Our Soldier Boys

Our Soldier Boys

Death of a Manchester Soldier at Knoxville.

A DESERVED PROMOTION

Lieutenant Kies, of Bridgewater, Is the Lucky man.

The T.M.C.A. Tent Under the Superintendency of Richard Flynn, of This City, Is doing a Noble Work.

The 31st Michigan is preparing to move to Atlanta into winter quarters, which will be in the exposition buildings, Col. Gardener's plans to have the boys sleep in tents having been overruled. Lient. Belser is now with Col. 'Gardener in Atlanta to prepare the buildings for the reception of the regiment. They took a detail of 12 men with them.

Last Friday, James A. Sullivan, of Manchester, a brave soldier of Co. C, the Tecumseh company, died at Camp Poland, of spinal meningitis. He was doing guard duty while sick and only gave up and went to the hospital when his temperature reached 104. Rev. Fr. Heidenrich, of Manchester, was with him when he died. Sullivan was highly esteemed by his comrades. This is the 19th death in the regiment.

First Lieutenant Harry U. Kies, of Bridgewater, also of the Tecumseh company, has been officially appointed regimental adjutant, his rank dating back to Oct. 1. He has be enacting as regimental adjutant since the death of Lieut. Nash and is a gradúate of the Orehard Lake Military Academy.

Richard Flynn, of this city, who was recently discharged from Co. A, is superintendent of the Y. M.C. A. tent of the regiment, in the success of which many of our citizens are interested. Chaplain White has just made a report to the war department which speaks highly of the work being done by the tent and its popularity among the soldiers. He gives the following facts: During the month of October there have been 16,645 visitors at the tent; 12,870 letter have been written; 14,270 sheets of paper, and 9,410 envelopes have been furnished gratis ; $205. 46 worth of two cent stamps have been sold, 117 books have been drawn from the library. There have been distributed 2,000 copies of religious literature; 2,000 copies of daily papers, 50 tracts, 50 testaments and there have been held 23 meetings of the bible class, and two entertainments. Seventy-eight sacks of mail were received and distributed, and no fewer than 13,399 pieces of mail were sent out, 81 express packages received, and eight dispatches.

The chaplain aided by Supt. Flynn, made 289 visits upon sick men in the regiment, and 87 sick men were aided with simple remedies, of which a supply is always kept in stock. The chaplain visited six sick officers in their quarters, held prayer with eight sick men, wrote 21 letters to inquiring friends in the north, who wanted information concerning their sons and brothers wrote seven letters for sick men, held four prayer services, gave four special bible readings, and conversed with 21 men on special religious topics.

During the month he made 24 hospital visits, conducted religious services four times in the hospital, and held religious services for the regiment 15 times. In addition to these duties the chaplain has complied with demands made upon him in the city, and preached in three different Presbyterian churches, three Baptist churches and one Congregational church.

During the month the services have increased in attendance and spirit in spite of the chilly weather and no means of warming the tent. The disposition to gamble has been reduced to the smallest in the history of the regiment.

It is rumored that the regiment will soon be moved to Santa Clara, Cuba and all are anxious to go, especially if they are not to be mustered out now.

Henry Reuken, of the 34th Michigan has been transferred to Co. A.