

Cliamberlin.
Denniston.

¦-«¦''.

'CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE."

Roberts. Sarvan.

Beaiichamp. Rogers.

Thompson,

them. It was a great day for the "rookies" who had felt' as
if they were a little out of place doing guard-duty, etc., with
citizen's clothes on. We had to look twice at some of them in
order to recognize them as they came out for the first time in
uniform. Some of the best looking fellows now made more
mashes than ever among the young ladies who came over to
our dress parade every night.

X

INDIVIDUAL.

125

The first dres^ parade in which the recruits participated
was on the evening of July 15th, the night before Companies
F and K left for Niantic. The success of this first ceremony
showed the faithful work which had been done by the officers
and recruits in the past. From this time we felt as if we vvere
a part of Company K and shared the honors and discomforts
of camp life with the rest.
Our hearts are saddened as we think of Irving Dimock,
Meriin A. Pierce, Charles D. Gale and Arthur W. ZoUer,
whom sickness and death have called away from us. We
sometimes wonder why all those of the company who have
died have been from among the ranks of the recruits, but while
we cannot understand these things we feel that their lives have
been given in a good cause and we remember their faithful
work with pleasure.

MORE RECRUITS.
Landerman. ' Jos. Morgan.

Thompson.

ARMY RATIONS.

BY PRIVATE ALBERT C. FULTON.
at
" TeU me what a man eats and I will tell you what he is "
says an Oriental sophist.
" An army moves on its belly," said General Sherman, as
he marched " from Atlanta to the sea," his hungry soldiers
foraging right and left, leaving a track fifty miles in width,
where never a porker, a sheep, nor a chicken could afterwards
be discovered. Whether an epicurean or an ascetic, a man's food is an
important factor in his life. The dyspeptic is a pessimist, the
hungry man is a poor listener and a hungry, ill-fed soldier is 'a
poor servant to his government. But this sophistry .never
reaches as far as the commissary department of the United
States Army.
Just at present there is an impression abroad — which is
justly prevalent — tliat our soldiers in Cuba were poorly fed.
This may be true — or partly true — or wholly false.
Perhaps the commission which President McKinley
appointed to look into these charges will find where the real
trouble existed. It seems improbable that the commission
can 'ascertain whether the food which was fed to the soldiers
at San Juan, was good or bad, by going to Chicago and in
specting the stock yards -and riding up and down the elevators
in the several packing houses, from which our government
bought the fresh beef which was served to our soldiers in
Cuba. But Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry,
did not go to Cuba and they were not served with poor meat.

\

INDIVIDUAL.

127

consequently we can only speak of army rations from the point
of view of the soldier who staid in the home camps and ate
bread fresh from the baker's oven in Washington and partook
of good meat, or feasted upon the festive clam and lobster
which inhabited the coast whi(?h Company K was commanded
to guard. And, fellow-soldier of Company K, you who fought bravely
in the Hispania — Americo war, do you recall those feasts at

Scharper,

'MAC" AND HIS STRIKERS.
Wakh. McGrath.

Portland, Maine, while we were guarding the North Atlantic
coast and Sawyer's store, — with Springfield rifles and not
enough ammunition in camp to furnish the first relief of a
guard of fifteen "men, not counting the supernumerary?
Do you recall those festive occasions when " bread
money," furnished by an opulent government, bought pies and
not bread, when our cook, Mac, master of magic as well as of

128 INDIVIDUAL.
cookery, evolved a three course dinner and. one kind of dessert,
(his. kind) from simple army fare?
Those were, the days- when. Georgie Thayer marched three
times past the generous Mac, each time with an empty mess-
plate extended full-arms length and with a hungry look upon
his face that would have melted the heart of the meanest army
cook on the government pay-roll. And, gentle reader, sub
servient to this same strong law of self-preservation that sent
him once, twice, thrice and often four times a meal to the cook,.
for extra rations, this same Georgie Thayer seeks to shift the
reputation of being the biggest eater in the company to a
fellow soldier, on whom the cares of this late war rested
heavily and who can but illy bear this added weight of
responsibUity. But, with the uncomplaining stoicism of a
soldier, he accepts the burden, though a reasonable doubt still
exists in his mind as to the importance of the influence which
the compiler of this book exerted on the voters at the polls and
whether the count, represented unsolicited and independent
opinion. But to lay aside personal strife. Would that this con
troversy could have been decided with the unanimity of
opinion which elected Johnnie Knox, Barrows and Barker to
their respective offices. Those were strong tickets and could
not haye been defeated. But this is far afield from the
subject of " Army Rations."
Army rations are all right for the army ! Judge them
from the standpoint of the soldier and not from that of the
civilian. The food which was issued to the volunteer soldiers,
for instance at Camp Alger where at one time twenty- five
thousand men were encamped — was of good quality and was
issued in sufficient quantity. The greatest difficulty was experi
enced in the individual companies, because of the inefficiency
of the cooks and the negligence of the company officers in
allowing the men to be served with poorly cooked food.
It -has been said by those capable of judging, that the
regular army officers attended to this matter in the efficient

INDIVIDUAL.

129

manner which its importance demanded, while the tendency
of the volunteer officers was to minimize this phase of conipany
life and interest himself in the appearance of the company on
the drill and at dress parade.
This of course would be as fatal to the welfare of the
company as would the policy of a house-wife be disastrous to
the happiness of her home, who busied herself with the

KITCHEN AND CANTEEN" AT CAMP ALGER.

appearance of the parior and allowed her family to eat cold
breakfasts and poor dinners.
Fortunate indeed was the company who enlisted a good
cook. This should have been an object of the utmost impor
tance to the recruiting officers.
Much of the discontent and trouble caused in a company
was not due to the unpopularity of a first sergeant or the
severity of the officers, but was directly attributable to the
cook, who either spoiled the rations in preparing them or who

I30 INDIVIDUAL.
was too lazy to accomplish for the men what could be done by
reason of his position, the men suffering accordingly.
From what observations the writer was able to make
there should be some better system devised, or the present
system hetter enforced, for the feeding of the sick and the
prisoners. The army food does very well for the healthy soldier
whose appetite gives his plain dinner a relish which the civilian
rarely knows, but it is not adapted to those who are ill or for
those who are recovering from illness. Also the prisoner,
that unruly member of the command who is confined to the
guard house, finds his punishment sufficient without being
tortured daily by the thought that possibly he may miss a
meal or two because no one from his company feels inclined
to bring him anything from the kitchen.
It should be the duty Of someone to see that he is properly
fed. Even with this added comfort the guard house will never
be so attractive that men will seek to be put under arrest. The
fact that the people have become intensely interested in the
question of " how the soldiers were fed " — intimates that the
subject will be investigated. While no charges came from the
home corps relative to issuing of impure food to soldiers, yet
such charges have been made against those who were
responsible for the feeding of the United States soldiers in
Cuba. May -just punishment be meted out to those who are
guilty, if such charges are substantiated, and may the purfish-
ment of those who are guilty be severe enough to be re
membered until the next war, that it may deter any future
commissary officers from similar conduct.
No soldier in any standing army of any nation today is
better clothed or so well paid as the soldiers in the army of
the United States. And may it be known to the world at
large, because of its truth, that the nation loves too well its
soldiers to ever allow them to be illy fed.

CARE OF THE SICK.
at
BY PRIVATE EDMUND P. NUNAN.
at
Within a week after we camped at Niantic a few of the
boys were over at the camp hospital, ill with petty troubles such
as would naturally come with so great a change in food, man
ner pf living, etc. It was a change to every one of us. Some
were laid up merely from some trifling accident. Not that it was
necessary they should be there, but as they could get a better,
quieter place to lay down, they went. The hospital was the one
used by the state militia at the yearly encampment and was the
first one used by our regiment. Most of the' boys that went
had the same trouble I had (stomach trouble), and, from my
short stay there, I learned how some things were done.
Major Rockwell was in charge, assisted by Doctors McCook
and Griswold. Six male nurses were in attendance, ever ready
and willing to do what they could. None of these had any ex
perience except what they had acquired as clerks in drug stores,
but doctors or nurses alike had no chance at this hospital to
put into practice their skUl, as all the cases were very simple
ones. Each patient had a small iron cot furnished with a
mattress, a pillow and a pair of army blankets. 'We could get
milk or beef tea at almost any time, by asking the nurses for it,
but if we wanted any solid food we had to get it from our
company mess. WUling hands were always ready to bring us
this and supply us with anything else that could be expected.
So, on the whole, we were as well taken care of at Niantic as
any soldier could expect to be, the little fault finding that was
done coming from those that would not have been treated any
better at home. There was no kick from the " tin soldier."

132 INDIVIDUAL.
Private Morley was the first of otir company to go to the
hospital and was there a good deal of the time while at
Niantic. yet he never found fault.
While at Portland we had a large round tent for a
hospital with four comfortable cots, where any one that did not
feel just right could go and lay off for a day or two. There,
we could get quinine, salts, or plasters and a few other simple
remedies ; but there was no doctor with us at the camp and
the few boys that were sick enough to need the care of one,
went over to the hospital at Fort Preble. When they were
well enough to come back to camp, they could stay in their
" quarters " or at the hospital until they were well and strong
enough for duty.
But the best hospital we had at Portland was at the
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Barbour. They wanted any
one that was sick to come to their home, and those that did go
there were well cared for and made very welcome. Private
Barrows was convalescing there most of the time and he will
never forget their kindness, nor the pleasant hours he spent
there, while others performed his duties at camp.
Not until we had been at Camp Alger for about two
weeks did we know the real need of a good camp hospital, but
before we shook the Virginia mud off our feet we knew the real
intrinsic value of such a place much better than ever before.
There, the regimental hospital was quite near our street and
consisted of two large square tents for the patients and two
small tents for the dyspensary, etc. Floors were not used in
any of these tents and it was better without them except when
there was a very heavy rain. We had the same- doctors and
nurses as at Niantic, except the last few weeks, when Dr.
Griswold was sent away to Major General Graham's head
quarters where "ne was of more use. This left Major Rockwell
and Lieutenant McCook to look after the whole regiment.
The number of sick began to increase and each of the. fever
patients needed more attention than ever. At times the
hospital was filled and some of the sick men had to get along

INDIVIDUAL.

135

as best they could in their own tents, where Lieutenant
McCook would run in to see them whenever he had
a chance. In the hospital were a number of iron cots, as at
Niantic, but a few canvas cots were used which were little less
than implements of torture. They were hard to turn in and
the patient was in a hollow all the time and less than a foot
from the ground. These, I think, should have been excluded
from the hospitals.

DIVISION HOSPITAL, CAMP ALGER, VIRGINIA.

The nurses had a good deal to do and most of them tried
hard to do their duty, well and faithfully. I am quite sure
that the sick soldiers were quite content with what was done
for them and only a few " babies " longed to be at
home with " ma-m-a." The hospital was not well supplied
with anything in the Une of improved, modern conveniences
and some actual necessities were missing which should not
have been the case. But a soldier does not expect to have
everything handy when he goes to "war." We were, however,.
almost under the shadow of the White House and yet did not

134 INDIVIDUAL.
have them. But, as all enlisted men know, it was a case of
" What he did for his country and what his country did for
him," this trip.
All the men that had typhoid fever were sent as soon as
possible to the division hospital, which vvas over near the
Virginia regiment. About the first of August there were over
three hundred typhoid patients there from the New York, New
Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut regiments.
It was at this time that the hospital was so crowded and
the nurses so worn out, that a volunteer nurse was called for
in each company of our regiment for one night to help the
few men of the hospital corps to care and do for the sick as
best they could. Each volunteer was ordered to report to
Major Hickey and when we were all together and accounted for
we marched to the regimental hospital where Lieutenant
McCook explained the nature of the typhoid germ, what to do
to guard as much as possible against it, and followed with a
little general advice on the treatment of the disease. When
this was over we marched over to the division hospital.
AU were to get to work at once but, as in everything else,
we had to wait for some one to report to some one else, who,
in turn had to see Dr. so and so as to arrangements etc. and so
for a while we had to wait. At last, however, we were placed
and from one to three men left in each ward. It was then that
we started in on a long and dreary night's work, after drilling
all day. Two men besides myself were left at ward No. 4, which
at that time was filled with very sick men. These two men
were to take special care of two poor fellows that were not
expected to live through the night.
It was about eight o'clock when I entered the ward and
the night head nurse had just started giving the medicine.
As I reported to him for duty he seemed very pleased and
thankful to have any one to help him. He was alone and had
a great deal to do and any little help I could give him would
be a. help most sadly needed. He at once started me giving
the medicine, while he made it ready for me. to give. AU

INDIVIDUAL. 1 3 5
medicines were in tablet form, except the brcindy, which each
man drank from the cup that some one else had just used.
There were only two cups in the whole ward that night and no
way at all handy for washing or wiping those two.
We had a great deal to dojjesides giving medicine and it
was near half-past ten before we were through. When he had
medicine ready for any one, the head nurse would say — " This
is for 'Jones,' I think he is near the end." And in such a
way he would locate the man as near as possible. Then I
would go where I was told and ask any one that was awake if
he was "Jones" or if he knew which man was "Jones" and
several times I had to awaken two or three men ' to find the
right one. This was very unpleasant for me to do, as I knew
it might be hours before they went to sleep again, but these
were my orders — " wake 'em up, and make them take it," and
so I did. But I was more than ^lad when the last pill was
given and I could let them sleep if they would. One candle
was burning at the head nurse's desk and I carried one in alittle
box to shield it from the wind, but at times and just when I
did not want it to do so, as a little gust of wind would strike it
just right, out it went. At two o'clock in the morning our last
candle was used up and the nurse had to go to the next ward
to get enough to last until daylight ; they could spare only a
half of one and this was just enough to get along with.
There was but one towel in the ward that night, which was
intended for us to wipe our hands on, but before I was there
an hour it was soaked in cold water and put on the head of a
poor feUow, and we had to use our handkerchiefs for towels.
About five o'clock I went to the supply tent and asked, then
begged, for one towel, but could not get it. The answer was,
¦" I would like to, my dear boy, but I cannot and will not give
.you anything without an order from Dr. Butler." There was
none in the ward when I left it.
The cots that the men lay on were very good indeed, but
few if any had sheets or pillows and most of the men had only
the blankets that were around them when they were brought

136 INDIVIDUAL.
in. The uniforms, rolled up, answered for a pillow with some,
that night, at least.
In the morning when Dr. Butler came to the ward I saw
he meant business that day and that there was to be a change
for the better. His orders were clear and decided and he
suited his actions to his words, helping here and there, and be
fore I left, at about eight o'clock, most everything was in ship
shape order. From that hour I am sure the place was much
improved in every way and when I went over to take care of
"Judge" and be a regular nurse, a week later, I found that the
men were about as well treated and looked after as they would
have been anywhere.
Twenty-one Sisters of Charity had then arrived from Bos
ton, Massachusetts, and were in charge during the day, two in
each ward. They would come at seven A. M., and leave at seven
P. M., going to dinner at twelve o'clock M., and returning at one
P. M., as regular as if they had to " ring up " their time. Com
ing and going to their boarding house they went in ambulances.
They were all trained nurses from the Kearney Hospital. They
were kind and gentle and did all they could to save and relieve
as much as possible from his suffering, the poor soldier who was
destined to do his little part of the " Yanks Spanko " war, on
a hard, hot, narrow cot.
At this time each man had a good cot, a pillow, two
sheets, a blanket, night shirt, handkerchiefs, a blanket or two
to lay on, and there were plenty of towels, sponges, 'basins,
cups, etc., and each man received his medicine regularly and
without any trouble, and also his food, if we could get it from
the diet kitchen.
When the Sisters arrived in the morning, they went to
work with a will and soon had each man ready for a little
breakfast of beef-tea, malted milk, rice, or they took the-
temperature, gave the medicine, washed the dishes, etc., while
we scrubbed the floors, gave each man a soap and water
bath, changed his clothing and made him as comfortable as
possible.

INDIVIDUAL. 137
There they lay, those hot days in July and August, some
times asking for ice, when there was no ice to give them, some
times for a little cold water. At times there was no cold water
to give, as we had no way to make it cold. One very hot day,
when this was the case and they^were all the time asking "just
a little ice," I felt as if it were another case of " Give me three
grains of corn, mother." At five P. M., however, when the: ice
at last arrived, each man had all he wanted of it.
The Sisters kept the wards and everything in them very
clean and no work was too hard or dirty for them to do, if
they saw others were not willing to do it. In this way as well
as others they did a great deal of good and saved at least a
few lives. They did not partake of any refreshments whatever
at the hospital during those hot, tiresome days they were
there, but worked hard and faithfully and for what? For the
love of God. I am sure they deserve it, and this little tribute
given here.
Major Rockwell and Chaplain- Kelsey came over once or
twice a day to look after the Connecticut men and their word
was law, and their advice was respected by every one. Our
good chaplain left a standing order with one of the sutlers for
all the ice cream that would be wanted by the men under his
care at the hospital. This is what I have to say of Chaplain
Kelsey, his face, manner, encouragement and his advice as well
as his cream was always welcome, pleasing and good for all.
Major Rockwell knew his business better than any other M. D.
in the place and often I have heard the other doctors say,
" I guess' I'll have to ask Major Rockwell about that."
One day about ten A. M. ambulances came and took all
the Pennsylvania boys to the depot at Dunn Loring, where they
were put aboard a special car and sent to a hospital at Phila
delphia. Soon after, they came again and took all the New
York boys, who were sent to a hospital at Buffalo, and then
a few others were taken over to Fort Meyer near Washington.
This left only Virginia and Connecticut men. They were all
put in ward No. 2. In the meantime, ward after ward, tent

138

INDIVIDUAL.

after tent,was taken down, rolled up, and sent away, until at last
all that was left standing of that white city of sickness was the
officers' tents, ward No. 2, the kitchen tents, and the dispensary.
Finally came the long looked for day for the sick men
from Connecticut, the day when they were to start for home.
So, one morning about five o'clock four or five ambulances
and a detail of men from our own regiment came and took all
but one Connecticut man over to the station. This man was
too sick to be moved. Two others had to be carried on
stretchers, all the way to the car, as they were not strong
enough to ride with the others. They were very tired by the
time they were rolled into bed in the sleeping car that was to
bring them all back to the place they started from on May 4th,
then well, happy and full of hope. What a change there was
in that carload of men. If they had been well enough to stay
and go back to Niantic with the rest of us, however, they would
have been compelled to do as we did before we could get
home to our beloved ones — pay eighty-five cents for transpor
tation from Niantic, or walk home.
The hospital at Niantic, after our return from Camp Alger,
was nothing but a hell on earth and every one that was in
those tents for twenty-four hours should, by all that is just and
right, receive a pension for Ufe But I have said enough.

PRIVATE OVIATT.
PROM THB HOSPITAL TO THE TRAIN.

INDIVIDUAL. 139
RELIEF COMMITTEE. at
Soon after the departure of the regiment, members of
Company K, C. N. G. met and appointed a committee, consist
ing of Sergeant George S. Batterson, chairman. Corporal
Herbert S. King and Private Charles E. Meyers, treasurer, to
provide the war company occasionally with such deUcacies and
provisions as were not included in the regular army rations.
This was done and the war company ^fiiUy appreciated the
motives which called forth such acts of kindness. In the fall,
when the sick began to be sent home, the labors of the
committee were at once largely increased. The committee
thereupon collected some $300 which was generously contri
buted by the members, ex-members, veterans and honorary
members ofthe company. The committee and other members
of the company met the invalids at the Union Station on the
arrival of the trains from Camp Alger and later visited them at
their homes, in Hartford, New Haven and elsewhere. In many
ways the committee thus relieved the heavy burdens which
those who fell sick with the fever were compelled to bear.

CHRONOLOGICAL. at
By Private George B. Thayer.

COMPANY K, FIRST REGIMENT, CONNECTICUT
NATIONAL GUARD.
Orders No. 4. Hartford, May 2, 1898.
I. In compUance with G. O. No. 7, R. H., May 2, 1898,
the members of this command who are to serve for two years
(unless sooner discharged) in the war with Spain are hereby
ordered to assemble at the Armory at 12.15 p. m., on Wednes
day, May 4, 1898.
II. Members will report in fatigue uniform, with haver
sacks and knapsacks equipped for heavy marching order.
Those not provided with knapsacks will be directed as to
equipment. III. Each man will provide himself with one pair heavy
wide sole black shoes, two flannel shirts (blue preferred), two
sets heavy underclothing, two abdominal woolen bands, socks,
white silk and linen handkerchiefs, towels, soap, and sponge,
toilet articles, including fine tooth comb, shaving outfit, black
ing-brush, and blacking, needles, thread, etc., one pair of
rubbers, and extra shoe laces. A pair of thin trousers and a
vest will also be provided. All articles not worn will be
packed in knapsack, or, in case of members. not provided with
knapsack, will be stowed inside of blanket roll, as directed.
IV. The commandant is confident that the same spirit
which has animated the members of Company K in times of
peace will be with them in this more serious undertaking, and
that the high reputation which the command has borne for
intelligent and faithful performance of duty will be maintained.
H. H. SAUNDERS, Captain!

CHRONOLOGICAL. 141
Wednesday, May 4. In obedience to the foregoing
order the members of Company K assembled at the Elm
Street armory promptly at 12.15 o'clock. For several hours
previous friends of the First Regiment had been gathering in
and about the armory till the street in front and the hallway and
floors within were crowded with people, all anxious to do what
they could for the comfort of those of us who were to leave.
For weeks and weeks I had been looking forward to this
day — the opportunity of a life time. At night, in anticipation,
I had not only lived the day over and over again but my
imagination had reached out into the future and often, before
dropping off to sleep, I found myself fighting hand to hand
conflicts with Spaniards, receiving and giving savage bayonet
thrusts and finally clubbing my gun with deadly effect. And
during all these weeks of anticipation I looked forward to the
hour when I should, for the first time, be under fire, with a
feeling much more of curiosity than of dread. I really was
curious to find out if I was, in fact, a coward. So far, during!
my life, I had never yet struck a person in anger and I won-,
dered if there really was devil enough in me to kill a man.;
The time was close at hand, now, when I should have an
opportunity to test myself, to find myself out and I look for
ward to that event much as you would to meeting a friend
about whom you had heard much but never seen face to face.
Only once during these weeks did I wince at the outlook.
One night The Times had an article on the front page con
spicuously headed "The penetrating power of Spanish buUets.
Colonel Burdett receives important imformation in regard to
them." When my eye struck that article, for a moment I
shivered and dodged and refused to read further but soon
coming to myself I went back and read the article through and
through. The time had now come — I was going to war. I went up
to my room in The Linden, took a last look at all my books
and things, wondered if I should ever see them again, locked
the door and left the building. Let the following letter written
home tell the story of the day :

142

CHRONOLOGICAL.

My Dear Florine : —
" First of all, I want to thank you for making it so easy
for me to go. You didn't raise a single objection so far as I
remember and incidentally I have heard, from several sources,
things you have said to others, which makes me think possibly
you felt rather proud than otherwise that I was going. At least
I imagined so.
I was glad, after all, that you went to New York and we
did'nt have to say ' Good-bye.' It would have broken me all

"HEADS UP."
COMPANY K COMING UP ELM STREET, HARTFORD,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1898.
Up and possibly you would not have been able to keep the stiff
upper lip you did.
Mrs. S. at first didn't think much of my enlisting, said she
didn't think I was such a big fool, but when I went down to her
to say ' Good-bye,' she finally threw her arms around my neck,
kissed me again and again and said she would be a mother to

CHRONOLOGICAL. I43
me if she could. She wanted to send me a box of things to
eat, right away, etc., etc. That was the first time I weakened
about the eyes.
Then I asked Mrs. M. to do some little sewing for me and
she was so willing, and the chef was so good getting me an
early luncheon, and Jack, the elevator boy, was so anxious to
do something by acting as waiter for me, and Mr. Ackley, (the
manager of The Linden), was so thoughtful as to come down to
the armory at the last minute to see if there wasn't something
he too could do for me — well, all I can say. The Linden was
awfully good to me, from Mr. Ackley down to the pastry cook
and elevator boy and that just melted me. O, I tell you,
Florine, people are not so selfish, after all. Those that had to
stay at home had the hardest part of it. It was much easier
to go than to stay and have no chance to do anything. When
you get a good chance, let Mrs. M. know that what she did, in
sewing my name upon iriy uniform and in fixing a silk hand
kerchief about the neck of my thick sweater, was all that even
mother, if she were alive, could do for me. Do you suppose
mother would have made it so easy for me to go as you did?
But I got down to the armory finally and when we started
up Elm Street the opportunity of a life time came to pass.
Old customers from Vernon were in to see me off and the
march up Main Street you must imagine. It cannot be
described from the point of view of those of us in the ranks.
Everywhere it was cheers and tears and good-byes. One of
the librarians at the public library writes me he tried to catch
my eye but could not, so he kept yeUing to keep from crying.
I didn't see Will either, if he was there.
An old charity fraud, whom I once exposed, saw me and
cheered me on by yeUing, "Damn you, I hope you wiU get
shot." A gang of frequenters of the City Hotel also took this
occasion to hiss Company K, as we passed there. Aside from
these Uttle things, the contrast was great — all land more than
we expected. But every one of us agree that the view down into Union
Place as we ascended to the railroad platfrom was the prettiest

144 CHRONOLOGICAL.
of aU the pretty sights that day. A mass of human beings,
composed largely of women, decked out in their prettiest,
giving us one last farewell. The pretty colors of the hats
massed in groups or singly, made the whole square one human
flower garden, alive with faces. That was a fitting sight to
leave with us.
0, I could write a book about the going. But I must tell
you a little something this time, of the novelty of this camp
over any other. Heretofore we have eaten in mess-houses,
with seats, plates, course dinners, waiters, etc., just as we would
at home, practicaUy.
This time ^e got into camp just before dark. In a short
time, a long row of camp fires were going and when it had
grown quite dark, the company lined up in the company street
and marched over to our camp fire. In single file each one
passed by the fire, getting a piece of fried ham and fried
potatoes on one tin plate, a piece of bread on the cover and a
cup of hot coffee. Each man found a seat on the ground
somewhere or on a log of wood and with knife and fork drawn
from the haversack thrown over his shoulder, began to eat.
Of course, the cup of coffee had to be placed on the ground
whUe the ham was held in the lap and cut up. Thus were
one thousand men served the first night in camp. It was a
novel sight, — the long row of camp fires (one for each com
pany) with one thousand men crouched about in the dark on
the ground. Each man washes his own dishes by going over to a
kettle of hot water and swashing his dishes about in it. After
eighty- four men have thus swashed around, the water you can
imagine gets somewhat greasy. Then the dishes are put back
in the haversack which we take back and hang up in the tent.
Now, we have benches put up about the fire to eat at. When
it rains — as it has every day so far — we stick our heads
through a sUt in the center of our rubber blankets and that
keeps the rain off of us but not off the food. Light tents have
been up over the fire places so the rain will not put the fire
out but this (Sunday) morning the wind blew the tents into
the air, piled the benches into heaps, so that we had to go into
the mess houses to eat breakfast.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 45
But I must stop, for now. Each man of us is worrying
about the possibility of failing to pass the physical examination
this week. I am below the standard 5 ft. 4 in. and cannot bear
the thought of failing in that when I am so tough otherwise.
Captain Saunders has asked me to keep the company diary —
the doings of the company for each day.
The men already are beginning to have boxes come, with
fruits, cakes, etc. I don't need anything in that line, for the
food is all right. But still, .if you feel that you must, you could
make it pleasant for me to return some of the favors the men
are showing me already. Enough for this time. When it gets
warmer you and Will must come down. I sleep as warm as
toast." Little else needs to be added. Our section ofthe train left
the Union Station at 2.20 to the music of a Gatling gun. salute
and everywhere along the line of the Valley road, were crowds
gathered to see us off. At Colt's factory a salute was fired,
another at Rocky Hill and at Cromwell, two old men
(veterans, perhaps) came out with old shot guns to get us
accustomed to the music of the musket. The Keating Bicycle
factory whistle at Middletown and the Essex Drum Corps
stirred the country with their noises and everywhere the school
children made the most of the occasion. It was, in fact, a
great send off.
We got into camp at 5.15 and K was the first company in
the regiment to get supper. The permanent kitchen detail
vvas: Private McGrath, cook; assistant, Private Tinkham;
detail. Sergeant Beebe, Privates Cannon, Rowland, McKone
and Hollis. Guard mount at 9 p. m. with Privates Hollis,
Johnson, Bassett, Wheelock and Webster as detaU for guard
and Private Sobieralski on the battery. Lieutenant Valentine
was officer of the guard.
Thursday, May 5. We had, for breakfast, beef steak,
potatoes, bread and coffee ; for dinner, soup (it was great)
bread and coffee and for supper, baked beans. At guard
mount at 9 o'clock Private McKone was "touched" for
colonel's orderly. Company drill was from 9.30 to 11.30

146 CHRONOLOGICAL.
a. m. At 5 p. m. the Yale Ught battery arrived, marching by
our street and taking up a position on the extreme left of the
camp grounds. The appearance of this fine set of fellows,
coming into camp and making the same offer we did yester
day, begins to give me a broader and deeper idea of what this
all means. "With the exception of a few drops of rain at break
fast, the weather was fair all day.
Friday, May 6. Fried blue fish for breakfast ! How's
that ! Today the weather was fine and I went in swimming
over by the sea coast battery. One of the funniest perform
ances I ever saw was the Gatling gun drill by Privates Calverly
and Sheedy of Company H late this afternoon. With a wheel
barrow for a gun and a man at each handle, they rushed about
the parade grounds, charging the enemy from various points
of attack. When the command was given to dismantle the
gun, they would suddenly turn the wheelbarrow bottom up,
throw themselves flat upon their bellies and with faces close to
the ground and hands upon the wheel, they made it revolve
with lightning rapidity. Calverly is very fat about the waist
and soon was very red about the face and the fact that both men
had a slight " edge on " did not lesson the ludicrousness of
the whole proceedings.
The Night Guards met at the bath house tonight and
effected an organization with Private W. C. Johnson as Officer
of the Night and Private McKone as adjutant. After taps they
passed in review at the bath house, posted the guard, held a
court-martial and selected candidates for initiation and blanket
tossing. SATURDA.Y, May 7. At breakfast this morning we ate out
in the rain. Rubber blankets were soon issued to us, however,
and this saved us a wetting. Shoes, shirts, drawers and stock
ings were also issued to us during the forenoon. I had to take
stockings two sizes too big and shoes five sizes too large but I
think I can send the shoes back to Marcy Brothers and get a
smaller size made. Captain Saunders acted as adjutant of the
second battalion to-day. To-night, for the first time I think,
in the history of the C. N. G., the band played "The Star

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 47
Spangled Banner" at retreat and every head was uncovered.
It seemed queer, at first, to see men back of the mess houses,
out of sight of the flag and almost out of hearing ofthe music,
take their hats off and stand or go along bare-headed. But
that dear old flag means more to us than it did a few days ago.
" Mac " made us a meat pie to-night that was equal to any the
chef at The Linden ever made.
Sunday, May 8. Heavy rain and high wind. Mess tent
blown down. Hail and cold rain all day. Camp flooded. Big
pond of water near kitchen. Breakfast and dinner in the mess
house. Cooking done in the mess kitchen. Captain Saunders
was officer of the day to-day. This afternoon he called a
number of us into the mess house out of the rain and put us
through the manual, for the purpose of selecting six corporals
from the number. In turn, some of us put the captain through.
Private Bassett called the captain down, in fine shape. "You're
a little slow, there, captain" he said and then we all laughed.
Later in the afternoon the captain announced the following
promotions: Privates Cannon, Bassett, Ward, W. C. Johnson,
Marion and Gruener to be corporals. Captain Saunders
promised, when I re-enlisted for this, that he would allow me to
remain a private if I meant what I said. I told him I did, but
I was afraid this afternoon, when he caUed on me, to go
through the manual, he had forgotten his promise.
Monday, May 9. This is wash day and many of the men
made their first attempt at washing their own clothes. It was a
cold^night but the sun came out fine at six o'clock this morning.
It soon went into clouds however. Sergeant Holt and Privates
Low, Fulton and Sanderson were detailed to go over to New
London to hunt up men away frorr camp without leave. At
guard mount I was selected as post orderly.
Tuesday, May 10. Ice formed last night in the basins.
Private Eno was chosen as post orderly this morning. At
10.30 this morning the company was ordered over to the
surgeon's quarter for the purpose of passing the physical
examination. Only two men. Privates Ripley and Guidot, out
of the entire company, failed to pass and later, upon a re-ex-

^48 CHRONOLOGipAL.
amination. Private Ripley was accepted. How I succeeded in
getting through, see my next letter home.
Colt's Band gave a concert in honor of Battery A (Yale
Boys) at their mess house to-night, which was largely
attended by the officers and men of the regiment. How
relieved the men all feel, now that they have passed the
physical examination.
Wednesday, May ii. To-day was clear and mUd. At
•company drUl the order "Form for attack" was given and
fairly well executed. We also had the setting up exercises for
the first time. Private Knox has been detailed as quarter
master's clerk. To-night Privates Bassett, Eno, R. A. Case
and myself with Corporal Dw)'er and Sergeant Moseley went
over to Farmer Saunders and had all the oysters out of the
shell we could eat, for ten cents.
Thursday, May 12. Private Fulton was post orderly
to-day. The boxes from home are beginning to come, to such
an extent that some of the men have given the kitchen the
cold shoulder and, as the result, have eaten themselves sick
with the good things sent from home. My box came to-day
but I am bound to stick by " Mac," he makes everything taste
so good. Private W. O. Case took some fine shots of blanket
tossing to-day. The " Thirteen Club " had a fried oyster
supper at Saunders to-night. There were present : Lieuten
ant Keeney, Sergeants Moseley and Hines, Corporals Silvernail
and Pierce, Privates W. O. Case, Cadwell, Eno, Pierce (Drum
Major) Johnson, Pattison, Appleton and myself. A fine
spread for twenty cents !
Friday, May 13. Lieutenant Waterman was officer of
the guard last night. He reported a fine display of shooting
stars during the night. It's funny what queer things some
folks see or think they see when no one else is around.
Private Ahern was colonel's orderly to-day. Governor Lorrin
A. Cooke, Colonel W. B. McCray and other members of the
governor's staff visited the camp to-day and were received with
the usual salute from the battery. This afternoon, during the
regiment drill, the order "Form for attack " was given and.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 149>.
during the execution of " Advance by Rushes " across the
field, the charge was so rapid and such a hot pace was set that
one or two men fell from the ranks and were carried from the
field on stretchers. Corporal " Cy " Wheeler gave a " tat-tee "
to-night at his tent but taps stopped the performance before its
close. The boys began to have some fun with the tent of"
Privates Marvel and Morley to-night. Forty-five years old
to-day. Saturday, May 14. At company driU this morning a
camp photographer took us during the setting up exercises.
and some one suggested the novel scheme of forming the
company, single file, in a circle and at a given signal each man
sat down upon the knees of the man behind him. In that way-
the whole company rested and could have continued in that.
easy position indefinitely. Private Morley has been dubbed.
" Sleeping Jesus " but there was little sleep for him to-night.
Among other things that happened Morley's tent came down
in a heap. Sergeant Beebe strongly objected to such treatment.
of Private Morley but every one, excepting those on the inside
— the inside of the tent — strongly suspected " Bob " himself
had something to do with the sudden collapse of the tent.
Company K, " Home Guards," began to arrive in camp to
night and so, in order to get some sleep, I induced the mem
bers of the hospital corps to let me in to the hospital tent.
Captain Saunders acted as major of the second battalion at
review to-night.
Sunday, May 15. Inspection of uniforms, arms and
tents this morning at 8. Religious services at the pagoda at.
10.30. Crowds of visitors. Clam chowder and rice pudding
for dinner. At 2 o'clock another cold rain, similar to the
storm last Sunday, set in and soon flooded the camp again.
Our tent is like a sieve and everything in it had to be covered.
virith our rubber blankets to keep them from getting soaked..
The tent of privates Cadwell, HaU, Ward, Pimm and Knox had
recently been equipped with a commodious cellar, into which
they had stored their laundry, shaving apparatus, etc. When they^
returned to their tent after supper, the cellar was found flooded

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CHRONOLOGICAL. 151
to the brim and shirts, stockings, shaving apparatus, hair
brushes, etc. were floating about promiscuously. " Mac " gave
us an orange short cake for supper to-night. We had to seek
shelter in the mess house to eat it and how he managed to
cook it out in this rain seems a mystery. Possibly the cold
rain to-day may have had sonfething to do with the tone of the
letters I wrote home to-day. Here they are, however just as
they were written :
" My Dear Florine : —
I have just had to dear myself away from headquarters
where Will is, teUing. stories and making every one laugh, in
order to get time, to write you. I am so busy every minute all
the week that Sundays must hereafter be reserved for letter
writing. The box came all right and of course broke me all
up. It don't take but mighty little to make me cry, these days.
Last Sunday, in the Y.- M. C. A. tent, I cried like a baby writing
you and with every one around likely to see me. To-day I
have gone over by -the Sea Coast battery, all alone, but it is
just the same. I can't talk or think of where I am, with all
that "In Camp" means, this time, without filling up as if I
should burst. It is not that I look forwai-d to a thing that is
unpleasant or is to be dreaded. On the contrary, when I think
that I have been permitted even to take the most humble part
in the great events that are transpiring and am in a position,
now, to-day, to do whatever is required of me, I feel so grateful,
so thankful, that I can hardly hold myself Usually, whenever
a person's nerves are unstrung, the symptoms are just those
that I now exhibit, but the truth is, my nerves were never
stronger. In loading and firing, as we do every day now, I
never was able to take such good aim. I know my eyesight,
at a distance, is better than two years ago and I can pick off an
object easily at. seven hundred yards and an object not larger
than a horse, at that.
But, just think how the United States of America has sud
denly taken upon itself to expand and acquire territory.
The only " I told you so " that I have made is, that this would

