Later: Sis has just informed me that Carter Brooks has not enlisted, but is playing around as usual! I feel dreadfully, as he is a friend of my Familey. Or rather was.
7 P. M.: The G. A. C. is a fact. It is also ready for duty. How wonderful it is to feel that one is about to be of some use to one’s own, one’s Native Land!
We held a meeting early this P. M. in our library, all doors being closed and Sentries posted. I had made some fudge also, although the cook, who is a new one, was not pleasant about the butter and so on.
We had intended to read the Constitution of the U. S. out loud, but as it is long we did not, but signed our names to it in my father’s copy of the American Common Wealth. We then went out and bought the Tent and ten camp chairs, although not expecting to have much time to sit down.
The G. A. C. was then ready for duty.
Before disbanding for the day I made a short speach in the shop, which was almost emty. I said that it was our intention to show the members of the Other Sex that we were ready to spring to the Country’s call, and also to assist in recruiting by visiting the different Milatary Stations and there encouraging those who looked faint-hearted and not willing to fight.
“Each day,” I said, in conclusion, “one of us will be selected by the Captain, myself, to visit these places and as soon as a man has signed up, to pin a flower in his buttonhole. As we have but little money, the tent having cost more than expected, we can use carnations as not expencive.”
The man who had sold us the tent thought this was a fine idea, and said he thought he would enlist the next day, if we would be around.
We then went went to a book shop and bought the Plattsburg Manual, and I read to the members of the Corps these rules, to be strictly observed:
- 1. Carry yourself at all times as though you were proud of Yourself, your Unaform, and your Country.
- 2. Wear your hat so that the brim is parallel to the ground.
- 3. Have all buttons fastened.
- 4. Never have sleeves rolled up.
- 5. Never wear sleeve holders.
- 6. Never leave shirt or coat unbuttoned at the throat.
- 7. Have leggins and trousers properly laced. (Only leggins).
- 8. Keep shoes shined.
- 9. Always be clean shaved. (Unecessary).
- 10. Keep head up and shoulders square.
- 11. Camp life has a tendency to make one careless as to personal cleanliness. Bear this in mind.