OFF
TO THE WAR: Wood County Boys leave for the
Front.
Immense Patriotic Crowds Cheered Everywhere.
Will soon be in Camp at Columbus.
Our "War Correspondent" Outlines
the Situation.
An interesting Summary of the Local Military
Events of the Week
Off to the war have Bowling Green's first
detachment of soldiers gone. They received
notice to report at company headquarters
Sunday at 1 o'clock and every one of the
brave boys responded with alacrity.
The first intimation that the people of
Bowling Green had that the boys had been
called to the front ws Saturday night at
11:35 o'clock when the whistle at the
electric light plant blew 8 shrill blasts.
The signal was agreed upon Saturday, and
was given soon after Harry Brewer received
notice from Capt. Fasig and Capt. White that
the Bowling Green recruits should report to
their respective commands Sunday.
The second call sounded Sunday morning and
soon the citizens began to assemble on the
streets and much excitement was manifest
everywhere.
The 29 soldier boys were out bright and
early making necessary preparations to leave
for the front, and by 9 o'clock they began to
assemble at the City Hall, where a short
preliminary drill was had.
The scenes that followed will never be
forgotten. The boys were to leave at 11:04
over at the T. & O. C. road, and the
citizens turned out en-mass to see them off
and bid them God speed. At the City Hall the
boys formed in line and then a committee from
the Women's Relief Corps presented each with
beautiful bouquets and miniature flags.
Friends passed among them and bid them good
bye as they offered words of good cheer and
encouragement.
George Quigley
showed his appreciation of their sacrifices
by placing a silver dollarin the hands of
each recruit as he bid a rousing speech.
He said that he could sympathize with the
boys as he had at one time had three years
experiencein the Indiana Militia. He
admonished themto always be found with their
faces to the enemy and if needs bo die
bravely in defense of their country and its
glorious flag that had been purchased at so
great a price. he said that the hand of the
God of battles was plainly visible in this
contest andthat the right was sure to
prevail. It was a contest of justice and
freedom against tyranny, the most oppressive
the world has ever seen, and now the American
army was going to the front to rescue the
starving and helpless cubans from a tyranny
worse than slavery.
In concluding he admonished the boys to go
to the front under the folds of the stars and
stripes, knowingthat the cause in which they
had enlisted was a just and righteous one.
The speaker concluded his remarks by a
fervent prayer in which he invoked the Divine
blessing on the soldier boys and the cause
that they go forth to uphold.
As the train hove in sight the immense
throng united in singing "America".
The scene there enacted was one that can
never be forgotten, There was a mingling of
song and sobs as the crowd pressed around the
boys to bid them a last goodbye. There was
scarcely a dry eye in the immense throng as
the boys and a few friends boarded the train
adn they were soonbeing borned swiftly away,
perhaps never to return.
Company H boys:
C. W. Wakefield, Arthur H. Yonker, Charles
Noyes, Earl Parmenter, Louis M Kripliver (my
grandfather writing this article) Harry Shaw,
F. E. Gillispie, Ed Speck, James Ordway, Geo.
Jolly, Dan Sweetland, J. D. McLaughlin,
Thomas Whitcomb, Dan Colbert, Walter
Olmstead, Robert Campbell, Ed Callin, E.J.
Long, Sylvester Porter, M. H. Brewer, Henry
Stockman, Clarence Richard.
CO. K boys:
Leon Myers, Jim Bates, Harry Harmon, John
Dawson, Bert Jolly, Irvie Ward, Harvey
Shimer.
Ovation to Company K.
Company K left North Baltimore on the 11
o'clock train to make connections for the
south bound T. & O. C. train for Kenton.
They were tendered a grand ovation by the
citizens of the town who turned out by
hundreds to see them off. Speeches were made
by Mayor Niece, Rev. Demster and Rev. Cook.
The company was escorted to he depot by the
G.A.R, the city officials and the fire
department. A. J. Steele presented the boys
with a beautiful staff of colors valued at
$75.
SOLDIER LIFE DESCRIBED BY
DEMOCRAT'S STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Kenton April 29, 1898
Editor Democrat:--After a series of
exciting and bewildering events, the boys of
Companies H and K--Wood County's
representatives in the 2d Regiment,
O.N.G.--arrived here at 1:29 p.m. today. The
following additional companies have responded
to the regimental assembly call issued this
morning, and have reported to Colonel Kuert:
Co. A--Findlay
Co. B--Upper Sandusky
Co. C--Lima
Co. D--Van Wert
Co. E--Tiffin
Co. F--Bellefountaine
Co. G--Kenton
Co. H-- Bloomdale
Co. I-- Kenton
Co. K--North Baltimore
Co. L--Wapakoneta
Every member of the local contingent is in
good health and seems to be enjoying the life
of a soldier.
From the grand and never-to-be forgotten
farewell at Bowling Green till the boys were
drawn up to hear Colonel Kuert's hearty
welcome at the Armory this afternoon, the
trip has been a continual round of pleasure
and excitement.
When the train pulled out of Bowling Green
every recruit breathed more freely and the
handkerchiefs were exchanged for lunch
baskets. The more convivial soon roused the
boys and the scene became more like a picnic
than a lot of raw recruits going to the
front.
Camp Life.
