The second week turned out to be a pretty stiff one for drills, the weather being less wet. Friday, May 13th, we were examined by Surgeon Brien of our Regiment and all but four passed. One man failed to report; he had left camp for home. In the evening G Company started out with fife and drum to have a good time. They carried nearly the whole Battalion with them to the quarters of the commanding officers, who were repeatedly called out and made short speeches amid much cheering, after which the boys paraded through the camp. They were received with considerable enthusiasm in every street. The escapade proved welcome, for it diverted our thoughts from the weather.
I had been temporarily assigned to the Quartermaster's Department shortly after our arrival at camp and was kept quite busy all the time making up schedules of equipments for each Regiment, and these were completed only within a few days of our departure south. Col. George G. Felton, Deputy Quartermaster-General, was in charge and was a most efficient officer. His department was a hive of industry, unloading cars, filling quotas, making out lists and distributing to the regiments, and when everything had been supplied he viewed with satisfaction as well an equipped force as ever entered the volunteer service of the United States.
SEA GIRT, N.J., MAY, 1898.
While serving here I missed a number of marches the Company participated in, the most notable being the march along the beach and through the thick woods and swamps, ending with a vigorous charge over the sand hills bordering the ocean.
The manual of arms used by the National Guard was abruptly changed to conform to the army manual and this change was brought about in an incredibly short time under the able instruction of our First Lieutenant, and the movements were executed with marked precision. Considerable attention was given to setting up exercises as practiced by the United States Army, so that we became quite proficient in the simpler movements. Though not having enough clear days to go more deeply into the more difficult exercises, the Regiment in companies would be at times seen on the field and it proved quite an interesting sight.
The interesting ceremony of transforming us into soldiers of the United States Army occurred on Saturday afternoon, May 14th, before a large crowd of excursionists. Captain Ely being absent, Lieutenant Blake formed the Company a little after noon and marched us to the front of the mustering tent. Upon the arrival of the Captain the ceremony proceeded.
As our names were called we formed in double time to the right of the officer, the Sergeants and Corporals making the alignment. This was to prove our actual presence. The names were again called. This time the officers formed the first line, the non-commissioned officers the second, and the balance, the third line, in company formation. An opportunity to withdraw was then given, the penalties for disobedience, desertion and other crimes enumerated in the articles of war were explained. He then ordered us to take off our caps, raise our right hands and swear to uphold the Government, fight all its enemies and be true soldiers of the United States, "so help me God." The Regiment was mustered the next day.
The First Regiment received its marching orders May 16th and on the 19th we were formed to escort this finely equipped Regiment to the station. They were bound for Camp Alger, near Washington, D.C. It was believed at the time that this Regiment was to go to Cuba with the first invading army and it was with intense interest that we watched these stalwart men, most of them of Irish fighting stock, loaded down with their equipments march silently past. We gave them a cheer and a Godspeed as their train drew out. The episode sent us back to camp thinking hard over the uncertainties of life and what was to be the outcome of the war.