CHAPTER
II
OUR
FIRST EXPERIENCE
Upon reaching camp we were placed in Camp Simmons,
under command of Captain William Tarbutton, an ex-Methodist minister, and being
the only troops at the time in the camp, we were dubbed Tarbutton’s Rangers,
Co., A. Here we first learned that to be
a civilian was one thing, whilst being a soldier was certainly quite
another. While the boys were having a
mouth battle, concerning where they were going to place their tents, Captain
Tarbutton informed them that HE would dispose of that matter by ordering them WHERE to place
their tents.
This was the first indication that we had of what we
might expect in the future from those who would be placed in authority over
us. And we there and then first learned
that. it was a soldier’s first and last duly to obey, without questioning the
reasonableness or unreasonableness of the command.
The first afternoon of our camp life was spent in
erecting our tents, after which we drew rations, consisting of sugar, coffee,
bread, beans, rice, meat, potatoes, pepper, sa1t, candles and soap, which were
stored under a tarpaulin which had been erected for a cook house.
The tents erected, rations drawn, after which a number
of the boys started for Harrisburg to "see the sights” and, as it was the
last night that we could really expect to be absolutely free from military
discipline, we made the most of it and did not return to camp until the “wee
sma” hours of morning.
The first
morning that dawned upon us in camp was that of the holy Sabbath.— We were
awakened at the break of day, by the salutation: “Fall in for roll call.”— B.
T. Parks had charge of the company, and having been a member of Company B, 6th
Reserves, it was good sport for him to watch us “green ones” falling into line,
and growling at the nonsense of playing soldier in earnest, generally muttering
that it will be time enough when once in the field.
The first regular meal in camp, who that had the
pleasure to partake of it, will ever forget it? The cups that were dealt out to
us were common pint tin cups, and it is useless to attempt to enumerate the
burnt fingers, in attempting to prepare that meal, and then with what relish it
was eaten. It did not take long to
discover that the members of Co. G, were not experts in the art of cooking, and
that it would be necessary to hire or detail a general cook, whose duty it
should be to prepare the rations for the company. This was accomplished by securing Peter Laubenstine,
a former resident of Selinsgrove and who was paid fifty cents per month from
each member of the company.
The first day spent in Camp after our arrival was the
holy Sabbath, and well do we remember it.
It was a beautiful September day, the bight sun shown down upon us with
the warmth of midsummer. The beautiful
trees on the ridges on either side of us, were merely visible through the hazy
atmosphere, the sweet music made by numerous bells, as they called together
those who worshipped the “great Giver of every good and perfect gift,” in our
front in the city, taken in connection with the novelty of our situation,
served to make an impress on our minds, that the finger of time will find
difficult to erase.
It was upon this day that our officers opened the box
of provisions that had been prepared by our friends at home and “falling in”
around their “A” tent caused the same to be dealt out to the men; each one
seating himself upon the ground, with his plate and which by the way was a tin
one, upon his lap and his cup of coffee near by. Thus our first Sunday dinner was eaten in
camp, and a noble repast it was, fit for Kings to dine upon, and often during
the dark and trying times, when owing to the scarcity of “grub” in Uncle Sam’s
larder, did our imaginations go out towards that Sunday dinner
On Monday the 15th, we were examined, and this
exhibition owing to its novelty, was amusing in the extreme, and did the
subject permit, a number of ludicrous incidents might be given, which under
the circumstances must remain among the unwritten doings of the company.— A
number of the men, amongst them old Danny Herbster seriously objected to going
through the “ordeal.” but when they found that if they would march with the
company they must submit, they gracefully gave in and were accepted. W. S. Keller passed twice, once for himself
and also for B. T. Parks, and owing to his peculiar formation was detected by
the examining Surgeon, who as he passed him turned towards Captain Davis and
with a knowing wink said: “Captain, you have two men pretty near alike, but
they are both sound, which I suppose is all that you care about.”
The Captain saw the point and very politely thanked
the Doctor for his kindness. Several of the boys who had enlisted, owing to
some bodily deformity, were not accepted..
The examination being over we were mustered into the United States 4
o'clock , P. M. on the same day that we were examined and was
performed by Captain Norton, who at the time was laboring under the influence
of too much benzene, mustered us into service as cavalry, “to serve
during the war.” The latter clause was
the cause of frequent contention in the company, as scarcely a half -dozen of
the members agreed as to the time and manner in which they had been mustered.
After being mustered into service next step to be
attended to was the drawing of the Quarter-master stores. Bright and early on
the following morning B. T. Parks, acting Orderly Sergeant, detailed a squad of
men and who were sent to the Camp
Quartermaster
The sport now began in good earnest, the clothing
consisting of pants, dress and overcoats, drawers, shirts, hose, shoes,
ponchos, scales, &c., were distributed among the boys, who hastily
exchanged their citizens clothes for "suits or blue," and when they
next appeared in the company street, a more ludicrous fantastic sight never
greeted mortal sight before. We were
raw recruits and had a great many things yet to learn. The most of us having taken the clothing just
as they had been issued to us, without regard to sizes and here was some of the
results: Luther Parks, the smallest
soldier in the Company, was lost in a pair of pants large enough for a six
footer, whilst Asa B. Churchill, the company giant, was arrayed in a pair of
pants that scarcely reached his knees; Ed Fisher had his head enveloped in a
monstrous cap, whilst John K. Stuck had a “wee bit" of a thing perched on the
top of his head, while six or seven of the boys were trying to put feet that
snugly fit a number 10 boot into number 6 shoes.
After considerable trading with one and another, all
at last succeeded in getting suited to their various needs, and when we had
everything arranged, even to sewing on of the brass scales, the company
presented a very (?) martial appearance.
After we were once fully equipped having received
everything excepting arms and accouterments, we began to play the part of the
soldier in good earnest. Drill morning, noon and evening, was the order of
the day. More recruits began to arrive
and we were detailed to stand guard over the camp, armed with clubs. In those days a corporal was a very important
personage. Calls similar to the
following:
“Corporal of the Guard, post number 115,
double-quick,” owing to a change of diet, were quite frequent,
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Sunbury American
(Sunbury, Pennsylvania)
13 Sep 1862, Sat • First Edition • Page 1
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