File:War as viewed from the ranks. Personal recollections of the War of the Rebellion, by a private soldier (1898) (14576045008).jpg

Identifier: warasviewedfromr00kees (find matches)
Title: War as viewed from the ranks. Personal recollections of the War of the Rebellion, by a private soldier
Year: 1898 (1890s)
Authors: Keesy, W. A. (William Allen), b. 1843
Subjects: United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 55th (1861-1865) United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 55th (1861-1865) United States -- History Civil War, 1861-1865 Personal narratives United States -- History Civil War, 1861-1865 Regimental histories
Publisher: Norwalk, Ohio Experiment and News Co.
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Pollinger, Washington Weaver, Phillip Fackler, lycwis Kirkwood, Reiner and I were taken. This, of course, had thinned out the able-bodied men very visibly, when we rememberthat Richmond township only polled 60 votes at the time of the war. After learning from the newspapers that I was drafted, I concluded itwould be more honorable and better all around to go as a volunteer thanas a drafted man. I therefore told Peter Hershiser that I was going toSandusky to enlist. He told Phillip Fackler of my decision and theydeclared their intention of going along. I said, On one condition andthat is that you say nothing about our being drafted. They agreed tothis and we went to Sandusky, found a recruiting officer, and inquiredthe conditions upon which he was enlisting men for the army. Of courseupon this he wished to know if we were candidates for the service andwhether we wished to enlist. We soon reached an agreement. He hadus sign the roll and then stand up to take the necessary oath. Just as
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wu faO w -< Q W w W Enlistment Refused. 73 he was about to repeat the oath to my great chagrin and surprise, Fack-ler spoke out: Hold on here. We are drafted men and this might get us intotrouble. We dont want to do anything which will get us into trouble. Hold your tongue, said I. Why, you dont want to get into trouble do you? Did you not agree to say nothing about this matter ? I asked, andduring our dialogue Hershi.ser and the recruiting officer seemed to bedumfounded. Then the officer, who now seemed to comprehend the sit-uation, said : So you are drafted men, are you? I explained to him, giving him a truthful statement of the situation,and told him also of my service in the army and my understanding ofthe advantage of a volunteer over a conscript. He then said : If you had said nothing about it, I think it would have been allright. But with the knowledge that you are drafted men, I doubt myright to take you now. Just wait a moment and Ill go over and see theprovost marshal abo

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