152 CHRONOLOGICAL.
eventually turn out to be a war of conquest. Isn't it already
that and then, to think I am taking part in it and can continue
to take part in whatever service we are called upon to perform !
Florine, I never could nerve myself up at home to talk
straight from my soul but now the whole subject presents
itself to me like this. Two courses were open to me — one, to
finish my course in the study of law and then to begin practic
ing. Whether or not I should be successful in that was not
certain. In any case, the practice of law will be still open,
to be taken up at any time but in looking forward to that, the
thought of having finally and forever turned my back upon the
other course, suddenly opened to me, but opened, in all
probability, but this once, during my whole life, — to carry
with me, for all time, the thought that I had turned my face
away from the chance of a life time, the one opportunity to
show to myself and to you what stuff there was in me — that
thought was unbearable. I could not live with myself hereafter,
feeling that the greatest opportunity ever presented to any one
had been by me neglected. Hence, I am here in camp, and
with that thought, come these tears.
But enough for now, although it does me good to relieve
the pressure from within.
About the box — don't send anything more till I let you
know. Two other boxes have been sent by some one — Mrs.
S. and the cook at The Linden, probably. My tent mates
have also received two or three boxes and the nice things
would upset my stomach if I let myself eat_ much between
meals. We have all the daily and Sunday papers and everything
we need. It is the joke of the camp how I passed the surgeon's ex
amination. I raised up on my toe nails to my utmost and
stood firm. " Five feet, four," he said and that will be my
official height, when we are mustered into the service of the
best country that ever existed on the face of this earth. I teU
you, the study of law gives a man as nothing else can the true
idea of what the Stats and Stripes stand for.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 53
Every night, at sunset, the gun fires, the flag is slowly
lowered while the band plays " The Star Spangled Banner "
and every enlisted man in camp, whether he is cooking supper,
playing foot-ball or far in the rear of the mess houses and out
of sight, uncovers his head and remains so till the flag reaches
the ground. That makes me cry, too.
The only thing you can do, just now, is to write, if you
can find anything to write about. How much I want to say.
I hope this blubbering letter won't upset you."
"My Dear G: —
What say you and the " Strategic Board," in your office of
Sampson's chances in getting at the Cape Verde fleet? That
is what we are mostly ir/terested in, down here, now.
I have been writing to Florine and Mrs. S till I couldn't
see much else than a lot of blurred lines, so I decided to take
another tack and write to you.. Possibly, however, I may get
to blubbering again, thinking of you all. It don't take much
to set me crying down here. If it was not that we are kept
busy all day and don't have time to think of that march up
Main Street and what it all meant, I should have red eyes
most of the time. But Sunday there is a let up on the drilling
and then I well up and run over about the eyes, when I
begin to think of you all.
Ask me what I am crying about — a man forty-five years
and two days old — and I could not tell you. It is not because
I am sitting in a tent, covered over with a rubber blanket and
a cold, north-east storm blowing in my face. I have been out
in cold storms before, many thousand miles from home too,
away from friends and a stranger in a strange land and yet I
had no thought of crying. But here, among a thousand friends,
within a few miles of home and not a thing, so far, to prevent
my returning home and yet I would not go home for all the
money in Hartford. ' Nay more, the very thought of being
compelled to return, now, would break my heart. I cry because I
can stay — stay where I am or go farther from home, should
the opportunity arise, or the order be given. It is because 1

154 CHRONOLOGICAL.
have been permitted, during the course of my life, to do as I
"have recently done and as I am doing to-day, that I fill up and
,choke — almost burst with gratitude. There it is again.
How do you suppose I passed the U. S. surgeon's ex
amination? You know I am about 2^ or 3 inches short, so I
went to a cobbler the day we left home and bought for fifteen
cents sufficient heel leather to put inside of my shoes to raise
me to the required standard. But what a homesick feeling I
had when I learned that the surgeon examines every man of
us with our clothes off. That made my little leather scheme
of no use and I am out the fifteen cents. But when the time
came, I stepped off the scales on tip toe, walked over to the
measuring machine on my toes and then raised myself up on
my very toe nails and stood firm. " ^ive feet, four " said the
assistant, the surgeon never looked down at my feet and from
this time on, if any fellow says I am short, the official records
of the U. S. Army will be conclusive documentary evidence
sufficient to rebut and -epel the slander.
Last Sunday the ground was covered in spots with hail
and slush and the wind blew such a gale that many of the
tents went down. To-day, beginning about 2 o'clock, a
similar cold rain began and bids fair to repeat last Sunday's
experience. Leaky tents add , to the inconvenience, for if a
drop of cold rain leaks in anywhere it is sure to eventually
trickle down upon my bald head, if I undertake to lay down to
sleep. Last Sunday night each one rolled up in his own blanket
and double underclothes and stockings failed to keep me warm,
hot stuff as I usually am. To-night we are going to lay spoon
fashion and see if we can't keep warm. 'This cold rain is
making me hungry, so I must stop and go to supper. We
shall have to eat in our tents to-night, I guess."
Monday, May 16. A class-mate from the Yale Law
School writes.: "Are there any vacancies in the regiment."
I am afraid he wiU get left if he waits fpr " vacancies." Uncle
Sam isn't advertising "vacancies" just at present. Letters from
home teU us we have been ordered to Mobile, Tyb£.e Island
or some other southern camp. Florine, when she heard of it,

CHRONOLOGICAL. I 5 5
wrote : " My blood felt cold in my veins for a long time." If
Wl? had heard of such an order how different would have been
the effect upon us. Again we see how much easier it is for us
to go than for those, dear to us, who have to remain at home.
WiU, (Colonel McCray) writes: " I understand there would
have been a revolt in the company if the surgeon had refused
to pass you." The faculty of the Yale Law School have just
voted to recommend me for the degree of Master of Laws, in
consideration of the fact that I had enlisted and in view, they
write me, of the fact of my " previous high standing." Standing
on tip-toe before the surgeon — that's what did it. I never
stood so high in the community in my life, before or since,
But I wonder how the faculty heard of it.
Lance Corporal Cannon was chosen colonel's orderly tOr
day. Some of the men were allowed to go home on twenty-
four hour furloughs to-day. This afternoon Colt's band left
for home, playing " Auld Lang Syne " as they marched out of
camp. Another heavy rain set in before 6 o'clock to-nigh-t
and we had to fall back on the mess house for shelter again, at
supper time. The Yale battery boys called on Private Morley
to-night during the rain. He is from Yale and is suffering
from a severe attack of the asthma. As they started away in
the dusk, each wrapped about with his poncho, they began their
familiar serpentine dance, going across the field over to the
pagoda, four abreast, in a long wriggling line of jumping rubber
blankets. It was a queer* sight. The rain prevented the
oyster supper " gang," as they are getting to be called, from
getting back to camp to-night, the men making the best of it
over in the Spiritualist camp.
Tuesday, May 17. At guard mount, this morning,
there was, of course, no music. The drummers beat a very
undemonstrative tat-too, however, on the sides of their drums,
during inspection. Private Gruener was colonel's orderly.
One of the men was sent to the gua.-d house this noon for dis
orderly conduct. He was soon released, however.
This afternoon we were formally mustered into the service
of the United States of America. The company was formed

156

CHRONOLOGICAL.

in column of twos and marched out upon the field. Then,
in single file, as each name was called, we answered, " Here,"
and passed by the mustering officer. Lieutenant Rowan. The
company was again formed, facing to the west, in two ranks,
and with hats off and right arm uplifted, Lieutenant Rowan
administered the oath to us. Then we signed the muster roll
in triplicate and the ceremony was over. It certainly was the
most important act in the life of each one of us and the men
all seemed to appreciate this fact. During the waits, however,
(for the ceremony took nearly the whole afternoon), the men

SWEARING IN COMPANY K, AT NIANTIC, TUESDAY, MAY l-J , 1898.
got to fooling among themselves, while other companies were
being sworn in and Captain Saunders received a very sarcastic
call down from Lieutenant Rowan.
At the oyster supper to-night Privates Bassett and
Thayer, having earned the privUege by cleaning the table of
fried oysters, successively kissed the cook, but only after a
PrisciUa MuUins hint from the old lady herself,
Wednesday, May i8. I was on kitchen detafl to-day
with Private Johnson. Adjutant General Havens passed as I
was spUtting up some wood and spoke to me pleasantly, as he
always does, in fact. I wonder if what the reporters say but
don't dare to publish, just now, is true — that he went to

CHRONOLOGICAL.

'57

Washington sometime last month and spent several days
quietly trying to get placed at the head of some brigade other
than the Connecticut brigade, leaving an impression with
the government that Connecticut troops were not ready nor
fully equipped. Does this explain why Governor Cooke was so
slow in calling us out? Was his chief military adviser the one
upon whom the blame should, in fact, rest ?
The Courant this moriiing says Lieutenant Colonel
Redfield has resigned " on account of his health ;" that he had

SIGNING THE MUSTER-ROLLS.
Saunders. Valentine. Waterman. Moseley.
made up his mind to remain with the regiment to be mustered
into the United States service and go to the front, but that last
Saturday he was examined by Doctors H. G. Howe and
WiUiam D. Morgan, and they told him he mustn't. So he
didn't. To say the least, this seems a little rough on Doctors
Rockwell and McCook, who had examined him a day or two
before and found him physicaUy all right and able to go to the

158 CHRONOLOGICAL.
front. But then, when doctors disagree who shall decide? If
still in doubt take the side of safety. Better be safe than
sorry. ¦ Henry is safe and the rest of us are sorry, sorry, for
he was an old K man, "'tis true, 'tis pity and pity 'tis, 'tis true."
The regiment was ordered out upon the field this forenoon
and two men from New Britain, who refused yesterday to sign
the muster roll and boasted that they never intended to when
they left home, were drummed out of camp, after marching
along the entire line of the regiment at the point of the
bayonet. Private Pierce was*to-day appointed drum major of
the new band being formed. Private Molloy, the captain's
servant, but more familiarly know as the " Dog robber," was
visited to-night in his tent by the White Caps.
Thursday, May 19. The articles of war were read to
us to-day. Private Barrows was severely injured this afternoon,
during a game of ball in which he was a spectator, by being
struck by a wild throw. He was taken to the hospital.
Friday, May 20. This extract is from a letter home :
" Last night while out on guard, a ripping thunder storm came
up from the west and gave me a new experience. I was No. i
njan at guard quarters and had to be specially alert. The
lightning was magnificent and for an instant made the whole
sleeping camp light as day. Then, how dark ! I had on my
overcoat and over that a rubber blanket with a sUt in the
middle through which we poke our heads. ' When the storm
struck the camp I turned my back to the wind and let it pelt
away, careful only to keep the muzzle of my gun down. I
rather Uked it, standing there alone at 2.30 a. m., with not a
soul near. Pretty soon No. 2 man, a mere boy, loomed up
out in the dark. Of course I yelled " Halt, who is there." He
told me who he was and then asked, in a low voice, " Do you
think that is chain lightning." I told him I guessed not,
though it was coming down as sharp and fast as any Ughtning,
chain or chainless, I ever saw.
"I hope not," he answered. "I don't mind sheet
lightning but I wouldn't want to be around with this gun if
that was chain lightning." We stood there and talked in

CHRONOLOGICAL. I 59
low tones till we found the water coming up over our shoes and
then we started out to find higher ground. He finally moved
away, considerably reassured when I told him I was now sure
it was nothing anyway but sheet lightning.
One of the things I like about this whole affair is the way
men are tested. If a man is a shirk, here it is found out. If
he is indifferent to the rights of others, he shows it. Put four
men into a space eight feet square and make them all sleep,
dress, undress and possibly eat there and still compel them,
once in twenty-four hours, to have every article of clothing
and every piece of equipment in just such a place — under such
conditions you find a man out. A hair brush in sight or a
towel carelessly folded causes the tent to be^ called down and
each of the tent mates suffers for the carelessness and indiffer
ence of the others. I tell you, under such conditions, the
essentials in a man's character are brought to the surface. If
he has anything of real worth you find it out. A good tent
mate is a pretty good man. I am pretty lucky in mine, all
things considered but perhaps the joint opinion of the other
three, as to myself, would be of more value to an inquiring
mind." Battery B left camp this morning at 9.30 for coast defense
duty. The regiment marched out into the country about
four miles, before dinner. Upon their return the whole
company were ordered to wash their feet. Private Morley
went on a tour of inspection in front of his tent looking for
bugs. Trumpeter Camp and Musician AshweU moved over to
the band street to-day. My police duty this afternoon in
cluded the work of disinfecting the sinks of the entire camp, a
pretty malodorous matter in one or two instances. Tent 2 1
was " raided " to-night and the inmates scattered. Private
Marion sought shelter with us " little runts " in Tent 12. ,,
Saturday, May 21. Lieutenant Waterman was officer
of the guard and Private Fulton colonel's orderly, to-day.
The regiment took an out-post tramp towards Cresent Beach
of about six miles. The veteran members of the company
remembered us to-day with a box of oranges and tub of butter.

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"CALM BEFORE THE STORM."
PARADE AND REVIEW, StTNUAY, IIAV 22, 1898, AT NIANTIC, CONN.

CHRONOLOGICAL. l6l
The " regulators " got a rope around the "dog-robber's" leg
and nearly tore him, limb from limb, astride the tent pole,
to-night. Sunday, May 22. About 3 o'clock this morning Private
Morley made an unsuccessful trip down back of the mess
house but soon returned to the neighborhood of his own tent.
One of his tent mates. Private Walsh, a few_ hours after, upon
turning out at early morning roll call, discovered some govern
ment property in the wash basin outside the tent and
immediately demanded :
" Who owns that?"
" That's mine," replied Private Morley, meekly, taking
upon himself all the burdens which such ownership imposes.
Private Cannon split his fingers apart at base-ball this
afternoon. To-day has been of the finest. At dress parade a photo
graph of the entire regiment was taken. Not long after,
rumors of an order breaking up the regiment, were noised
about. Later in the evening the rumors began to materialize.
At 9.30 the order came, smashing the regiment into fragments.
They say when the order for two companies for Portland was
read during an officers' meeting at regimental headquarters
to-night, the officers of two companies instinctively turned
and looked towards each other, and that is how Companies
K and F were ordered to go to Portland. The boys are wild,
yelling and cheering like Indians. I had turned in but in less
than a minute the tent was full of men, piled up plmost to the
ridge pole, lying across each other in all directions and shout
ing like mad. The street did not get quieted down till late at
night. Monday, May 23. Company turned out at 5 a. m.
Tents stripped, things packed and street thoroughly policed
by 9.30! Dinner at II. Left camp at 12 and joined. Com
panies F and C at the station. Cheers for Colonel Burdett,
Adjutant Wainwright, Dr. McCook, Sergeant Moseley and all
those left behind. Left Niantic at 12.45. -At New London
the K cheer was given with a will. Arrived at Providence

1 62 chronological.
at 2.30 and Boston at 3.40. Considerable enthusiasm
shown at Somerville. Coffee and sandwiches at Ports
mouth during which Private Sobieralski, better known, eyent-
ually, as " Sober-whiskey," received a swat in the mouth with
a piece of ham fat, much to the entertainment of all but the
recipient of the ham. Reached Portland at 8 p. m.
Tuesday, May 24. Up at 6 a. m. Rain during the
night. Went over to West End Hotel and had hot water to
wash with. It felt fine. Breakfast at the station — ham, corn
beef, beans and coffee. At 9 a. m. we took four trolley cars
through the city for the ferry. All along the route there were
girls to burn. Arrived at Prospect Hill, South Portland, near
Fort Preble at 10.30. Soon began to rain. At the fort not a
gun is mounted nor. did I see but one man on guard. We
have not a single round of ball cartridges. This is doing
coast defense duty with a vengeance. What fine condition we
are in to repel an attack from Spanish marines, for instance.
Wednesday, May 25. Rain before breakfast and during
most of the day. The retreat roll call is at 7, tattoo at 9 and
taps at 9.15. Check roll call to-night at 11. To-day the boys
had lots of fun with an old flat trolley car down by the beach,
pushing it up the grade and letting it run down the hill with a
rush. Thursday, May 26. Another cold and cloudy day.
Let the following extract from a letter of even date tell how we
pass the time :
" Whether I can make you see us as we are, depends on
whether the boys stop firing each other in upon us, huddled
together in our tent. I am sitting doubled up on a pile of
straw, against the side waU of the tent. Four others are lying
in the center of the tent playing whist, a sixth is at the door
trying to shave and two others are just outside, watching the
game. A Uttle kitten has become our guest and is crawling
about all over everybody and everything. Occasionally some
one comes in and walks right across the whist table (which is a
newspaper raised up on a pile of straw.) Before the intruder
can get what he is affer and get out, some one grabs him by

chronological. 163
the leg, another gives him a push and he falls fuU length over
the players, nearly crushing the cat in his struggles to get up.
The tent floor is about two feet deep witH a conglomerate
mass of knapsacks, blankets, overcoats, caps, shoes, leggins,
haversacks, pipes, boxes of tobacco, glass jars of raspberry
jelly, marmalade, pine-apple cheese, canned cherries, canteens,
tin cups, newspapers, rubber blankets, underclothing, bundles
Of unwashed laundry, towels— all the personal property and
household furniture of six men. (Now there are six of us' in a
tent.) This assortment is thoroughly concealed (whenever
any particular article is wanted) by a mass of straw, more or
less wet from the thirty-six hours' rain which has just ceased,
temporarily. How do we sleep in such a mess? Simply great ! When
we arrived Tuesday the ground was so soaked with the rain of
Monday night that a floor to sleep on was a prudent thing to
provide ourselves with. Two of us had noticed a big board
sign, back on the road a short distance. It didn't take long to
pull this up out of the ground, run with it to the tent and saw
it up to fit. But that only covered half of the space, so I
started out foraging again. A vacant cottage a short distance
away was provided with a two-plank walk to the woodshed in
the rear. Those planks were borrowed but still the cold, cold
ground in that tent stared us in the face. Finally, the matched
plank walk leading from the front door of this vacant house
out to the sidewalk appeared to be willing to serve its country
and it was forthwith removed bodily to our tent. It was just a
fit and wUl be returned uninjured when we are through with it.
With a floor in, the rest came easy. A bale of straw to
each tent was issued, to last for thirty days, so we only shook
out part of it. On top of the straw we laid our overcoats and
covered ourselves with blankets, feet towards the flap of the
tent. As. the tents are all pitched on the side hill of a rocky
cow pasture, the floors were far from being level. I was on the
lower side when we went to sleep that night. The next morn
ing all five of my tent mates, big strapping six-footers, had
rolled down hUl on top of me, leaving plenty of room on the

1 64 CHRONOLOGICAL.
upper side for three or four more, in case there was any
necessity for putting more nien in a tent. I think it might be
well to put about' four more in each tent and then we shouldn't
shuck around so much. As for the straw, it is everywhere, in
our hair, in our underclothing, in our stockings and shoes, in
our eyes, in our knapsacks, in our raspberry jelly, canned
cherries — but no one minds it, no one cares a straw. Since we
came here it has rained all the time, so we had to keep to our
tents and with the whole bale of straw shaken out, as some of
the men have done, it is like crawling up on to a hay mow to
get into a tent. But we sleep warm anyway and the bits of
straw in our underclothes — I take off shoes, stockings and aU
but my underclothes — keep us itching through the day and
keep us warm by night.
The trip here was uneventful. At Portsmouth, where we
left Company C, we had coffee and sandwiches issued to us
from the baggage car door. On arriving at Portland at 8
o'clock, no one apparently knew we were coming, but soon the
station was crowded. Fort Preble was four miles by trolley
and ferry or seven miles by road. Men with fifty to sixty
pounds of baggage each and a gun could hardly be expected
to make that, that night, so some old passenger cars were run
into the station and we stayed in them that night. Lucky we
did, for rain began to fall before midnight and had we made
for Fort Preble that night, sleeping on the ground in the rain
would have been our lot. That may come later, aU well
enough, but I hope it wiU be in a warmer climate than Maine.
There would have been little sleep in the cars, so crampied were
the quarters, but I got on to a scheme of shifting the seats and
raising the backs of the seats, so that the six-footers could lie
out straight, with their feet sticking through into the next 'seat.
I fixed a dozen men up in that way before midnight.
Tuesday morning, after breakfast of coffee and ham sand
wiches, out of the baggage car, we took four trolley cars
through the city to the ferry. Everybody, though the crowd
was not large, welcomed us heartily and we enjoyed the trolley
rather than tramping three or four miles. Both the City

CHRONOLOGICAL.

Guard and Company K gave their company yells as we rode
along, whenever a sufficient provocation arose.
Prospect Hill, where we pitched our camp, is about one-
fourth - of a mile outside Fort Preble, a dismantled fort with
barracks. Beds for sixteen mortars are being quarried out of
the soUd rock there, but further*than that Fort Preble is use
less as a present defense. About eighty men are now in the
barracks, sleeping and lying around in hot, stuffy rooms,
heated to nearly 80 by big coal stoves. I had rather sleep six

THE MUSICIANS, A LA SOUSA.
Foley. Taber. Camp. AshweU.
in a leaky tent than stop one night in those barracks. None ot
that for me.
Before we got our stakes down it began to rain. But
our cook had dinner ready, (fried pork, tomato soup, coffee and
bread j) and we sat around on the rocks in the rain without a
complaint. The rain made the bread a little soggy and the
cold stones cooled the coffee pretty quickly, but we all had
enough to eat.
Yesterday a few of us walked two miles over to Portland
Head, in the rain of course. Five ten-inch disappearing guns

1 66 CHRONOLOGICAL.
are there ready for business. The switchboard, for firing the
mines in the harbor is also located there. Men with glasses
patrol the headland day and night and three patrol boats ply
just outside, holding up every craft that comes near. It really
looked like business out there.
Guard is posted around the two company streets, day and
night. This morning at guard mount our Uttle bugler, at
sound off, paraded up and down before the guard with aU
possible pomp. The come down from Colt's fine band to a
single bugler was very funny. The corps of musicians will soon
be increased to four. Thus far we have done nothing but
eat, sleep, guard and police the streets. What we are to do
no one knows."
This extract from a Portland paper speaks for itself:
"The two Connecticut companies now encamped on the
northerly slope of Prospect Hill, near Fort Preble, have had a
wet time of it ever since they arrived here. Their tents are
soaked and they are waiting patiently for sunshine to dry them'
out, when their camp life will be much pleasanter.
These two companies, F and K, have some fine looking
soldiers in them. Company K is coinposed entirely of Hart
ford boys and is the crack military organization of that city.
Its members are nearly all from well-to-do families and many
of them are prominent in Hartford society. In the company
are several college graduates and a number of Yale boys. The
men have left good positions, such as clerkships in banks and
insurance Offices, and some of them were engaged in business
for theihselves. They expected to be sent south and the
orders to go to Maine were a surprise to them which they did
not welcome. It is probable that they will soon be transferred
from their present camping ground to Portland Head or Fort
Preble." ' -
To-day a photograph of the company was taken in the
company street, all of the members but Private Morley getting
together. When asked to come in he repUed: " O, go away
with your datpned photographer." Our cat has been named

CHRONOLOGICAL.

167

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1 68 CHRONOLOGICAL.
" Infanta Isabella." To-night the first drum-head court-
martial was held. Privates Gruener and Thayer, two judicial,
bald heads acting as judges. Private Marvel, the accused, was
ably defended by Sergeant Beebe who, in his closing argument
was completely overcome with emotion, so wrapped up in his
client's cause had he become. Private Walsh was judge advocate
and among the witnesses were Privates Low, Camp, Dwyer and
Webster. The charge against the prisoner, who was placed
under guard in one of the tents at the lower end of the street,
was wasting his substance by riotous living. The govern
ment's case at first did not prove a strong one and the accused
seemed to stand a good chance of being acquitted when, just
as the court was about to render its decision, new evidence
was discovered by Private Nunan. This damning evidence
contained clear and overwhelming proof of the prisoner's
guilt. It was admitted and marked " Exhibit A." The
court, without further delay, found the prisoner guilty
and sentenced him to be hanged. A plea for mercy was,
however, entertained and a fine of $1.75 was imposed instead.
This remaining unpaid, the prisoner was forthwith taken by
the guard, thoroughly cleansed with cold water, rigidly inspected
and then allowed to go. To-night a fleet of Spanish warships
were reported off Halifax harbor, close by. Who's afraid !
Friday, May 27. Private Marvel has gone to the
hospital. At 2 o'clock this morning another cold, driving rain
set in and continued all day and nearly all night. I went on
guard at 9 o'clock. Another extract from a letter written
during the day best describes how we live :
" I wrote you yesterday that the rain had ceased, tem
porarily. It did, but only for a few hours and began again
last night. I have just come in from guard duty and ha-ve
three or four hours to Ue around in the wet guard tent, so will
use up the time in writing you. The rain has been falling in
sheets all day and the temperature is none too high, but I have
kept warm by putting on two pairs of [stockings and my feet
have only been slightly wet once. This afternoon, while I was
standing in front of the guard tent, out of the rain as much as

CHRONOLOGICAL, 169
possible, an old farmer approaching from out in the mist and
rain and said, " Haven't you got a couple of sick men you can
send over to my house? I want to do something for you and
can take care of two just as well as not."
As soon as I was relieved I went down our street and
peeked into every tent. In one were Private VV. O. Case,
and Corporal Pierce, both coughing as if they were
trying to raise their lungs. Both had got wet through
some way and neither saw anything before him but another
night in a wet tent, sleeping in wet clothes. I hustled
them out and started with them to find where the farmer
lived. I did not know his name biit after inquiring at one or
two houses and describing the man I found the house. When
I knocked a woman opened the door instantly and smiling
quickly said, "Yes, this is the house; come in." I explained
that I was not the sick one but introduced the other two and left
them in the hands of these good people. This forenoon another
farmer notified our officers that his large barn, with all his hay,
was at the service of the one hundred and sixty Connecticut
men here, to sleep in. Another man this noon, not far away,
hunted up the key to a large Good Templar hall near by and
this has been thrown open to all who chose to leave their
tents to seek better shelter. Still another man has offered
his hay mow to us. The hospital would not hold all the men
who have severe colds and these spontaneous acts of the
people hereabouts show the good people in Maine are not all
gone, by a large majority.' My hours of duty to-night will be
from 7 to 9 p. m. and from I to 3 a. m.
Ihis noon, when I was relieved, I went down the side hill
to the store tent to get something to eat. In some miraculous
way our cook (he is a fine one, having had experience in the
regular army) had got dinner for eighty-four men and did it
out in the driving rain. Each man took his tin plate and cup
of coffee and sought shelter as best he could. A few ran back
into their tents, but many hustled into an old barn near by. I
pushed my way into an old hen coop where were perhaps a
dozen others, sitting on boxes or standing up. The dinner

I70 CHRONOLOGICAL.
was, salt pork, very fat; boiled potatoes, coffee and hard tack.
The coffee and potatoes were hot but the pork got pretty cold
before we could finish it. The farmer had hung up some of
the remnants of a butchering bee in this hen coop and coal
ashes, boxes of straw, etc., were freely distributed about.
While this detachment of the United States army was still in
forcible possession of this hen coop, an old hen, with more

k

V »

''f%

"TURN OUT THE GUARD, ARMED PARTY."
courage than discretion, walked boldly in between our legs,
went directly to her nest of straw and began business at the
old stand as usual, ignoring entirely the presence of guns and
bayonets. Some of the boys threatened tq await events and
the egg, but the old hen proved, for once, that aU things do
not come to those who wait.
Our kitten is stiU with us, contented as can be.
I thank my stars for the rough experience the different
trips on my wheel compelled me to endure, for I don't mind
this at all. But I feel sorry for the young fellows who cannot;

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 71
eat salt pork three times a day as I can. To-night, for supper,
we had a fine beef stew, as good a supper as any man could
asked for. We reached here Monday and this is Friday. So far,
all we have done in the way of protecting the city of Portland
from the Spanish fleet has been to eat. sleep, roam about
where we please, in the rain, and once or twice a day answer
to roll call."
Private Oviatt nearly lost an eye while on guard last night.
A stack of guns in the guard tent fell over in the dark and a
bayonet struck him just above the eye, cutting a severe gash
but just missing the eye-ball. It was a lucky escape.
Saturday, May 28. Another cold and foggy day.
Privates McKee and Hayden went to the hospital to-day.
Guard mount was re-hearsed three times this morning. The
company drill to-day was the first since leaving Niantic and
to-night we had a dress parade with a four company forma
tion. "Jack," our new mastiff, took a prominent position in
the center of the parade grounds. He is all right, but snores
terribly. Sunday, May 29. Rain during the night but the ihoi'n-
ing was foggy and slightly warmer. From forty to fifty of F
and K men attended the State Street Church, South Portland,
this forenoon. The church was appropriately trimmed with
red, white and blue bunting and the singing by the many male
voices was fine. Extra dinner to-day of roast beef, mashed
potatoes, peas, coffee and pie ! ! ' Many of the men went to
church this afternoon also. Tent 12, ("Sergeant Henry Hunt
ington, Corporal Campbell, Privates Ward and Bassett) gave
the company a treat to clam chowder for supper. The good
people of the neighborhood still continue to throw open their
houses to those of us who are under the weather. Private
McKee has been detailed to the hospital corps. Six in a tent
is conducive to one thing, at least — interesting theological dis
cussions between my two tent mates. Privates Fulton and San
derson. "Al" says "Sandy" is nothing but a human bed hog.
Monday, May 30. Memorial Day. Rain fell heavily
during the night and the morning was cloudy with a thick

172

CHRONOLOGICAL.

mist. At seven minutes and twenty seconds past nine, how
ever, the sun came out and the men let go a hearty cheer in
honor of the event. The time I noted, so remarkable
was the event. Later there was a company drill for an
hour. At 12.30 Companies F and K left camp and marched
over to Portland for the purpose of taking part in the
Memorial Day ceremonies. The Bosworth Post, G. A. R.
entertained us later in the day, the old veterans and the new.
We returned to camp at 6 o'clock.
The Portland papers had the following, misnomers and all :
" The afternoon parade was, as usual, the feature of the
day's observance which attracted the most public attention.
Portland's four companies of the Maine National Guard, which
have every year regarded it as a part of their official duty to
tender their services as escort for the veterans on Memorial
Day, were missed from the ranks.
There absence on this day of tender memories was keenly
felt by many a spectator who watched the procession pass.
But the place of the Portland mUitia men was filled by the '
fine looking, well drilled, gentlemanly companies of Connecti
cut infantry who are stationed as guard for the batteries at
Fort Preble. The favorable mention of these companies that
had appeared in the newspapers made Portland especially
anxious to see the Connecticut troops. The sight was not dis
appointing. All along the line of march they were greeted
with handclapping and cheers. Two companies, K and F, were
marched in battalion formation, Capt. H. H. Saunders acting
as major, Lieut. N. S. "Valentine as adjutant, and the
companies being commanded as follows : First, Lieut. E. H.
Waterman; second, Sergt. Huntington; third, Lieut. F, H.
Smith; fourth, Capt. C. W. Newton."
"The procession started promptly on the hour named, 1.30
o'clock. First marched a platoon of stalwart policemen and
then came Chief Marshal, Major Holman S. Melcher and "his
staff, all well mounted. Chandler's band came next and then
the two companies, K and F, of Connecticut "Volunteers, under
command of Captain Sargent of Co. F. These two companies-

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 73
are made up of finely built young men of soldierly bearing and
splendid appearance in every way. , It is a long time since two
•better companies marched through the streets of Portland and
t"he applause all along the line proved that the people gave
them their full approval and appreciation. The faces of the
men were set steadily to the front and the whole line swung
along with an easy marching step that was delightful tO see.
They are the crack companies of Connecticut and their state
may well be proud of them. Along the line of rnarch the boys
got the first glimpse of the sun they have had since they
arrived here a week ago."
" The streets were thronged with people as the parade
passed and the Connecticut boys must have felt complimented
by the liberal applause and cheers as well as the many com
plimentary words concerning their appearance, and marching
that were spoken as they passed. They marched with the
snap and steadiness of veterans and their manoeuvering was
watched with great interest. They were in fatigue uniform
with black web caitridge belts and leggins and marched with
unfixed bayonets a sure sign that there is a state of war. On
turning into Cumberland street from Pearl the formation was
changed from column of fours to platoon front amid great
applause. Later on when the line reached COngress Street
coming down Capt. Saunders showed the people his new
¦" electric car formation " which pleased the onlookers even
more. This movement co.nsists, the company being in line
of platoons front ofthe command, one set of fours break from
left to the rear. The set of fours halts for six steps and then
executes an oblique movement bringing them to the rear ofthe
next set of four and just opening up one track for cars. When
the car passes the command is given to double quick into line
again and the platoon formation is resumed."
Another court martial was held to-night, this one in Good
Templar's Hall. Dog-robber Malloy was the accused and
Sergeant Beebe and Private McKone were his counsel.
Several distinct complaints" were brought against the prisoner,
one being disobedience to orders in firing from his tent, lying

174

CHRONOLOGICAL.

down. Private Morley testified he heard the report and after
chasing it for nearly a mile, ran it down. He exhibited it to
the court. Corporal Silvernail and Privates Gruener and
Thayer acted as judges. The sentence of the court was that
the prisioner should be given a cold water shower bath. He
was accordingly partially undressed and the water was gently
sprinkled over him. While the sentence was being executed,
however, some one, by accident, upset the whole pail full of cold
water upon the prisoner and with a yell of fright and still
partially undressed he broke from the guard, ran out of the haU

"arms vertical," at PORTLAND.
across the parade grounds towards the officer's quarters and fell
in a heap just before reaching that place of safety. He was
brought back to camp by Private Eno who was close upon him
as he fell. After consultation, the accused was released by the
court on parol, upon his promising to " set up " several dozens
of beer for the company.
Tuesday, May 31. Weather fine. The company was
put through the setting up exercises for the first time and we
all enjoyed the movements. Upon the question of a company
photograph the men divided apparently according to height,
the " little runts," as those on the left of the line are getting to
be called, defeating the motions by four votes. Half a dozen

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 75
of the men went sailing a dozen or fifteen miles, to-day.
Muster and inspection was held on the parade grounds. Some
of u^ went in swimming off the rocks but the water was, oh, so
cold. The daily rain came at dress parade to-night. Private
R. A. Case, better known as '' Mother " Case, found an old
cow bell somewhere and became quite frisky this evening.
She kicked Private Tinkham over when he tried to milk her
and smashed the milk pail.
Here is another letter written home to-day :
"This morning we saw the sun for the first time since we
went "to the front." Yesterday the sun cast a shadow for a
few seconds, but it failed to appear after that during the day
and the daily rain came as usual, late in the afternoon. But
to-day the sky is blue and the water on three sides of the
camp is bluer still. Surely, if we must remain in this vicinity,
no pleasanter outlook could have been selected  June 1st.
Before I could finish this letter we were called out to muster
yesterday and the dress parade at 6.30 was held in the rain, so I
take back what little commendation was inadvertently ex
pressed yesterday in regard to the weather. But our straw and
blankets have finally been thoroughly dried and we all feel
better. Memorial Day had a peculiarly tender effect upon us all.
We marched over to Portland and paraded with the G. A. R.
and other organizations. The crowd applauded us heartily
but when we were finally massed about the fine Soldiers'
Monument, the G. A. R. in front, and large wreaths of lovely
flowers were placed upon the four sides of the pedestal of the
monument as the band played the famihar " Prayer from Der
Freischutz," then I began to fiU up and run over at the eyes
again, as I did at Niahtic so often. The day has a new signifi
cance to us from this time. How proud I was to' act as
escort to that body of gray haired veterans !
Captain Saunders, in reply to a short address by members
of the G. A. R. at their quarters, referred to the possibility of
flowers being placed upon the graves of some of us, a year from
now. The few words he said were just right, weU chosen

176

CHRONOLOGICAL.

and to the point. I was glad to have such a captain, at
such a time.
Our officers are not with us now nearly as much as
formerly,Jhey having taken as their quarters a cottage near
by, but Lieutenant Waterman whenever he comes into the
company street shows by his actions that the U. S. Army
regulations regarding intercourse between officers and men
have not changed him in the least.
The two men upon whom the brunt of work falls, in our

f

officers' "perforated tent" at Portland.
Morley. Newton. Valentino. Smith. Waterman. Saunders. Eipley.
new camp life, are First Sergeant Huntington and Quarter
master Sergeant Beebe and if there ever were two fellows for
whom I like to work it is those two. You can realize how
the little things to be done about a house fret a woman. These
two men have all the details of camp life to see to and their
characters are being tested as are the "characters of no other
men in the company. It is not too much to say they are
turning out pure gold.

