BY D. McCALL,A PRIVATE OF CO. B.
SPRINGFIELD:
STEAM PRESS OF BAKER & PHILLIPS.
1864.
Being anxious to serve my country, I walked to Springfield, Illinois, a distanceof twenty-five miles. I arrived there early in the evening, and took uplodging with a German that night, which was on the 14th day of July, 1861.There were several recruiting officers enlisting men for cavalry or infantry.Andrew J. Weber was enlisting a company for an infantry regiment, which Ijoined. There were then about thirty members. After remaining here, for afew days, boarding at the Owen House, we got on board the cars, which werein waiting, to carry us to our destination.
Sorrowful were the scenes at parting from friends to go from their homes todefend their rights and liberty, many to fall victims of this unholy rebellion.As I was a stranger to the company, I had no regrets at leaving, as my friendswere far away. The cars blowed their whistle, and amid the cheers of the people,and waving of handkerchiefs, we left Springfield. Our destination beingMissouri, we arrived at night at a place called Illinoistown, opposite St. Louis,and here we remained all night, and next morning we all went down to theriver and washed. We were then ordered to fall in to go across the river.Company C accompanied us, commanded by Captain Moses Warner. The twocompanies fell in and formed in four ranks, and the command was given, andwe started to the river; we soon arrived on the bank. There was a ferry boatin waiting to carry us across, we marched board, and the boat soon landed usbelow St. Louis, where the command was formed in line, and it was soon on itsway to the arsenal. We arrived there early in the day. The day was warm,and the streets were dusty, which made it quite disagreeable marching. Wewere not molested on the way. Most of us were without arms. The peoplelined the sidewalks as we passed.
When we arrived at the arsenal rations were issued to us, and we eat what wegot with a good relish, as we had eat nothing since leaving Springfield the daybefore. Most of the boys were without money. After staying here for a fewhours, the command was ordered to fall in and we were went from here toMarine Hospital, where we remained several weeks. It was here we experiencedthe duties of a soldier. We quartered in a long low building, with straw andplank to lay on. Provisions were good enough, such as they were, and as wehad no conveniences prepared, we labored under difficulties to get enough toeat.
Commenced drilling, and drilled eight hours a day. Our progress was veryslow at first, as our commanders were not very proficient in drill. But we soonlearned to keep step and the other changes. This continued until one day we[4]marched down to the arsenal, were sworn in as a regiment, and drew our arms.We had previously no arms but some old flint lock muskets, most of them withoutbayonets. After drawing our equipments we returned to quarters, and in afew days the order came to prepare for marching.
The regiment marched to the bank of the river, stacked arms, and there weremained until evening, awaiting the boat, which arrived at last, and the buglesounded, and the order came to go on board the boat. We fell in and marchedabout a mile, when we got on board of the boat awaiting us at the landing.Everything being ready, the boat soon left the landing, and she headed downthe river. Next day we landed at Ca