On December 22nd the weather bureau, predicting a great storm, sent a telegram of warning to all the military camps. The telegram to the Eighth stated that the thermometer would drop 30 degrees. Not knowing just what to do with this information, the Colonel directed it to be published at evening parade. At evening parade, the orders of the day were read by the Adjutant, and on this occasion the telegram was read as the last part of the daily order; then followed the usual phraseology,—"By order of Colonel Pew." The reading of this telegram at the end of an order, caused considerable amusement in camp, at the idea that Colonel Pew would order the thermometer to drop 30 degrees.
A flag pole was furnished the regiment and erected near the center of the camp. On December 28th a garrison flag was received and broken out from this pole with appropriate ceremonies. Thereafter, at reveille and retreat it was hoisted and lowered. The flag and pole were carried to and used in Cuba. On being mustered out, the flag was presented to the regiment, and is now preserved at regimental headquarters.
During this stay at Americus, Major Frank A. Graves and Captain Charles T. Hilliker of Company D were absent from the regiment most of the time on court martial duty at Columbus.
A common diversion in southern Georgia is cock fighting. Many mains were attended by members of the regiment. A number of officers were presented with railroad passes, and invited to go to Savannah to see a review of part of the Seventh Corps, previous to its embarkation for Havana. Permission was obtained for about 20 officers to make this trip. The train left Americus at midnight, but through some misunderstanding, the officers assembled at the hotel about 7 o'clock, and had an evening upon their hands.
One of the officers, thinking cock fighting was not tabooed by law, and having been told by a prominent citizen that a main could be arranged on short notice at any time, called up the citizen by telephone in the hotel lobby, and invited him to bring the cocks to the hotel and begin at once. He was promptly suppressed by the hotel proprietor, and the law explained to him. A quiet, gentlemanly main was tolerated, but not a public and bold defiance of the law.
A quiet, gentlemanly main was accordingly arranged for in a large upper room, occupied by the grand jury as sleeping apartments, while they were supposed to be engaged in an all-night session at the Court House. Various mysterious bundles were smuggled into these quarters by darkies, the windows were darkened, cocks were heeled, and fighting was soon in progress. After several fights had been pulled off, word came that the grand jury was about to leave the Court House, and retire for the night. There was a wild scramble to put the place in order, and a hurried exit of cocks and darkies. The officers brought up the rear of this retreat, and wished the grand jury a pleasant night's rest as they passed them in the hotel corridors.
About the middle of December, General Ludlow, who commanded the Division, was ordered to Havana as a military governor. His place was taken by General Sanger, and the command at Americus devolved upon Colonel Pew.
Conical tents were issued in sufficient quantity to equip half the command. This was the regiment's first experience with khaki canvas. Company commanders were loath to substitute them for the wall tents which they had been using. Accordingly each company was required to erect these tents on one side of the company street. After the first night, almost every company commander informed headquarters that he had no objections to having his whole command in conical tents. It did not take the men long to discover the advantages of khaki canvas, and that they could burn a light behind it after taps, with no fear of detection. Conical tents at once became popular in all the companies.
On December 23rd, the Twelfth New York received orders to proceed to Charleston and embark with General Sanger for Matanzas. Major Eldredge was detached from the regiment to accompany General Sanger as a member of his staff. The command of the Third Battalion was assumed by Captain William C. Dow, of Company F. The New York regiment left Americus the day after Christmas. Fifty-four men and one officer remained behind as unfit for foreign service, and were temporarily attached to the Eighth until they could be mustered out.
On December 30th, the Eighth received orders to prepare for Cuba. They reported 40 officers, 1112 men, 29 wagons, 119 mules, 26 horses, and 26 civilian employees, with all necessary supplies ready to move at once.