CHRONOLOGICAL. I T]
We have had two drum-head court martials, both of them
as funny as they could be. The last one was held in the Good
Templar's Hall, close by, and the three judges were Corporals
Silvernail and Gruener and myself, all bald heads. Some of
the testimony, however, upset the usual dignified air which we
all tried to maintain. The captain's servant, better known as
the " Dog-Robber," was the prisoner and the manner in which
he escaped and ran across the parade grounds in the moon
light only partly dressed, after the sentence of the court had
been but partially executed, was the funniest thing of all.
To-night, in place of the regular mess, there will be
served up to us, out on the parade grounds, the best that the
good women of South Portland can supply. The tables are
now being set, with the assistance of a detail of men from each
company. O, the life of a soldier (if he is in Company K or
F) is hard indeed, isn't it? Really the most that can be said
regarding our experience, so far, is that it has been most
awfully uncomfortable and that is about all. No real hardships
have been in it.
"Jack," a magnificent big mastiff who followed us over
from the West End Hotel in Portland, is getting to be such
a favorite that we think of giving him a commission. One
night, at dress parade, he took a commanding position in frOnt
ofthe line, sat down on his haunches and took keen interest in
all the manoeuvers. But when Captain Saunders took up his
position to the rear of Jack and began to give out the com
mands in a loud voice. Jack looked around sharply at him,
several times, as much as to say " Steady, there, I am running
this thing:" But Jack snores so no one can sleep near him, m'uch less
with him, in the same tent, so the men on guard entice him
away from the tents as much as possible. One night while on
guard a full grown cat passed up and down the post with me
for an hour, rubbing up against my leggins whenever Istopped
to chaUenge and purring as peacefully as if no war anywhere
existed. Our little kitten has become a fixture and is getting
so she does not get stepped on but once or twice a day, which

178 CHRONOLOGICAL.
is doing very well with seven in a tent, six men and Her Royal
Highness, " Infanta Isabella."
Will is here and you just bet I am glad to see him. I
must stop, now. Am all right and feeling first rate and wish
you were as well."
Wednesday, June i. Weather, partly cloudy but
good air. Private Eno's three sisters visited camp to-day.
Muster roll was signed. Colonel McCray of the governor's
staff was also in camp to-day. At 5.30 the good people of
South Portland set two long tables on the parade grounds and
loaded them with clam chowder, lobsters, biscuit, coffee, cake,
etc. Members of Companies K and F unloaded them.
Speeches and singing were also a part of the program. At
parade to-night Sergeant Holt took a tumble all by himself.
He was acting as guide and in running fell headlong over a
dog, much to the amusement of all who saw the performance.
Judge Advocate Walsh and Clerk Shea, of the military court
martial, paraded ui their new paraphernaUa this evening for the
first time. Thursday, June 2. Rain but some warmer. Private
Morley this evening asserted his right to occupy a por
tion of his. tent to the exclusion of some visitors of Private
F. C. Burnell. For some time the full beards once so common
in the company have been gradually disappearing and this
afternoon the last one. Private Fisher's, blew away.
To-night the Universalist Society invited the two com
panies to a banquet at their hall and later in the everting there
was music and dancing. The boys had a great time. I know
the pot of baked beans that I brought back with me from the
haU went fine, soon after midnight while I was out on
guard. I wonder when we begin to work the big guns
we were sent up here to guard. The Courant wants me
to telegraph any important news. So far, the church
" feeds " and the court martials have been the most impor
tant events to us.
A Portland paper describes the Universalist reception as
follows :

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 79
"Union Opera House presented a scene of great brilliancy
last evening on the occassion of the reception tendered the
command at " Camp Bourdett" by the Ladies' Circle ofthe
Universalist parish. The troops marched to the hall and
being welcomed by the r^eption committee enjoyed a
delicious supper which was awaiting them. The tables were
handsomely decorated with bouquets and glasses of cut flowers
with large center pieces and were most inviting in appearance.
About 170 ofthe command took seats at the tables and dur
ing fhe progress of the supper delightful music was rendered
by six pieces of the South Portland orchestra who were
assisted at the piano by Miss E^telle Spear and accompanied
by Miss Broughton as violinist.
An address of vk^elcome was made by Rev. Mr. Kimmell
and happily responded to by Captain Saunders, followed by
three cheers from the men. fvlr. Fred. Knight entertained the
party with an effective vocal solo and the soldiers, in their
turn, heartily rendered several numbers, such as " Sweet
MoUie Maguire," ¦" Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," and
" The Pope and the Monk."
Soon after eight o'clock the doors were open to friends of
the parish and the number present was soon swelled to quite
three hundred people.
The scene at this hour vvas a most animated one and
dancing was indulged in but under some difficulties on account
of the crowded condition of the hall.
Sociability reigned on all sides and the evening was most
pleasantly jjassed."
Friday, June 3. Another class mate at Yale' writes: "I
would have enlisted in a minute but for the two years term-
and — and." What docs he expect, I wonder, special terms
from Uncle Sam in his case ? Showers all day and no drills
but the setting up exercise.
An informal drum-head court martial was held in camp
this evening which was of more than usual interest and impor
tance, not only because of the previous good standing of the
prisoner, but also as showing the constantly rising standard'of

i8o chronological.
military discipline now being maintained in the United States
"Volunteer army. Private Hawkins of Company F (Yale,
1900) was the victim. He had previously been invited to
Private Morley's tent ip K street (Morley also being a student
from Yale), and was feasting on the good things sent to
Morley's tent in a bpx from home when a detail of six men
lined up in front ofthe tent. Hawkins was ordered by Cor
poral Pierce to come out of the tent. When he did so Haw
kins was promptly seized by the guard and taken to Good
Templar's HaU near by where from 100 to 150 ofthe enlisted
men had come together to witness the fun. Lieutenant Ripley
was an interested spectator but discreetly remained in the
rear of the hall.
When the prisoner had been conducted to the dock the
judges. Sergeant Major Bailey and Sergeant Marshall of
Company F and Private Thayer of Company K, with un
covered heads, proceeded through the crowded room and took
their seats on the bench with becoming dignity.
" Mr. Marshall, you may open court," said one of the
judges. Corporal Piddock of Company F, acting as United States
marshal, rapped for order and opened the court in due form.
Private Walsh of Company K, acting as judge advocate and
placing a tin basin upon his head (whether intended to take
the place of the ancient wig or the modern military helmet being
left uncertain), called the case of " United States vs. Hawkins."
Private Shea of Company K, acting as clerk of the court,
then read the complaint which contained five counts, to wit:
Unlawfully aUowing his beard to grow in camp without con
sent of Captain Newton ; using profanity during his hours of
duty; disturbing the sleep of sick men in the camp hospital;
taking blankets without authority; conduct unbecoming a
volunteer. The original panel of jurors was -exhausted and talesmen
were called in. Private Norris of Company F swore he knew
nothing in regard to the case and he believed himself com
petent to act as a juror, but the fact was brought out on ex
amination that he had taken paregoric when a baby and he

chronological.

I»I

was therefore promptly excused by the court. Corporal Silver
nail said he was thirty years old, but later swore he had lived in
this country thirty-two years. This admission on his part was
not considered sufficient to disquahfy him. Private Dowen of
Company F was found to have pnce attended a cock-fight in
Parkville, Conn., U, S. A., and was put under arrest at that
time. Attorneys for both sides, upon learning this, promptly
accepted him as a juror. Sergeant Holt of Company K

"parson" HAWKINS.
Bicbardson. Cook. Gooding. J. H. Campbell. Fisher.
appeared only in a red sweater and rubber leggins and when
ordered by the court to appear in uniform, claimed he had no
other clothes dry. Holt's embarraFsment, under the circum -
stances, was painful.
Private Johnson of Company K, Private Wilcox and
Private Newman of Company F were accepted without delay
and the trial proceeded.
Witnesses were then sworn by Clerk Shea and were put
through a rigid examination by the attorneys, Privates

1 82 chronological.
Dresser and Holmes of Company F appearing in behalf of the
prisoner. Those called by the government were Privates
Calvocoresses and Owen and Corporal Jones of Company F
and Private "Sober-Whiskey" of Company K. For the
defense Privates Pettys, Gooding, Carroll and Quarter-master
Sergeant F. A. Seidler, all of Company F appeared. Soirie of
the testimony sworn to by the witnesses was startling in the
extreme. For instance, there was evidence going to show
that profane words frequently were heard issuing from the
prisoner's tent, but, the accused proved that he had begun to
study for the Christian ministry and that the words used were
extracts from the Bible which he had incorporated into his
sermons which he freqently committed to memory and de
claimed in the solitude of his tent.
Judge Advocate Walsh — " Your honors, I object to this
testimony. I have looked through the Bible carefully from
Genesis through Chronicles to St. John and I fail to find any
such words in the Bible as the prisoner has used."
Then ensued a tilt between the lawyers which the court
was compelled to put an end to. The marshal, during the
examination of the accused, was frequently compelled to rap
for order and instruct his assistant marshals, Sergeant
De Lamater of Company K and Corporal Ackerman of Com
pany F, to clear the court room if any further disorder occurred.
The testimony in regard to the disturbance at the hospital
tent was rather conflicting. One witness swore six men were
sick in the tent, but on cross-examination the number of sick
men was reduced to two.
" But you said six."
" No, I said the men were sick, not six," answered the
witness. Here the official stenographers. Privates Wheelock and
Cadwell of Company K, were called upon to read from their
notes in order to make the matter clear to the court and jury.
" The witness said there were men in the tent sick."
" How many? "
" Six, but not all sick."

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 83
When the testimony was all in arguments were made and
considerable eloquence and legal ability was brought out.
Reference was made to the results of the surgeon's examination
at Niantic, to which all present were subjected, and Attorney
Dresser claimed that not only his client was found deficient
but that certain members of the court were likewise under
the standard if they were only honest enough to acknowl
edge it.
" I object to this remark," exclaimed Judge Advocate
Walsh jumping to his feet and dropping hi.? glasses in his ex
citement. " It is a reflection on the ho'norable judges on the
bench." Each of the three judges glanced sharply at the others but
one finally responded,"" The court is conscious of no reflec
tions cast upon it by any one."
The case was then given to the jury and a verdict of guilty
was rendered in four minutes after retiring to the jury room.
The sentence of the court was that the prisoner 'oe compelled
to sing and dance before the entire audience present. He did
so, singing "America " and dancing to the tune of " God Save
the Queen" and the court thereupon adjourned.
During the trial Dog-Robber Molloy entered the court
room and took a front seat, evidently anxious to see if the
accused would be dealt with in the manner to which he him
self had so recently been subjected. Hardly had he taken his
seat before Clerk Shea asked that he be excluded from the
spectators' seats and Molloy was accordingly placed under
guard of Private John B. Knox and removed to the rear of the
room. This letter explains itself:
To the Editor of the Courant: —
D.ear Sir — In your issue of June I you speak of the
terrible condition in which Private Bill Case and Corporal
Pierce were found by G — e T — ra, and we both wish our many
friends and creditors to relieve their minds about any
possibility of either of us cashing in our checks at this stage
of the game.

1 84

CHRONOLOGICAL.

The fact of the matter was that we had been on guard the
night before in a hard rain and as some one had borrowed our
umbreUas we were slightly moist when George did his " peek
ing." Everybody here knows how he goes around after some
thing to eat and he had us go to the farmer's house because he
knew we had had a box sent us and he wanted to get us out
ofthe way so he could go through it. He did.

PRIVATE MORLEY RETURNING HIS CONNECTICUT PAY.
S. G. Huntington. "Fisher. Gillette. Gruener.
Fuller. DeLamater. McKenney. Ward. Morley.
WiU you kindly state that we both have our lungs still'
intact and do not expect to head a slow procession for some
time to come. Yourly truly,
Pierce and Case.
Saturday, June 4. Heavy rain, no morning roll call
nor driUs during the day. Began clearing about 2 p. m., came
off cool at night with a fine moon. At dress parade the
officers were fifteen minutes late but they got no call down for it.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 85
Sunday, June 5. Fine sun rise and cool breezes.
Went in swimming with Privates Tinkham and Wolcott.
About twenty-five members of the two companies attended
the Universalist Church this afternoon.
Monday, June 6. Another fine day. The sergeants
began driUing the company. This afternoon fine photographs
of both the company and the battalion were taken. The
two companies are fast becoming " one and inseparable." The
" miners. and sappers" began leveling the street and removing
the rocks. Rain again this evening and during the night.
Tuesday, June 7. Again a fine day. The two com
panies marched over to Portland Head to-day, doing out-post
duty. Paymaster Keeney arrived in camp and at 6.30, we each
received our camp pay due from the State of Connecticut for
the thirteen days at Niantic before we were mustered into the
U. S. service. We privates received $16.56, ten days at $1.50
a day and three days at fifty-two cents a day. Private Morley
was so disgruntled at the treatment he had so far received, in
not being sent to the front, that he refused to accept any pay
from the State of Connecticut and accordingly returned his
pay to Paymaster Keeney by money order.
Wednesday, June 8. An early morning experience is
told in another letter home :
"The letter last night I had to close hurriedly but to-day I
am on guard so I have plenty of time. We must remain, at
guard quarters all the time, except one and one-half hours
during the twenty-four, and guard duty comes around once in
five days noW. But I must tell you of a Uttle experience I had
this morning while on guard. I had been asleep about two
hours when the corporal of the guard shook me lightly by the
arm and said " Come." I thought it strange he let aU the
others alone, but crawled out, half awake, and shook what
straw off me I could. It was 4.15 a. m. and broad daylight
but there was no one else stirring.
" Company F's cook went over to Portland last night when
he got his pay" said the corporal " and has not shown up since.
He was last seen at the Caldwell House. His name is Moun
tain. Go over to Portland and find him." I started without
13

« <o

cqaioKP3KS>-BPH^i

 f. >

5gai£i

m
K a.: o p .yr-
g.OsH
COMPANY E AT PORTLAND, MAINE.

^^H

1

^J

^/

1

1

IB

K^

1

Kewton.
H. D. Green.
McVane.Beckwitti.Embler.
Billings. E. G. Greene.
Finney. Chase.Chapman.

Lane. Hoi lins worth.
Kich. Davidson.
E. L. Owen.
Sqhuler. J. H. Campbell.
Wilcox.
Pearson. Sedgwick.

McKenney.

.Jones.

Horton.

Wood.

Flagg.

Dresser.

Eisher.

Eichardson.

Lincoln.

H. C. Owen.

Calvocoresses.

E. L. Montgomery.

E. H. Montgomery.

Hawkins.

JTorris.

iPicfcard.

Carroll.

Foley.

Pettys.

Dixon.

Ackerman. Seidler.Linsley. Marsh.
Robbins.Aruold. Gooding.
Kay.
Davis. Travers.

Simmons.Clark-
Fletcher.
Martin.
Parker,
Wiley.Hutchins.
McCook.Doutliwaite. Joy.

Marshall.Bailey.
Talc-ott. Smith.
Eoss. Kewtnan.
"Harrow.
Taber.
DowenkPiddock.

1 88 CHRONOLOGICAL.
another word but had not gone far before I could not tell for
the life of me whether it was Caldwell of the Mountain House
or Mountain of the Caldwell House or House of Mountain Cald
well I must inquire for. At the ferry landing, a mUe distant, the
watchman told me the ferry would not be running for over an
hour. Down the shore, a short distance, I saVv a man tugging
away trying to get his boat out between some rocks where the
tide had left it and I went for him. He would take me over if
he could get his boat out and after combining our strength for
a time the boat slid out into the water. The boat leaked
some and the fog was so thick that after a little rowing we lost
sight of either shore, with the tide running out to sea.
" How are you getting along over there," asked the old
man, trying to be sociable. " I had four years of it and know
a Uttle something myself about it." I began to open my eyes
and look interested.
" Yes, I started in at Williamsburg and have got four
buUets in me now, besides a saber slash across the knee." My
interest increased to concern. An old man, so overloaded
with bullets, was no sort of a man to be with in a leaky boat.
But the bell of the monitor Morttauk soon sounded out in the
fog, the old man got his bearings and he soon landed me on
the Portland side. I asked him his price.
" O, I shan't charge you feUqws anything. The fact is,
I crawled out of bed this morning without waking up the old
woman and came over just to get a drink, that's aU."
The Caldwell House I found about a mile from the dock
and went in. No one was up but soon a female voice out near
the kitchen asked what was wanted. I told her and she soon
appeared and went to another room where the proprietor
slept. When he could get his thoughts together, he re
membered going out to get a hack for two soldiers about 10.30
the night before but what the hack driver's name was or where
he lived he could not teU. He described the hack driver's
appearance and I went to another hotel near the hack
stand and finally found his name arid residence, after
describing him as best I could. He lived about one and

CHRONOLOGICAL.

189

one-half miles from the hotel and as no trolleys were yet
running I walked.
Approaching the house I first woke up the dog in the
barn. He woke up a boy who came out and went back and
woke up his mother. She caijie out, went back, woke up the
hack driver who finally called me in to his bed room.
" That man I left over at the camp this morning just
before 4 o'clock," he said. Then I wanted to call down every
one concerned. The man had probably crawled into some

CASCO BAY MERMAIDS.
Walsh. Eno. Dwy-er. Thayer. Barrows. Shea.

H. L Huntington.
tent, gone right to sleep and couldn't be found. I got back to
camp just in time for breakfast."
At a meeting of the company to-night it was voted, after
some objection, to assess each member $2.56 for the incidental
expenses ofthe camp. Privates Gruener and Thayer collected
from those who were willing to pay and turned the money over
to Sergeant Beebe, taking receipts. Heavy thunder storm and
rain all night.
Thursday, June 9. This morning after " kerosene "
(calisthenics) fifteen members of the company went in

I90 CHRONOLOGICAL.
swimming. Warmest day yet.- Private Marvel, while asleep
in his tent, had his face blacked and was then waked up and told
to report to the captain. The captain didn't appear to enjoy the
joke but every one else did, even Private Marvel, when he saw
himself in a mirror. Colonel Burdett and the remnant of the
regiment start for Fort Knox to-day.
Friday, June io. The swimming squads are increasing,
both companies sending big delegations ,to the rocks every
day now. This letter explains itself:
" One of the funniest fads swept through K street to-day
that it has ever experienced. Had a cyclone struck the camp
it would not have made greater changes in the faces of the men
and had a second cyclone followed the first, a few hours later,
it would not have blown through the whiskers of a single man
in the street. There wasn't any to blow thro,ugh.
It started like this : Quartermaster Sergeant Beebe shaved
his mustache off the night before, making such a change in his
appearance as to cause universal comment in the company.
But this unauthorized act of his would not ¦ have resulted
disastrously to the company had not First Sergeant Hunting
ton, in a moment of indiscretion, challenged Private Thayer to,
follow in the lead of Beebe. He is small, but the shortest
man in the company is taking no such stunts unnoticed
and so, just before dinner, he appeared minus his mustache
and goatee.
With scissors and razor in hand, two or three men next
appeared before Sergeant De Lamater's tent and the careful
nursing and handsome growth of two years fell under the
blade in as many minutes. Next Corporal Silvernail was per
suaded to make his face as smooth, as is the top of his head
and Privates Bassett, Campbell and Nunan soon after sur
rendered, adding immensely to the ranks Of the beardless
soldiers. The number of pale-faces (for the clean shaven
portions stood out in' marked contrast to the sunburnt areas)
increased hourly and Corporal Wheeler was the first to resist
the crowd that went from tent to tent. His resistance, how
ever, was only temporary and when Sergeant Huntington

CHRONOLOGICAL. 19 1
joined the ranks of the pale -faces, "Cy" submitted and aUowed
the scissors to snap their jaws in front of his upper lip.
" Where is Private Gruener?" began to be asked. He
had consistently worn a full beard from the first day of enlist
ment and had kept the growt^ of a dozen years always nicely
trimmed. His sudden disappearance, so soon after the craze
started, was soon explained. A shout was given that could
have been heard over to The Head when a bald head, closely
cropped hair and a large smooth face, fresh from the barber,
appeared at the lower end of the street. Not half of the men
in the company knew Private Gruener in his new make-up.
Then everybody started for " Billy " Low, Gruener's tent mate,
and for a time. the air was full of slashing razors and snapping
scissors. Private Low made a bluff of rushing out upon the
parade ground to play ball, but the crowd followed him, every
minute growing more savage. Low started to run, but when
the crowd did the same he threw up his hands and returned to
his tent, coming out in a few minutes as pale as the rest.
Artificer -Rowland was the only man to make open and
armed resistance, but his arms were soon in the grasp of strong
men and the scissors soOn got in their painless but deadly work
on his delicate down.
Musician Camp set up the defense that he could not
execute the calls properly with a smooth lip, but the order was
issued that he be allowed the assistance of his mustache at
parade to-night for the last time. He was put upon his honor
to remove it immediately after. "This he did.
Sergeant Boniface and Privates Judson, Denison, F. R.,
Henderson, FuUer, Marvel, Rathbun, Case, W. O., Root,
Ripley and Wolcott were also among those who fell under the
steel. Private Oviatt had just produced' a fine mustache and
goatee, but the unwritten law of K unanimity could not be
ignored. Schults was the last, but his beard fell just as the
sun went down. The next morning, at roll call, of the seventy-
seven men in the company, all but those in the hospital
appeared with smooth faces. Such is another of the terrible
results of this remarkable war. At dress parade the captain

192 CHRONOLOGICAL.
could not single any one man out for being slow, we looked
so much alike, so no one got caUed down.
When it is re-called that half of the men in the company,
when they swore aUegiance to the United States, also asserted
their intention of growing a full beard in the service of their
country, this assault upon the beards is a cortiplete right
about-face." A Portland paper has this :
"The officers and men at Camp Burdett continue to be the
recipients of marked attention from the society people of the
town. A social function of last week worthy of special note
was the home dinner given the officers by Mrs. W. T. Studley.
The rooms were decorated with ferns, 'potted plants, etc., while
the table was laden with choicest flowers contained in cut glass
for center pieces. The party consisted of Captains Newton and .
Saunders and Lieutenants Smith, Valentine, Waterman and
Ripley, Miss Hattie Davis, Miss Lou Knight, Mr. and Mrs. C.
A. Studley; also Mr. and Mrs. John E. Fi.sher, who have just
returned from their wedding trip, and Captain and Mrs. W. T.
Studley. A six course dinner was served at 7 o'clock and a
musical given in tbe evening and the affair was very enjoyable,
especially to the gentlemanly officers to whom these social
functions are now doubly welcome."
Saturday, June ii. Inspection of quarters and equip
ments this morning in the rain. Later, with Private Nunan, I
went over to the fort and drew rations, after considerable
waiting around. Then we got a team and brought over a load
of old wood for the kitchen. Lieutenant Valentine and
Sergeant Beebe left for Hartford to-night to do some recruit
ing. The devil seenis to be to pay all round to-night.
Corporal Carroll and Private Walsh had a long and interesting
discussion over a certain hat belonging to Walsh. Private
Knox had an eruption of lobster and beer, much to the discom
fort of Private Cadwell. Sergeants Holt and De Lamater came
back tp camp late and in the best of spirits and the Portland
papers give an account of a little shooting affair over by the.^^
fort just before dark which will soon be forgotten.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 93
Sunday, June 12. Some thirty men from both com
panies attended services, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Long of
the Bethany Congregational church, on the rocks near the
parade grounds. I went on guard to-day. Was No, 6 man, at
the officers' quarters. In vi^w of the increasing number of
caUers at headquarters the following special order for this post
was found necessary : " To keep out aU civilians or crinoline
not.cased." This order was transmitted from one relief to
another during the entire twenty^four hours. There was
another ripping thunder shower this afternoon. Here is
a short letter extract :
"A large haU near by is open for dancing every night or
whenever the musicians can be brought together. We have a
fine violinist in our company and there is a piano in the hall.
This hall is open to the men at all times. To-night our cooks.
Privates McGrath and Scharper, gave us a fine spread in this
hall at their own expense. Strawberry short cake, ham,
bologna, cake, biscuits, cheese, cup cakes, coffee, milk, cigars,
etc., etc., were some ofthe things set before us. I sometimes
wish we were farther away from civilization. As it is now we
are neither in camp, as at Niantic, nor at the front. We know,
as yet, nothing of real war. Bad rum and mean women are
both abundant. But I am content and more and more glad
that I am a private. The non-com's life here is not a pleasant
one. Your letters are mighty welcome, even if there is no
special news. The happiest time in the day is when Sergeant
Huntington calls out the names of those who have letters.
The people of the Congregational Church here are going
to give us a " feed " this week. The storm has passed and we
expect a pleasant night.
The other day (we have the next day off after being on
guard) a few of us took the " cUff walk" to Portland Head.
It will compare favorably with the Newport walk, only the
cottages along the cliff cannot be spoken of in the same breath
with those at Newport.
It is nearly time to go out on guard again so must stop."

194 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Monday, June 13. At parade to-night .Special Order
No. 3 was read. No enUsted man can hereafter visit the can
teen unless accompanied by a non-com. All fire-arms must
be surrendered to the officer. No female visitors will be
allowed in the men's tents. Swearing by the men is forbidden.
The company is to be divided into squads and each non-com.
will be held responsible for the conduct of his men.
Tuesday, June 14. Heavy rain during the night and
early morning. This forenoon I distributed a quantity of
papers and periodicals among both companies. These were
furnished through the kindness of John W. Barbour of the
Portland Press who lives near the camp. Both yesterday and
to-day the prisoners were employed in digging out the founda
tion for a new sink — a much needed improvement, for the
boxes in the barn have become disgracefuUy foul. Part of the
police work of the old guard to-day was burying the large
stones scattered about the parade grounds. Members of
Company F have raised a pole and at retreat the flag, a little
one for a cent, is lowered with all the ceremony imaginable,
the members in the meantime singing " The Star Spangled
Banner." Two bowling teams have been organized and the
score to date is very close. Johnson's team, consisting of
Corporal Johnson" and Privates Johnson, Marion, Hollis and
Cannon, have made a score of 1865 and Corporal Pierce's team,
including himseU, Corporals Campbell and Dwyer and Privates
W. O. Case and Ward, have run up i8ii points so far. The
Portland paper says this :
"We must not forget to speak of the bowling team, named
after Major Schulze, the members of which are all crack
players, who are ready to meet all comers. The team is
neatly uniformed with crimson sweaters, on the breast of which
is a design in white of two bowUng pins, connected with a
scrdU and the name of the team worked across in blue letters."
Nearly half the company are also wearing neat white sweaters,
when off duty.
Wednesday, June 15. High coUars have begun to
show themselves above the blue blouses, at dress parade and

CHRONOLOGICAL.

195

after. Mr. Barbour built some shelves for the library in the
hospital tent to-day. This evening the, two companies took
the trolley for Portland and were the guests of the Congress
Street Universalists Society. Light refreshments were .served
in the church parlors and the men were entertained with songs
and recitations. The return was made at 1 1 p. m.
Thursday, June i6. High collars have been called in.
Orders were issued that none could be worn at dress parade.
,SWE.\TER SECTION.

Uno.

Marion.

W. 0. Case.

Cannon.

Holt.

Carroll.

Hollis.

Wheelock.

F. B. Denison.

GiUette.

Camp.

Nunan.

Vibert Bryant.
McKone. Potter.
Shea. Sanderson.
F. M. Johnson. Brigham.
Appleton. Worcott.
Dickinson. Cadwell.
Privates Bassett and Thayer, with a similiar detail from Com
pany F, went down to the shore and pulled a cart load of sea
weed for the clam bake to-morrow. On the way back from
Portland to-night, where I had been with Mr. Barbour to hear
''Martha," a horse was struck by the trolley car preceding
the one Private Scharper and I were on. After several men
had unsuccessfully tried to kill the suffering horse by mauHng

196 CHRONOLOGICAL.
him to death with an axe, Scharper, with one well directed
blow on the forehead, put the poor animal out of his misery.
Lieutenant Harding of the regular army, a young sprig of an
officer, was on the car and took occasion to show his authority
when some of our men were disputing with the conductor
about their car fare.
Friday, June 17. The two companies marched over to
the fort to-night and gave a fine dress parade on the lawn,
much to the surprise of the so-called regulars. They are not
in it with us, on such an occasion. The prisoners were re
leased from the guard house to-night. For supper the two com
panies had one hundred and fifty lobsters, six bushels of
clams, two bushel of potatoes, brown and rye bread, forty
dozen of eggs and all the coffee we could drink. How is that
for a clam bake?
Saturday, June 18. Police detaU dug a walk to the
officer's quarters to-day. Two more members of the company ¦
were sent to the guard house, this time for going over to Port
land without passes. Mr. Brooks took Privates Bassett, Shea,
and myself over to the Two Lights and Bowery Beach this
afternoon, a deUghtful ride of four or five miles along the coast
to the Life Saving station. The recruits arrived in camp
to-night and slept in the hall.
Sunday, June 19. Lots of fun this morning with the
recruits. Corporal Dwyer and Privates Cannon, Walsh,
Piddock, Brigham and Converse put them through the guard
mount, detailed some for orderlies, posted others down by the
old well and kept them busy for an hour. At 9 the genuine
guard mount was held in a driving rain which continued all
day and late into the night. Captain Saunders left for Hart
ford to-night. Here is a startling newspaper extract :
" John Boniface, son of George C. Boniface, is at the front
in active service at Fort Preble. He is a sergeant in Company
K, 1st Regular Connecticut Volunteers, and the other night
directed the firing upon ah English vessel believed to be a
Spaniard." This is my Sunday letter home :

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 97
" It may seem strange to you to know that this is the first
moment I have had to myself since we left Hartford, May 4.
Every day there is so much to do or so much going on that I
have to read The Courant hurriedly and some days, as yester
day, I don't get a chance to see it at aU. But to-day it is rain
ing and my three tent mates are away and the camp is almost
deserted, so I rather like it for a change. It has given me a
chance to read those clippings without interruption. Out of
seventy-seven men but four have The Courant regularly and so
mine goes the rounds every day. It seems very fitting that
the two heroes, so far, Dewey and Hobson, should come one
from the North and one from the South.
I have made myself solid with the cook on several
occasions and always get an extra ration if I am very hungry,
in return. Thursday with three others I went down to the shore
a short distance away and pulled off about a cart load of sea
weed and carried it up out of the way of the tide. The next
day the weeds were brought up to camp and one hundred and
seventy men sat down to a regular Rhode Island clam bake —
one hundred and fifty lobsters, six bushels of clams, forty dozen
eggs, two bushels potatoes, brown bread, etc. Perhaps the
men didn't eat !
Yesterday I had the day to myself, as I came off guard at
9 a. m., and was invited by a neighbor to take a ride, with two
others of K. We went out to Cape EUzabeth, six miles,
where there is a life saving station, signal station, and two light
houses. We caught over sixty good size cunners in about an
hour and brought back dead loads of tender young winter-
green for the boys.
The other evening another neighbor, a newspaper man,
took me over to see " Martha " at the Jefferson theatre, in
Portland. It was fine but during a part of it I cpuld scarcely
keep awake. I go to sleep at any time, anywhere, in church
or out calling on the neighbors, at the slightest provocation.
I suppose it is the out door life that is fast fitting me for
nothing else. My tent mates still stick to their thin and humpy
straw mattresses but I have fixed up a raised bunk and now
sleep on the bare boards. It is just great.

^yS:,/^:^X; .^#

KITCHEN AND CAMP AT PORTLAND, MAINE, LOOKING SOUTH.
SCENE OE SEVERAL RHODE ISLAND CLAM BAKES.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 1 99
If I can get time I will have some cheap photo's taken
whUe my face is smooth. My apper Up is too tender to keep
shaving long. The boys caU me the commandant of the
swimming squads, for lately we have been in off the rocks
once or twice a day. The water is still so cold it makes our
legs ache to stay in longer than -to just duck under but the
tonic ofthe salt freshens us up wonderfully.
There is one thing about John's letters which are to his
credit — he does not kick at a thing at Camp Cuba Libre.
When I read Poultney Bigelow's criticisms and some of the
private letters from Tampa and Chickamauga and see the
amount of kicking indulged in, I was proud to find John was,
to that extent, a good soldier. We have just a few of the
kicking kind. One, a Yale student from Michigan, is so dis
gusted with the , treatment of Connecticut troops that he
refused to accept his Niantic camp pay and returned it to
Paymaster Keeney with his reasons. He is going to be trans
ferred to one of the regiments from his own state now at Tampa.
President McKinley, Alger, Long, Miles, Shafter and the
rest, down to the junior line officer at South Portland or Bucks-
port, Maine, are all doing their best, I believe, and I think the
man who, by word of mouth or by scratch of his pen, makes
their work the/harder, by his criticism, to that extent gives aid
and comfort to the enemies of his own country and to that
extent is a traitor."
To this letter I should explain that "John'" is a nephew
of mine in General Lee's corps. It is curious that he, too,
mentions in his letter to me the necessity of salt petre in the
cpffee, even in that enervating climate.
Monday, June. 20. Camp fire on the beach near Mr.
Barbour's house , to-night. Private Gruener entertained with
some more of his "home made wine." Sergeant H. L. Hunt
ington, Corporals Silvernail and Wheeler and Privates Low,
Barrows and Thayer were present but later, not accountable.
Corporal Wheeler afterwards was ordered to his tent by Private
Webster to avoid his getting a call down from the officer of
the day. The corporal gave the private one look and then did

200 CHRONOLOGICAL.
just as he was told to do. Private Thayer's tent mates also
say he came home from the be?ch feeling, as he told his tent
mates while trying, with some difficulty, to get his trousers off,
"just silly."
Here is another Sunday letter :
" The cold driving rain outside and in (for the tent leaks
badly) makes me content with the thought that, cold and dis
agreeable as it is, Spain thus far has not made it very hot for
those boys you saw march up Main Street that day. Ever
since the Civil War I have occasionally dreamt of being in
battle, close to the enemy and in a position to do great
execution but never have I succeeded in getting hold of any
ammunition with which to load my gun. That was always
missing and consequently I was often very much embarrassed
and usually expressed my uneasiness so emphatically as to
wake myself up. The nearest those dreams have come to
being true is this — once in five days, on going out on guard, I
am given, with each of the other sentinels, five ball cartridges
to put in my belt. These cartridges we are ordered not to
remove from the belt under any consideration. We put them
in our belts just for effect, you see, just to make that Cadiz
fleet afraid and you will notice that since we took up our
present commanding position on Prospect Hill, that fleet has
turned tail and sailed off through the Mediterranean. In com
puting the difference in time I find, also, that they set sail a
few minutes after I went out on guard here for the first time, a
few nights ago. The putting of these five ball cartridges into
our belts every five days and then taking them out again, is our
nearest approach, thus far, to war.
On the other hand we are, in fact, having . a good outing,
some discomforts when it rains but no hardships. With the
trolley close by, running to theatres at Portland and Port
land Head, on either side, with good surf bathing, good view
of one of the finest harbors in the world, aqueduct water to
drink, good food and a variety of it to eat, just driUing enough
to make us sleep well — what more could we ask or expect.
How much better off are we than thousands of others and yet.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 2oI
there are a few kickers here who want to go home or go
to Cuba. But that is not my idea of a soldier — to kick
because he is not sent to the front. I am content to be here
and willing to, go elsewhere without a murmur."
A Portland paper says thi^ of the recruits :
" A batch of recruits arrived at Camp Burdett a few days
ago and of course they had to take the initiatory degree in
order to become good soldiers. If some of the recruits who
took the degree are only as conscientious about obeying the
orders of their- superior officers as they were the orders issued
to them at that time there wiU be no better soldiers in the field.
One ofthe new recruits was put on guard over two wells
in the vicinity of the camp a few days since and given strict
orders to let no one touch the water, not even the owner of the
wells, as it was feared that Spanish spies were in the vicinity
and the water might be poisoned. The recruit did not see it
in the light of a joke the boys were playing on him, but took
his gun and paced back and forth for nearly two hours before
being relieved and when the owner of the wells came out for
some water drove him away. He said he was obeying orders
and no one could get any water there while he was on guard.
He was finally relieved from duty.
Another recruit was stationed down the road with orders
to search all passing teams for contraband goods and stuck to
his post for some time, searching several teams, the owners of
which tumbled to the joke and helped in carrying it out, until
the " guard " finally stopped an old farmer who refused to
allow his team to be searched and laid his whip about the
shoulders bf the recruit until he ran for quarters. The recruit
at last smelled a mouse. He said nothing, however, but
watched his chance to laugh at some other victim.
One recruit felt highly honored a few evenings ago in
being selected as " orderly " for " Lieutenant " Thayer of
Company K who really ranks as private, but is one of the
joUiest and best natured feUows in the camp. George looked
out of his tent and found his orderly stationed in front
ready to receive all orders and make himself generaUy useful.
14

202 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Thayer kept his end of the joke up and every man who came
down the company street, and there were plenty of them, had
urgent business vvith " Lieutenant" Thayer, which kept the poor
orderlj quite busy. He was finally given the " Lieutenant's "
private countersign, " Jack in the box," and no one who didn't
have this pass word was allowed to enter.
Another guard was stationed in front ofthe first sergeant's
tent and he was kept inside a prisoner until a corporal came
and relieved the guard."
Tuesday, June 21. General Hawley's despatch in the
paper says we go South or to Caijip Alger soon. Private
Barrows, whose mustache is the only one remaining in
the company, showed fight to-day when it was suggested that
he would look better to appear like the rest of us. He
guarded his tent from the inside with his bayonet and made.
threats but without avaU. The men went in, he came out and
his mustache came off. The shears did, not do a very good job
and the trimming was omitted. Swimming without trunks on
the beach has been prohibited. Mr. Barbour's brother was
married to-night and a number of the men attended the
Wedding. Wednesday, June 22. The cruiser, "Badger," came
into the harbor to-day. Another dress parade at the fort
to-night. Thursday, June 23. Lumber has come and new floors
are being laid in the tents. This has kept the men busy with
pick and shovel, leveling off the ground in the tents. Our tent
has a piazza, the first one in the street. Another court martial
was held to-night. Private F. C. BurneU was accused of theft,
swearing and fighting. The jury consisted of Corporal Camp
beU and.Privates McKone, W. O. Case, Sanderson, Bassett and
Humphrey. Sheriff Pierce and Deputies Converse and W. H.
Brown preserved- order in court. The judges were Privates
Thayer, Hall and GUlett. The fighting, it was shown in evidence,
occurred down qn the ball grounds back of the barn early this
morning and Private Morley was the other party in interest.
The accused was found guilty, of course, and the sentence of

CHRQISOLOGICAL.

