THREE YEARS IN THE SERVICE.
A RECORD OF THE DOINGS OF THE 11TH REG. MISSOURI VOLS.
BY D. McCALL, A PRIVATE OF CO. B.
SPRINGFIELD:
STEAM PRESS OF BAKER & PHILLIPS.
1864.
RECORD OF THE DOINGS
OF THE
11TH REG. OF MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS.
Being anxious to serve my country, I walked to Springfield, Illinois, a distance of twenty-five miles. I arrived there early in the evening, and took up lodging 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 I joined. There were then about thirty members. After remaining here, for a few days, boarding at the Owen House, we got on board the cars, which were in waiting, to carry us to our destination.
Sorrowful were the scenes at parting from friends to go from their homes to defend 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 friends were far away. The cars blowed their whistle, and amid the cheers of the people, and waving of handkerchiefs, we left Springfield. Our destination being Missouri, 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 the river and washed. We were then ordered to fall in to go across the river. Company C accompanied us, commanded by Captain Moses Warner. The two companies fell in and formed in four ranks, and the command was given, and we started to the river; we soon arrived on the bank. There was a ferry boat in waiting to carry us across, we marched board, and the boat soon landed us below St. Louis, where the command was formed in line, and it was soon on its way 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. We were not molested on the way. Most of us were without arms. The people lined the sidewalks as we passed.
When we arrived at the arsenal rations were issued to us, and we eat what we got with a good relish, as we had eat nothing since leaving Springfield the day before. Most of the boys were without money. After staying here for a few hours, the command was ordered to fall in and we were went from here to Marine Hospital, where we remained several weeks. It was here we experienced the duties of a soldier. We quartered in a long low building, with straw and plank to lay on. Provisions were good enough, such as they were, and as we had no conveniences prepared, we labored under difficulties to get enough to eat.
Commenced drilling, and drilled eight hours a day. Our progress was very slow at first, as our commanders were not very proficient in drill. But we soon learned to keep step and the other changes. This continued until one day we 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 without bayonets. After drawing our equipments we returned to quarters, and in a few days the order came to prepare for marching.