Spring Muster or A Boy and His Goat

Spring Muster of the 7th and 30th Consolidated Companies along with the 23rd Ill. has come and gone again. The encampment on Shack Creek Road was a complete success. The boys turned out in good numbers for a great weekend after the long winter furlough. Most everyone arrived and set-up before 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Qtr. Master Sgt Mandrake and undercook Mallory prepared a large pot of tasty stew. Pvt. Price, prepared some secess shrimp, he captured on the river, from the crew of a Confederate gunboat, for the Catholic lads.

The night was cold. dogs barked, a mule brayed every hour on the hour, and a coyote yelped on the north hill throughout the night. Morning came early as the fire was up and our breakfast of eggs, grits, bacon, bread and chickory coffee was cooking by 6:00 a.m. Great coats were in order, as the temp had dropped to 30 degrees, but the wind was calm.

After breakfast the normal amount of paperwork was in hand. Heath records were prepared, Baltimore Bible Society Cards were issued and questions concerning the upcoming year were asked by the Captain. After the camp was defarbed, company drill followed, then Schools of Instruction, in such areas as: stack arms; and the manual of arms were conducted.

During the Schools of Instruction the Company's were formed by order of Cpt. Crofutt. It seems that Pvt. Garnish was gambling again and a local farmer was demanding payment from Pvt. Garnish for one goat! Yes a goat! The last five dollars from the companys money was paid to the farmer and Pvt. Garnish, forever to be referred to in the future as, GOAT BOY, took possession of the said goat. God and Garnish, (GOAT BOY), are the only ones who know why a GOAT became a gambling debt.

A lunch of bread, sausage, cheese, apples, grits and pickles was enjoyed by the men. A company meeting then followed. Pvt T. Price and Hospital Aid N. Price received their veterans status. Pvt. Pulliam was then bestowed his official nickname- forever to known, in the future as, Hollywood. Huzzah!!

Following lunch and the company meeting, the annual fastest shot of the Brigade contest was held. Pvt. Ellick won this year's honors with Qtr. Master Sgt. Mandrake as the runner-up.

After the contest I had to strike the hospital and retire to Kansas City for a religious program.

I will rejoin the Brigade at the Mahaffie Farmstead in Bloody Kansas during the third week of April.

YOS,
Hospital Steward Bair