203

the court was that the hair on one side of his head only should
be clipped close, leaving it long and luxuriant on the other
side. The execution of the sentence was duly performed and
the public was then allowed to pass by in single file and view the
remains. •
Friday, June 24. It is said that when Private BurneU
appeared before the post surgeon this morning for treatment

WORKING EOR THEIR COMMISSIONS.
DeLamater. Holt.
and removed his hat, the old soldier almost had a fit at the
sight of that quarter section of bald, white scalp.
" Claim your laundry, boys, get your laundry."
At 6 p. m. the battalion marched over to the armory in
Portland and sat down to a fine spread in the basement.
Later, music and dancing were enjoyed in the armory above

204 CHRONOLOGICAL.
and the men were lothe to leave at li. This entertaiment was
given us by the Sons of Veterans.
A Portland paper has this, every word of which is true
and shows how good the people of Maine are to us :
" Quite a large party from the Universalist Church, headed
by Mr. H. H. King, visited Camp Burdett Tuesday evening to
witness the ceremony of dress parade. It was incidentally
remarked to Mr. King that the new recruits which have just
arrived at the camp were not provided with blankets, etc., as
sufficient time had not elapsed to get action on the requisitions
for camp equipage which had been forwarded to department
headquarters, — and in fact there were none on hand in the
quartermaster's department at Fort Preble. Wednesday
evening an express wagon drove to the camp loaded with com
forters, blankets and mattresses which most thoughtfully had
been furnished by Mr. King for the use of these new" men.
The officers and men were highly appreciative of this kindness
and doubtless would be glad to receive more bedding of the
same sort to meet the wants of recruits who are arriving daily
and who cannot be supplied by the post quartermaster until
the articles of bedding are received from the goverment depot,
which of course will take more or less time.
The State Secretary of the Christain Endeavor Society
has just put up a tent at Camp Burdett where reading matter
will be sent. It will also afford a convenient place for corres
pondence, being suppUed with writing tables, etc."
This is what the papers said of the reception :
"A pleasant informal reception and dance was tendered the
Connecticut Volunteers of the U. S. Army now located at
Portland Head, last evening at the Auditorium, by the Ladies'
Aid Society of Shepley Camp, S. of V., assisted by the mem
bers of the camp and invited guests. The Connecticut boys
were met upon their arrival at Portland Pier and were escorted to
the basement of the auditorium where supper was in waiting
for them. The guests were welcomed by the chairman of the
committee. Miss Mary Prince.
Dancing was enjoyed during the evening."

CHRONOLOGICAL. 205
Saturday, June 25. At company drUl this morning
only tvvo fours showed up, so great have been the losses
occasioned by the recent festivities. This afternoon a game of
ball between the Fort Preble nine and one picked up in our
battalion resulted in a victory for our nine, 14 to 2. Our
battery was Privates Marion and Robbins. The two prisoners
recently confined in the guard quarters were welcomed back to
the street again to-night. The boys bothered Private Marvel's
tent some; to-night by firing things into it. Among the things
were the contents of a box he had recently received from
home. "There comes my ham,'' he exclaimed when he
recognized that article coming in. Private Wolcott, it is said,
fell into a hole to-night while on guard at Post No. 6.
' Sunday, June 26. We celebrated the first day of the
new week by opening tlie new sinks to public use. The
company is now represented in the guard quarters by a single
member, one who preferred the guard house to doing guard
duty. Clam chowder for dinner. It was fine. Four sergeants,
the two Huntingtons, Boniface and DeLamater, went out row
ing to-day and visited the training ship, " Enterprise," now
lying in the harbor. Itis said that one of the sergeants did
not prove a good sailor and during the entire trip his courage
sank in proportion as the waves rose. Mr. Brooks took
Privates Walsh, Shea and myself over to Two Lights this after
noon. Private Johnson was accidentally struck over the eye
with a scabbard in his tent and was knocked senseless for a
time. For two nights the camp has been so overrun with
mosquitoes that sleep has been practically out of the question.
The much talked of "mosquito fleet" must have been ordered
to rendezvous off Portland and all hands must have come
ashore to mess.
Monday, June 27. Rumors are rife that we are to take
part in the Porto Rico campaign. This evening Private
Bassett gave a little spread at Mr. Jordan's house — lobster, hot
biscuit and lemonade. I was on guard at Post No. 6 but
Private Potter offered to relieve me for an hour or so. Among
the others there were Corporals Pierce, CanjpbeU and Silvernail

2o6 chronological.
and Privates Pattison, Nunan, Shea, W. O. Case, Eno,
McKone, Camp and Private Richardson of F.
Tuesday, June 28. At 3 o'clock this morning when I
went to relieve No. 6 man, he was found sound asleep on the
veranda of the officer's quarters. He has now gone to the guard
house. He was an F man. The recruits were put on guard to
day. An Indian concert was given to-night by Privates Tinkham,
Camp, Walsh, R. A. Case and Knox and during the perform
ance the tent came down on them. The rumors ofour Porto
Rico expedition to-night were such as to cause the men of the
whole battalion to yeU with delight.
Here is another letter home, of even date :
" That telegram of Senator Hawley I think created more
stir in Hartford than here. While we are ready for anything,
everything indicates we are to stay here for the summer, at
least. New floors are being put in our tents, new uniforms
will be issued to us in a few days, Lake Sebago water has been
introduced into our camp, a new sink has been built and all we
hear points in the same direction. Surely if we were going
South the new uniforms suitable for this region would be
deadly in the South and have to be discarded at once. But all
these signs may go for naught. StUl, so far no mistakes have
been made in this war, (no Bull Run has yet occurred) and I
have firm faith that none are going to be.
It's curious how toughened a man gets in this atmosphere
of semi-warfare. The first man to go to the guard house at
Niantic set us all thinking, but now some one of our company
is there all the time and yet we think nothing of it. This is partly
the result of more rigid discipline (which I like) but gradually
things of this kind are taken as a matter of course. I don't
know how we should feel under fire, but I imagine in a short
time we should get toughened to anything. You see already
how the first few men to get killed had their obituaries in full
in all the papers — yet this last scrap near Santiago was not
followed by a full list even of the kiUed and wounded, let alone
giving each one an obituary notice. So it will go.

chronological. 207
Those clippings are to the point and .that, ^bout the
American soldier particularly so. Th^ p^^jyate in modern
warfare is more than ever a thinking machine and he must be
so from necessity. Formerly elbow touched elbow and each
man's nerve helped to nerve up his next in line. Each acted
as part of a compact whole and was syi^ispt along with it.
But now a private goes forward practically as an individual,
dependent entirely upon himself and his own nerve.. It is to a
great extent, guerriUa warfare, hiding behind trees, stone waUs,
etc. Instead of touching his comrade's elbow, now they are
ten or twelve feet apart and several times that distance from any
officer. Being thus thrown back upon himself, the American
soldier will prove superior to any from the fact that the
day of machine soldiers is past.
You mention rheumatism — why, the new setting up
exercises we have every morning and the daily swims are
putting me in fine shape. I can touch my fingers to the
ground with stiff knees and keep them there, all right. I must
be about twelve pounds lighter than I was. We all shave for
the last time, July 4; when we go over to Portland for parade.
Thursday we had a fine time over there, as the enclosed
will indicate. The supper was great and greatly to be praised.
The thermometer here has been up to 90 once, but the
breeze always makes living under canvas easily bearable. The
mosquitoes struck camp two nights ago and have made sleep a
matter of setting up exercise.
My three tent mates — all things considered are the pick of
the company. One is a graduate of Princeton, another of Am
herst and these two act Uke two great, big, good-natured New
foundland dogs together. They call each other down in great
shape but neither cares fpr what the other says. They have never
developed their bump of order during their course of study at
Hosmer Hall and consequently they spend a good deal of their
time looking for their things, such as coUars, handkerchiefs,
pipes, matches, etc. They each haye a good sized box they
tiy to keep their things in, but their efforts end in complete
failure, always. The other mate is somewhat more orderly and

2o8 chronological.
as all three are very glad to have me fix up the tent and
straighten out things occasionaUy, the tent usually presents a
very fair appearance. My things I manage to keep in my
knapsack, so I can find anything I have without hunting, even
in the dark.
It is curious how the high collar crops out on the slightest
provocation, with some. As soon as good weather came and
we began to get things in shape in our tents, the boys who try
to mix military and mashing began to put on high collars'
while on duty till the width or height was so great orders had
to be issued forbidding any coUars at all to be worn whUe on
duty. A white cotton handkerchief is the nearest approach to
a collar I have been compelled to wear, but I kick even at that
at dress parade, as you might know I would. I notice those
fellows who gave the Spanish fleet hell at ManUa di.dn't wear
white collars and they are the kind of stuff we all are
proud of"
Mr. Barbour invited a few of us down to a lobster stew
and turkey supper to-night. The . party included Sergeants
S. G. Huntington and Boniface, Corporal Wheeler and Privates
Gruener, Rathbun, Barrows, Sanderson and W. O. Case.
Wednesday, June 29. Fine day. At 10 a. m. the
battalion marched leisurely two miles out beyond The Head
near a school house and stacked arms in a pretty daisy pasture,
which was fairly red in places, with ripe wild strawberries. We
ate our rations (ham sandwiches, apple pie and coffee), in the
shady woods. Jack, of course, went with us.
Private Marvel during the rest was seized by some Indians
hovering about the woods and dragged to a tree where he was
bound tightly with ropes and a fire set under his feet. While
he was thus burning at the stake the wild men completed the
outrage by scalping him. During the march out he also had
some live frogs thrust down his shirt front, much to his and their
discomfort, for atime. About 3.30 p. m. we started back, after
having saluted the school house flag and executed the manual,
to the unbounded delight of the assembled multitude, which
included two old women and three small boys. On the way home.

chronological.

209

during a short rest, some of the men, while Captain Saunders
industriously diverted the farmer's attention, were so bold as to
attempt to milk his cow standing just inside the fence but she
kicked. Later, Lieutenant Waterman ordered the marching
salute to be given a tiny flag in the hands of- some boys play
ing side the road. The salute was given with a snap, but
the staring eyes of the boys showed they failed to appreciate
the compliment paid them and their flag. After the dusty
march, a swim in the cold, bracing salt water. How it rested
us all ! Private Richardson of F gave a lobster -supper down

SCOUTING EXPEDITION, WITH ONE DAY'S RATIONS.
at Mr. Jordan's to quite a crowd of us to-night. The papers
described the stake burning like this :
" There is an organization in the camp known as the "Camp
Indians," although it is impossible to ascertain to what tribe of
red men they really belong.
While on the march last Wednesday, doing out-post duty,
the Indians determined to work their degree on some member
of the company. During a brief rest in the woods the mem
bers secured, a rope from a home near by and after lassoing
a recruit while he was eating his luncheon they bound him to
a tree and stuck a bayonet each side of his head and another
through the top of his hat. ' They then kindled a small fire

2IO chronological.
and had a grand pow wow and war dance, beating tom-toms in
the shape of tin dippers and plates, and after scalping their
victim with a bayonet they set him free just as the command
came to " fall in."
Thursday, June 30. Mr. Gardner, with a detail from.
K, consisting of Privates Gruener, Bassett, HaU, Gillette,
Sanderson, Fulton and myself, rowed across to Fort Gorges
and after luncheon of corn beef, baked beans, coffee and cookies,
while the tide was out, we dug some two bushels of fine clams.
We had a gooti time but we earned it, digging the whole island
over for that limited measure of mussels.
Friday, July i. Another clam bake for supper. Most
of the recruits experienced to-night the sensation of being sent
up ten or fifteen feet into the air in a blanket. Privates
Cadwell and Dickinson attacked Private Fulton and myself
late to-night. Cadwell got spanked where he ought to, but
Fulton turned and soaked me, (his own tent mate;, with a pail
of water. I will even this up with him, some time.
Saturday, July 2. Very hot. This compelled an, easy
skirmish drill this forenoon. This afternoon I went with a
party of fifteen over to Two Lights fishing. Mr. Jordan took the
party. Sunday, July 3. Last night half of F men were taken
with cramps, caused by something they must all have eaten.
Private Kirkley is sick. " Who stole the pie?" "Kirkley."
This letter to my sister shows how I felt last night :
" This war came to me in a new aspect last night when we
received news of Shafter's losses at Santiago. It was a beautiful
moonlight night, with the breezes blowing just enough to keep
the mosquitoes (our only foe, so far,) away and all the men
seemed happy. We had had a good supper, the day's work
had been light, some were going over to Portland to tiie
theatre, others over to The Head to the vaudeville.
Those that were about their tents were singing or enter
taining callers from the vicinity. My tent mates were all away,
with the rest, having a good time and I was about turning in
when some one over in F street struck up some famiUar strains

chronological. 2 1 I
upon a mandolin and a guitar and then I could hold ray tears
back no longer. Here we are, having what is to all practical pur
poses, a delightful summer outing in a beautiful locality with
the weather (now) all that could be desired and yet thousands
of our men down at Santiago,^fully as deserving as any of us
are of the good things of this life, are now going hungry to
bed at night and are sweating their strength and life away by
day, under a torrid sun. That circumstance I could endure
but when I read that possibly one thousand of them had but
yesterday faUen in the attack upon Santiago and are at this
very moment, possibly, lying wounded upon the ground and
suffering from thirst, (O, I know what that is — hunger is noth
ing in comparison) — when I read that, the 'sound of that
mandolin and the singing of our men over in F Street grated
on my ears. For the first time since I marched up Main Street
that day in May I was not happy, I was not content. 0-, how
I wish I could share some of that suffering and some of that
hardship. It seems to fall all upon the few. And if I know
my own mind, it is not glory I am looking for. All the glory
I care for in this life was mine when I accepted the opportunity
and enjoyed the privilege of marching up Main Street in
Hartford. That fact stands, and will stand, and what may
fpllow people little note nor will long remember. Those who
served and lived as well as those who served and died in
1 861-5 are alike remembered on the Memorial Arch. They
were one. So are we and a thousand of us to-day have fallen.
If the blow had struck our state, our regiment, our company,
it would have, for a time, seemed more heavy, but only for a
time. With Connecticut troops in Maine (making friends
every day), and Maine troops in the South or Cuba, the
divisional lines fast disappear and we are all one. So I say,
the glory of being in it, even at this distance, is mine and to
that extent I am satisfied. But when the question of suffering
and enduring hardships arises, that is something more of a
personal matter, something which only a personal experience
can satisfy. The opinion of Hartford was manifest May 4.
It was formed then and if I act well the part assigned me,

212 chronological.
whatever it be, more or less, that opinion will not change. It
is practically fixed. Like a man's reputation, it is what people
think he is ; his character is what he reaUy is. Now, I want to
find out what stuff I really am made of We have the reputation
of being good soldiers. Whether we really are, is stiU an un
settled question. Only sharing in the suffering and hardships
of those who suffer can decide this. The test, possibly, may
only come to a comparatively few. Possibly it cannOt be
otherwise. If so, so be it. But, O, how I want to share' the
suffering with tho.se men at Santiago !
To-;day is the hottest day yet, stUl, the breeze makes it
easily bearable. I took dinner with a class-mate of mine whose
parents live not far from camp. He gave me six big heads of
lettuce which T passed around among the boys of both com
panies when I came back. The old rivalry between K and F
has disappeared and we are all one now, over two hundred
of us. Isn't it funny? By wearing two pairs of stockings one
saves the other and neither get worn through. The pair of
cheap IO cent hose I put on May 4 are still without a hole in
them. At home they would have been worn through and
thrown away long ago. But perhaps they will wear thin and
then go all at once, below the ankle, like the One Hoss Shay,
" all at once and nothing first."
Monday, July 4. What a night ! I turned in early
last evening but was soon called out by the cry of " Fire." A
lot of old straw and rubbish down by the rocks had somehow
set itself on fire. All the pails in the street had also
mysteriously hid themselves. But Sergeant Marshall, sergeant
ofthe guard, and Corporals Wheeler and Carroll were equal to
and rose to the occasion. They called out the guard and
finally the entire camp, formed a bucket brigade and after a
time had the fire under control. Soon after the- guard had
returned to their quarters, suddenly another fire set itself going
and the guard was again called out.
By the time this was subdued the camp was too wide
awake to return to their tents and the men began running the

chronological. 2 1 3
guard — but let the story be told in a letter home soon to follow.
I turned in the second time at i o'clock but fought mosquitoes
till 3 a. m. and feel pretty "rocky" this morning.
, At 9, the battalion, wearing caps and white gloves, (what
foolishness — men in actual gervice in time of war wearing
white gloves) marched over, by the way of the ferry,. to Port
land, escorted upon our arrival by the American Band. The
line of march was long and the stops few. Many of the men
suffered from the heat, particularly Sergeant DeLamater,
Corporal Pierce and Private Oviatt. Private Fisher also fell
out but, it is said, at once fell into friendly arms. Dinner was
served at the armory at i o'clock and a rest taken till 3.30.
In the meantime most of us were given the opportunity to see
an object lesson in the practical working of a prohibitory
liquor law. The saloons were as numerous and as wide open
as on any holiday in Hartford. I visited several and saw
liquor sold as freely as soda water. The march to the East
Promenade was followed by a dress parade and sham battle.
It was pre-arranged that Private Walsh should fall, in the heat
of the charge. He did so, with unexpected results. Several
women rushed up and began wringing their hands ; a police
man ran up, knelt down by his side and began fanning him
with his hat and altogether the scene was very realistic.
Finally, when the thing had been carried far enough the
"Judge" opened his eyes, smiled and said, "WeU, I guess
that's enough of this," rose to his feet and walked away. The
remarks of that policeman can best be expressed in a long line
of dashes. After being treated to some excellent lemonade
the battalion returned to camp in time for supper. I took a
swim and as a cool shower in the evening wet down the
mosquitoes I slept sound and well. Here is how the. papers
spoke of us :
" There were at least ten thousand people on the Eastern
Promenade yesterday afternoon and despite the intense heat
nearly everbody remained untU almost six o'clock.
The crowd was first attracted by the balloon ascension,
then it gathered in front of the stand where the semi-centennial

214 CHRONOLOGICAL.
exercises of the Grand Trunk were being held and finally it
lined the long driveway for almost half a mile to see the mag
nificent drill given by the Connecticut Volunteers.
The Connecticut men arrived at the promenade quite
early, in the afternoon but as there were other attractions going
on at the time and as it was intensely hot Captain Saunders
decided to allow his men to rest until they could have every*
thing to themselves and also be assured of the temperature
being a little lower.
It was about quarter of five *hen the men received orders
to fall in and then as soon as the throng could be driven back
the dress parade came next. The volunteers made a splendid
appearance on dress parade and they were frequently
applauded for the accuracy and precision with which they
performed the manual and also for the manner in which they
went through the various marching evolutions.
The dress parade being concluded Captain Saunders
marched his men across the promenade as far as Congress
Street and here he allowed them to rest.
The next thing on the programme was an extended order
drill which gave the thousands of spectators an opportunity of
seeing just how the troops would act if going into actual con
flict. A section of Company F under command of Lieutenant
Waterman was detailed to act as the enemy and then the
remainder of the battalion which was to act as an attacking
party was divided into three sections namely, the firing line,
the support and the reserves."
The attacking party was under command of Captain
Saunders, the firing line was commanded by Lieutenant Smith
and the support and reserves were commanded by Captain
Newton. The enemy was posted in quite a strong position and
commenced the firing. The attacking party promptly
advanced and after firing two rounds by platoons, the men
began to fire by sections and squads and finally at wUl. They
advanced continually and while the firing by sections was going
on, one section invariably advanced under the fire of the others.

CHRONOLOGICAL.

2lS

At length when the two forces were 'quite close together
the command to charge was given and with a yell the attacking
party rushed straight for the enemy, but ort reaching them
there was no further fighting as there would have been had
.Lieutenant Waterman's secti|)n been composed of Spaniards
and all the men threw themselves on the grass thoroughly
tired out. ¦ ;
The extended order drill was magnificently executed and
it was certainly a novelty to the spectators, the majority of

^^i^^'.^l

SERGEANTS' MESS — TABLES GONE.
McKee. Fnlton. H. L. Huntington. DeLamater. Holt.
whom saw for the first time how troops would be handled
when going into action.
After the volunteers had recovered from the effects of
their vigorous exertions under the hot sun they were given cool
refreshments and then they were marched down town.
Captain Saunders and his officers are certainly deserving
of praise for the high state of efficiency to which they have
brought the men under their command."

2l6 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Tuesday, July 5. The men acted lifeless at drUl this
morning and to-night^no wonder, after yesterday's march.
Colors were used at dress parade for the first time.
To-night I actually slept cold. The sergeants' mess tables have
mysteriously blown away several times lately.
The following letter in regard to yesterday's parade was
received by Captain Saunders to-day:
CITY OF PORTLAND, ME.
MAYOR'S OFFICE.
Portland, Me., July 5, 1898.
Captain HENRY H. SAUNDERS,
Commanding Connecticut Volunteers,
Fort Preble.
Dear Sir — I desire in behalf of the city to thank you
and your command for your splendid escort duty yesterday.
Your battalion made a fine appearance and was a credit and an
honor to the State of Connecticut and to the Nation. Please
express to' your officers and men my kindest regards.
Yours truly, C. H. RANDALL, Mayor.
Wednesday, July 6. Officers from the fort inspected the
camp to-day.' Private Marion sprained his foot badly to-day
while running on the beach. He had to be carried back to
camp. Another cool night.
Thursday, July 7. Captains George B. Newton and
John K. Williams, old City Guard men, visited camp to-day.
Friday, July 8. Corporal Silvernail took his squad
down in the shade this morning side of Mr. Jordan's house
where all hands were given some lemonade. Sergeant
De Lamater was also considerate of the men this afternoon at
skirmish drill. Private F. R. Denison's trousers, however,
were badly ripped during the driU. Work on Ripley Avenue
(the walk leading to the officer's quarters) was continued
to-day. I got my eyes full of dust and dirt doing it.

chronological.

217

Saturday, July 9. The company were given the free
dom of the city of Portland this afternoon and evening by
Captain Saunders and consequently most every one had an edge
on to-night. This is the letter I wrote home this afternoon :
"Again I found myself alome in my tent this afternoon with
nothing in view but a quiet time all by myself and I looked
forward to a few hours of reflection with a good deal of
pleasure, such an opportunity is so rare here in camp. I had

FOUR OF A KIND.
Pattison. Eno. Bassett. Silvemail.

gone down in swimming after dinner, had put my dirty clothes
to soak in a wash basin and put them away under the tent
floor preparatory to washing them out Sunday morning and
had laid down on my bare bunk to think. Two of my tent
mates were out on guard and the other two had taken the
special permit given the whole company this afternoon to go
over to Portland without passes. The salt water put me in
such a peaceful frame of mind that I soon dropped off to sleep
but only for a minute.
15

2 1 8 chronological.
" Where is the corporal of the guard," I heard some one
ask out in the street. " Two of our men have capsized out in
a boat and have been drowned." The few men left in the
street bounded out of their tents as if there had been a caU
" To Arms " and with others I ran down the hiU towards the
beach less than half a mile away. The wind had been blowing
in a squally manner for some time, fiUing the tents with dust
and dirt and making the canvass flap spitefully in the wind.
I found that by tieing up the sides of the tent the wind would
sweep the tent clear of the dirt and so our tent was compara
tively clean, however.
We had not gone far before word was brought back that
the men were printers from Portland, out in a sail boat on a
drunk. Four were drowned | two were saved by our letter
carrier. Private Rich of Company F, and are now being cared
for by the good people near by. This is only one of several
similar plucky rescues in which Rich has figured as hero, The
guard formed and ran dovvn the hill vi^ith fixed bayonets, why
with their guns no one seemed to know unless, as one young
girl visitor here innocently enough remarked ; " See, the
soldiers are going down to fire into the water to see if it will
not make the bodies rise."
Speaking of turning out the guard, the night before the
Fourth was a great time in camp. All the officers were away
and about 1 1 o'clock an alarm of " Fire '' was sent in from
Post 4. The guard was quickly turned out and ran to the fire
with fixed bayonets. Then they ran back again and stacked
arms. This time the sergeant, " Andy " MarshaU, told the
guard to get all the pails in the street and with these the guard .
again ran to the fire. Some of the men had stolen a lot of
boxes and barrels and started a fire to one side of the camp.
There was a good deal of fun in putting out the fire but the
guard had scarcely got back into their tents again before
another fire in another direction was set. After keeping the
guard busy in that way for a time, the boys began running the
guard line as college boys begin rushes. Once out of camp.
they would suddenly turn about and yelling like Indians come

chronological. 219
rushing into camp again. Imagine one hundred or one hun
dred and fifty men, with nothing but their under-clothes on
(and sometimes with less) rushing about in the bright moon
light between the tents and across the lines, chased by half a
dozen men with fixed bayonets. The fun continued tiU the
officers returned at midnight. Now the boys say " Who lit
that fire?" and the answer comes back in unison "Andy
MarshaU." " What with? " " His whiskers." The point is,
" Andy " has a fire red mustache.
The parade in Portland, as I thought, was a tough one for
us. About eight miles of marching and a sham battle. But it
was an uplifting spectacle to see British and American soldiers
alike celebrating the Fourth and both cheering the news from
Santiago. It has not rained here for nearly two weeks and the
weather, excepting last Sunday and Monday, has been so cool
that we sleep cold, sometimes.
It looks as if the fighting was about over, don't it, but no
one can tell what the Spaniards will do in the way of sueing
for peace. The bundle of papers came yesterday all right and
I have passed them around, after reading theni myself We
have lots of rumors about going everywhere under the sun
but I reckon that we shall pnly see garrison duty, perhaps in
Cuba, or guarding prisoners at Portsmouth.
Supper of baked beans and brown bread and coffee and
I am hungry so must stop.
After the drowning accident, I went to sleep again but
was continually being waked up by the boys so finally went
over to the Y. M. C. A. tent and wrote this."
Sunday, July io. More rumors of our return to
Niantic and then to Camp Alger. We have finally been
ordered to get ready. At parade to-night the biggest crowd
of the season was present. Private McKone organized an
individual fire department and exhibited wonderful powers in
that line ot effort. There was an extra long wait for Captain
Saunders, much longer even than usual, on Sunday nights.
Afterward, an impromptu concert, not altogether sacred, was

220

chronological.

given in F street, Private Sobieralski and one or two other
musicians taking part. It sounded first rate and drew quite
a crowd. Monday, July ii. Again the battalion gave a dress
parade on the lawn in front of Captain Rodgers' quarters at
the fort to-night. The recruits have finaUy all found quarters

SOAK HIM.
Hynes. Gillette. Fisher.
in the company street and none sleep in the hall. Slept cold.
On a postal card to-day I wrote; " We go back to Niantic and
Camp Alger, but I think no farther south. This is the be
ginning of the end of the war, I think."
Tuesday, July 12. New guns were issued to-day. One
was given to me and I shall niakeacase for it. This afternoon

chronological. 221
I rode over to Riverton with a couple Of class-mates and this
evening saw " May Blossom " over at The Head.
Wednesday, July 13. Rained aU day. The "rookies"
went out on guard mount for the first time. No drillsj nor
dress parade. This is the ^letter I wrote to-day, (mark the
predictions) :
"The orders to Camp Alger strike the officers here, as they
do me, as the beginning ofthe end. Instead of our going to
the " front" we feel that in a few weeks there will be no front
to go to. The longer Spain waits before throwing, up the
sponge the more territory she will lose and with the fall of
Santiago I think you will see the sponge go up. The. papers
you sent me were just what I like. Have you. noticed how
little there is in them about that war for " humanity's sake."
The women and children 'who have left Santiago (15,000 it is
said) are being left to shift for themselves, just as in case
of any ordinary war. The reconcentrados are hot mentioned,
scarcely thought of On. the other hand, notice the ex
peditions being fitted out and sent to Manila, Porto Rico, the
Canaries, etc. To me, these indicate a war of conquest, what
I claimed at the outset was to be the case. The brutalities of
Weyler and the blovving up of the Maine gave this country, an
exduse, sufficient, in the eyes of Europe, to justify our inter
ference and we gladly interfered for the sake -of humanity, well
knowing, however, thatthe result would be an inevitable taking
of Cuba, Porto Rico and possibly the Philippines to ourselves.
I told G. C. a week after the Maine explosion that if war foUowed,
those Maine men, lying uhdistufbed in Cuban sand, woilld
find themselves buried in American soil when the war ended
and I still believe it.
Can we assimUate and Americanize all creation — the
Cubans, the Porto Ricans, the millions of the Philippines? This
seems to be the work awaiting this country, as the result of
this war. I guess so. This country has always found men equal
to the occasion, whenever the occasion arose, and always wUl.
As for Camp Alger — I think the order is simply to pacify
the howl " On to Cuba" which is being fired at General Hawley

222 chronological.
from various Connecticut quarters. And to me, our going to
Camp Alger means a tour of duty there tiU the close and then,
a part in the grand review down Pennsylvania Avenue. With
that I shall be content, although the offer made May 4th.
meant much more.
We return to Niantic Saturday and I wiU write again
Sunday. The first storm since June 14th confines us to our
tents to-day and the holes in the tents are as large as ever."
Thursday, July 14. Pay day. We privates received
$29.64, which means the United States government has paid
us fifty-two cents a day from May 4th. But we're not kicking.
Receiving double pay for the first thirteen days out is what this
means. Again the freedom of Portland to-night and again the
same result.
Friday, July 15. Coming off guard this morning I took
my last swim, for we leave to-morrow. At the dress parade
to-night the " rookies " appeared for the first time and did well.
Then everybody said good-bye to everybody else. The old
straw dumped out of the ticks caught fire and spread till the
flames actually threatened the old hen house where we sought
. shelter so many times from the first storms on coming here.
• The whole camp was routed out and a line of buckets formed
and. the fire was soon put out.
Saturday,- July 16. Up at 4.45, breakfast at 5, tents.
down and left camp at 6.45. Took trolley to Monument
Square and then marched to station. Girls out in force. Left
at 8.15. Coffee, lemonade and sandwiches at Nashua Junction.
Arrived at Worcester at 2, Blackstone 2.45, Providence 3.10,
Niantic 5.15. Supper at 6.15. Slept on bare floor in tent and
was cold before morning. One member of the company was
placed under guard on leaving Portland, tried to escape, was-
tied to the steam pipes in the car and is now in the guard
house. Sunday, July 17. This was a fine day and I got my
washing out early. Fourteen ofthe original "Thirteen Club"'
had an oyster supper at Saunders to-night. At dress parade
to-night our old friends in F were at the right of the line whiUe

chronological.

223

we were on the extreme left and a long line the regiment made
-¦ — twelve companies.
Monday, July 18. To-day we leave for Camp Alger.
The camp was crowded with visitors. At 8 the tents were all
down and at 1 1.30 we had digner. At 12 K fell in and marched
down to the station to escort General Hawley to the camp.

SOME OF THE ROOKIES" IN THEIR NEW UNIFORMS.
Terry. Moran. Zoller. Driscoll. D. E. Brown.
We did so and upon our return the regiment was drawn up in
line to receive him. Then we had to march along the rear of
the line to our position on the extreme left. The regiment
was standing at ease. It was an ovation along the entire
march and when we passed Company F that command
applauded us heartily by clapping their hands. For this

224

CHRONOLOGICAL.

Lieutenant Colonel HammOnd called them down sharply, but
we shall never forget the kindly feeUng. exhibited by the F
men. We left Niantic, finaUy, at 4.45 in the third section and
arrived at New Haven at 6 o'clock. Supper on the train con
sisting of corn beef, frankforts and the bags of good things
given us by the good women of Niantic and Cresent Beach
when we left. Arrived at Harlem River at 9 and were ferried

THAWING OUT.
MARCHING THROUGH WASHINGTON, D. C,
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1898.
around to Hoboken at ii.30vvhere we had some-fine hot
coffee as we boarded the train,
Tuesday, July 19. Early this morning the manner in
which the railroad men illuminated our way as we left Hoboken
shortly after midnight was unique. As the train passed
through the big railroad freight yards all the locomotive
whistles, in the vicinity began to shriek and big bunches of oily
waste were scattered along the rails ofthe adjoining tracks and

CHRONOLOGICAL.

225

set on fire. The noise made a perfect bedlam which, with the
long lines of blazing waste through which the train ru.shed,
made the scene a novel one — one long to be remembered
by us. At 4 a. m. we reached Pj^iladelphia. By 6 o'clock most
of the men in the car were up, in time to be smothered in the
Baltimore tunnel. At 8.45 we reached Washington and with
out much delay started down Pennsylvania Avenue. Wasn't

JUST BEFORE THE SHOWER, PENNSYLVANIA CAMP,
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1898.
it hot ! The lively step set for us I didn't mind, for a time,
but the few rests were little more than an aggravation. The
loss of sleep on the train, the extra amount of baggage I had
undertaken to carry and the sudden advent into that torrid
temperature, altogether was the severest physical strain I have
had in many a year and I have had some pretty severe ones.
Twice I sat down flat in the gutter, during the short rest, so as
to rest my knapsack on the curb and ease my back, and if the
President's private secretary himself had come along I don't

226

CHRONOLOGICAL.

think I should have stirred. I didn't care if I was in the
capital of this great country and everybody looking, I found
the gutter the easiest place to rest in and so I sat there. But
didn't the chunks of ice that the good people of Washington
gave us at the train across the city feel good. Not far from 1 1
o'clock we crossed the Potomac .River and passing on through
Camp Alger proper, left the train at Dunn Loring, three or
four miles beyond. A short march of a mile through the woods
brought us to a camp of Pennsylvania troops where a rest of half
an hour was given us. Here a heavy thunder shower overtook

GUARD TENT, NEAR THE SPRING, CAMP ALGER.
US just ^s we were about to resume the march but the rain felt
good. Another march often in single file of a mile or so,
through cart paths and along the slippery clay roads, brought
us to a large last year's corn field. This was our future camp.
While the camp was being laid out, our company stacked arms
near a sluggish spring surrounded by a grove of trees where a
huge fire was soon roaring and the men were steaming them
selves dry. Here we had luncheon, after which I laid down in
the rain and went to sleep. As soon as the camp was laid out
we were ordered to drag a long line of rails from a neighboring

CHRONOLOGICAL. 227
fence over to the kitchen. No sooner was that duty performed
than we were ordered to drag them all back again. This we
did, also. For supper we had fried pork, bread and coffee.
Then we went out and cut a lot of pine boughs and .made a bed
in our tent. It was so hot eand muggy I slept just outside,
under the ropes, on some straw but I got wet through with the
heavy dew. Captain Saunders to-night announced the follow
ing appointment of corporals : Gruener, Low, Appleton,
Sanderson, Campbell and Ward. The kitchen detail, the
guard and the prisoners aU slept on the ground, without the
shelter of a tent last night.
Wednesday, July 20. I was up at 5 and washed out
my blouse, trousers, shirts and things. There is no trouble
about drying things in this sun. At 8.45 I was detailed with
Private Shea and details from other companies to dig a sink
down in the weeds in the lower part of the corn field. The ,
work was in charge of Dr. McCoOk who allowed us to work
but ten minutes at a time. Then we had twenty minutes off.
But it was ,hot down in that hole, digging that tough clay !
One or two of the men gave out. We were relieved at noon.
There were no drills to-day except inspection at night.
Corporal Appleton, Private Webster and myself slept out on a
pile of boards to-night that are to be Used for a tent floor.
Thursday, July 21. Drills were resumed to-day with a
vengeance. Old soldiers say it takes a week to get accli
mated but Colonel Burdett thinks one day is enough. From
7.30 to 8.4s there was a lively extended order drill and again,
the same, from 10 tiU 11.30. Dinner at 12 Of baked beans.
Another drill at 5 and inspection at 6. Again through a
special dispensation from the captain I was allowed to sleep
out on the boards rather than with six in a tent in such
weather. This is the letter I wrote home :
"I am sitting out in the rear of our tent, on a pile of boards
in a last year's corn field, in a drizzling rain, trying to write a
Courant letter and now one to you. With six in a tent, sides
closed, all talking, others outside blowing on a bugle into my
ears and all telling me what to write or asking me for a match,

228 CHRONOLOGICAL.
a piece of string, a stamp, anything they happen for the
moment to want,  writing in such a place has its draw
backs, hence I am out here in the rain.
I like this experience first rate. It is the nearest we have
yet come to the real thing. I sleep out doors, on the ground,
in preference to the cover of a tent and as I now feel no more
sleeping in tents for me. The day we reached here, while
waiting for orders, I went to sleep on the ground, in the rain,
with clothes wet to my skin. But who cares. There are
mighty few things — " FaU in for drill." Three hours ago this
caU made me drop everything, for the time being. So it is most
ofthe time, just now, but when wt get settled a little possibly
we will have more leisure. The next forenoon after we got
here I was on the detaU to dig yfellow clay for a sink. A
ditch twenty-five feet long and four feet deep was the size and
while it was " not so deep as a well nor so wide as a church
door," it was enough, in the sun with the thermometer up to
nearly lOO. But sweating never hurt me, so long as I can
bathe my head and neck. I drink no water. Cold or hot
coffee is what I live on during this hot weather. But I am
tired to-night and must take a bath before lying down for the
night. Am perfectly well and only wish you were."
This is The Courant letter referred to:
" The First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, wet to the skin
and covered with yellow clay, lay down in a Virginia corn field
late Tuesday afternoon about two miles beyond Camp Alger
and slept on the ground that night. The regiment had left
the train at a smaU station jiist beyond Falls Church, called
Dunn Loring, and had marched off to the northwest, through
a cart path in the wOods to a camp of Pennsylvania troops
where a short rest was made about i o'clock.
The march across the city of Washington in the forenoon
was a pretty severe test for most of the men. Many of them
had fifty pounds of baggage on their, backs besides their guns
and the change from the cold coast of Maine to the asphalt
streets of Washingion, with the thermometer nearly up to lOO,
was somewhat sudden, to say the least. But there were very

CHRONOLOGICAL.

