INCIDENTS.
It will be remembered by some, that at an early period of our regimental
history, a fever for enlistment into the regular army prevailed to a
certain extent. The causes which produced this state of things are unknown
to the writer, but it seems probable that highly colored statements as to
the relative advantages of one branch of the service over another had been
employed.
Col. Wells, as the event proved, felt no sympathy with this movement, and
had no idea of quietly looking on while his Regiment was depleted in
numbers to fill the voracious maw of Uncle Sam. Accordingly, taking his
opportunity when they were drawn up for dress parade, he expressed his
views in the case in a manner that held the attention of all to the
close. That part of his argument which covered the points of promotion and
travel, as nearly as can be recalled, was something like this. "You have
been promised opportunities for promotion and travel: as for _travel_, you
would have plenty of that, and would have to travel _pretty close to the
line_. With regard to promotion in the regular army, there is a regular
system of promotion, in which non-commissioned officers only stand a
chance of sharing, and they after years of waiting." The address, whether
from its sarcasm or its sense, was effectual in curing the uneasiness that
had prevailed.
At one time, the young and popular Captain of a certain Company saw fit to
celebrate his birthday by furnishing his men with an unusual treat. A
supply of "lager" was secured from a neighboring fort, and placed
conveniently in one of the tents, with the understanding that all were
welcomed to partake. As the evening advanced a spirit of jollity naturally
prevailed, stimulated a little, it may be, by the influence of the
Teutonic beverage, till the stentorian voice of Orderly B-- rang out even
more loudly than usual, summoning the Company to fall in for evening
roll-call, after which quiet was restored, and night settled down
peacefully as usual over our camp.
The Company in which occurred the last incident numbered among its
original members two, who were truly of a kindred spirit, though of
different birth. Once, for some infraction of discipline in which both
were concerned, they were compelled to wear "the wooden shirt," and to
march back and forth before the Captain's quarters: yet they were far from
being disheartened, but with great merriment performed this unusual sentry
duty, assisting each other, in case of any accident, with an almost
brotherly regard. One of this pair of intimate friends is believed to have
died at Andersonville. As to his comrade, many years have passed since the
writer last beheld his strongly marked features, and whether he is still
in the land of the living is a matter of uncertainty. So drops the curtain
over our heroes.
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages."
_Shakspeare._