The "City Guard": A History of Company "B" First Regiment Infantry, N. G. C. During the Sacremento Campaign, July 3 to 26, 1894: Including a Brief History of the Company Since Its Organization March 31, 1854, to July 3, 1894California. Infantry. First Regiment. Company B
History
The "City Guard": A History of Company "B" First Regiment Infantry, N. G. C. During the Sacremento Campaign, July 3 to 26, 1894: Including a Brief History of the Company Since Its Organization March 31, 1854, to July 3, 1894
California. Infantry. First Regiment. Company B
California -- History -- 1850-1950; California. Infantry. First Regiment. Company B; Railroad Strike, Calif., 1894; Railroads -- United States -- Employees
The fourth tent was known as the Keeley tent. Under the canvas covering
of this tent the great leaders of the Keeley Club held forth. The high
priest of the inner circle of the flowing bowl was Harry J. Lang and
his assistant was P. J. Kennedy. The tent leader was none other than
the well-known celebrity, Corporal Benjamin Burdick; during the silent
watches of the night his still small voice would be heard telling of
hairbreadth escapes in far away India and lion hunts in the wilds of
Africa. Kennedy was dubbed the Yolo Farmer the second day at camp,
and he looked like one. The two Bohemians, Lang and Kennedy, were the
life of the company, Lang never knew a quiet moment; a most sunny
disposition, and as brave as a lion; he was well paired with his
comrade Kennedy. Sam Wise, an honorary member of the company was in
this tent. At the call to arms he offered his services to the company
commander, and they were gladly accepted. It is entrancing to sit
and hear him tell about the first thing he did when he went to work.
Sam’s working periods are so few and far apart that he has occasion
to remember every little detail concerning them. Joe Keane, the
basso barrello, with a faraway look in his eye; the little hero, Bob
Williams, and E. M. Stealey, who sang “A Soldier’s Life’s the Life for
Me--Not,” made up the balance of the crowd.
[Illustration: L. ZIMMERMAN A. C. GEHRET WM. BAUMGARTNER H. B. SULLIVAN
A. FETZ SERGT. B. B. STURDIVANT]
[Illustration: W. A. BESEMAN. SERGT. H. B. TAYLOR. J. BRIEN. T.
HAMMERSON. G. UNGERMAN.]
The fifth tent was called the Irish tent, headed by the Irish Sergeant
Walter Kelly, a splendid soldier and officer. Wm. Flanagan, good old
nine, we called him; a very active man when our daily keg of beer was
on tap. He claimed descent from one of Ireland’s famous kings. W. S.
McKaig, dubbed kinky on account of his curly hair, was always writing
letters when there would be any work to do. W. W. Crowley, the most
desperate looking character in the camp and as desperate as he looked.
Johnny Gilkyson, drummer and willing worker, had no use for a drum
when there was sterner work to do, and soon attached himself to a gun.
Phil Bannan, always quiet and passive, a disciple of Wm. Tooker’s and
quite a society man; Flanagan called him piano Irish and sneered at
his social aspirations. Wm. O’Brien, always ready to volunteer for
dangerous work, was the last, but not the least of this crowd. Upon
the hearts of the members of this tent was emblazoned the motto, “We
Love Our Sarg.”[3]
[3] Sergeant Kelly.
[Illustration: R. E. WILSON AL. HEETH H. C. CASEBOLT GEO. BOWNE. J.
MONAHAN W. W. WILSON E. M. STEALY]
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