229

few cases of collapse and when the rain from the ugly looking
thunder clouds came sweeping down through the woods the
men welcomed the wetting down with a sigh of relief Then
the march was taken up again along a slippery, clay road and
through a narrow lane in somj^ more woods till finaUy a thirty-
acre corn field was struck and the new camp of Connecticut
troops was located.
The field is covered with a thin growth of weeds which.

^

CAMP OF THE FIRST CONNECTICUT, LOOKING WEST.
SEVENTH OHIO IN THE DISTANCE.
with the last year's corn stubble, made considerable police
work necessary. The ground slopes gently to the northwest
and the view in any direction is limited by trees to less than a
mile. The water supply comes from a driven well three-eighths
of a mile distant, a small sluggish, spring and a dried-up brook
nearer by. When it is remembered that water to the 1,300
water-soaked, mud-covered men was an important element of

230

CHRONOLOGICAL.

comfort if not necessity, the apparent lack of preparation for
our coming is noticeable. A weU is now being driven within
the confines of the camp, which will make camp life
more easy.
All the guard, a dozen or more prisoners and all the
kitchen details slept on the ground the first night with no cov
ering but their blankets. Some of the men hustled around be
fore dark, cut a lot of pine boughs and made beds of these in
their tents. The soft ground, however, is not so bad and many

RELIEVING THE WATER FAMINE.
prefer it. How they will like it when a soaking rain comes
remains to be seen.
Wednesday we had but one short drill, but this morning
the regular routine of three hours' driUing in the forenoon be
gan. The men stood the heat very well, being allowed any bill
of dress they pleased so long as they wore leggins. Officers
and men all were in their shirt sleeves, frequently rolled up,
and many duck trousers of different colors and stages of clean
liness have put in an appearance. Some men looked so singly
to their personal comfort as to appear with nothing but drawers
and undershirts on and the barefooted soldier is frequently
seen walking tenderly about the company streets. This sud
den change in dress from the white glove dress parade efforts

CHRONOLOGICAL.

231

in Maine has been put to music to the tune of " White Wings"
as follows :
" White gloves, we never grew weary of wearing them always
at Camp Burdett;
But now that we 'ave left Niantic, we'll nevermore wear them
again, you bet."
The different camps located within a mile or two make
themselves known to us by their firing at skirmish drill and

COMPANY K'S CAMP KITCHEN AT ALGER.
their band playing at reveiUe, guard mount, etc. How strictly
we shall be confined to our own camp grounds remains to be
seen. '"*
The only incident .of special notice during the trip from
Niantic was the race between the second and third sections
approaching Pelham Junction on the New Haven division of
the" Consolidated " road. Both trains were going side by
side in the same direction, at a mUe a minute clip, first one

232 CHRONOLOGICAL.
train leaving the other a short distance and then in turn being
overtaken by it while the men in the two trains, easily
recognized in the well lighted cars, whistled and yelled at each
other Uke mad. The race continued for four or five miles and
the third section won the signal for the Pelham branch by a
car. Colonel Burdett was on the second section and his defeat
in the race was explained by the fact that the. superintendent
of the division was on the third, the winning section, but the
third battalion men claim that their commander. Major
Schulze, is a winner every time.
During General Hawley's visit to Niantic on Saturday an
incident showing the comradeship springing up among all the
Connecticut troops occurred in a way to cause special com
ment and a reprimand as well. Company K did escort duty
to General Hawley and after entering camp passed along in
the rear of the other companies of the First Regiment to take
its place at the extreme left of the line. As it did so it was
frequently applauded by the men in the different company
streets not taking part in the parade, not only in the First but
also in the Third Regiment and the battery organizations.
As Company K passed Company F, standing in Une at ease
the latter organization, as one man, broke into a hearty hand
clapping. This spontaneous outburst was understood as illus
trating, as it in fact did, the strong personal friendships which
have grown up between the two companies during their en
campment at Portland, Maine, and the members of Company K
felt the compliment paid them deeply. But the result was that
Company F's attention was called to the unmilitary character
of such a demonstration, by Lieutenant-Colonel Hammond.
The camp here was laid out by a detaU from Companies
F and K. Only about a dozen men are in the hospital, all
the result of the excessive heat. None ace seriously iU. F has
only one and K has none in the hospitali
It is understood many other regiments will be: located
near by soon on account of the purity oJ the water from the
driven wells in this locality and the general healthful conditions
surrounding the camp."

CHRONOLOGICAL. 233
Friday, July 22. Again I was detailed for fatigue duty,
digging a big sink for the kitchen, all the forenoon. Privates
Bryant, Pimm and R. A. Case were on the same detail. It was
five on, ten off. Very hot to-day. We put a plank floor in our
tent but, for myself, I made a bed of boughs back of the tent.
A guard has been put over the spring and so, no more water
from there. The well water is fairly clear now. This noon we
had a beef stew, the first fresh meat since reaching camp.
Saturday, July 23. Salmon (canned) for breakfast.
It was very good. For dinner, roast beef. That was good,
too. Last night was so hot and muggy with the poncho close
around my body, that I have tried a new scheme. I have put
up a board at the head and at the foot of my bed of pine
boughs and with cross pieces, have suspended the poncho
above the ground tvvo or three feet. This will keep the dew
off just as well and not feel so close. To-night the band came
up to K street and gave us a serenade. After that, the boys
got up an impromptu vaudeville show and entertained the
crowd till taps. The Times has this in regard to the day's
doings :
" Poor " George " is dead: not George Washington, but
George Thayer; at least one would think so judging from the
grave dug in the rear of his tent and the tomb-stone erected
there, from which this inscription may be read : " Here lies
George Thayer, who always lied and always will." This is
supposed to be the work of two of our divinity students,
Private Fulton and Corporal Sanderson.
Saturday evening K street was honored by a serenade
from the First Regiment band, who played several patriotic
selections, passing the evening pleasantly away until 9 o'clock
when they bid us adieu. Their fine playing attracted quite a
crowd from Company M, who, after the departure of the band
displayed some of their talent, which was very interesting.
The K boys were not to be outdone by their neighbors.
Private Dimock danced in such a manner as to give one the
impression that he had seen the foot-lights before. Corporal
Wheeler was next called and he responded cheerfully and
16

234 CHRONOLOGICAL.
executed an " old Virginia shuffle," calling forth round after
round of applause. Next on the programme came Corporal
Sanderson, who mimicked an aged minister to perfection.
Deep was the interest manifested when a touching speech was
delivered by Private Fulton, bringing to light the friendly
feeling existing between the companies of the First Regiment.
His speech was highly appreciated by the visitors while the
applause was deafening. Every one was feeling happy ; so
was Private Johnnie Knox, who wound up the evening's en
tertainment by doing an original cake walk which was very
amusing. Taps would soon sound and our visitors departed,
cheering lustily."
Sunday, July 24. An inspection of quarters was had at
8 a. m. After that I went over into the lot near an old farm
house (I couldn't get very near for the guard drove me
away), found a little shade and spent most of the day
sewing on buttons, etc., and writing. This is The Courant ;.«
letter; •
"The First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, as I wrote you,
pitched their tents, in a thirty-acre treeless Virginia corn field
last Tuesday afternoon and have since learned at least one
lesson, the value of a cup of cold water. In fact, the .
temperature of the water is now of minor importance — the
main question is, is it fit to drink? The only driven weU in
use, as yet, is nearly half a mile distance and once there men
have to stand in line and wait their turn, to get even a paU full.
At certain hours of the day the line is twenty-five or thirty
men deep and when the kitchen details are out with their
boUers and the water detail with their mule teams and barrels |t
... * '^'
the wait IS considerable longer.
The First Regiment is not the only one dependent upon
this single weU. The spring not far from the camp has been
cleaned out and is now clear again, but only canteens can be
filled there and not then after retreat. The reason for this
restriction is because the guard with the prisoners are located * , i
near the spring and the constant travel to the spring after dark
would make guarding the prisoners more difficult.

CHRONOLOGICAL.

235

The value of water for the use of the men can be better
appreciated when the conditions surrounding the regiment are
remembered. There is no turf upon the ground. The weeds
and corn stuble in the streets and about the tents have been
policed away, leaving a surfaSe of fine dust, in places a couple
of inches deep. There has been but one shower in a month.
In some ofthe tents pine boughs keep the blankets, overcoats,
guns, knapsacks, etc., out of the dust, but with six men in a
tent there is pretty sure to be one man who never picks up

WATER DETAIL.
Dickinson. Cadwell. Dwyer.
anything, but on the other hand, drops everything. With the
temperature down, greater cleanliness might be observed, but
when it is remembered that the men three times a day come
back from their drills to their more or less cluttered tents,
covered with sweat and dirt from head to feet — then the value
of water, even a little, is very apparent. Many a man has
learned to wash his face and hands with a single cup full and a
basin full at night is considered a luxury, if sponging over the
whole body before lying down to sleep could be considered

236 CHRONOLOGICAL.
as such. In the skirmish drill, fire lying down is the order not
infrequently given and then the fine dust and sweaty clothes
combine in great shape. Furthermor^, the sinks were not
ready for use for several days after the regiment arrived. The
edges ofthe corn field and even the parade giound itself had,
by that time, become foul in the extreme as a result of the
numerous diarrhoeal diseases among the 1,300 men. The.
disagreeable nature of drilling and lying down in such filth,
particularly when the order, was to "advance by rushes," can
better be imagined than described. To-day the new well is.
being pumped out by a detail from each company and this
miniature water famine — really a matter more of discomfort
than of real hardship — wiU be remedied.
Very little if any complaint is heard in the matter of food.
There is an abundance of it and the variety is sufficient. This
noon we had a sort of frizzled corn beef, tender and juicy, rich
pea soup, boiled potatoes, " bread, hard tack and coffee.
Yesterday we had roast beef, twice we have had baked beans
and so far the much dreaded daily ration of hard tack and
" sow belly " has not materialized.
It is said we are now camping on the identical spot where
the Second Connecticut Volunteers camped during the early
months of the Civil War. The ground is full of broken quartz
and a number of arrow heads, have been thrown up b)' the
details engaged in digp.ing trenches.
Last evening the First Regiment Band gave a fine concert
at the head of K street, under the leadership of Bandmaster
Kennedy. That over, the crowd was entertained for an hour
or more by impromptu specialties, including a jig dance by
Dimock, cake walk by Bryant and Knox, dance by " Cy "
Wheeler, speech by Fulton, scriptural reading by Sanderson,
all of Company K ; dance by Sergeant Bailey of F, and a variety
of excellent numbers by other specialists from the different com
panies in the regiment. Up to this time the men had been so
fagged out getting arranged in their new quarters that very
little Ufe was seen ih camp, but the chances are when the heated
term is over the men will once more begin to enjoy themselves^

CHRONQLOGigAL.

237

The few men in the hospital are improving. Captain
Newton of Company F is somewhat off the hooks.
Hiram Buckingham, wife and daughters, formerly of
Hartford, and Mr. Stancliff, a former Hartford newspaper man,
and Mrs. Stancliff were visitors at the camp to-day.
The first regimental dress parade since coming here took
place to-night, just as the sun went down. The ground, of
course, was full of hummocks, but the people of Hartford and
vicinity would have been proud of the regiment if they could

««».

K

f^

mLi

HEALTHIER THAN SIX IN A TENT.
PRIVATE THAYER AT CAMP ALGER.
have seen the twelve fuU companies, over one thousand and
two hundred men, aU but one company fully equipped, swing
from column of fours into company front and sweep up across
the field with the swing of veterans. It is said to contain a larger
number of men than any regiment yet mustered into the service.
P.- S.— Poor Jack, the noble mastiff we brought from Port
land, is suffering from the heat extremely and it is doubtful if
he survives."

238 CHRONOLOGICAL.
This is the personal letter written to-day :
"I am just beginning to get rested. I notice it takes me
longer to recover from a hard day's work than it used to ten or
fifteen years ago but otherwise I beUeve I am as tough as ever.
This last week has put me to a pretty severe test but no one
has stood it better. AU the men complain of feeling tired.
. But I must teU you about my bed. With six big strapping
men in a small tent and all the blankets, overcoats, haversacks,
knapsacks, guns, etc., belonging to each thrown around promis
cuously on the dirt floor — the thermometer at lOO and no shade
outside the walls of the tent — every one tired and lying about
without ambition enough to keep from throwing their arms and
legs on each other — with such surroundings I made up my
mind to sleep out on the ground rather than suffocate inside the
tent. So I heaped up a pile of dirt in the form of a grave, in the
rear of the tent, put a lot of pine boughs over it and tied them
down with string and stakes. Then I put up a stake at each
end, nailed, a board on top, put my rubber blanket across and
tied the ends out sidewise. Perhaps I don't sleep great under
there. Without the rubber blanket, a fellow would be soaked
in the morning, the dews are so heavy here. How my house
will stand when the winds blow and the rains descend, remains
to be seen but if the house falls I shall be found under it.
I have done considerable digging since we came here.
¦ Perhaps I wrote you, the next morning I was put on the
detail to dig a sink for our battaUon. There were twenty of us
under charge of Dr. McCook and the spot was down among
some low bushes where the sun beat in " for fair." We could
work only ten minutes at a time and were then relieved for
' twenty minutes. This lasted one forenoon. Friday I was put
on the detail to dig a hole for the kitchen swill. This is to be
eight feet deep. I worked at that two days and it will last
another day. Hard as this may seem — to put a five foot man
to throwing clay out of an eight foot hole — yet I rather like it
— much better than doing skirmish drill out in the dust and
heat. When the order comes to fire, lying down, and you and
your gun are all wet with Sweat, you can imagine the, conditionj,

CHRONOLOGICAL. 239
a man's clothes are in when he rises up out of the fine dust.
But no one tries to keep clean — he can't if he tries.
You may surmise from this that my superfluous fat is fast
disappearing. It has in fact already gone and my clothes
hang flabbily about me. But I must stop now to write a
Courant letter whUe the inspifation is on — this air is not con
ducive to long continued effort of any kind.
Isabella went back on us several weeks ago and was the
property of several other tents, so we left her at Portland.
But Jack is with us, poor fellow, suffering from the heat as big
dogs always do. I am sorry the baggage detail bothered
themselves with him, for I am afraid he will not survive the
great change in climate.
Don't worry about me at all for I feel thoroughly rested
to-night. Found a little shade outside the camp, for a time.
I have no idea we shall leave here at all, the Porto Rico
-expedition to the contrary notwithstanding."
Monday, July 25. The constant pumping from the
well has sent a small stream flowing down back of our street.
To-day, by a rniniature system of irrigation, 1 wet down a con
siderable portion of the street and back of the tents. This, at
least, laid the dust. The Third Virginia and the Seventh Ohio
have gone into camp to the north and northwest of us. We
hear their calls, " All's well," at night.
Tuesday, July 26. Another hot day, the ho-ttiest yet.
During the skirmish drill this forenoon we were ordered to
fire lying down and the spot selected was on a side hill with
our heads down the hill. In this position we were kept for
full five minutes, I should say, while instructions were being
given to some of the men regarding the correct position of
their legs. I laid there in. the broiUng sun till the sweat
dropped off my chin and made a little puddle in the dust. In
the meantime Captain Saunders went along the line and, taking
hold of the men's feet, yanked their legs around into position.
That drill came the nearest to using me up of anything yet.
Colonel Burdett seems to think the best way to prepare us for
a campaign in Cuba is to drill all the vitality out of us here.

240 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Dress parade has been ordered, in honor of General Hawley's
visit to camp, for 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Major RockweU has ordered the parade given up, the
heat is too great. The Washington correspondent of The
Courant has this regarding the visitors to camp but the fact is,
instead of being at drill the whole regiment was so used up
with the heat that the men were lying about in their tents,
doing nothing, when the second party of visitors passed
through the camp : " Washington, D. C, July 36.
General Hawley spent a few hours to-day at Camp Alger,
calling at the headquarters of Major-General Butler before
going to the camp ofthe First Connecticut. Accompanied by
Congressional Secretary Paul Ackerly of Rockville, he visited
Colonel Burdett and Lieutenant-Colonel Hammond and made
an informal inspection of the camp. It was noon time
and the men were in the undress uniform of Camp Alger
which, for volunteers from New England, means a shirt and
overall.s. General Hawley said to The Courant ¦ correspondent
that the camp ground of the First Regiment was excellent,
comparatively. Good water is obtained from a driven well
one hundred and twenty-five feet deep. The food and kitchens
are good and there is a remarkably small sick list. The
discipline and temper are excellent.
To the First Connecticut and the Third Virginia is to be
added the Second South Carolina to form the Third Brigade
of the First Division of the Second Army Corps. Colonel
Burdett, because of seniority, will have charge of the brigade
in case of absence or disability ofthe brigadier-general. The
telephone line at Dunn Loring is to be extended to his head
quarters. Immediately after the departure from camp of General
Hawley, Secretary John Addison Porter and Assistant Sec
retary of War Meikeljohn paid a visit to the camp and were
cordially received by Colonel Burdett and the other officers of
the First Regiment. It happened that the regiment was at

CtlRONOLOGICAL. 24 1
drill when the visitors arrived. The assistant secretary of war
spoke highly of the appearance of the troops."
At 6 o'clock to-night I was detailed, with Corpor.il
Wheeler and eighteen others from the regiment, to do guard
duty at the division headquarters of General Butler. This
meant gun, blanket, haversacks fiUed with a day's rations and
canteen of coffee and a march of two miles. We 'were late in
getting away and the result was a forced march. My clothes
were wet through with sweat when we reached there but it was a
warm' night and I slept all right on the ground, under the
trees, when I was off duty. Lieutenant Farrell was in com
mand of the guard.
Wednesday, July 27. I was No, i man but I turned
•out the guard but once and then for Major Hickey. I have
eaten scarcely anything for two days. The last two hours — O,
how long those two hours lasted — took all the spunk I had to
keep from giving up but some hot coffee and a sandwich down
on "The Midway" braced me up a little. The march back (and
I was glad to get back) was through the woods and a shower
overtook us before we reached camp, at 7.15. Later a
heavy thunder shower struck the camp but the outcome of
that is best told in a subsequent letter home.
Thursday, July 28. New order of drills to-day.
Company and battalion drUls from 7.30 to 8.30 and from 9.30
to 10.30. Drills in aiming from 4 to 5 ; guard mount at 6.15
and dress parade at 7. It is slightly cooler to-day.
Friday, July 29. Fatigue duty foUowing our guard
duty at division headquarters came to-day. The detail walked
over through the woods and took it easy. At headquarters we
filled some barrels with water from the purnp down on the flat
while mule teams drew them up to the headquarters. After
policing around the grounds, at 10.30 we laid off for the rest
of the day. At -noon under the trees we had lemonade with
ice, salmon, bread and coffee. I am getting sick of coffee.
We rode home in a mule team as far as the cider cabin in the
woods and then walked. Private Fulton began building his
arbor back of the' tents to-day. To-night the men sang

242

CHRONOLOGICAL.

finely and the slightly cooler weather is making all hands
feel better. The "Holy City" is the favorite song.
Saturday, July 30. Private Fulton and a detail of six
men went into the woods out back bf the hospital tents and
cut a lot of poles and brush for the proposed new mess house.
We began the mess house but Colonel Burdett ordered the
work to cease till the east line of the camp was established.
He had located the Y. M. C. A. tent close to our street last

KNEISEL QUINTETTE- , '<,
¦p. E. Denison. F. E.-Deni8on. Judson. Clapp. Denniston.
week and had assisted in raising it by driving the stakes himself
but the next day it was found over the line and had to be moved
down to the lower part of the camp. Fulton's arbor was finished
to-day. There was a queer sunset to-night, wide bands of light
extending up to the zenith and down to the eastern horizon.
We signed the pay roll to-day.
Sunday, July 31. At inspection this morning there was
a long wait while the men were kept standing at ease, in the
hot sun. Some of the men, in fact nearly the whole company.

CHRONOLOGICAL.

243

fell out and .took shelter in their tents from the heat. For this
Captain Saunders gave us all a great call down. More rumors
to-day of the Porto Rico expedition. These letters home
written to-day explain themselves :
" I will not try to describe Camp Alger, for I have, as
yet, seen very little of it. Three other regiments are camped
within sight and within a radius of three or four miles from here,
in pastures, last year's corn fields and fine woods are camped
some 24,000 men. Every day companies and regiments and
long mule trains are passing within stone's throw of us, seeking

MULE TRAINS AT CAMP ALGER.
new and healthier grounds in this vicinity. The clatter of
their tin cups makes rather mournful music, as the jaded men
tramp by in the hot sun. The first sound in the morning, as I
begin to try to arouse myself, is the music of the different
regimental bands, around about us in the woods and fields,
playing the " Star Spangled Banner " and other reveille music.
Sometimes four or five bands can be distinguished playing at
once. This certainly is a very pleasant way to be awakened
but the conditions- here seem to require something of the sort
for we all get up feeling tired and lifeless. In fact, the first
thing a native here does is to get up, get out of doors and
immediately sit down to get rested..

CHRONOLOGICAL. 245
My bed is a heap of pine boughs pUed up out back of our
tent. Half the company have foUowed suit and now sleep out of
their tents. I have my rubber blanket suspended about three
feet aboutmy bed, upon a frame, and this keeps the rain and the
usual heavy dews off my wool^ blanket. In fact, some nights
I have slept comfortably with nothing at all over me. My
clothes I roll up and sleep upon, so they are handy in the
morning. At breakfast, one hundred of us line up and go down to
the kitchen. Our rations are served to us in tin dishes, with
long handles, each man bringing his own. As we pass the
cook, our tin cups are filled with coffee and then each man
walks off by himself to find a place to sit down. As we are
camped in a treeless thirty acre lot, covered with weeds and
corn stubble and two inches of fine dust, you can better
imagine how utterly useless it is for us to keep clean. It is
like sitting down in the middle of the road to eat your meals.
Yesterday, however, a detail of us went out into the woods and
cut a lot of boughs and trees' and we will soon have a mess
house with tables under which we can be shielded from the
fierce southern sun. ' After eating, each man washes his tin
dishes in a big boiler of hot water.
At drills we are allowed to wear what we please, overalls,
duck trousers, etc., and all the men go in their shirt sleeves.
About half the men wear blue flannel while the other half,
dirty white or light colored shirts. Every one comes back
from drills covered with sweat and dust, mixed together.
Only once a day do we pretend to get clean. Just before
lying down at night some of us strip off and take a sponge
bath all over. That makes us sleep well the fore part of the
night, at least.
Tough as I am, for three' or four days last week I was
somewhat Off the hooks, but I laid it to eating beef and fried
pork too-freely — food too full of the heating elements for such
a locality. I like this camp, for it is comparatively free of bad rum
and mean women. At both Niantic and Portland this was a

246 CHRONOLOGICAL.
great drawback to the good discipline of the camp. I also
Uke the rough experience here, for it is the nearest to the real
thing we have seen. As things look to-day, however, we are
not likely to see active service.
We go to Washington next Saturday to be reviewed,
making a three days' march of it. I have lost about twenty
pounds but this was chiefly water fat, better off than on."
" For a wonder I have to acknowledge that I can't go
from the cold coast of Maine to the muggy atmosphere of
Virginia and continue to eat fried pork, roast beef and other
heating rations and stiU feel well. — A citizen of Washington
just stopped back of our tent where I am writing and I find
he once boarded and slept in our old horne at Windermere
when the carpet men owned the miU in 1858-9. Jas. Boies is
his name. — For three or four days last week I had. no appetite,
felt faint and lifeless and had mighty hard work to do my duty.
When I was feeling the worst I was detailed as guard at
General Butler's headquarters, two miles away; This meant a
walk in the heat and dust, with gun, haversack and canteen
and then twenty-four hours guard duty. I slept on the ground
under some trees part of the night, while off_my post, but it
took all the sand I had to keep up till I was relieved the next
night. For two days I ate nothing but a sandwich. That, I
guess, was just what I needed to do^ — to stop eating. I find I
lost my appetite because I really had no use for one. I ought
not to eat and my system said so. I find that nature teaches a
man how to eat and when and what. Now I am all right
again, but I shall go shy hereafter of much food of a heating
nature. It is almost supper time and parade comes right after
so don't mind if I stop right here this time. We go to Wash
ington next Saturday for a review, 24,000 of us, and will be
three days going and coming."
Monday, August i. To-day was not so awful warm.
The new arbor came in handy for a meeting of the non-coms
this afternoon. A new filter, furnished by the war department,
has been hung up under the arbor. More work vvas put in on the
mess house to-day. Washington papers to-nig-ht say the order

chronological.

247

for Porto Rico has been issued and we are in it. The New
Jersey camp went wild, hustling out their famous druni corps
and yelling like mad for an hour.
Tuesday, August 2. To-d,ay I drew a new blouse, pair
of trousers, hat, suspenders, drawers and leggins. The blouse
and trousers were a mile too big and of no use to me. This
afternoon from 2 till 4 I was on a detail cutting bushes for the
new sinks. It was hot work in the brush. , The Times had
these news items of this day :
" Tempus Fugit." We are now at the close of our third
week of Southern camp life and patiently await the orders

-'-/ :nl^

TRYING TO KEEP SHADY , AT CAMP ALGER.
(we hear so much about) for our proposed trip to Porto Rico.
Tuesday evening Corporal Sanderson returned from Washing
ton and brought with him the joyful news that we were to
leave here for Porto Rico. The news spread rapidly through
the camp and happiness reigned supreme, hats were thrown
into the air and very few of the men ate as much as usual, so
happy were they. But we were not destined to be happy for
more than twelve hours at a time and as yet we have no orders
to move. Private Knox of Company K has been appointed mounted
orderly.

248 chronological.
Colonel Burdett is acting brigadier general of the second
brigade. Hospital Steward Ed. Noonan received a fine sorrel horse
from headquarters the past week.
Private McKee of Company K has been appointed orderly
by Major Rockwell of the hospital corps."
Wednesday, August 3. Last night a heavy thunder
shower struck the camp. It woke me up coming in the
distance and being the first one to come late at night since I
began sleeping out. for a time I thought some of crawling into
the tent with the boys. I finally took down my poncho, how
ever, wrapped it close about me, puUed my hat do'vvn ov&r my
forehead and waited, face upwards, flat on my back. How it
rained ! The drops felt like little bullets peppering away at
my poncho and into my face. But I never stirred and just let
it rain. If I hadn't let it, probably it would, just the same.
The storm petered out into a drizzling rain. I didn't
put in a full night's sleep, but I didn't get wet, only in
my face, and now I know the worst. Private Knox is now
dismounted orderly, having been relieved of his duty as
mounted orderly.
Rumors of orders to move the camp to Manassas were
flying about this morning and had so much weight with the
officers that after the morning drill we were ordered to pack
up ready to move after dinner. After dinner we didn't-
move, so I wrote this letter to The Courant :
" Number ten; 4 o'clock. All's well." " Number eleven ;
4 o'clock. All's well." "Number twelve ; 4 o'clock. AU's
weU." These words, ringing out in the still air of the early
dawn, roused me from a heavy sleep the other morning and I
raised up on my bed of pine boughs and listened. The Third
Virginia had come over from Camp Alger the afternoon before
and now, for the first time, their tents appeared over in the lot
next north of our camp, having grown up, mushroom-like.
during the night. I listened and the calls of the sentinels
continued. "Number twenty; 4 o'clock. AU's -weU," rang
out with a pecuUarly soothing rising and falling inflection tUl

chronological. 249
finally the cry was "Number twenty-six; 4 o'clock. All's
well," and then the calls ceased.
Possibly I fell asleep watching the morning stars fade
from view as I lay flat on my back out in the open lot, but be
that as it may, very soon the different bugle caUs began and
then there was no more sleep for me. First, the Ohios off on
the side hill to the northwest, half a mile distant, began to
arouse themselves. Then the Pennsylvania bugle, through
the trees to the northeast, could be heard complaining, " I
can't get 'em up, I can't get 'em up." Bugles to the southeast
of us, bugles to the east of us now joined the band of soloists
and then all was still again, but only for a time.
When the sun finally arose, as if to join in one grand
chorus, the regimental bands for miles around all began to
play, the music coming out strong and full and now dying
away in the distance, as the light breezes shifted' here and
there, but the song, whether faint or strong, was" the same, the
bands were all playing in unison and the 20,000 men round
about were all being aroused to the music of the same grand
tune, "The Star Spangled Banner."
I slipped on my clothes and went down through the
company street. The men were still asleep. Here a man had
dragged out his mattress in front of his tent and had made his
bed. There, men had crawled out of their hot tents upon the
cool ground and slept all night with nothing but a blanket over
them. Out back of the tents some of the men had rigged up
rough arbors of pine and walnut boughs and were still sleeping
soundly under them. All the tent flaps were wide open and
most of the side walls were tied up and everywhere the effects
of the hot, muggy night were apparent in the manner in which
the men had evidently rolled and tumbled about in the night
trying to find a cool place. The men were all sleeping heavily
and when the call of our own bugler was finally heard the men
were aroused with some difficulty and crawled out to stand up
for roU call, feeUng tired and Ufeless. Grand as the music of
the different regimental bands was, I tell you it needs some
thing of that kind of an incentive to keep men from getting up
17

*iiv

«o

|4i-tO
oo Hioa

CHRONOLOGICAL. 25 1
cross in such a climate. They have, at such times, very little
regard for what they have on. \
But hard as it is in the morniijig to put some life into the
men, at night there is no lack of spirit. The other night the
First Connecticut Band went osver and serenaded the Virginians
and when the band, after playing " Yankee Doodle," foUowed
it with " Dixie" such yelling you never heard. Then, a few
nights later, the New Jersey regimental drjjm corps (organized
iri place of a brass band) showed the Ohioans what they
could do in the way of noise. The drum corps was
half a mile away from us but the. noise must have been
heard by Shafter or possibly Dewey. And when the cheer
ing began it soon increased to a continuous yell, till the
Virginians themselves must have got some pointers in that
business by listening to it.
Speaking about fun you ought to have seen the First
Regiment the other night during a heavy thunder shower. It
was the first rain since coming here and for days the men had
been so covered with sweat and dirt that they had ceased to'
try to keep clean. But when, shortly before 9 o'clock, the rain,
in great drops, began to' fall and spatter upon the dusty streets,
you ought to have seen the effect upon the regiment. Have you
ever noticed how, during a sumrrier shower, the small toads
suddenly appear and begin to hop about in the rain? Well,
notwithstanding many of the men had turned in for the night,
in less than five minutes half the regiment had stripped off
their clothes and came rushing from their tents out into the
streets, in the faint light of the moon, stark naked. Imagine
five or six hundred naked men, racing about in the dark on the
slippery clay and yelling like Indians and playing all manner
of tricks upon one another ! Up near the pump a bucket
brigade was formed to dash the cold, artesian water upon the
bare skin, heated almost Uncomfortably by the warm rain.
Then a line was formed and the men, on their hands and knees,
passed along under the very spout ot the pump as it gushed
forth its big, refreshing stream. It was a big treat for the
regiment and did us lots of good. Some of the tents were

252. CHRONOLOGICAL.
pretty badlj' flooded, however, before the ditches were
made sufficiently large.
The typhoid fever scare, which has been so industriously
worked up in some of the newspapers, makes us of the First
Regiment smife. Camp Alger proper is three or four miles
from us. It has been occupied as a camp for nearly three
months and typhoid cases to an unusual extent have arisen
there. The camp is consequently to be abandoned. The
First Regiment, on the other hand, is located upon entirely
new ground, several miles from the infected district and is
using water from driven wells located upon the local camp
grounds. Furthermore, not a single case of typhoid fever
exists in the First Regiment. Only five, all told, out of the
1,300 men in the regiment are in the division hospital and
none of these is dangerously ill. Three other regiments from
Camp Alger have recently been sent over to this locality
because of the healthy conditions surrounding this camp.
Two driven wells are now in working order, one at each end of
our camp, and, good water is to be had in abundance, close at
hand. The only drawback is, there is no place to go in
swimming and many men cannot be prevailed upon to bathe
their whole body except they have an opportunity to go in
swim.ming. A few days ago members of the regiment were surprised
to hear that Captain William E. Mahoney of Company B had
been placed under arrest by order of Colonel Burdett for
alleged disobedience of orders. Captain Mahoney was officer
of the day, the second in authority in the camp, and had always
been considered one of the efficient officers of the regiment.
The trouble arose in this way: Colonel Burdett told Adjutant
Wainwright to issue an order to have a certain prisoner at
division headquarters at a certain hour. This prisoner was in
the custody of Captain Mahoney, officer of the day. The
order came to Captain Mahoney verbally, having been passed
on from one officer to another till it was worded like this:
"Have a prisoner over there at 7 o'clock." What prisoner
and where Captain Mahoney knew not, so he did nothing.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 253
Word was sent back to Colonel Burdett that Captain Mahoney
had refused to obey the order and the arrest was at once
made. As soon as the facts came to the knowledge of Colonel
Burdett he at once ordered the arrest vacated and has now
issued the following order : —
Headquarters, ist C-. V. I.
Camp Alger, Va., July 29, '98.
Order No 36.
" Captain William E. Mahoney is hereby exonerated from
all blame in the matter for. which, by error, he was placed
under arrest on the morning of July 28, 1898. The, error
arose from fault in the transmission of orders.
" The commanding officer • regrets that any one should
haye suffered without just cause and through mistakes and
misunderstanding. "Hereafter all orders will be in writing, clear, distinct,
specific and served -by leaving a copy with the officer charged
with their execution.
" By command of Colonel Burdett.
" Jonathan M. Wainwright.
" Captain and Adjutant First C. V. I.
To-night all manner of rumors are in camp. This morn
ing we were ordered to pack up to be ready to move to the
new camp at Manassas, Va., (Bull Run), to-morrow morning.
This afternoon word came we were to relieve Shafter's army.
To-night the Washington papers state the First Connecticut is
to be sent to Porto Rico. All this tends to give us something
to talk about and probably that is the extent of its effect upon
the First Connecticut."
The Times has this newsy bit about the company beards :
" Most of Company K's men have had their heads shaved
and numbers of them have started to grow various styles of
beards and one who is much more noticeable than the rest is
Private Roy WUey, he having grown a beard of the same style
as " Butcher Weyler," and has so been dubbed by the com
pany. Another worthy of mention is Private DriscolL who

254 CHRONOLOGICAL.
has a beard the same style as Chauncey Depew. Privates
Marion and Cannon in trying to successfully cultivate a Van
dyke found that at the best they could only resemble an
Italian musician (bagpiper). Private Fulton has his head
shaved as have also Private Johnnie Knox and Corporal
Carroll. Private George Thayer is thinking seriously of having
his hair cut, but we aU hope that George wUl not be so foolish
as to lose his overgrowth."
Thursday, August 4. The whole company or so
much thereof as could be found this morning, were detailed to
cut and burn brush down by the sinks. To-night, at guard
mount, I was selected as brigade orderly.
Friday, August 5. The official order, commanding
Colonel Burdett to report by telegraph to Major General Wade,
who will conduct us to Porto Rico and there report to Major
General Brooks who, in turn, will repprt to General Miles,
sounds or reads like business. But mark the prediction, " we
don't go." The order, I think, is issued to appease the clamor
of so many commanding officers to be sent to the front. The
war is about over and the authorities at Washington know it
and they also know there will be no necessity for our going,
even if the order is issued. Orders that have appeared far
more likely of being put into execution than this, have been
countermanded before now and this will be. Only, the
authorities can then say, "Yes, your regiment would have been
sent to the front and it was in fact under orders to go and '
would have gone, only the war ended so soon." This is the
official order. It reached brigade headquarters this forenoon
and in the temporary absence of the acting brigadier general;
Private Thayer, Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry, acting brigade orderly, received it in 'his official
capacity and receipted for it. Ahem ! ! !
General Orders, \ WAR DEPARTMENT,
> Adjutant General's Office,
No. 111. ) Washington, August 2, iS^S.
The commanding officers of the following regiments U. S.
Volunteer Infantry will report to Major General J. F. Wade,

CHRONOLOGICAL. 255
U. S. Volunteers, War Department, Washington, District of
Columbia, by telegraph, for instructions and orders:
First Rhode Island, First North Carolina, First New
Hampshire, First New Jersey, Second Texas, First Maine,
Fourth Missouri, First Alabama, First Vermont, First West
Virginia, First Connecticut, Third Tennessee, Twenty-second
New York, First Arkansas, Fifty-s_econd Iowa, Third Virginia,
First Delaware, and First Maryland.
These regiments will be organized into brigades, as
follows :
1st Brigade — First Rhode Island, Fourth Missouri,
Twenty-second New York.
2nd Brigade — First North Carolina, First Alabama, First
Arkansas. 3rd Brigade — First New Hampshire, First Vermont, Fifty-
second Iowa.
4th Brigade — First New Jersey, First West Virginia, Third
Virginia. 5th Brigade — Second Texas, First Connecticut, First
Delaware. 6th Brigade — First Maine, Third Tennessee, First Mary
land. Major General Wade, U. S. Volunteers is, by direction of
the Secretary of War, assigned to command of these brigades
and will conduct them to Porto Rico. On his arrival there he
will report to Major General John R. Brooke, U. S. Army, for
duty with the forces under the immediate direction of the
Major General Commanding the Army.
The commanding generals of the several Army Corps in
which these regiments are now serving are enjoined to give
General Wade every possible assistance in the movement
herein ordered.
These regiments are detached from the corps with which
they are now serving for this campaign only, at the termina
tion of which they will be returned to their respective corps.
They will be accounted for on ail returns as on detached
service.

