[Illustration: "STARTS US ON OUR JOURNEY AND THE BEGINNING OF OUR LITTLE WORLD OF WARFARE."] IN CAMP WITH L COMPANY [Illustration] Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry [Illustration] BY CORPORAL GEORGE W. PETTY [Illustration] WYNKOOP HALLENBECK CRAWFORD CO. PRINTERS NEW YORK AND ALBANY To the officers, and the men in the ranks, of my company, and to the memory of departed comrades, this book is respectfully dedicated. The Author "God of all nations! Sovereign Lord! In Thy dread name we draw the sword We lift the starry flag on high That fills with light our stormy sky." PREFACE [Illustration] In writing this book it has not been my purpose to compile a history of our Company, which would necessitate the gathering together of its records, which of themselves would be dry and uninteresting to the average reader, but such a narrative as would give to our friends a wider knowledge of our everyday life while in the service, and to my comrades that feeling of kinship so dear to the soldier's heart. PART FIRST THE MUSTERING [Illustration] [Illustration] Company L was organized and mustered into the State service June 22, 1893, and assigned as the 11th company of the Second Regiment with headquarters at Paterson, with the following officers: Addison Ely, Captain; Wilkin Bookstaver, First Lieutenant; Joseph J. Blake, Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Bookstaver resigned in February, 1896, Lieutenant Blake was promoted to First Lieutenant and First Sergeant Robert A. Brunner was promoted to Second Lieutenant. From its first season at rifle practice the Company was a decided factor in the making up of the State records; the first year, out of fifty-six companies it stood sixth, in 1895 it was fourth and in 1897 second on the list with ten sharpshooters and fifty-eight marksmen, pushing Company C of Paterson hard for first honors, that company having twelve sharpshooters and sixty marksmen. A match was arranged in the fall of '97 between the companies composing the Second Battalion, E, F, G and L, ten men constituting a team; this match we won handily. Matches between the squads proved exciting and interesting, the prize being a silver loving cup donated by Lieutenant Brunner. Our range being on the meadows not only insured safety, but was actually one of the best ranges used by any Company in the State. Our discipline was excellent and our annual inspection invariably showed 100 per cent. The armory was built during the winter of 1896-7, and was formally opened in March, 1897, with a grand fair which was honored by a visit of Governor Griggs and a large number of military and civic officers. It cost about $20,000, and contains, besides a large drill-room, a well appointed stage, meeting rooms and living apartments.