At Welker, the boys were met by Lieut. Col.
Bryant, and were broken in by marching 6
miles to Bloomdale, to the Armory, where the
regulation army rations of pork and beans
were administered for the first time.
Among those who accompanied the boys from
Bowling Green were Sheriff Biggs, M. P.
Brewer, Allen Ross, Clyde Painter, Alf
Farmer, Sam E. Vall, Dr. Tuller, Ed
Beverstock and C. C. Ross. Jake Easley came
to Bloomdale Monday to say farewell.
After mess was over the boys were
assembled at the Armory parlor where Capt.
Fasig addressed them. The Captain's talk was
like that of a father yet dignniied as
becomes his position as a soldier. He pointed
out that the need of strict discipline, and
official courtesy. He did not expect to take
angels with him. He wanted all to enjoy
themselves and to perform their duties
without question. He gave some sound advice
as to conduct when in camp, and added the
breaches of discipline would not be
tolerated. In conclusion he pledged the
support and attention of the company's
officers, and ask that they be respected. Hen
then introduced the under officers.
Capt. Fasig has captured the heart of
every lad in the company, and with him at
their head of company H wil lmake some of the
history in the war with Spain.
In one of the happiest little speeches
itwas ever my good fortune to hear Private
Dan Colbert thanked Capt. Fasig for his
advice and pledged the united support and
respect of the "boys from Bowling
Green."
Sunday evening the company was marched to
the M.E. church and listened to patriotic
sermons by Revs. Miller and Arnold. The
generosity and kindness of the citizens of
Bloomdale was next shown by distributing the
boys among their homes for the night.
The boys spent Monday in a delightful way.
Some went to Fostoria and others amused
themselves by staying at the Armory, dancing,
drilling, and eating beans--the latter
(according to some of the Bowling Green boys)
being the most difficult task in thne art of
modern warfare.
A LESSON IN DISCIPLINE
Second Corporal Miller ws deprived of his
stripes Monday on account of drunkenness.
Private Colbert was elected to fill the
vacancy but he thought his duties as
"father of the Bowling Green boys"
would keep him from falling into a state of
innocuous disuetude and declined to serve.
Private Gillespie was disappointed and will
make a good officer.
In the evening Capt. Fasig read the order
to move the next morning. Dynamite was fired
and everyone was elated that we were to move
at last. By the courtesy of the Captain the
boys whiled away the evening in dancing and
spending the last few hours in conversation
with friends and relatives.
OFF FOR KENTON
Bright and early Tuesday morning every man
was busy filling his knapsack and cleaning
his equipment. The departing hour brought a
repetition of the pathetic scenes at Bowling
Green.
At Welker the cars containing Company K
from North Baltimore were coupled on and the
train started for Kenton, bedecked with
bunting and flags. Enthusiastic crowds had
gathered all along the line and cheer after
cheer went up as the train bowled along.
At Kenton we were marched to the Armory
where Colonel Kuert thanked the company for
it's promptness and welcomed the boys to
partake of Kenton hospitality. After giving
three rousing cheers for the gallant Colonel
, doing likewise for Col. Bryant, Capt Fasig
marched us to a restaurant where an excellent
dinner was served a-la-military. The boys are
spending the afternoon looking about the city
and getting acquainted with the boys of the
Second Regiment. We will sleep this evening
on the floor of the Armory wrapped in
blankets. We're real "sojers" now.
Perhaps when THE DEMOCRAT goes to press we
shall be in Columbus. There we will be
mustered in as volunteers in the Ohio
Infantry and given our equipment. the Second
Regiment will go into camp at Columbus or be
sent to Newark, where the embryotic soldiers
will be instructed in the military art. it is
said that the Ohio National Guard will remain
in the state for at least 30 to 60 days
before going to the front. The boys desired
me to state to their relatives and friends
that everyone is well and living on the best
of the community.
Orders were received at Regimental
headquarters Wednesday evening, to move on to
Columbus Friday morning. It is likely that we
will camp there for some weeks at least.
NOTES.
The abscence of uniforms is somewhat
embarassing to the Bowling Green boys.
Everyone will be fully equipped at Columbus
and then there we be no 'fag end' to he
Bloomdale Rifles.
The blue uniform is the emblem of
fraternity in the Second Regiment and isa
sign of friendship and assistance to any
distressed comrade.
The boys wish to thank through THE DEMOCRAT,
Judge Parker, R.P. Morrison, and Melville
friedlich and the citizens of Bowling Green
and Bloomdale for their material assistance
and kind wishes.
Private Dan Colbert surprised everyone by
his stirring eloquence in answering the
speeches of Judge Parker and Capt. Fasig.
They were really gems and would have done
credit to Chauncey Depew.
Leon Myers has been elected 6th Corporal
of Co. K. the Baltimore boys are looking well
adnare apparently enjoying themselves.
Ex-Corp. Miller's disgrace has proven and
excellent object lesson to the boys and will
help them observe discipline.
All mail addressed to the company will
reach them if sent in care of Capt Fasig. Co.
H, 2d Re. O.N.G. Columbus, Ohio.
Artist Taylors "pig" graces the
wall of Kenton Armory and is becoming quite
famous.
Every officer of Companies H & K is a
gentleman and has the good will of the
privates.
L.M. Kripliver
|