256

CHRONOLOGICAL.

On completion of this service. General Wade wiU resume
command of the 3rd Army Corps,
By order of the Secretary of War :
H. C. CORBIN,
Adjutant General.
This afternoon the regiment marched out towards Fairfax
Court House and back, some four mUes.
Saturday, August 6. Last night or this morning early
I actually slept cold. Now there are rumors that we shall
r

fi^""

Li

7'

FULTON'S ARBOR.
Boniface. S. 6. Huntington. Holt. Nnnan.
(4ale Cannon. Appleton. Dimocli
H. L. Huntington. Beebe. Thayer. Gruener.
Carroll. Low. Campbell, Webster.
march up the Shenandoah VaUey in search of a new camp
within a few days. Inspection this morning and pay day this
afternoon. I received $i 5.60. To-night it is positively stated
that we start, overland, for Newport News, next Wednesday.
Sunday, August 7. Fine day, not so warm. This is
the Sunday letter I sent home :
"For a wonder I have all letters answered and nothing
special to write to The Courant and ynu don't know what a

chronological.

257

relief it is to lie around and really loaf. But I never dare to
let my thoughts wander home or look ahead for P should be
homesick, sure. We have built 'a little pine arbor out back of
our tent and it comes in very handy to sit down in the shade,
outside ofour tent. The last few days, too, have been more
comfortable and one night our blankets were really needed to
keep warm. Our company street is on the left of the line but
it so happens we are nearest the pump and nearest the road
¦where all the other regiments pass to and fro and so we see aU

"judge" WALSH AND HIS L.-i-W OFFICE.
BARBER'S SHOP IN THE DISTANCE.
that is going on. There is a barber's shop and pool room
close by, a restaurant over in the Virginia camp next lot and
our company has opened a canteen so that we now lack
for nothing, except a place to swim. But I take a sponge
bath, all over, every night just before going to bed and so
keep clean. Big, black bugs, Uke horn bugs only larger and
without horns, make themselves very friendly with those of us
who sleep On the ground. The other night one got inside my

258 chronological.
drawers and he woke me up twice before I really could get up
Ufe enough to squeeze, him to death. Then I dropped off to
sleep so quick I forgot all about him and only found him in
my shoe the next night, dead. Bed ticks also bother some of
the men and I found one in my hair the other morning but
none of these bite or otherwise bother me, though some of the
men complain of being bitten up. -There are no mosquitoes
here. The weeds about the camp where we drill are full of
penny-royal, making a very pleasant perfume. Sassafras is
also as abundant as alder bushes at home.
A woman in camp is a curiosity and there in fact, are
very few visitors at all. In a camp where men live so much out
of doors, dressing and undressing where they please, it is no
place for a woman. Nor is the language which some of the
men use fit for the ears of any decent woman, so I am glad we
are well rid of that nuisance — the woman in camp. Orders
have been issued from Washington to discharge all men who
have contracted certain diseases and Major RockweU told me
the discharge papers would state in red ink the cause of the
dismissal from service. This ought to have a tendency to
caution and restraint.
Secretary Alger may be slow and all that but I like the
way he took "Teddy" across his knees and spanked him
for saying his Rough Riders after their fight at Santiago were
worth any three of the rest of us volunteers. This question
of courage is a very unknown quality and shows up in
unexpected quarters. They say, those who have met
Hobson, that he has a very affected, almost effeminate manner
but the true stuff was under there. The Rough Riders were
selected for their known physical courage, in foot-ball, horse
polo, cow punching, etc., but I tell you the courage needed in
standing up and being shot at, from a distance of three or five
hundred yards with no possible chance of hitting back the man
who shoots you, is very different stuff from the courage required
in a prize ring, foot-ball game or other hand to hand conflict.
In these, a man's strength — the strength he knows he has at
his command, puts courage into his make up. He knows that

chronological. 259
if he is stronger than the other man and uses his strength
aright, he will win. But in a battle, in these organized shoot
ing matches, the man who steps out from behind a tree or
stone wall and runs across an open space to meet his man is
at an awful disadvantage so far as being braced up by any
physical (mere brute) cou,rage he may possess. In such a
contest a John L. Sullivan is brought down to the level of a
boy of eighteen and the chances between them are about equal.
There is no possible way for the two to test their relative
strength -with each other. The weakest may easily win, with
good fire arms. So, I say, the courage possessed by the foot
ball player, etc., is of no great advantage here, for his strength'
cannot be used to his advantage over and above the strength
possessed by the weakest of us. Just what kind of courage is
needed here I can't tell — not having been tested as yet — but it
is something very different from that physical courage. It is
not so boisterous, so out spoken, so loud. It is not so often
found in men of that stamp, but rather in those quiet, self-con
tained men. The courage that carries men into fever plagues,
that causes them to care for lepers as did Father Damien, and
that causes them to go where they are ordered without a
murmur — that is the kind that tells and that kind is found else
where than exclusively among Rough Riders. I know a noted
foot-ball player in the Yale battery, full of courage of the brute
sort because he knows he is strong, but I believe that fellow
would run before a little Spaniard, lying in ambush. A good
soldier is one who does as he is ordered, cheerfully, and who
goes where he is told to go, in utter disregard of his own
existence or non-existence. Such a man might run at the
sight of a stripped snake or be afraid to wet his feet but still
face a bullet calmly.
I was also glad to see Teddy get called down because I
beUeve courage is not a thing that is alone possessed by
veterans, men who have been under fire. It is not an acquired
trait of character, one easily put on, as an overcoat in cold '
weather. If so, it could, easily be taught in our schools and so
made a part of a man's education and aU the cowardice driven

26o chronological.
out, as so much illiteracy. I Uked the editorial in The Courant
lately on courage. It claimed courage existed in the regulars
no more than in the volunteers, only, in the regular, his
courage was more easily made immediately available, that
was all. Alger also said Teddy was no better than any of the rest
of us. You remember when they caUed for volunteers there
were about four thousand Hobsons ready to do what eight
only were selected to do. The same that was true of our navy
is also true of our army. Let Colonel Burdett caU for volun
teers to do a nervy thing and you would find seventy-five per
cent, of the regiment step out. Our Civil War showed that
the brave men were pretty well distributed, north and south
and so now. I like Teddy and always have but he seems to
forget that he was lucky, that's all. The opportunity which
250,000 other volunteers would gladly have embraced fell to him
but he uses this stroke of good luck to disparage the others,
who, through no fault of their own, have missed the oppor
tunity of their lives. Gratitude and not a swelled head would
become him more, just now.
From a military standpoint, I am thankful our company
has such a good disciplinarian. Captain Saunders is the best
drill master in the regiment.
I acknowledge I did not aim high enough in regard to the
motives which prompted this war. Begun, as I thought, with
the idea of conquest but ostensibly to give one and one-half
millions of people a better government at our very doors, we
have extended our humanitarian ideas not only to all the Span
ish West Indies but to eight or nine millions of people on the
other side of the globe. Did those who were such friends of
the Cubans have any idea their love for humanity, in order to
be consistent, must now be extended to the millions on the
other side of the earth ? No. The fact is, we all failed to see
the great responsibilities which would be thrust upon this coun
try as a result of this war. And can't you s.ee behind aU this,
an unseen hand? Don't you remember how, before the Civil
War, a number of events which no human foresight contemplated,"

CHRONOLOGICAL. 26 1
occurred and brought to an issue the irrepressible conflict?
The repeal of the Missouri compromise, the Dred Scott decis
ion, the writing of Uncle Tom's Cabin, John Brown's raid — all
these tended to make the Civil War inevitable, but very few saw
the great responsibility later to be thrust upon this country — ;
the freeing and educating of 4,000,000 of colored people.
So now. Who, a year ago, would have supposed De Lome
would write such a letter, or that even a Spaniard would be
treacherous enough to blow up the Maine. Who ever supposed
a fleet could sail in among mines and sink a whole navy with
out the loss of a man, and yet this almost miracle was wrought
— for what? That eight or nine millions of people might be
brought under the care of the American people. And the
American people never have shirked any of the great problems
cast upon them and never will.
During the week, except at parade, I wear duck trousers
more or less white. They wash easy and are cool. Every one
goes in his shirt sleeves. I am really glad we came here though
there is now talk of moving us farther west, to Manassas, to
get rid of the fever scare at the old camp, four miles east of
here. That I shall not mind, for I feel first rate again now.
As for our going, to Porto Rico, I don't give that a second
thought, though some of the men dislike the remote prospect
of doing garrison duty there.
I get The Courant regularly, one day late. We have a
fine reader as tent mate and he reads all of Dooley's letters to
us with perfection. I was invited to the Y. M. C. A. tent to
dinner to-day. It was the first time in four weeks that I have
eaten a meal in any other attitude than sittirig in the dirt with
my legs crossed tailor fashion and the tin plate of rations and
cup of coffee on the ground in front of me. It was a pleasant
break. Some of the boys nearly every Sunday go out to the
farm houses near by and get a square meal. But this letter
will be too long already, I guess, so will stop short off."
Monday, August 8. I was on a detail bridge buUding
morning and afternoon. We built a new bridge just north of the
Third Virginia camp, on the way to the division headquarters

262

CHRONOLOGICAL.

in the forenoon and this afternoon rebuilt the one between that
camp and our own. A heavy shower stopped work on this
but the job was nearly finished. The Sixty-fifth New York
were going into camp over on the hiU and were caught by
the shower. To-day it is " settled " that we go to Thorough
fare Gap instead. I little thought the new bridge over into the
Third Virginia camp built this afternoon would so' soon be
used by the regiment and in fact by Company K the first of
aU the companies in the regiment. The following Courant
letter written the next day tells how this came about :
"The First Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry came as
near seeing active service last night as it is likely to during the

VIRGINIA TABLE-D'HOTE.
Barber. Gillette. Appleton. W. C. Johnson. Wheelock.
present war and the long roll call was sounded for the first time
within the memory of any member of the present organization.
To be sure, the First Regiment, C. N. G. was called upon
suddenly at the time of the Park Central disaster and responded
promptly and again during a sham battle at Niantic, a few
years ago, the long roll was sounded, but this call had been

CHRONOLOGICAL. 263
anticipated. Last night, during a ripping thunder storm and
without the slightest warning, the members of the First Regi
ment were called out to prevent what easily might have been
a lynching bee over in the Third Virginia camp, in the next lot
to our own. The trouble arose like this: —
Shortly after dress parade, at 7 o'clock, a member of the
Third Virginia and a colored man got into a fight, with the re
sult that the inevitable razor got in its work. The wound was
not serious but the negro ran and was at. once followed by a
few excitable Virginians over towards the division hospital
tents, a short distance away. The hospital attendants came to
the negro's protection, but word was quickly sent through the
Virginia camp that a "nigger" had killed one of their men and
with one accord the whole regiment broke loose and rushed over
towards the hospital tents yelling " Lynch him, lynch him."
Major General Butler was close by at division headquar
ters and immediately mounted his horse and rode down into
the crowd, ordering the men to their quarters and threatening
to call out the other regiments near by and to put them all un
der arrest. Colonel Burdett also happened to be near the Vir
ginia camp at the time on his bicycle and was asked how soon
he could get his regiment over there. He replied "at once,"
and the order was given.
Down through the Virginia camp, across a small bridge,
into a deep mud hole and up into our camp rode Colonel Bur
dett on his wheel, bumping over the uneven ground of our corn
field and into K street with a rush. K is the first street in the
left of the line.
"Where is your drummer?" he cried. The drummer was
not in the street. Scarcely a dozen members of the company
were. They were scattered all about, over in the Virginia camp,
up visiting the Ohio men, down in the New Jersey camp — any
and everywhere and not one of them anticipating a caU to duty. '
What was true of K street was true of the whole regiment. It
was the one . time during the day when the men all feel at
liberty to leave their company street, for the duties of the day
are over.

264 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Two or three streets farther down the line a drummer was
found and then the long roll began. Most of the men in the
regiment never before heard the call, but the continuous roll
made every man within hearing stop and listen. It was a sound
of alarm and the men instinctively knew it to be such and with
but one thought — "I wonder what the trouble is?" — started for
their tents on the run. They came from the neighboring camps,
from the Y. M. C. A. tent, from the sinks, from the kitchens,
from the pool rooms, from the barber's shop, from everywhere.
The whole 30-acre lot seemed to be full of wild men,
rushing in all directions and the black clouds rolling up
from the west and the spiteful forked lightening, running
down to the ground, made the excitement of the moment
more intense.
"FaU in, fall in, everybody, be lively now, grab any gun
you can get, no matter for your blouse, don't stop to put on
your shoes, hurry up, hurry up" — these and similar orders
were heard all along down the line. Officers and men,
buckling on their belts, were everywhere hurrying from their
tents to fall into line.
" Captain Saunders, take your company over into the Vir
ginia camp and report to General Butler," said Colonel Bur
dett, running up to K street.
" Fix bayonets !" cried Captain Saunders. " Fours right,
double time, march," and Company K started out into the dark
on the run, the men knowing only that an attempt to lynch a
negro was in progress and in a camp where most of the Con
necticut men had already made many friends. I have made a
number of inquiries among the disinterested members of the
regiment and find that the time which elapsed from the first
sound of the drum to the moment when Company K left its
street was not over three minutes. In the ranks were all of the
twenty-one officers and non-commissioned officers, except four,
and forty-five men, in all sixty-two officers and men. Many
other companies turned out as many and more men, but K was
the first to leave its street and the first to reach the Virginia
camp by several minutes.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 265
The men • ran along the road and through the mud,
occasionally slipping down and picking their way so as not to
injure one another with their bayonets. After crossing the new
bridge and reaching the ¦ Virginia camp the company was
turned into the lot and started on the run for the hospital tents.
General Butler was there and at once halted the company and
ordered Captain Saunders to place under arrest three Virginians
whom the general there had in custody. The company was
then deployed as skirmishers, without intervals, and the'
prisoners were placed in the rear. The other companies of
the First Regiment very soon came through the gate into' the
lot, some goi'pg to the right and some to the left. All were
halted and then everything was still.: Where. the Virginians
had gone no one seemed to know, but very shortly; over iri the
Virginia camp, was heard the bugle call "To arms " and.
about the same time the thunder storm struck lis with full
force. This was a new experience for the members of the First
Regiment surely — to be hurried out in the dark with fixed
bayonets, the rain pelting the men in their faces and the ligiitning
occasionally showing one thousand men near by, all standing
around in the open lot, and above all to hear the hostile call
"To arms" from a camp where discipline had ceased to exist.
But not a word was spoken and the only indication of'
what was coming was when one of the officers came along.
the Une, whispering to the men, " Have any of you got any
bullets?" Possibly it was the. rain, probably it was the energy of
General Butler, but in a short time the Virginians were all
back in their quarters, doubtless drawn together there by the
feigned call "To arms." The First Regiment was then
marched back tp our own camp, every man of them only too
glad to have been near enough to hear the long roll and to have
taken part in the call. The thorough wetting was entirely over
looked and lost sight of in .the performance of this new and
novel duty, the ,'preventio.n of a lynching bee.
The fQllowingiorder,jva,s issued -gs the-result: ; / ¦ .r : ...
iS'

266 chronological.
Headquarters First Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry,
Camp Russel A. Alger, Virginia. August 9, 1898.
Orders No. 44.
The following letter from headquarters First Division,
Second Army Corps, is published for the information of the
command: —
"To the Commanding Officer, First Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry :
" Sir — The major-general commanding desires to convey
to the officers and men of the First Connecticut United States
Volunteers his satisfaction and pleasure at the promptness and
good order with which they turned out on the night of August
8th, in obedience to his orders. The soldierly conduct and
prompt obedience to orders was most highly commendable and
praiseworthy. Very respectfully, F. S, Strong, Ass't Adjt. General."
The regimental commander desires to congratulate the
officers and men of this regiment on the receipt of this letter
and takes this opportunity .to say that he hopes that their
conduct will always^ merit such commendation. To maintain
the high, standard set by the conduct of both officers and en
listed men on this occasion requires constant and unremitting
efforts on the part of all and it is hoped that all will give their
best assistance to this, end and not be satisfied with the
reputation thus gained, but by constant and unremitting
attention to duty deserve commendation on all occasions.
By Order of Lieutenant Colonel Hammond,
Jonathan M. Wainwright,
Captain and Adjutant,
1st Conn. Vol. Infantry.
The men taken prisoners were placed in charge ofj
Corporal Dwyer and Privates Walsh, Converse and Bryant and
were placed in the guard quarters for the night. The foUow-

chronological.

267

ing little incident must nOt be overlooked. When Lieutenant
Waterman came along down the line, whispering to the men,
" Have you got any buUets," the question was put, among
others, to Private Barrows. His answer, of course, was that he
had hone, (which, in fact, was the case with the whole com
pany). Whether the suggestion of cold lead gave Private
Barrows a chill is not clear but certain it is that in less than a
minute, he began to shiver and shake till his gun fell into the
hands of one of his comrades and Private Barrows himself had
to be carried back to the hospital tent near by for treatment.
Tuesday, August 9. Frequent showers fell all day and
parade at night was omitted. Rain fell nearly aU night; also.

THE DENISON PLEASURE PALACE.
but I stuck to my bed of boughs and only got wet about the
neck and shoulders. The poncho, however, made it like
sl.eepi-ng.in^an oven, it, was-so -h.otHaitrd';,-elose.
Wednesday, August io. Another showery day. The
company turned in their Merriam packs to-day and drew
blanket bags in place of them. To-night I got a shelter tent
and hung it over the frame to my bed and slept fine.

268

chronological:

Thursday, August ii. The whole company; morning
and afternoon, were detailed to dig new sinks and a hole for
the kitchen. It was a fine day and I dried out'my blanket and
things well.
Friday, August 12. The first morning drill was a very
long hour but the second drill was omitted and the time 'filled
in putting up eight new tents. The kitchen tent had to be
moved back also. For dinner, green corn. Heavy showers

BUNGALOW OP FILIPINOS.

Ahem. Walsh. Hayden. Wiley.

most of the afternoon and tiU 8 p. m., when the rain ceased.
The change from six in a tent down to four is a great relief to
the men. Several have already gone outside and built arbors
and rustic shelter-tents for themselves.
Saturday, August 13. Breakfast was about an hour
late this morning, the first time on record. In.spection at 9
and then no more drillsfoi- the day. One of my tent mates
returned from the regimental hospital'to-day where he has been

chronological. , 269
a week or so. He teUs me this abqut Dr. Griswold; assistant
surgeon. Every morning after sick call a long line of sick.men
appear before the assistant surgeon for treatment. This is the
treatment they frequently got :
" Take your hand off that tent pole. Can't you come-
here without leaning against the tent. Stand up straight. If
you men don't stop leaning against that tent pole I will drive a
lot of tacks in it, pointed at both ends. , Now, what do you
want. What's the matter with you this time."
The government has been severely criticised for the
presence in the volunteer army of a large number of inefficient
and incompetent surgeons. But a little study will show that
the government is not to blame but the fault lies with the
Act oi Congress bringing the volunteer army, into existence.
That law provided for the re-appointment, by the governors of
the different states, of the regimental officers already holding
positions in the state militia. Hence, if the state militia had
an inefficient surgeon, the volunteer army will have, as the
result of his re-appointment by the governor of his own
state. The events of the evening-are best related in the usual
Sunday letter.
Sunday August 14th.' This is the letter:
" Wilbur F. Chairter Of Company C, First Regiment, C.
V. I., while on guard, was wounded in the right leg just above
the ankle, last night by a stray bullet, doubtless fired ;from the
Third Virginia camp near by. Charter enlisted from EUington
when the company left in May and since coming to Virginia
has been considerably under the weather. Last night he went
on guard for the first time here and was in the act of facing
about at the end of his beat when the ball, 45-caliber revolver,
struck him in the center of the shin.bone a few inches above
the ankle, piercing the bone and lodging just under the skin
in 'the rear. The bone was considerably shattered but not
broken. Charter did not leave his post but called for the corporal
of the guard, who was some time in bringing another sentinel
to relieve him. They found Charter standing on one foot rest-

27b

chronological.

ing his weight on his gun, the bayonet sticking in the ground.
The post was near the guard-house and Charter was conveyed
to the hospital where he is now resting quietly with no serious
results to be apprehended. The stray shot was the result of
the general celebration in all the camps near by of the
proclamation of peace.
The Seventh Ohio and the First New Jersey first began
the celebration by placing Ughted candles on the tops of their
tents, six or seven hundred of them arranged in regular order,
down the side of the hiU half a mile away and overiooking our
camp. Then they got out their drum corps and began to yell.
The illumination was not noticed by members of the First
Regiment till some time later, so accustomed have vve become
to the yelling in the neighboring camps. They set up a yeU
at the slightest provocation. But when someone suggested,
up at the left ofour line, that, we reply to the illumination by
doing likewise the suggestion took like wild fire and in a jiffy
three hundred and twelve candles Were flickering out in the
darkness down through our camp. The men over on the hill
quickly .recognized us and then such cheering ! Pretty soon
they began a novel scheme. The letters " O. V. I." flared out
in fire against the hillside, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Men
lined up as letters, each man holding a lighted candle, made
the initials. Then they set up " N. J." " Va." and finally " C.
T." When " Va." was 'shown that set the Virginia men wild
and they immedia'tely began to discharge firearms, big and
little, in all directions, with the result heretofore mentioned.
When the initials began to appear on the hiUside the
City Guard and Company K men began to send back their
company yells and these were heard and recognized distinctly
over in the Penrisylvania camp a mile or more away. Then bon
fires were built all along down the kitchen line of the First Regi
ment and pretty soon the band caught the enthusiasm, turned out
and started along through the company streets, picking up a
bigger and bigger crowd as they went. Company K, each
man carrying a lighted candle, brought up the rear of the big
procession and before things could be quieted down the crowd

chronological.

271

had visited the tents of Colonel Burdett and Lieutenant-
Colonel Hammond, each of whom responded with a brief
speech. It was the liveliest night in camp so far.
The health of the regiment is improving, the cooler
weather and the heavy showers having a beneficial effect upon
the spirits of the men. IS^w sinks have been dug, better
kitchen regulations are enforced, more thorough policing is

TINKHAM'S TASTY TENT.
Private Robert A. Case.
being dpne and altogether the First Regiment's is getting to
be a model camp. On more than one occasion has General
Butler expressed his pleasure at and admiration of the regiment.
Captain H. H. Saunders of Company K was brigade
officer ofthe day to-day and during his tour of duty inspected
the Third Virginia camp.

272

chronological.

Eight new tents to each company have been issued and
now only four men to a tent is the rule, instead of six. The
men show their appreciation of their more commodious
quarters by slicking them up, putting fancy pine arbors over
the entrance to the tents and making themselves as tidy and
¦comfortable as possible."
The results of the signing of the protocol were extremely
disastrous however in various ways. Besides the wounding

COMPANY L'S PET.
Bushing the Growler— Full as a Goat,
of the Company C man. Private Walsh of Company. K feU
;sick while on guard and a mule over at thecorral north of the
Virginia camp was killed by a stray shot. And while the
regiment was serenading Colonel Burdett, the goat that belongs
to Company L and goes wherever the company goes, seemed
suddenly to fill with patriotism and catch the spirit of the
occasion. When the colonel began to speak, the goat shied
up at him fuU of fight, utterly regardless of the President's
proclamation of peace and greatly to the entertainment of the
regiment. Possibly the goat had visited the canteen once too

chronological. 273
many times that night. They say he gets full as a tick, some
times, on bottled beer.
This personal letter follows :
"Ihave just finished dinner. We had roast beef, boiled
potatoes, boiled onions, string beans, bread stuffing, coffee,
bread and cold baked beans. That ought to do for any one,
don't you think ? Our cook uses considerable salt pork in
cooking and the salt flavors the things just right for me. If
the other companies in the regiment, or in any regiment in
the whole United States army, do not fare as well as we do, it
IS the fault of their cook and not the fault of Uncle Sam.
All get the same rations. I hope yoii see The Cour'ant
regularly for some things I put in those letters I do not
mention in the letters to you.
I shook out my bed of boughs yesterday and dried them
in the sun, as the several days rain we have just had had made
them damp. Underneath the boughs a mouse had built his
nest and was in there, asleep, when I pulled the boughs away.
I was sorry to disturb him and allowed him to run under the
tent floor at his leisure.
We have had gre'en corn once or twice but it was either
field or pop corn and was pretty tasteless stiiff. The farmers
bring in milk, berries, pies, fruit, etc., so that those of us who
get tired of army rations can buy stuff outside. My appetite
is good and I don't care for the fancy things some long for. It
iscurious, though, how few boxes of things have been sent to
the men since we came here. At Niantic, as I wrote you then,
every tent was filled with things sent from home tiU the boys were
made sick from over eating. But since we came here and the
whole regiment has been more or less off the hooks, scarcely a
box has been received from home. We shall have been
here four weeks Tuesday and but two boxes have been
received in Company K. To sick men, boxes now are very
welcome. Speaking about being off the hooks reminds me of a sign
nearby which is somewhat suggestive under the prevailing
conditions. A negro, who lives some distance back from the

274 chronological.
road has this sign out in front: " Close cleaned, in the rear.
Pants, 10 cents."
For the past two weeks we have been more or less stirred
up by rumors, coming to us daily, of orders to move — to Porto
Rico, to Manassas, to Newport News, to Thoroughfare Gap, to
Sea Girt, New Jersey, and several other places. One day
drills were omitted and orders were issued to pack up to move
but we are still here and what is more, everything indicates we
shall stay here till we go home. More tents have been issued
so that only four in a tent is necessary and all are planning to
stay here till we are mustered out, which I think must be be
fore many more months.
I hope the sea air is making you feel better. Since we
left it, we are all several shades lighter."
Mo.xday, August 15. The company drUl this morning
was on the grounds of the Virginia camp and the regimental
drill in front of the division headquarters. To-night, while I
was on guard, a mounted Virginia officer came along the road
near the pump and I held him up, in such a peremptory
manner, they say, as to wake the whole camp. But he had no
countersign and he didn't go by, till the corporal came and
allowed him to pass.
Tuesday, August 16. Heat intense. Sentries com
pelled to pace their beats constantly and not till 3 o'clock was
I allowed to remain at ease at my post. At retreat vve stood
" at ease " for an hour and a quarter waiting for the new guard
to get around.
Close to the guard quarters where a dozen prisoners were
confined and where we all had to sleep, within twenty-five feet,
was a sink that had been in use for a month, lacking a few
days. The stench from that sink vvas so rank that, duU as my
sense of smeU is, I could not sleep. Apparently no disin
fectants had ever been used about the sink.
During the day Major Rockwell visited the guard quarters
and this is what he said to the officers of tbe guard.
"Where is the officer ofthe day? I ordered that sink
covered up and a new one dug last Saturday and here there

chronological.

275

has not been a thing done about it." I mention this simply to
illustrate the inefificiency, not of any one officer of the day, but
of the whole system of divided responsibility in vogue in the
volunteer army. The officer of the day on Saturday should
have seen to the digging of tlj^e new sink. Possibly he and the
prisoners had so much to do he did not get to it, that day.
A new officer took command of the camp Sunday, another on

DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, CAMP ALGER.
Monday and so on. The duty was shifted from one to another
till nothing was done and the sink and stink remained.
Dr. Griswold has been detailed to division headquarters.
The men say " For this relief, much thanks."
WEDNE.SDAY, AUGUST 1 7, New routine in force to-day :
Reveille, 5.15; mess call, 5.45; company drill, 6.30 to 7.30 ;
guard mount, 8.00; battalion drill, 8.30 to 9.30. Then nothing
till 7 p. m. unless special call for parade at 5.00 p. m. I dug
out the drain from the pump to-day but wish I hadn't. It
stinks worse than before. More green corn for dinner. They
say I got away with eight ears. Be that as it may, eight ears
more or less, I know I over-ate. Sergeant Beebe was taken with

276

chronological.

cramps to-night. To-night Lieutenant Colonel Hammond issued
instructions in regard to sanitary matters, our first lesson and
we have been in camp here a month.
Thursday, August 18. Another hot day but a fine
shower just after 7 o'clock parade.
Friday, August 19. Very hot morning. The com
pany drill over on the Virginia camp was a tough one, extra
long and without rests. The battalion drill was not so hard.
AU other drills omitted. The hour's practice by squads in

r

FIRE ! ! !
Converse. Cadwell. Wiley. Kober. Borland. Schults. Wolcott
sighting and aiming, supposed to be from 4 to 5 in the afternoon,
is now wholly omitted.
Saturday, August 20. . Inspection at 8,00. That
ended the duties of the day. A game of ball between the
officers of the regiment and a team from Company D drew
quite a crowd this, forenoon. Private Fulton and I visited the
division hospital this afternoon to see with our own eyes the
horrors the yellow journals claim are being perpetrated .over in
the next lot to us. We didn't see 'em. We must have struck
the wrong day for horrors. The different regimental bands

chronological, 277
take turns, now, and give a band concert near the hospital
tents several times a week.
This is The Courant letter sent home to-day : .'
" The one question the men of, the First Regiment are
now discussing is, "Are we going home? " All other matters
have been dropped, no one takes any interest in them. The
Wade provisional picnic and moonlight excursion to Porto
Rico, which set the whole camp wild at the time, has been for
gotten, now that the fighting has come to an end. The orders
issued for moving the camp to Manassas have never been
executed, although drills were omitted one forenoon and the
men told to pack up their things in readiness for a move the
next morning early.
The plan, partially carried out, of transferring the whole
Second Army Corps 10 Middletown, Pennsylvania, will not now
be completed so far as the First Regiment is concerned, for word
was received here to-day that the water supply at MiddletovVn
had been found insufficient, or still worse, bad from a sanitary
point of view. So it goes.
Ever since we came here five weeks ago nearly, the mcrt
have been kept constantly stirred up by orders to move and
rumors of orders to move. Not one of these orders in fact has
been carried out and the indications all along have been against
any real intention in the direction of moving. The only
motive in setting such orders or alleged orders in motion seems
to have been simply to keep the men guessing. It has given a
subject for the men to talk about, that is about all. No, that
is not all. It has kept scores of half sick men constantly
under a severe nervous strain, worrying about the anticipated
fatigue to be encountered during the march.
But that, as I said, has all been forgotten now. Since
word was sent from the War department that the men would
have an opportunity to express their desire on the question of
being mustered out or remaining in service, nothing else has
been talked about. For the purpose of finding out what the
real feeling is among the enlisted men of the First Regiment I
went down the Une yesterday and tried to get a fair expression

278 chronological.
of feeUng from the different companies. In many cases I
talked with the first sergeants, but in all cases with the men,
the privates, as well. This, I find to be the present sentiment
of the regiment: —
To the question, " Do you want to serve out the two years
or go home now?" there was practically one answer, "I want
to go home." In some companies possibly a dozen or fifteen
men might be found who wanted to go to Cuba, Porto Rico
or anywhere. They wanted at least to see what kind of a
country it was. They enlisted to fight but now that there was
to be no fighting they wanted the next best thing, a trip so
they could see something outside of mere camp life and they
vvere wilUng to do garrison duty for a year or more in order, to
take the trip. On the other hand, in such companies as F and
K, I could scarcely find a man who wanted to do garrison
duty. " Do we want to spend our time in camp, earning fifty-
two cents a day, in times of peace? No," they said, " we went
into this business to fight and now that there is to be no fight
ing and peace has been declared, we want to go home."
Possibly these two companies contain a larger proportion of
business and professional men than any others in the regiment.
They left lucrative professions and bright business prospects to
see some fighting. Disappointed in that, through no fault of
their own, to compel these men now to endure the monoto
nous life of a soldier in times of peace is not what they volun
teered to do, they say.
To the question, "Would you volunteer now to do
garrison duty in Cuba for a few months, say tiU January 1899?"
there was a more ready response, but stiU a large majority, I
should say seventy-five per cent, of the men, said, "The war
is over and I want to go home and if an honorable opportunity
to go is offered, I shall accept it."
Thus you have- it. Just how the~question-wUl«be-S'ub«
mitted to the regiment is not known, but it is understood
Colonel Burdett will submit it in a -few days, in accordance
with the action taken in the other regiments stationed at Dunn
Loring.

chronological. 279
Five members of the First Regiment are now in the
division hospital with typhoid fever but none of them is as yet
considered dangerously sick. The camp, from a sanitary
point of view, was never in such excellent condition. StUl,
the number of deaths in the hospital, over in the next
¦lot, which now numbers two or three a day, is having a
more or less disquieting effect upon some members of the
regiment. A recent death at Fort Myer of a member of the First
Rhode Island resulted in calling upon a detail from Company
K to attend the funeral. The detail was in charge of Sergeant
DeLamaten The bearers were Corporals Dwyer and Apple-
"ton and Privates Ahern, Zoller, and Hollis. The firing party
consisted of Corporal Carroll and Privates Humphrey, F. R.
Denison, Marion, W. H. Brown and Gillette. Trumpeter
Camp sounded taps, playing "lights out" most effectively.
The burial was at Arlington but sad to relate not a member of
the Rhode Island Regiment nor friend of the dead soldier
followed him to the grave."
(Accompanying this Courant letter and as a part
¦of it I gave what I thought was a fair statement of the law
¦under which we had been called into service and also an
•opinion, from a legal standpoint, that the volunteer army could
not be legally held in service after a treaty of peace had been
ratified by both countries. The law governing our enlistment,
I wrote, provides that all volunteer officers and men " shall be
discharged from the service of the United States when the
.purposes for which they were called into service shall have been
accomplished." The proclamation calling for volunteers stated
the purpose to be, to compel the government of Spain " to
withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
¦waters," and to "relinquish its authority and government in the
Island of Cuba." I maintained that when this had been
accomplished and the treaty of peace had been ratified by both
countries, the volunteer army must be discharged. This
portion of my letter The Courant did not print, possibly
ibecause the editorial department of the paper had, on several

28o chronological.
occasions, in leading editorials, taken the opposite view. That
letter was written August 20, 1898.
On February 8, 1 899, Attorney General Griggs published
an opinion that the volunteer army under the law., could be
retained in service until the ratification of the treaty of peace
had been exchanged between the two countries and no longer.)
Sunday, Augu.st 21. My weight is one hundred and
thirty pounds, a loss of twenty-five pounds since leaving home.
About an hour before dinner to-day the company was ordered
to dig a new sink. Being Sunday a detail of less than twenty
men was secured to do the work. Later in the day I vyrOte
this letter home :
" No, you have not been negligent in writing. With you,-
there is nothing new to write but with me there is always.
something. In fact, I guess some of my letters have been
more long than interesting. But I am sorry to see you back'
home and feeling so miserably. Thesalt . air usually agrees
with you, don't it? But you must not worry about our going
to Cuba or anywhere else except home. That will be the next
place, I feel sure. Colonel Burdett appears to be red hot to
have the rest Of us do garrison duty in Cuba, in time of peace,
but the experience of the past shows Colonel Burdett has not
always had his way in this business. In fact, quite the con-.
trary. Ever since we came here five weeks ago lots of the
men have been worrying about going here and going there and
about the daily raft of orders that appear exclusively in the news^
papers saying we were to do this and do that. When a .man is
half sick from over work or the unacclimated condition of his
system, aU this adds to his troubles. Several of the young
fellows, vvho are homesick into the bargain, seem to come to me
for re-assurance and I have constantly told them we werei not
going to Porto Rico, nor to Manassas, nor to Middletown, Penn-'
sylvania. And I gave them my reasons for thinking so. So far
the result has been, we didn't go and the boys are begin
ning to give less weight to all these disturbing rumors. You
see, a move means carrying a heavy. knapsack, gun, havers,^ck;
and canteen several miles in the hot sun and: this-to half sick

chronological. 281
men looks big. - And now I try my best to encourage the
men that we will not move till we go back to Niantic to be
mustered out.
Of course it is possible but hardly probable that a few
superior officers will succeed in. giving the War department a
wrong idea of the wishes of the men in our regiment. Yester
day I wrote The Courant and gave a fair account of the feeling
of the men. The governors of several states are apparently
getting their work in and their troops sent back to the state
camps. Nothing would please the members of the First
Regiment more than for Governor Cooke to get it, at least,
sent back to Niantic. I have just been called away to dig a
new sink for the company. Some twenty of us out of one
hundred and six were all that could be found about the street
and some of these kicked at digging clay in the hot sun on
Sunday, but all digging is alike to me. I had rather do that
than so much monotonous drilling. Another thing that is
having a disquieting effect upon the men is the nearness of the
division hospital. Over in the next lot, within stone's throw,
are some four or five hundred men lying on cots under canvass,
sick from various diseases. A tent has been put up close by
our camp and two or three times a day we can see them carry
some poor boy out there, covered with a sheet. Then, pretty
soon, the black covered wagon drives by and goes out of sight
and in a short time we are thinking or at least making a bluff at
talking of something else. Four new cases of fever were
added to the list in that lot from Connecticut this morning
but none of the men are dangerously sick now, though
they have been. It seems strange that a large body of
men cannot continue healthy in such a naturally healthy
locality as this but so it is. The two chief causes of
sickness, I think, is the lack of bathing facilities (men will not
voluntarily keep clean unless they can go in swimming) and the
lack of rigid discipUne as to eating. The men are allowed to
fill their stomachs with all sorts, of stuff from tainted milk to
unripe melons. Two of my tent mates (one has gone home,
threatened with a fever) have made themselves sick by taking
19

282

CHRONOLOGICAL.

the favorite Washington trip and gorging themselves with good
things to eat. The human stomach, disciplined as it now is to
army rations, cannot stand the shock. So far I have stuck to
the camp and regular rations and am well. Don't think of
sending me anything. I can get nice lemonade, ginger ale,
etc., close by, for a nickel, whenever I crave it. The only
thing I can think of I might like is a bottle of Jamacia ginger,.
to give the water a pleasant taste. The water comes from a

/mf'^-si'

THE UNLUCKY ELEVEN. ALL SICK— ONE DIED.
F. C. Burnell. F. M. Johnson. DeLamater. Low. Bno. Wheeler.
Gale. H. L. Huntmgton. Boniface. Beebe. Ward.
driven weU so we need no ice. It is cool enough. But you
can't send liquids by mail, I think, so don't mind the ginger.
Today I have The Washington Post and The New York
Herald and don't lack for reading, though I prefer The Sun
to The Herald. The Sun, the New York one, doesn't shine
in this camp, however.
Enclosed find present routine of our daily duties.' You
see our drills are all over at 9.30 a. m., which is an

CHRONOLOGICAL.

