Experience of a Drafted Non-combatant.
By James White
BRO. WHITE: I would like to say a few words to my dear brethren, through the Review. I feel to praise the Lord for his abundant goodness to me, while passing through the trial which I am called to endure. I was drafted Nov. 2, 1864, from Poysippi, Wis., and not having the money to pay my commutation, I was under the necessity of leaving my kind family, and the sweet influences of home, and mingling with those who to all appearance have no fear of God before their eyes. In accordance with the instructions given through the Review by Bro. J. N. Andrews, I reported myself as a non-combatant, and upon the presentation of the evidences of my position, received a certificate from the Provost Marshal, giving a statement of the facts: 1. Showing that I had procured evidence and satisfied the board of enrollment that I was a non-combatant, within the meaning of section 17 of the act approved Feb. 24, 1864. 2. That I was entitled to the benefits and privileges of said section. When I arrived at Madison I presented my papers to the officers at headquarters, and was then informed that I must be consigned to some regiment and company, and sent South for duty, and that the officer commanding the regiment would procure my transfer from the ranks to the hospital in compliance with the aforesaid section of law relating to non-combatants. I was accordingly sent to this place, and soon after arriving presented my papers to the commander of the regiment. He told me that he could easily arrange matters for me; that he would detail me as a cook. I protested against his arrangement as not being according to the law, of which he appeared to be entirely ignorant. After stating to him the provisions of the law, he agreed to forward my papers to headquarters for inspection. Accordingly the next day my certificate was sent away, and after waiting ten days, it was returned as not sufficient evidence to grant me the benefits and privileges of the law! You can judge something of my feelings on being thus disappointed in my expectations. During these ten days that I was waiting, I lay with our regiment upon an open field, without tent or shelter of any kind, two nights and one day. The first night a cold, piercing wind blew upon us, causing us, in spite of all our efforts to keep warm by running and jumping, and building fires to warm ourselves by, to tremble and shake violently with the cold. Indeed, I thought that before morning some of us must certainly perish; but by the goodness of God, our lives were preserved, though many were taken sick from that night's exposure. We spent the next day more comfortably, the wind ceasing to blow so hard, the cold also abating; but as the night drew on it became evident that we were to have a storm. The wind began to blow, the air became very damp and cold, yet notwithstanding all this, the men prepared the best they could for the night by digging trenches, and wrapping themselves in blankets, and lying down in them in order to be sheltered from the cold wind. But just as we had laid down, the order came to pack up and be ready to march at a moment's warning. The order was instantly obeyed by all, and just as we were prepared to march, it began to rain and snow, and continued to do so until past midnight. The men seemed impatient to march, rather than stand still, exposed to the storm; but no order came. Hour after hour came and passed away, the storm coming down upon us with relentless fury, until the men were completely drenched. Some might be seen standing around half-smoldering fires, others lying upon the ground, screening themselves as best they could; but from the storm from above, or the water which ran upon the ground, the greater part were thoroughly wet. By morning light many were so cold and stiff they could hardly stand upon their feet. The next day was spent by us on the same ground, in a state of painful suspense; hoping that we were soon to return to our more comfortable camp, which we had left two days before, yet fearing that we might be ordered to march at any moment, but where, no one of us could tell. At 4 o'clock P. M., we were ordered to march, and continued it until about 5 o'clock the next morning. The night was very dark, and during the latter part it rained very hard. The road was one continued mud-hole from three inches to one foot in depth. After we were ordered to halt we built some fires with rails from fences near by and then lay down upon the ground to rest as best we could. I was so fatigued, I soon fell asleep, and did not wake until daylight. I immediately made some coffee in a kettle which I had brought with me and gave it to the men; and the expressions of gratitude and thanks which they gave me, seemed almost to repay me for the troubles I had undergone. At one o'clock we were ordered to retreat, and at 12 o'clock the next night, reached our old camp, so tired and exhausted, I felt but little desire to live any longer. Yet I felt willing to suffer all that my kind Heavenly Father should see fit to send upon me. My earnest prayer to God was for patience, and submission to his will. Never before now, have I experienced such a sense of my own weakness and dependence upon God. It seemed that every earthly prop had failed and the mercy of God was my only plea. Nor was it in vain. Jesus is very precious to me. I feel that truly "he leads me like a tired child." All my sorrows and griefs are borne by him. When I feel burdened I hear his lovely voice saying, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Oh, how sweet the rest which he gives. The wickedness and corruptions of the army cannot disturb it, so long as we meekly sit at his feet and learn of him. This I have found by the goodness of God to be true. I feel it a privilege to ask an interest in the prayers of God's people, that this affliction through which I am passing may (as I hope and trust it has been in a measure), be sanctified to my present and eternal good; that by it I may be better prepared for the service of God the remaining days of probation and that it may please God to restore me again to my family, and that finally I may reign with his people on Mt. Zion. I am trying to do what good I can here in the army. But I find it to be a very wicked place. Such dreadful profanity I have never before heard; but, thank God, there are some few exceptions to this general rule. I have had some very interesting conversation with a few who seem to have ears to hear the truth. I send one dollar for the Soldiers' Tract Fund and ask as large an addition to this sum as is in your judgment proper to be sent to me for distribution among the soldiers. May God bless you all. May we each become more deeply imbued with the spirit and power of the present truth, that we may become wise unto salvation, escape the plagues that shall come upon the ungodly, and join in the song of triumph over the beast and his image, is the prayer of your unworthy brother,
P. H. CADY. P. S. This has been written amid a great deal of camp confusion. If any brother can give me a definition of Hospital Duty in the sense of the law, they will oblige me. Address, P. H. Cady, Co. K. 37th Regt. Wis. Vol., Washington, D. C.