SoldieringIn1861
Soldiering in 1861
A correspondent of the St. Louis Democrat, writing from Tipton [Mo.], Nov. 18th, say that in sauntering through the camp of the Kansas First he found the following rich and racy chapter of chronicles:
1. Man that is born of woman, and enlisteth as a soldier in the Kansas First, is of few days, and short of "rations."
2. He cometh forth a "reveille," is present also at "retreat," yea even at "tattoo," and retireth, apparently, at "taps!"
3. He draweth his rations from the commissary, and devoureth the same. He striketh his teeth against much "hard bread," and is satisfied. He filleth his canteen with aqua pura, and slappeth the mouth thereof upon the bung of a whisky barrel, and after a little while goeth away rejoicing in his strategy!
4. Much soldiering hath made him sharp; yea, even the seat of his breeches are in danger of being cut through.
5. He covenanteth with the credulous farmer for many chickens, and much honey and milk, to be paid promptly at the end of each ten days; and lo! his regiment moveth on the ninth day to another post!
6. His tent is filled with potatoes, cabbage, turnips, kraut, and other delicate morsels of a dulcet delicious taste, which abound not in the Commissary Department.
7. And many other things not in the "return," and which never will return; yet, of a truth, it must be said of the soldier of the Kansas First, that of a surety he taketh nothing which he cannot reach!
8. He fireth his minie rifle at midnight and the whole camp is aroused and formed in line, when lo! his mess come bearing in a nice porker, which he solemnly declareth so resembled a secesh that he was compelled to pull trigger!
9. He giveth the Provost Marshal much trouble, often capturing his guard, and possesses himself of the city.
10. At such times lager and pretzels flow like milk and honey from his generous hand. He giveth without stint to his own comrade, yea! and withholdeth not from the lank expectant Hoosier of the "Indiany Twenty-fourth."
11. The grunt of a pig, or the crowing of a cock, awakeneth him from the soundest sleep, and he sauntereth forth, until halted by the guard, when he instantly clappeth his hands upon his bread basket, and the guard in commiseration alloweth him to pass to the rear, to ease his gripe!
12. No sooner hath he passed the sentry's beat that he striketh a "bee line" for the nearest hen roost, and, seizing a pair plump pullets, returneth, solilquizing to himself: "The noise of a goose saved Rome, how much more the flesh of chicken preserveth the soldier."
13. He playeth enchre with the parson whether there shall be preaching in camp on the Sabbath, and by dexterously "turning a Jack" from the bottom, postponeth the service.
14. And many other marvelous things doeth he; and lo! are they not already recorded in the morning reports of Company G?
Company G.
Source: The Daily Times, Leavenworth, KS, November 23, 1861.