283

improvement upon the previous midday drills. We are up
before sunrise now.
Since writing the above an officer who has talked with
Colonel Burdett within a day says the colonel is not anxious
to go to Cuba to' do mere garrison duty, but is not going to
express any desire to go home. Still, if the fever should get
into the regiment, to any great extent, letters would begin to
buzz about his ears pretty lively if he still failed to try to get
us sent home. The fact is, there are a sufficient number
among the 200,000 volunteers vvho want to go to Cuba to fur
nish all the troops needed and I think the outcome will be-
new regiments of these wiU be organised and the rest of the
volunteers will be mustered out. See if I am right."
Monday, August 22. I went on guard at 8 a. m., on
third relief. No. 17. This brought my beat over by the non-

OHIO, NEW JERSEY AND- NEW YORK RUGIMUNTS STARTING
FOR THEIR FINAL REVIEW.
commissioned Staff sink. At the 6.30 A. M. drill the regiment
passed in review twice and at the 8.30 drill the Third Virginia
came over and both regiments went through the same man-
ceuver tvvice. At 2.45 this afternoon the Seventh Otiio, First New
Jersey and the Sixty-fifth New York marched past us on their
way over to Camp Alger for their final review. They returned
at 5 o'clock, the First New Jersey setting a terrible pace on
their way back. Our regiiiient passed in review again at 5

284 chronological.
o'clock. Private Judson and I had adjoining posts and about
midnight we stole close up to the tents ofthe non-commissioned
staff and sung out the hour and the " all's well " with the voice
of a fog horn. ' Drum-Major Pierce had claimed, up to this
night, that the guard never let their voices out sufficiently to
wake him up, but this time Private Judson and I not only woke
him up, but Sergeant Moseley and even Chaplain. Kelsey
thrust their heads out of their tents to find out what had
broken loose.
Tuesday, August 23. To-day was very hot and the
parade at 5 o'clock was omitted. This afternoon about 3
o'clock soon after the Hartford mail had arrived, while we
were lying out under the arbor in, the shade, Colonel Burdett's
orderly came over and asked for Private Webster who had been
at headquarters for some time acting as stenographer. Little
did we realize then what was in the wind, how that little cloud
in the sky, no larger than the stenographer's hand, would soon
sweep through the camp like a hurricane. The stenographer
was found and this is the order dictated to him by Colonel
Burdett himself
" Headquarters First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Camp
Alger, Va., August 23, 1898.
Circular Orders No. 5.
The commanding officer is in receipt of a marked copy of
a newspaper published in Hartford, Conn., in which attention is
called to a statement that the First Regiment Connecticut Vol
unteer Infantry is anxious to go home. In order to learn
whether the anonymous correspondents of newspapers repre
sent or not the men of this command the commanding officer
of each company in the regiment is directed to secure by bal
lot at retreat to-day a vote on the following :
Resolved, That the members of this command are de.
sirous of retracting their oath of military service to the United
States for two years and want to be mustered out and go home
during the present armistice and before peace is declared.
The company commanders will also each secure by ballot
the decision of the company on the following:

chronological.

285

Resolved, That if continuance in the military service is
left to the individual wish of the members of the volunteer
army of the United States, then the members of this command
would like the First Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry
mustered out. ft
The result of their ballots, sho'iving numbers voting, will be
at once reported to these headquarters.
By order of Major Hickey.
J. M. Wain-wright, Captain and Adjutant."
To say the regiment vvas hot when this order was issued is
to put it mildly. But it did not take the members of our com
pany long to make up their minds. The result of the vote is
as follows, two companies taking no action, and the vote on the
two questions being substantially the same :
Company Yes Company No
A, SS A, Ii
B, 34 B, 5^
C, 91 C, 10
D, .66 D, 7
E,F, G,

-H, I,
K. L, M,

Yes

Company

SS

A,

34

B,

91

c.

66

D,

—

E,

—

F,

50

G,

46

H,

51

I,

83

K,

43

M,

48 46 34 5
88
46
.360

Total, 527
Company F.. the night before, took a vote and by 75 to
17, voted to go home. So, on a total of less than 1,000 votes,
the First Regiment, by 225 majority, asked to be sent home.
The story of the vote is told in the following letter :
"Yours of Sunday or Monday received and I tell you it-
made me feel good to know that there was a power behind the

COMPANY F READY FOR BUSINESS, CAMP ALGER, VIRGINIA.

chronological, 287
throne that might 'be of service, if worse came to worse. I
shall not be slow to accept the offer,, if there is no other way
out of it, but as thirigs are going now we shall all be back in
Niantic soon. But I want to tell you about last night's affair
and how thankful the regiment now ought to feel that fate has
decided that we are not to go into battle with a man at the
head who so easily loses his own.
The Hartford mail arrives each day about 2.30 p. m.
Yesterday a marked copy of The Post was received by Colonel
Burdett in which was a letter from here saying the men wanted
to go home. In a short time a stenographer from our com
pany was sent for by special messenger, the enclosed order was
dictated, a sufficient number of copies were struck off and
reached the different companies a few minutes before action on,
the order was required. How this action of Colonel Burdett's
was received by the different companies I can only briefly relate.
Company F men said the first resolution was not put fairly ; that
they wished to retract nothing and finally took no action, claim
ing they did not understand the two propositions put as they
were. Captain Newton went over to Colonel Burdett's tent and
so reported to him.
" What, can't understand the language of that order," said
Colonel Burdett,. sharply, "what plainer way could there be
of putting it? That order is absolute. Captain Newton, and
mustbe obeyed. Go back to your command, compel your
men to vote upon that order and report to me at once." This,
and much more of like nature was said and said with an
emphasis even more than is ordinarily used by the colonel, if
that is possible. The result was almost a mutiny in Company
F, all but 28 men refusing to vote one way or the other on the
questions. Company K took the bull (for now every one agrees the
colonel made one) by the horns. We said that if we must
vote on a question so'unfairly put to us, we would vote to be
mustered out during 'the present armistice and before peace
was declared, even if tiy so doing the colonel should unfairly
construe that action to be a retraction of our " oath." No

>u g
3w

u H
In o Q<
Sh tn 0I?<!ni-t
w

W

'(."1
¦¦.i'l

1 S.SSS

Sirt B3g.=
°.-.d'o .2

SgS^SS,' - ^ OJ S c «

0^«

¦i.e.|l?.S

5g»Slg o c .P rt es S

L^r!^.

chronological. 289
fair minded man would construe an expression of our desire to
be mustered out, now, as a retraction ofour oath. So we sent
Captain Saunders over to see if we could omit action on the
first proposition and the reply vvas the same ; it is an order and
must be obeyed. We voted 83 to 5 to be mustered out and
78 to 9 to be mustered out even if this was construed by the
colonel to be a retraction of our oath.
As soon as the different companies had reported, showing
a majority of over 200 to go home, in a total of less than 1,000,
the colonel at once called his line officers together and it is said
there was a hot time in the old tent, till late at night. Colonel
Burdett made. a motiori that the officers vote on the same reso
lutions, but many of the officers told him to his face the ques
tion was unfairly put to them. So much opposition vvas shown
the motion was never pressed to a vote. By analyzing the vote
you will see, the second call men. Companies L and M, who
did not hear the first call,, want to go to Cuba and do garrison
duty now that peace is declared. But I ought not to criticise
any one's motives. We hear their officers stood by and strong
ly intimated the men, had better vote as they did.
While most of the officers favor continuing in service, at
their present salaries, some of them are as anxious to go home
as the rest of us. I wired the vote to The Courant this morn
ing with a copy of the order. If the order should not be
printed, for any reason, I wish it might appear in some paper
so that the people of Hartford could see how unfairly the
whole matter was put.
Speaking of the salaries of the officers, these figures may
interest you. In one company of our regiment the average
wages earned by the men before they left home was $2.33 per
day. The average wages of the three officers was $3.83 per
day. WhUe in service the men get 52 cents a day and the
officers, on an average, $5.33, so you see the men are getting
78 per cent, less than they were at home while the officers are
drawing salaries 40 per cent, larger than their home income.
These are the figures obtained from 10 1 members of one com
pany. If the salaries of all the officers from the colonel down

290 chronological.
were taken into consideration the differences between the war
wages and the home incomes ofthe officers and men would be
still more glaring.
The Washington papers this morning say we are all go
ing back to our state camps and mustering out officers are be
ing selected. Other orders in the Commissary department look
the same way to-day. This afternoon our brigade (Third Vir
ginia and First Connecticut) will march over to the old parade
grounds at Camp Alger, two miles, for review. It is ripping
hot and has been for two days now, but I am all right and can
stand the sweating I guess. My weight at Niantic, 150 stripped,
is here 130, and I can squat down and almost box my ears with
my own knees. Out back of our tent we have built a pine ar
bor and these days the shade is appreciated.
What is the reason for The Courant's attitude in contin
ually saying we are anxious to serve out the two years? "
Here is another home letter covering the same subject:
"Tablets and letter of yesterday received. The former have
already gone to the spot and are just what I wanted. For sev
eral days I have been squandering five or ten cents a day of
my 52 cent salary on lemonade from the Virginia camp, but
the tablets are just as good and saves me a walk of one-quarter
of a mile or so in the hot sun, besides. Your letter did my soul
good, I tell you. I might have known you would begin and
hustle for us, but I wasn't looking for it when I wrote. But I
must teU you more about the order Colonel Burdett issued and
how the officers express themselves about it. Yesterday morn
ing I wired the order and the vote to The Courant. Soon after
dinner Acting Brigadier-General Burdett sent his orderly,
with his compUments, to me and said he wanted to see me
at his tent. I went in my shirt sleeves. No one pretends to
wear his blouse except at dress parade.
Colonel Burdett received me all right and at once asked
"Have you made any use of that matter of last night?" (he
knew I was The Courant correspondent) I said I had.
"Didn't I teU you not to send anything to the news
papers till I had seen it?" I replied that I understood

chronological. 291
him to refer to such orders as had not yet been published, but
that this order had been published throughout the camp.
"But how did you get a copy? Did Captain Saunders give
you a copy?" I repUed no, but didn't disclose how I got the
copy. "But how did you get«the result of the vote? That has
not been published." I said the result of the action of each
company had been given out to the men and the men simply
compared notes.
" Well, how would you like to have it published that
K had a dozen men sick in the hospital with venereal
diseases, if such should happen to be the case; how
would you like to have that published? This is such a case.
I didn't want that order published." Then I told him here
after I would send nothing till I had seen him first.
" Oh, well," he replied with a tired expression, " hereafter
there wUl be nothing that I shall care a damn about." Then I
went away.
At the officers' meeting, held later that night. Colonel
Burdett made a motion that the officers vote on the same reso
lutions that the men had. This motion was seconded and the
motion was about to be put when Major Schulze objected to
the officers voting on the resolution so worded. He expressed
himself so strongly-, and so many other officers did the same
that the vote was not taken at all. Major Rockwell, Captain
Laubscher, Captain Newton, Captain Moore and one or two
other officers have expressed themselves to me as strongly as
did Major Schulze. There are rumors of three resignations
among the officers since the order was issued, but these may be
for business reasons. Colonel Burdett now says President
McKinley asked him to get an expression of opinion from his
men. He also says he does not want to go to Cuba for gar
rison duty. Bah ! Captain Saunders has told us to hand in
our applications for discharges in a few days, giving our rea
sons, intimating that he will approve those who give good
reasons; but the discharge itself, in case it can be granted,.
must come from the colonel, so you see how I am fixed.

292 chronological.
Review was omitted yesterday on account of the heat.
To-day is much cooler."
One qf the Washington papers stated a few days ago that
Colonel Burdett had a conference at the War department lasting
three hours and when he left the department was unable to
determine whether he wanted to go to Cuba or not. This I
get from home from one who ought to knOw: " Colonel Bur
dett expects his men to stand by him till his personal ambition
is satisfied." This is what he says in an interview in The
Times :
" Colonel Burdett, after returning from Washington,
where he had a consulation with the authorities, in company
with General Butler, General Plume and General Gobin,. drew
up two resolutions for the men to sign. One of these reso
lutions expressed the desire of the men to be mustered out of
the service. The other resolution stated that those who signed
it wished to retract the oath which they took on entering the
service. The resolutions were presented to the regiment by
Major Hickey, who was acting colonel in the absence of
Colonel Burdett, who was acting brigadier-general. Had
Colonel Burdett been in command he would have presented
the resolutions himself to the regiment. President McKinley,
himself, is primarily responsible for the men wishing to be sent
home. He had a statement published in the newspapers that
in the mustering of volunteers out of the service of the United
States the wishes of the men would be considered. The
President, who has acknowledged responsibility for the appear
ance of this statement in the papers, tempted the men to ask
to be mustered out of service."
The Courant has this :
" The impression seems to have prevailed that Colonel
Burdett was in favor of having the First Regiment detained in
the service until the two years' enlistment of the men expired.
A private letter from one of the officers says : ' He told me
that, together with the commanding officers of the other twp
brigades of this division, he had an interview with the President.
and made the strongest claims possible for our muster out.' "

chronological. 293
So now you have it. He wants to go to Cuba. He don't
want to go to Cuba. The resolutions speak for themselves,
however. He dicteted.tbem, he ordered them presented to the
regiment and was present and in command when it was done.
Major Hickey did not present them to the regiment. The
Times interview to the contrary notwithstanding. If they
were not intentionally so worded by Colonel Burdett, for the
purpose of having them voted down, then I don't understand
the English language. A more unfair advantage was never
exercised over a body of men than Colonel Burdett tried to
enforce over the First Regiment. But he failed to carry his
point. Wednesday, August 24. I hustled over to division
headquarters this morning early and wired The Courant the re
sult of the vote last night. Another brigade parade from 8.30
to 9.30. Very hot to-day, too. We were under orders to march
to Camp Alger for review this afternoon, but the order was
countermanded on account of the heat. There was a fine elec
trical display in the western sky to-night, but the storm itself
went around.
Thursday, August 25. Colonel Burdett received a nice
little call- down this morning from General Gobin at division
headquarters. A member of K, who heard it, told me.
The Washington Post had just reached camp with the fol
lowing about the First Connecticut :
" The subject of mustering out has caused considerable
hard'feeling in the ranks of the First Connecticut. This regi
ment is brigaded with the Third Virginia, constituting the
second brigade of the. third division. General Gobin's com
mand properly embraces only the first division, but the second
brigade belonging to this command was sent to Cuba and so
the second brigade of the third division was substituted in its
place. The latter therefore fear that the telegram of General
Corbin is meant only for the first and the third brigades and will
not -include the second division. The colonel of the Yankee
regiment is believed to be very anxious for further service on
Cuban soil and he, together with members of his staff and

294 chronological.
other officers, are said to be making strenuous efforts to con
vince their boys that Cuba is "just the thing." When a vote
on the subject was taken, night before last, the feeling of the
two factions became very strong, indeed. A paper published
in Hartford, Conn., had stated that the regiment was anxious
to go home and accordingly Colonel Burdett decided to sub
mit the question to a vote. In so doing he phrased the ques
tion in such a fashion as to excite open hostility. His order
requested the men to vote whether they were desirous of "re
tracting their oaths of military service to the United States for
two years," which appeared to some privates, who had no idea
of retracting any oaths and merely wished to petition for dis
missal, as decidedly unfair.
As soon as the order was read it became the subject of a
heated discussion. Excited groups of privates stood about in
the company streets, condemning the expression about retrac
tion of oaths in the severest terms. The two questions were
practically the same, they said, and the purport ofthe first was
really to force the privates to vote in the negative on both.
One of the captains even went to the colonel to explain the
difficulty discovered in his peculiar phraseology.
Finally, when the vote was taken, one company simply
ignored the order and refused to cast any ballot whatsoever.
Another company answered the second question in the affirma'-
tive, but emphatically refused to consider the first question.
With the two questions remaining as they stood, it was found
that 527 votes were cast in the affirmative favoring dismissal
with 360 in the negative, the balance of the regiment present
refusing to participate in the ballot. The members of the
First Connecticut thus showed a decided preference for dis
missal. They fear, nevertheless, that owing to the influence
of their officers, their vote will avail them but Uttle."
Evidently General Gobin had just read the article in The
Washington Post.
" Colonel Burdett," he said, upon meeting him in the main
office, " you did a very unmilitary thing in issuing that order
the other night."

chronological. 295
" But, general," replied Colonel Burdett, " there has been
a boil in the regiment lately and I thought I would probe it
and see what there was in it."
" Well," replied General Gobin, as the two passed into
another. room out of hearing, "whatever your reason was it
was a very irregular thing to do and if your.men cause you any
trouble, hereafter, if they are guilty of insubordination, you
yourself will be to blame for it."
Our brigade was reviewed and passed in review this morn
ing from 8.30 to 9.30. Private Walsh has gone to the division
hospital. . He is pretty sick. Privates F. C. Burnell and
Webster are also at the regimental hospital. High wind and
rain this afternoon blew .down the Y. M. C. A. and several
other tents. Corporal Low's " lean to " arbor, next to ours,
. also fell in ruins. To-night the third battalion received
orders to do provost duty. Our company goes to East
Falls Church. These items are from The Times correspondent
signed " V" :
"On Monday last the first division of Major-General
Graham's command left here for. Manassas, Virginia, and are
now camped on the ground where was fought the battle of Bull
Run. It was intended to send the First Connecticut Volun
teers to the same camp and accordingly we received orders to
pack an^ hold ourselves in readiness to move there on Sun
day, but that order has also fallen through and now the bOys
refuse to believe any further orders concerning our departure
from our ' cornfield camp.' "
" On Monday evening last our First Regiment Band went
over to the Virginia camp and there serenaded our comrades
of war. For an hour the band played, each patriotic selection
bringing an echo of cheers from one end of the camp to the
other. To add the comfort of sound to that of scene and rest,
the band of the Seventh Ohio began to play, softly at first,
then in one swelling measure and although the tune chosen
was the well-known " Washington Post March" never did
music sound more sweetly and to the minds of the listeners it
brought thoughts of the home coming and the march through

296

CHRONOLOGICAL.

troops of friends and then a silence fell, through which stole
that sweetest yet saddest of military bugle calls, " taps."
"On Tuesday evening. Private Tinkham, Company K,
brought home a small cherry tree and planted it at the
entrance to his abode and judging from its growth of'a few
days, we may have cherry pie before we leave here."
Friday, August 26. Up at 5 a. m. After breakfast we
set fire to the arbor which for so many days has kept the
sun's heat from us, applied a torch to the kitchen, struck

WILL ROOT'S TREE EVER TAKE ROOT?
Fowler. Kirkley. Eoor. Hall.
camp and at 9.30 left the old corn field for good, we hope.
The route to East Falls Church was by Dunn Loring and
along side the tracks part of the way and part of the time
along the highway. The pace set by Captain Saunders was
too lively, even for him, and the march unnecessarily sweat
the men through and through. But we reached the camp
grounds ahead of the mule teams with the baggage and had
dinner by i -o'clock. The detail from the Sixty-fifth New
York left soon after we arrived. The following incident must

CHRONOLOGICAL. 297
not be overlooked, for this is a true history. For some time
before we left that old corn field members of the company
began missing their spoons. The mystery probably would
never have been solved had not Corporal Sanderson gone
home on a sick furlough. He is still away, but this morning
his tent mates overhauled his haversack for the purpose of re
packing it when out rolled seven government spoons. For
him that means the guard tent. For us, the lesson is, to more
closely guard our tents.
Saturday, August 27. The first thing this morning
was to dig a kitchen sink. I went on guard at the station
at 3 p. m. I guess we are going to have a snap here.
Private Dimock has gone to the hospital.
Sunday, August 28. This morning the Missouri relief
train, Pullman cars conveying home their sick soldiers, went
by early. Corporal Gruener and I, after being relieved from
guard, visited the old Episcopal church at Falls Church
this afternoon. Corporal Sanderson returned to-night and
is unable to explain the presence of so many spoons in his
haversack. Monday, August 29. Corporal Gruener and I took the
trolley for Washington at 9 o'clock and went by boat to Mount
Vernon. Returning at 2 we visited the capitol and congres
sional library and got back to camp at 6.30. The heat was in
tense. Tuesday, August 30. I went on guard at Aqueduct
Bridge at 2.30 this afternoon. Slept, or tried to sleep, in the
car shed on some boards, but the heat and the mosquitoes
put a stop to all that — passed a most miserable night. This
is the letter sent home before going on guard :
" Last Friday our battalion, the third, was ordered to do
provost duty about Camp Alger and four companies of us
broke camp, took everything with us and we marched over to
East Falls Church, about four miles. The other three com
panies are located at different points, one or two miles from
here. The other eight companies of the regiment, of course,
are still in that old corn field.

298 CHRONOLOGICAL.
Our camp is in a vacant lot within stpne's throw of the
end of the Washington and Falls Church troUey line and the
railroad station of the Southern railroad. Half hourly trips
to Washington can be taken all day, tUl midnight. About a
mile west is Falls Church. The old Episcopal church, built in
1766 oi brick brought from England, is still used for religious
purposes. It was used as a horse stable during the Civil war
and was frequently in temporary possession of Mosby's cavalry.
The country is rolling, well cleared but sufficiently wooded to

^i6r*a;-V

STATION AT EAST FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA.
make the outlook from the side hiU where we are located, a
beautiful one. Yesterday I was off duty and went to Washing
ton, Mount Vernon, saw the capitol and library, but of course
did not try to do much else. Our duty, once in three days, is
to watch all trains and see that all uniformed men have passes.
One day here and three days from that time at the Aqueduct
Bridge opposite Georgetown, ten miles from here, is our tour
of duty, so you see how easy we have it. The weather is now
delightful. Don't get carried off. your feet by the wild, alrnost insane
howl raised by the newspapers against the War department. It

CHRONOLOGICAL.

299

is a return, in another form, ot the crazy cry for the recognition
of Cuban independence which President McKinley so stoutly and
successfully stood out against. There has to be sure been a
great amount of sickness in Camp Alger as in all the other camps,
but whether a greater percentage than in our last war I can't
say. I have faith to believe it is much less. The yellow jour
nal germs found no lodging place, then, in the public mind, if
they existed at all. This I say from what I know of my own
tent and my own company and I believe vvhat is true there, is
true of every company and regiment in Camp Alger and for

COMPANY K STREET, EAST FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA.
that matter Camp Thomas, for both camps for six weeks now,
have been similarly situated so far as water, soil and other
natural surroundings are concerned.
With such personal habits amon.g the men throughout the
camp is it strange the hospitals are full? In the regular army
the rigid discipline would scarcely allow a- man to live as do
some in our company, for instance, but discipline in the vol
unteer army is another thing — in fact it does not exist so far as
personal cleanliness and healthy diet is concerned. But when
1,300 men, with such average habits, lay down and live upon

300

CHRONOLOGICAL.

four acres of Virginia clay, for two or three months, is it any
wonder sicknessi prevails? I figure it that we were living as
closely together as would the inhabitants of a city of 200,000
people crowded into a district a mile square. Some regiments
had less land than we had. When you stop to think that all
the impurities that the human system excretes were thrown
out upon or into a soil, tough and about as absorbent as putty,
you can imagine the condition of Camp Alger after three
months. But enough of this, except to say, next to the cow-

jack's SNORING GROUND.
Pierce. Gruener. Campbell. Low.
ard in battle is the cuss who" kicks in camp. Mrs. Julian Haw
thorne, who doubtless, for the time being, has forgotten to
send flowers to the condemned criminals under her daUy care,
has now found a new object of sympathy, the hungry soldier.
Bah ! I'm a hungry soldier this very minute and am hungry
all the time whenever I let my mind wander back to the good
things at home. (I am beginning to jot down the things I
want to eat when the time comes and I can make my mouth
water, anytime, doing it.) I lived two days, once, on nothing

CHRONOLOGICAL. 301
but- a piece of hardtack and came out the better for it. She
has also found men lying on the ground at Camp Wikoff.
Why, I have slept on the ground, out in the rain, for six weeks
and am better off for it, much better than in a tent with six
stinking men. All men, however clean at home, wiU stink in
a tent in such a climate as this. Besides, in all camps you will
find men who will lie down in their tents and rot rather than
raise a hand to make themselves more comfortable, to say
nothing of keeping more clean. I have seen men threatened
with the guard house because ol the filthy condition of their
tents — conditions that -ten minute's work would remedy. I
have no doubt there has been much incompetency in the War
department, for an army cannot be suddenly increased ten fold
in all its departments without some new material being- found
not up to the standard. But the chances are, in nine cases Out
often, these sniveling vyomen arid yellow reporters have struck
the company -kickei: and taken his lies afld exaggerated" state
ments for law arid gospel. But I must stop. i .•-
There is a house within fifty feet of my tent and you don't
know how funny it sounded the other night tq hear a clock
strike. Jack is with us and has. lived through the hot weather
all right. You remember that at Portland cats were our first
or original pets. We have had two dogs in the street for soriae
time now and last night one of them presented us with six
bright little bull terriers. Two others vvere born dead. AU
are doing as well as could be expected. Eight regiments only
are now here and these are beginning to leave for their state
camps. Hope to write you from Niantic in a couple of weeks
or so." Wednesday, August 3 1 . Very hot morning. Was not
relieved for breakfast till 9.30. During the forenoon some
"Washington women came along in a carriage distributing sweet
cakes to the men. The hay fever has tackled me hard to-day.
Am losing my appetite for army rations. Baked beans alone
taste good now. Corporals Dwyer and Ward and Privates
Dimock and F. C. Burnell have been sent home sick. Those
home on furloughs more or less ailing, are Sergeants Beebe

302

chronological.

and Boniface and Privates Barrows, Hayden, Bassett and R.
A. Case. Thursday, September i. Again very hot. My hay
fever is worse. Corporal Gruener and I visited the Navy yard,
the Congressional Library and the White House to-day and
availed ourselves ofthe free luncheon provided by some good
women on F street. To-night the weather had so changed
that blankets vvere very comfortable.
Friday, September 2. Notwithstanding the cold night
the heat to-day is again intense. To-night Private Tinkham

TYPICAL TRIO.
Wheelock. W. C .Tolinson. Appleton.
went to work in his father's vineyard or rather tried to work
the grape vine belonging to the father of some one else. The
old man was literaUy on to him, as the soiled trousers which
Private Tinkham wore home too plainly testified. He says
they were only sour grapes anyway. This is the letter I sent
to The Courant to-day :

chronological.

303

" Now that the First Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry, has been ordered home to be mustered out later,
some facts in regard to the physical condition of the men and
the causes for the great amount of sickness among them may
not be uninteresting. The regiment has now been out four
months. Part of this time was taken up with coast defense
duty in the invigorating cUmate of Maine, but during the past
seven weeks the regiment has been at this camp, surrounded

¦^'-''Ot;

M. A. Pierce.

Jos. Burnell.

Barker.

by the same conditions that have affected all other regiments
of the Second Army Corps. In fact, so far as the natural
surroundings have had an influence, the twenty-five thousand
men here and the forty thousand men at Camp Thomas have
been brought under practically the same. The soil in both
places is of clay, a tough, putty-like substance into which the
rain soaks but an inch or two. Throw dirty water out upon it
and the water quickly evaporates, leaving the sediment upon
the surface to dry in the sun and blow about in the breeze.

304 CHRONOLOGICAL.
The surface of the soil and for a few inches below soon be
comes filled with filth which the -heavy rains fail to wash
away. A cloud burst upon a field of putty would have as
Uttle cleansing effect. In fact, it has been frequently noticed
in digging up the soil round about the camp how much like an
old sink drain the surface clay smells when disturbed.
Then again the water supply in Camp Thomas and Camp
Alger is principaUy from driven wells. The water is so im
pregnated with minerals as to, at first, very generally have a
serious effect upon the bowels. Upon such a soil and suppUed
with such water, the First Regiment, seven weeks ago, went
into camp in exceUent physical condition. To-day typhoid
fever has made its appearance among the ranks, many are
home on sick furloughs and the whole regiment has a per
ceptibly weakened vitality. What is the cause?
First, the men have not kept their bodies clean. In the
regular army and in the navy the rules regarding personal
cleanliness are rigidly enforced. This is expected and no one
complains, but what a howl would go up if these rules were
adopted in the volunteer army ! Imagine a free American
citizen soldier being told to wash his face and hands once a
day ! The average volunteer would kick in a minute. Yet,
here in Camp Alger, the men come in two or three times a
day from drills, covered from head to feet with fine clay dust
and salt, poisonous perspiration, which is rarely washed off but
allowed to dry on the surface of the body.
Let me illustrate by describing one tent of six that I
happened to know about. No. i, while in the habit of wash
ing his face and hands once a day at least, rarely washed his
whole body. It was altogether too troublesome to take a
body bath in the confines of a pail or wash basin when a bath
tub and big bath room were found none too large to splash
around in at home. A big dinner in Washington and a walk
in the hot sun brought on a fever and a sick furlough was the
result. No. 2 never washed his body, biit regularly put on
new under clothing and threw the soiled garments away. In
time the stock of new clothing gave out and then No. 2

\ CHRONOLOGICAL. 305
claimed it was no use to take a body bath for he had nothing
but dirty under clothing to put on again. So, from neglecting
to wash his body, he soon omitted to wash his face and hands
for several days at a time. Finally, driven out of his foul-
smelling under clothing, No^ 2 took a bath and took cold at
the same time and is now in the hospital, threatened with
typhoid. No. 3, a fine college athlete, regularly washed the surface of
his body, but neglected this for a few days, ate a big Wash
ington dinner, crowded it down with a supper of army rations
(beefsteak and onions), was taken sick before morning and is
now off duty. No. 4 consistently kept his body clean but sur
prised his stomach, disciplined as it .had been so long to the
plain army rations, with a Washington table d'hote. His sJ:om-
ach could not stand the shock and No. 4 was on the sick list
next day. No. 5 took a body bath every night before turning
in, resisted the temptations of overeating and is weU. No. 6
is also well and has been. Thus in one tent four out of
six have made themselves sick by neglecting to observe the
ordinary duties imposed by plain common sense.
Why, I have seen men, until threatened with the guard
house, lie in their tents for days, refusing to sweep out the
accumulated dirt or clean up after the last meal, leaving their
uniforms, guns, blankets, etc., to become partially imbedded in
the filth. One day a gun was found in the back of one of
these tents so covered with mud and rust that the chamber
could not be opened. Instances like the above could be mul
tiplied indefinitely, but the fact is - apparent to any one with
eyes and a nose that the average volunteer in Camp Alger has
not kept himself clean. If typhoid fever is essentially a filth
disease, the personal habits of the men have given it an abid
ing place. Second, the men have not made the most of the rations
furnished them. To each company of one hundred and six
men in the entire volunteer army has been issued the same
amount and the same kind of rations. If these have not been
made to go as far in some companies as in others, the fault is

306 CHRONOLOGICAL.
not in the rations issued but in the company cook. If men in
camp have gone hungry (and the papers have been filled with
scores of such alleged cases) the fault is with the cook selected
by the company itseU. The First Regiment since it went into
service four months ago has gone into camp twice at Niantic^
once in Maine and once here at Camp Alger. It has traveled
not far from one thousand miles. During this period not once
have I failed to have issued to me, hot coffee and three sub
stantial meals a day. And yet I have no doubt that one of these
yellow reporters or hyper-sympathetic women could find in
our camp men who would say they were hungry, half-starved
and made to live for days on a single hard tack. These com
pany kickers I have seen take their place in line, walk away
from^ the kitchen with a plate full of hot rations, deliberately
throw them into the swill barrel untouched and then go over
to some neighboring fruit or cooky stand swearing " Uncle
Sam starves his own soldiers." I can't say as to Camp Thomas,
Tampa, Jacksonville and the other camps, but the man who
criticises the commissary department in Camp Alger should
have but few listeners. Next to the coward in battle the camp
kicker is to be despised.
One of these kickers I have now in mind. His tent mates
say, in addition to his chronic kick against-the food, he has a
way of taking some kind of medicine just before drills which
puts him into a high fever temporarily, thus avoiding the
fatigues of the driU. Possibly he took an overdose, one day,
for he is now in the hospital, genuinely sick with typhoid.
The camp fruit stands are also another source of much of
the sickness in camp. Men fed for weeks on army rations
acquire a chronic hunger for outside stuff. No matter what, aU
fruits look aUke to them and it all goes, unripe melons, green
peaches and the like. Peddlers of tainted milk, rot-gut manu
factured cider, sour oat meal, decayed berries — all dispose of
their stock without delay. How much sickness is due to this
cause cannot be stated but here is a factor.
Finally, a word as to the treatment of the sick, for there
undoubtedly is much sickness here, whatever the cause. My

CHRONOLOGICAL.

307

information in this matter is necessarily second hand, for I still
have to take my first drop of medicine in camp. During the
summer there have been not far from twenty-five thousand
men in Camp Alger. Of this number some two thousand have
been treated in the hospital, |^ither at Fort Myer or the division
hospital over in the next lot to our camp. Seventy-five deaths
have occurred from all causes. Any one familiar with mortuary
reports can easily calculate the death rate and how much

"JERRY, WHERE'S HYNES?"
Job. Morgan. Landerman. Sandner. Jer. Morgan. Thompson.
above the normal it is. I doubt if in any tenement district
human beings were crowded together as closely as we are, the
rate would be much lower or as low. From the figures and
distances used in laying out the camp I compute that the
average regiment here lives upon an area of the earth's surface
equal to that of a city . of two hundred thousand inhabitants
crowded into a district a riiile square. When the amount of

3o8

CHRONOLOGICAL.

excrement which every one of these twenty-five thousand men
throws off every day is taken into account, together with the
lack of care in eating and the absence of cleanliness in living,
•the wonder is, I think, that so few are sick. I took a walk
through the hospital grounds one day and to the unprofes
sional eye the impression was that much of the criticism of the
hospital was not founded in fact."
Saturday, September 3. Four months ago to-day I

PICKANINNY PASTIME.
weighed 155 pounds. To-day I weigh 32>'2 pounds less.
This. afternoon I stripped off down in the barn and used the
hose on myself The cold well water made me feel fine. Pay
day to-day, $15.60 for the month of August. At retreat to-
night Sergeant Holt, being the senior oflScer in command of
the camp, ordered the company to "FaU in for roU call."
Private Thayer, the only other member of the company of one

CHRONOLOGICAL.

309

hundred and six men in camp at the time, fell in, dressed up
to the right and came to attention. " Private Thayer " yelled
the commandant of the company. "Here" answered the
private. He hadn't missed a roll call yet and didn't intend to
if he could help it. " Parade-e-e rest " and the company stood
with sUghtly bowed head, as the members of the guard slowly
lowered the flag. Sergeant Holt assayed to softly sing the
" Star Spangled Banner " as the flag came down but the lu
dicrousness of the whole affair was so complete that he and the
whole company both threvv disciplinfe to the dogs and burst

SUPPER AT EAST FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA. , .
into a roar of laughter. The absence of the rest ofthe com
pany can be explained by recalling the fact that it was pay
day night and Captain Saunders had given the boys the free
dom of Washington. They missed a fine supper, however,
which "Mac" had prepared for them — rice pudding with
raisins and sweet potatoes besides bread and coffee.
Sunday, September 4. For breakfast, lamb chops ; for
dinner, clam chowder; for supper, bologna, cold sweet
potatoes and a picked up supper. This is the way " Mac " is
setting 'em up for us now but the hay fever for the last week
has knocked my appetite so I don't enjoy the feast much.

3IO CHRONOLOGICAL.
This forenoon I took a walk down around Fort Skeedaddle
and this afternoon went up into Grossman's grove at the end
of the trolley line and went to sleep. The company is thinning
out, so many are home or on the sick list. All the guards
have been called off except on the company street.
Monday, September 5. For breakfast, eggs on toast;
for dinner, lamb and boiled onions ; for supper, baked beans
and cheese, bread and coffee as usual. At 6.30 a. m. we were
ordered to be ready to move at 8 a. m. At 7 we were ordered
to wait for the wagons -before we all could take a ride. At
8.30 we were ordered to stay around fill orders were received.
At 9.30 we were ordered to pack up at once. At i p. m. the
order was to strip the tents; at 2.30 to put the things, .back
into the tents whpre they stayed during the rest of the day.
It came off cooler to-night and the boys got together in the
waiting room of the trolley station and sang over the old songs
with fine effect.
Tuesday, September 6. At 3 o'clock this morning a
volunteer detail from the company were taken in -a team, hired
by Captain Saunders, over to the division hospital and helped
carry the sick men of our company over to the train at Dunn
Loring. The following sick members of our company were
sent home in a Pullman train: Privates Walsh, Eno, Converse,
D. H. Brown, Sherman and Sobieralski. In all, twenty-six
men from the First Corinecticut went home on the train, sick.
For breakfast, griddle cakes. Another terrifically hot
day and we all worried about the anticipated march over to
Dunn Loring, loaded down with baggage. Trumpeter Camp
was presented with a new trumpet. Sergeant S. G. Huntington
making the presentation speech for the company.
At 1 1 o'clock we struck our tents, the whole street faUing
together. After loading the baggage and getting dinner we
waited around in the shade. The welcome order came that we
were to go by train to Dunn Loring. We did so, at 1.37 p.m.
Private Zoller, who refused to go home vvith the other sick boys
on the Pullman train, had a hard time of it getting over to the
station with the rest of us. He is a pretty sick man. On

chronological.

311

reaching Dunn Loring we marched oyer to the north of the
station near some trees and unloaded the baggage, when it
came. No tents vvere put up but the men slept around on the
ground. I went on street guard, from 7.30 to 9.30 and from 11.30
to 1.30 a. m. Didn't get much sleep between reliefs either but
when I could I laid out on a pUe of tents. The night before,
at East FaUs Church, I also slept very little, " Mrs Gale " and
her pups who tented next to us had so many visitors during

STATION AT DUNN LORING, VIRGINIA.
the night. The manner in which she bid them depart was
more ferocious than friendly, hence I slept little during their
farewells. But, once more we could hear the band and the
bugle calls over in that old corn field and occasionally a yell.
To-day the company is " shy " sixteen men, all on the sick
list. In the. whole company only eleven have so far escaped
being sick since we left home.
Wednesday, September 7. Most of us were up at 5.
I had crackers and milk for breakfast. Orders issued to be
ready to march at 8. I went up into the woods back of the

312

chronological.

camp but could not fall asleep. When the empty passenger
cars began to arrive there was some slight cheering but hoW
different vVe feel, now that we are actually going home, from
the way we thought we should weeks ago, when we first began
to long for this very moment. Then, had the order been
issued, we should have yelled for joy. Now that it has actuaUy
come the men are listless and without life, apparently caring
very little whether we go or stay. This feeling of inertia and

LEAVING FOR HOME.
TAKING THE TRAIN AT DUJSIN LORING, VIRGINIA,
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, 1898.
Ustlessness has been growing on the men ever since the peace
proclamation. We are all losing interest in everything per
taining' to our duties here. The first and second battalions
began to come in sight about 1.30, a big cloud of dust following
them. But there was no cheering. After they had gone, we
finally, at 3.30, left Dunn Loring on our way home, a hea.vy
shower striking us just as we were taking the train.

chronological. 3 1 3
On arriving at Washington we left the train and had lunc
-cheon up in a small hall as the guests of the Aid Society of the
Pension Office. We left Washington at 6.15, getting a view of
a fine sunset just outside of the city. At the Baltimore tunnel
we were nearly suffocated ^ain, the glass in the car doors
having been broken completely out somewhere, before we took
the train. At Wilmington we had some good coffee and reached
Philadelphia at 11.30. •
Thursday, September 8. Arriving at Jersey City about
sunrise, we started around New York City to Harlem River.
Before we had gone under the Brooklyn bridge the whistles of
all the crafts, big and little, in East River began to blow us off
or acted as if they would if they could and from there clear to
the dock at Harlem the people of Hogan's Alley, the Island
and all along the Nevv York front welcomed us home with
bells, flags and handkerchiefs. From every tenement house
window for miles out popped the heads arid away to the rhorri-
ing breezes were flung aprOns, table clothes, towels and any old
thing that came handy, in the absence of the dear old flag,
which, not infrequently, itself was brought forth from some
sacred corner and waved at us triumphantly.
At 9.45 we once moreTelt ourselves nioving, none too fast,
under the pull of .a powerful locomotive. At Nevv. Haven, where
we had some good coffee, at 11.30, very few were on hand tp
welcome us (doubtless because our coming was so uncertain)
and after half an hour's stop we started for Niantic which place
we reached at 2 p. m. We marched at once to the old camp
ground and pitched our tents on the grass near the sea coast
battery. A dress parade was at once ordered but owing to the
condition of the men this order was finally courtter-manded.
Before turning in I took a short swim in the salt water and
rinsed off under the pump. O, how good it felt and then did'nt
I sleep fine, so fagged out had I become !
P. S. Jack Brutus, "Mrs. Gale" and the three "Misses Gale"
stood the trip fairly well. This is the postal I sent home on
our arrival :

314 CHRONOLOGICAL.
" We had hardly stacked guns before your telegram wel
coming me to God's country was handed me, here. Talk about
this being God's country, why we fairly laid down and kissed
the green turf here, it looked so good, after so many weeks in
that Virginia corn field with the thermometer lOO or over. It
was frequently 1 12 in our tents. We hope to go home to-mor
row (Friday) but may. not tiU Saturday but your invitation is
accepted if I have to walk to get there."
Friday, September 9. The air this morning was simply
fine. To-night it was so cold sleeping on the ground that
many could not keep warm. This is the letter I sent to The
Courant: " The First Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry,
slept on the old camp grounds here last night and a great
night's sleep it was, too. The night was clear and almost cold
enough for a frOst and the air was simply great — that is the
only word sufficiently expressive, just now. The men for eight
weeks had breathed nothing but lifeless air, had eaten nothing
with a relish, had slept on nothing, in many cases, but Vir
ginia clay upon which grass had long since ceased to grow.
The thermometer, for forty-four days, had been 90 and over,
the hottest summer on record, in. that vicinity. After thus
perspiring for two months and finally surviving such surround
ings, to lie down last night on a bed of thick green turf and
breathe in the cold, frosty air, was simply heaven. Actually,
the men said they felt like getting down on their knees and
kissing the fresh clean grass, it looked so good to them.
The men this morning woke up happy, for the first
thought was " We are going home, our work is most over."
The men also woke up somewhat refreshed, but it will take
many a night like last night to bring the men back to life
again. The eight weeks in camp ending in a rapidly increas
ing sick list, the marches to and from the train and the broken
rest of the previous night on the way home, had left the whole 1
regiment in as near a physical collapse as it well could be. A
guard mount which followed immediately on our reaching here ' i
showed some of the heretofore toughest men in the regiment

CHRONOLOGICAL. 3 I 5
unable to stand steady. But everyone was cheerful, for we
had been ordered home to rest and recuperate a little before
being finally mustered out.
Imagine the-feelings of the men then, when the foUowing
order issued from headquarters soon after breakfast :
Company drills from 7.30 to 8.30 a. m.
BattaUon drills from 9.30 to 11.30 a. m.
Battalion or regimental drills from 2.30 to 4.00 p. m.
Dress parade from 5.30 to 6.00 p. m.
Five hours of marching and drilling a day for men sent
home to rest and recuperate ! Had an order issued from the
skies it would not have been received with more surprise. Its
effect was to bring the men down out of the heaven they had
been in; for a few hours, in short order. Furthermore, the
statement has come from those within earshot of headquarters
that we are not to receive our furloughs for two weeks or more
and the daily five hour drills are to be strictly executed in the
meantime. Nor will there be any individual passes issued to
return home even for an hour — home, so near and yet, as it
now seems, so far.
The Third Regiment left this afternoon for Camp Meade,
Middletwon, Pennsylvania. The First Regiment turned out to
see them off, the Third going in the same cars in which the
First came.
Another 'order has been issued which is being severely
criticised by those competent to judge in the matter aiid that
is, that the First Regiment, which now occupies new and pleas
ant grounds on the south side of the camp, far from the sinks
and near to the bathing grounds, shall move over to the spot
now vacated by the Third Regiment. When it is understood
that the Third Regiment has been here three months or more
and that the floors and ground beneath have become filled and
saturated with the accumulations of these three months, the
wisdom of moving the First Regiment over there can well be
doubted. Yesterday afternoon, within an hour after the arrival of
the last section of the regiment, a dress parade was ordered

3i6 chronological.
but through the vigorous kick of one of the field officers the
parade was omitted. This morning, at the company drills,
some of the officers only tacitly consumed the entire three hours
at driU but very humanely gave the order "rest" at frequent
and for none too long intervals. Many of the companies of
one hundred and six men had but four fours out at drill, not
one-third of the full number. It is said the delay in the grant
ing of furloughs is due to the fact that all government property
accounts must be straightened out and receipts obtained before
the men leave the grounds."
Saturday, September to. Another fine day. Inspec
tion ordered. Inspection omitted. The whole regiment, instead,
was ordered out to clean up the grounds recently deserted by
the Third Regiment preparatory to moving over there. The
men of the first battaUon refused to obey the order but The
Courant Sunday letter best tells the story of the day. The first
letter sent from here so disturbed the commandant of the regi
ment that he ordered Captain Saunders with emphasis to call
me down. The captain did so to-day but in a manner so unlike
the way intended that the blow finally fell as a mere kindly
suggestion. There were rio drills to-day. The state encamp
ment of the Second and Fourth Regiments, C. N. G., which
was ordered to begin Monday has been abandoned because of
the sickness here. This morning we had sausage for breakfast,
the first meal in three weeks to. taste good to me.
Sunday, September II. Weather stiU fine. The usual
Sunday sink had to be dug to-day, down near tide water. This
afternoon I took a walk over by the railroad track and feU-
sound asleep on the rocks near the water. To-night we pinched
some mattresses as well as floors from the Second Regiment
mess house and slept much warmer. This was the Sunday
letter referred to yesterday :
" In The Courant of Saturday mention was made of the
fact that the First Regiment, which is now nicely located on
new green turf on the south side of the camp grounds, had
been ordered to occupy the bare grounds and use the floors
left by the Third Regiment the day before. Saturday forenoon

chronological. 317
the execution of the order began. The twelve cornpanies with
rakes, shovels and brooms were ordered over there to police
and clean up the floors and grounds. The men began work,
but they soon discovered the floors were so full of vermin and
the grounds in such filthy condition that whole companies quit
work and without orders returned to their quarters. Other
companies complained to their officers and upon a personal
inspection of the floors they at once ordered the men back.
FinaUy Colonel Hammond was notified and he ordered the
poUcing to stop till further' orders. To what extent the floors
of the other companies were infested I cannot say, but the
floors to be slept on by Company K were pretty lively with a
variety of bugs, lice or vermin of some kind or other.
Dr. McCook, who throughout our entire tour of duty has
looked after the health of the regiment very closely, issued an
order Saturday forbidding the men from using two of the four
regimental sinks. The condition of these was such, he said, as
to make them unfit for use, except under the most urgent
necessity. This fact makes itself apparent to {he nostrils of any
one within a distance of one thousand feet. In fact, while I was
at work policing the old quarters of the Third Regiment yester
day the odor was offensive in the extreme and sleep in such
quarters even should the bugs below cease their activities, would
be out of the question. The sinks in question are being cleaned
out and this accounts for much of the smell in that vicinity.
Passes are now being issued, good for twenty-four hours,. five
a day to each company and the men are gladly availing them
selves of the privilege.
Yesterday all drills were omitted, in accordance with the
regulations as to Saturdays. The bathing facilities are being
very generally indulged in and the effect must be to tone up
the lagging vitality of the men.
Last night was the coldest night ever spent upon this camp
ground, in the opinion of old military men. Soon after dark
the sky became overcast with indications of rain, but it soon
cleared off and blew strong and cold from the north. The men
were without floors in their tents and many preferred this, so

3i8 CHRONOLOGICAL.
long as no rains came, but as the digging of ditches around the
tents was forbidden (because of the intended change to the
Third Regiment grounds), memories of last May and the pros
pects of getting flooded out again should a storm come were
not pleasant to contemplate. So the men in groups of two or
three began silently to steal away in the dark only to return in
a few minutes with floors " pinched " from the grounds of the
Second Regiment. These floors had been left on the grounds
' during the afternoon, after the tents over them had been stored
away in pursuance of the abandonment of the state encamp
ment. Some twenty-five of these floors were taken during the
evening and no doubt added to the comfort of the men during
the night, but no one slept warm. This morning at roll caU
those who had no overcoats fell in with their blankets thrown
over their heads but many a man, by his actions,' showed he
had started a good cold during the night.
The sick list is daily increasing. In one company of the
Third Battalion twenty-six men are out of the company street,
either in the hospital at Hartford or in the regimental hospital
here. Some are being cared for by friends, near by. In the
company street several others are unable to perform their regu
lar duties. In one of the batteries forty-six men are on the
sick list out of a total of one hundred and ninety-six. Several
of the new cases are undoubtedly typhoid. How many new
cases of typhoid will be traced to our uncalled for detention,
even lor a week or so, in a fever infected camp ?"
Monday; September 12. I went on guard this mornirig
at 8.30 and when I was selected as colonel's orderly I thought
my time had come. But no reference at all was made by
Colonel Burdett to my Courant letters. Lieutenant Bronson
complained about the men pinching mattresses because it made
extra woi'k for him. Colonel Burdett ordered a guard put over
the mess hOuse — "a guard with ball cartridges," he said, with
emphasis. Tuesday, September 13.. Scene, the colonel's tent.
Time 8.25 a. m. Officer, approaching: "Is the colonel in?"
Orderly, -in front of tent, saluting: " No, sir. He has gone

CHRONOLOGICAL. 3 19
over to the .battery." Another ofiicer, approaching : "Is the
colonel in?" Another officer, approaching: " Is the colonel
in? Why,. he ordered a meeting of the officers at 8.30."
Officers all depart. Time, 8.40. Colonel returning, sends orderly
for first officer. The two officers retire inside the tent. Band,
at guard mount, begins to play "The Wayside Chapel." The
colonel comes hurriedly out of the tent, goes close up to the
band and listens. First officer, tires of waiting, leaves.
Colonel returns to tent. Second officer comes back and goes.
into tent. Band stUl playing. Colonel bursts out of the tent,
hurries up to band leader, whispers in his eair. Band leader
stops band playing in the middle of .a bar. Band leader called
back to tent by colonel. " I won't have such playing. Who
is making that discord? Take him out and teach him if it:
takes all the forenoon." Band leader goes back. Band don't
play any more. Colonel enters tent. Second officer has gone.
Third officer and first officer come back together. First
officer waits outside. Orderly sent for second officer. Finally
at the end of an hour all three officers depart, leaving their:
business with the colonel unfinished. I was the orderly. This
scene simply illustrates the manner in which business is trans
acted at headquarters.
AU the mattresses have been ordered back to the mess
houses. K had only two fours at drill this morning, out of
one hundred and six men. " No Ufe, no appetite." This brief
entry in my diary tells the whole story of my condition.
Wednesday, September 14. ¦ This morning we had
calisthenics. This afternoon we were allowed to draw new
mattresses. At dress parade to-night, when the officers
marche'd, in single rank, up to the colonel's position, the goat
followed them at a respectful distance but when the officers, at
the command, suddenly came to a halt the goat stopped in
stantly and involuntarily threw back his head as if he had been
struck a blow. The performance made the whole regiment
laugh. My weight is down to 120, 35 pounds off. To-night
some clam chowder from the restaurant just outside the gate
tasted good. This short letter was sent to The Courant to-day :

320 CHRONOLOGICAL.
" An illustration, in a small way, of the effects of too
much red tape occurred here yesterday in the matter of
mattresses for the men. The nights here are so cold and the
change from the hot days and nights in that Virginia corn field
is so sudden and great that the men feel it. A week ago yes
terday the thermometer stood at 112 in my tent and that was
not one of the hottest days either. Besides, many of the men
have not so much fat on their bones as they had a month or
two ago and it is not so easy to keep warm sleeping on the
ground. So the men began looking around the night before
for means of keeping themselves comfortable during the night
and soon found a lot of mattresses in one of the mess houses.
These they appropriated to their own uses, without felonious
intent, however. The next morning there was trouble.
The mattresses belong to the State of Connecticut; the
men, to the United States of America. The representatives
here in camp of the State of Connecticut informed the men that
they could have the mattresses to sleep on and welcome but
the men must first ask for them. This request must come
through regular channels and as it had not the mattresses must
be returned. The men were ordered to return them forthwith
and a guard, with ball cartridges, was ordered to be placed
about the mess houses.
The fact is most of the members of the First Regiment,
United States Volunteer Infantry, are still members ofthe
Connecticut National Guard, on leave of absence, and as such
the necessity of first asking for the mattresses would not apply
to them it would seem with as much force. Still, be that as it
may, the real objection to the men pinching the mattresses
to keep the cold from pinching themselves, is that an invoice
of th^ number of mattresses would have to be made out if a
request through* regular channels was made and this would
entail considerable additional clerical work upon the quarter
master's department, now overworked already in the hurry to
get home. Incidentally it may be mentioned that last evening, as the
shades of night began to fall, the men began to faU upon that

CHRONOLOGICAL. 32 1
mess house again and great was the number of mattresses
missing. The order for five hours' driUing a day has been changed
and now only two hours are required of the men.
Senator Hawley visited camp this afternoon and was taken
about the grounds by Colonel Morgan, accompanied by
Colonel Burdett and Lieutenant-Colonel Hammond."
Thursday, September 15. This morning K had only
fourteen men at drill. This afternoon a detail went over to the
hospital and carried the sick men of the company down to the
station. Last night Private Fulton was aroused by some
pounding on our tent and upon the second offense, he rushed
around to the rear in the dark and, giving chase to the offender,
caught and gave him the "Nelson," whatever that is. The
fellow who got it knows I guess.
Friday, September 16. Sergeant DeLamater complains
of a lame shoulder this morning. The rain fell all the forenoon
and all drills were omitted. Lately I have been trying to get
some new life into me by going in swimming twice a day and
doing the dumb bell drill on the beach. It certainly is helping
me some. My letters home have now been reduced to postal
, cards. This I sent to-day :
" I guess. we are in for another Sunday here. I could get
a pass for twenty-four hours but I'll be d  if I ask any
favors of anyone, now. The accounts of the Q. M. D. are in
such a mess that we cannot see our way out yet and one thou
sand two hundred men are being kept here because of the
inefficiency of a few officers."
Saturday, September 17. This morning another kitchen
sink on the side hill had to be dug and I was on the detail.
To-day drills, inspectipn and parade were all omitted.
Sunday, September 18. DiscipUne is getting very lax.
Recently ,a pet pigeon made use of Captain Saunders' flag for
lactrine purposes, " Mrs. Gale" and her family mussed Sergeant
Henry Huntington's bed and last night Private Gale's new paper
pail was found to have been used as a United States depository
without his knowledge or consent. To-day for dinner we had

322 CHRONOLOGICAL.
chicken, dumpling, sweet potatoes, bread with butter, coffee,
with sugar and milk and pie. For supper, rice pudding.
Monday, September 19. I was No. .1 man at the guard
house to-day. All our guns were turned in this afternoon but
a few for the guard were re-issued to us.
Tuesday, September 20. . I slept on the floor of the
guard house last night when off duty but couldn't keep warm.
When I went on at 3 o'clock this morning, try as I would,
for two hours I could not keep from shivering. It was the
coldest two hours I ever passed. At 4.30 it just began to get
light a Uttle. The guard mount this morning was without arms.
At 10 the company turned in all equipments. The band and
regiment paraded and the whole thing was over at 1.30 p. m.
To-night nine of us went over to Saunder's and had an oyster
supper. Wednesday, September 21. Last night two theolog
ical students came down from Hartford to spend a night in
camp with Corporal Sanderson and Private Fulton. Just be
fore taps something seemed to stir Private Hollis to words and
a stream of eloquence resounded down through the street far
more profane than sacred. The visitors were dumb-founded
at the variety of " cus " words Private Hollis had at his com
mand and the combinations he made were truly marvelous.
Later I found that Corporal Pierce was the cause of this out
burst of oratory by suggesting to Private Hollis that he enter
tain the visitors with a little. Twenty-six members of the
company are now on the sick list and have been relieved from
duty. Of my eight tent mates (those with whom I have
tented since leaving Niantic in May) three are in the hospital,
two others are on the sick list, one is home on sick furlough
and another is relieved from duty. In the whole company,
outof one hundred and six men, but three have gone- through
the entire term of service without being sick at one time or
another. I am one of the three and have not missed a roll call
nor been relieved from a single duty.
The last night in camp was one of the old sort, Uke those
we had before seeing Camp Alger. The fun began in the

CHRONOLOGICAL. 323
afternoon with an onion and potato fight between the kitchen
detail and the street, during which a good share of the missiles
landed in the rear of the major's tent. At retreat the yelling
began. During the evening the tents of First Sergeant and
Sergeant H. L. Huntington were demolished during their
absence and worse looking wrecks I never saw. After things
had quieted down a little some of the wreckers began monkey
ing with the ropes of our tent. Private Fulton was on the
alert but I lulled him to sleep with the promise that I would
watch out for them. I did so and when aU was ready I slipped
out of the tent and down it came, smothering Private Fulton
in the ruins. That evens up I told him for the night at
Portland when he doused me with a pail of water. But the
fun was not all over. Suddenly a cry of fire was heard. We
had all been waiting for it and every one in K seemed to know,
without looking, just where the fire was. The row of' bath
houses, long in such a filthy condition that the men had utterly
refused to use them, were found in flames. The whole regi
ment was soon aroused and Company L came down in double
quick time, in fine shape. There was nothing to do but let
the thiiig burn and after letting it burn awhile, the Danbury
company marched back to their quarters again in good order.
So did the rest of us, after the last timber had fallen. It was
a clean job, well done and Trumpeter Camp had the pleasure
of sounding the " Fire " call in addition to participating in
other interesting events.
Thursday, September 22. AU hands were up at 5.
Company M men had been up an hour, then. Tents were struck
at 6 and then all the borrowed mattresses and spring beds had
to be returned. We left camp at 9.45 and Niantic at 10.30.
We were all very happy, but how quiet ! We had been kept
at Niantic so long, so unnecessarily long, that the pleasure had
been discounted — our starting for home was very tame indeed.
Just as we took the train we heard of Private Dimock's death.
In K he was the first to fall. Tame as our starting was, our wel
come home however, was aU that we had imagined and more.
It was great. But what is the use of going into the details of

324 ' chronological.
an event so recent and one long to remain vivid in our ,
memories. One thing I must mention. We arrived at
Asylum street at 12.45 and reached the armory soon after i
o'clock where a luncheon had been provided. Soon after, the
men began to appear on the streets in citizen's clothes once
more and then they rushed up to each other and shook hands
like old friends long parted, forgetting for the instant that they
had only been away from each other an hour or so. The
Derby hat that I wore last spring and which just fitted me
then, now goes down to my ears, so thin had I become.
This is the last Courant letter :
" You ask me how it seems to get home. It seems queer ;
queer, the way those at home greet us.
"Hello, George," they said, "did you have a good time?" I
was looking down into Union Place from the railrOad platform,
recalling the memorable Fourth of May when the whole space
was filled with a pretty array of bright colors, mingled with a
sea of sad faces bidding us farewell. Often, since, had we re
called that scene in Union Place, crowded as it then was with
all that was dear to us. Now we were permitted to look down
upon that spot again and though the crowd was not so dense,
the faces were much brighter. This and much more was run
ning through my mind when someone again asked me if I had
had a good time.
A good time ! I rubbed my eyes to see if I was awake and
pulled myself together — what there was left. Thirty-five pounds
had gone somewhere, to which fact my cheek bones and shrunken
form prominently testified.
" Well, Frank, have you enjoyed yourself since you have
been away?" There it was again. Had we all been away on
some vacation or moonlight excursion? It could hardly have
been a moonlight exciirsion, for nothing but the Sun, and a
southern sun at that, could have melted the meat off men
Uke us. "HeUo, WUl. That's a good color on your face. Guess
out-of-door life agreed with you." A good color in our faces t"
The last two weeks of sea air at Niantic .may have falsely

chronological. 325
painted that for us, but the wasted forms beneath, we knew.
were still full of malaria.
So it went, along Ford, up Pearl, through Trumbull street
to Main — everywhere the one thought prominent in the minds
of those at home was, " Have you enjoyed yourselves? Did
you have a good time? " as if we were returning home from some
grand excursion — a party of Cook's tourists. Even the good,
old faithful Courant, in welcoming us back to Connecticut
soil, mentioned the fact that, if nothing else, we had at least
seen a good deal of our own country. Everywhere it was the
same picnic idea.
" Yes," said a member of Company K to Sergeant Beebe
one day down at Camp Alger, aftei- coming in from one of
those lively skirmish drills, under the hot sun and in the dust
and filth, "you told me up in the armory that if I would join
Company K I would have a hell of a time and sure, I'm having
it now, ain't I ? "
And, as soon as we could get out of our uniforms and
appear on the street in civilian's clothes, modestly ready to be
congratulated upon even the inconspicuous part we had taken
in the grand result of the war, this is the vvay intelligent men
met us: '¦'Well, I'm glad to see you back, alive. Jt's a wonder you
are, the way things were managed. This whole business has
sort of been mismanaged from the start. To begin with, your
rations, they tell me, were not fit for a dog and not half enough
of them either."
" But," I remonstrated feebly, for the malaria will take the
fight out of any man, "we, in our company, had three square
meals a day issued to us and it was well cooked, too."
"Well, that maybe, in your case," replied this military
critic dubiously, " but those fellows out in Nebraska tell a
different story."
The next man to analyze the inefficiency of the War de
partment began thus : " Let's see, you have been at Niantic all
summer. Well, you're lucky not to have been sent to Cuba,
for that Santiago expedition was a failure from beginning to

326 CHRONOLOGldAL.
end. Richard Harding Davis says so. He says the thing to
do, when Sampson found the forts, mines and torpedoes at the
entrance of the harbor made it impossible for him to get at
Cervera, was for Shafter to take these forts and things at the
point of the bayonet. If Shafter had done this, Cervera would
not have escaped."
"But Cervera didn't escape very much, did he?" I inter
posed mildly, " and we heard Santiago had surrendered with
an army twice as big as Shafter's."
" So it has, but Spain dictated the terms to us."
A third critic, who met us with failure on his lips,
announced, " I have watched the course of events during this
war very closely and have come to the conclusion that it iS
one stupendous blunder."
" But we Ucked them, didn't we? "
" Y-yes, but that was a mistake."
You ask me how it seems to get home and be met by
such greetings and such arguments as these? So far as the
prevalence of the picnic idea exists, it may be natural enough.
The First Regiment, when it was split up in May and dis
tributed along the New England coast, did have a picnic, for a
time. But that did not last, at least the picnic experience,
though the picnic idea continued to prevail at home, just the
same. Where Camp Alger was, very few of us, even in the
regiment, knew, and fewer at home possibly took the trouble
to find out. Camp Thomas and Chickamauga Park had been
pictured as such a beautiful spot, a paradise in fact, that
probably Camp Alger in Virginia was considered a counter
part of it — a Garden of Eden annex. How far these impres- '
sions were, though, from the facts as we found them !
A single reference to the official reports will show how
these camps failed to become the ideal picnic grounds ex
pected. Since these two camps were estabUshed, neariy six
hundred volunteers have died in thelm ; more than twice the
number kiUed in the battles at and around Santiago. In the
light of these official figures, the people at home ought to
begin to realize that the First Regiment has had no picnic this

CHRONOLOGICAL. 327
past summer; that it has, in fact, encountered as great peril in
the typhoid germ as other regiments have in the Mauser bullet.
The crowded wards at the Hartford Hospital and the fever
patients in many anxious homes indicate that the experience
of the men, at least, has not been conducive to their good
health and now, in the presence of these newly made mounds in
Hartford, RockviUe, New Britain and other places from which
the First Regiment drew its Ufe and young blood, let us hope
this picnic idea will soon vanish away — vanish as quickly as
the sound of the volleys being fired over "the graves dies away
after the word of command, leaving the low notes of that
beautiful bugle call to remind us all, that another and still
another member of the First Regiment, as the result of its out
going in May, has returned in September only to have the
sweet music of the soldier's " Good-night " sounded in his
deaf ears.
As for these tales of inefficiency, incompetency and failure
that meet us on our return home, consider for a moment to
whom they were addressed. Every man of us during our
absence had grown to feel that he was a part, more and more,
of one great whole, one grand army, and that its success or its
failure was in part, his own success or failure — the capture of
Manila was his, the suffering at Santiago his own. And if such
mistakes have occurred and such mismanagement taken place,
let those who were the first to suffer be those who shall first
complain. If only the soldier who suffered complained, how few
complaints would there be, for the American soldier does not
complain — he is made of different stuff. But if such glorious
results, which none can deny, have been brought about by a
series of such stupendous blunders, then thank God for the
blunders. The First Regiment, to be sure, did not see active service
nor was it to be expected that in a three months' war the
whole army would reach the firing line. Some must act as the
support and others must take th'eir places in the reserve. All
are necessary. No, the First Regiment did not even hear a
hostile shot, but whether we formed a part of the firing line or

328 CHRONOLOGICAL.
were ordered to take our place with the reserve, whether we
stopped Mauser bullets or took in typhoid germs, whether Or
not we failed even to see a live Spaniard, Spain and I doubt
not other European countries, jealous of our territorial increase,
but awed into respectful acquiescence nevertheless by the grand
spectacle, saw us, two hundred thousand of us, all armed and
equipped ready ahd eager to move up to the firing line and if
necessary take a more active part in a war so completely success
ful, in the end, that few instances of like character are found re
corded in history. Who would not feel proud as indeed we all
do, to return home, after even such slight service, rendered in
answer to the call of the President of the best government and
in furtherance of the general welfare of the best people, upon
the face of this earth?" ^ # * « * ^
Friday, October 21. The thirty days furlough is
ended and we came together at the Elm Street armory at 8
o'clock this morning for final examination and muster out.
And O, how it makes me feel to meet all the boys'again! I
have been away, up in the White Mountains, since our return
from Niantic and have seen none of them during our furlough.
But now that I have met them again after even so short an
absence a new experience has come into my life. A college
class reunion isn't in it. On those occasions the impulse is to
yell and hurrah. Now, I just want to put my arms around
their necks and cry. The love of a husband for his wife, of a
brother for his sister, is one thing but this is far different. Now
I know, only in part perhaps, the feeling which I have heard
old veterans try to explain when they meet at their reunions —
the feeling which ties their tongues and can only find expres
sion in a loving embraice and a flood of tears. To experience
this, to know even in a lesser degree, the feeling those old
veterans have for each other, is worth all it has cost and
more, far more. Roll calls at 8.30, 11.30, 1.30 and 4.30 daily.
Monday, October 24. •_ Company K went through the
physical examinations to-day.
Thursday, October 27. Muster roU signed to-day.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 329
Friday, October 28. Band concert for benefit of the
sick at Foot Guard Hall.
Saturday, October 29. Banquet at Ball's restaurant
at the expense of the ration fund. ,
Monday, October 31. Private Tinkham and myself
were orderlies to Captains Walter Howe and John P. Wisser,
mustering out officers. We carried the muster rolls when the
regiment was called out upon the armory floor. K was the
first company mustered out, the members present answering
to their names and stepping two or three paces to the front.
This was at 2.30 p. m. The company, iipori being mustered
out, marched out of the armory and assembled in front where
Captain Saunders made a short address. Company F made
the finest appearance on the floor, the men being lined up in
alphabetical order. As they stepped to ^the front the line
remained broken only at one point and the effect was a
marked improvement on the broken lines of the other com
panies. I remained on duty till 5.30 and was the last enlisted
man in the company, if not in the regiment, (the sick men ex
cepted) to be relieved from duty.
Monday, November 7. Company K was paid off, the
$5.65 over-pay from the State of Connecticut during the month
of May last, first being deducted.

Dates and Events.
War between the United States and Spain began April 2i,
1898, that date being named in an act of Congress passed on
April 25,, declaring that a state of war existed. Spain issued
a declaration of war on April 24. Hostilities ended with the
signing of the protocol by the Secretary of State for the United
States and M. Cambon, the French Ambassador, acting for
Spain, on August 12, 1898. The war lasted 114 days. The
principal events preceding and during the war and the dates
on which they occurred are as follows :
February 15 — The United States battleship Maine was blown
up in the harbor of Havana. According to the report
of the Court of Inquiry appointed by the United States,
the explosion was due to an external mine.
April 20 — President McKinley, authorized by Congress to in
tervene in Cuba, using the United States mUitary and
naval forces, sent an ultimatum to Spain. The Spanish
Minister at once left Washington and the next day the
United States Minister left Madrid.
April 22 — A proclamation was issued by the President block-'
ading the principal ports of Cuba.
April 23 — President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 vol
unteers to serve for two years.
April 27 — The batteries of Matanzas, Cuba, were shelled by
Admiral Sampson's flagship, the New York, with the
monitor Puritan and the cruiser Cincinnati.
April 29 — ^The Spanish fleet, commanded by Admiral Cervera,
consisting of the Christobal Colon, the Almirante Oquen-
do, the Maria Teresa and the Vizcaya, and the Furor,
Terror and Pluton, left the Cape Verde Islands
for Cuba.
May I — Rear-Admiral Dewey, commanding the United States
Asiatic Squadron, destroyed the entire Spanish -fleet
in the Philippines without losing a man.

CHRONOLOGICAL. 33 1
May 1 1 — ^The Wilmington, Winslow and Hudson engaged the
Spanish batteries at Cardenas. Ensign Bagley and
four of the Winslow's crew were killed. Major-General
Wesley Merritt was ordered to the Philippines as miU
tary governor. '
May 12 — A United States fleet, commanded by Rear-Admiral
Sampson, bombarded the fortifications of San Juan,
Porto Rico.
May 19 — Admiral Cervera's fleet reached Santiago de Cuba
and a few days later was " bottled up " there by the
"flying squadron "of Commodore Schley.
May 25 — President McKinley called for 75,000 more volun
teers. Twenty-five hundred United States troops sailed
from San Francisco for ManUa, several thousand more
foUowing later.
May 3 1 — The Massachusetts, Iowa and New Orleans bombard
ed the fortifications at the mouth of Santiago harbor.
They were bombarded again several times after Admiral
Sampson took command of the fleet.
June 3 — Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson with 4e.ven men
ran the colUer Merrimac into Santiago harbor and sank
her in the channel, under the fire from the Spanish forts.
Hobson and his men were taken prisoners.
June 10 — Six hundred marines were landed at Caimanera,
Guantanamo Bay, where sharp skirmishing continued
for several days, several Americans being killed.
June 12 — The Fifth Army Corps, commanded by Brigadier-
General Shafter, sailed from Tampa on twenty-nine trans
ports for Santiago, arriving off there on June 20.
June 13 — President McKinley signed the War Revenue bUl,
providing for the raising of revenues by a stamp tax and
providing for a popular bond loan.
June 17 — A Spanish fleet undeir Admiral Camara left Cadiz for
the Philippines, but returned after passing through the
Suez Canal.
June 22^ — General Shafter's troops began disembarking at
Baiquiri ^tfe^ibqiig^.ncar Santiago.

332 CHRONOLOGICAL.
June 24 — Roosevelt's Rough Riders were attacked while ad
vancing towards Santiago ; sixteen Americans were
killed and forty more wounded before the Spaniards
were repulsed.
July i — General Lawton took El Caney, near Santiago, and
General Kent, commanding the first division of the Fifth
Army Corps, which included the Second, Sixth, Ninth,
Tenth, Thirteenth, Sixteenth and Twenty-fourth infantry
and the Seventy-first New York Volunteers, took San
Juan HiU after heavy fighting. Official reports gave the
American losses 231 killed and 1,364 wounded and
missing.
July 3 — Admiral' Cervera's squadron made a dash out of
Santiago Harbor, and every vessel was sunk or disabled
. by the American fleet. General Shafter demanded
the surrender of Santiago. The seizure of Guam,
in the Ladrone > Islands, by the Charleston, was
reported.
July 7 — President McKinley signed resolutions passed by the
Senate anne!xing the Hawaiian Islands to the United
States and the Philadelphia was ordered to Honolulu
to raise the American -flag.
July 17 — General Toral, in command- of the Spanish troops
at Santiago, General Linares ' being wounded, sur
rendered his forces and the eastern portion of the pro
vince of Santiago de Cuba to General Shafter.
July 20 — General Leonard R. Wood, formerly colonel of the
Firsl Volunteer cavalry, was appointed Military Gov
ernor of Santiago.
July 25 — United States troops,, under General Nelson A.
Miles, landed at Guanica, Porto Rico, the town having
surrendered to the Gloucester after a few shots.
July 26 — Through the French Ambassador, the government
of Spain asked President McKinley upon what terms he
would consent to peace.
July 28 — Ponce, the second largest city in Porto Rico, sui:-
rendered to General Miles and he was received by the

CHRONOLOGICAL. 333
residents with joyful acclamations. Capture of several
other towns, with little or no fighting, follovyed.
July 30 — President McKinley's statement of the terms on
which he would agree to end the war was given to the
French Ambassador. The President demanded the
independence of Cuba, cession of Porto Rico and one
of the Ladrones to the United States and the retention
of Manila by the United States pending the final dispo
sition of the PhiUppines by a joint commission.
July 31 — United States troops engaged the Spaniards at
Malate, near Manila, in the PhiUppines, and repulsed
them, with some loss on both sides.
August 9 — The French Ambassador presented to President
McKinley, Spain's reply, accepting his terms of peace.
August 12 — Protocols agreeing as to the preliminaries for a
treaty of peace were signed by Secretary Day and the
French Ambassador. Untited States miUtary and
naval commanders were ordered to cease hostilities.
The blockades of Cuba, Porto Rico and Manila were
lifted and the war was ended.

YALE UNIVERSITY