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Today is the turning point of my life. This morning I was woken by a man shouting, "Who will come up and sign the roll?" The man was recruiting men for the Union army. Ever since the war has started, I have wanted to sign up before it finished to have a chance to travel from my home and experience the excitement of battle. Mr. Baker is going to sign up too because he has a family to care for and he needs a job. At noon, I went over to sign up. I'm still only 17 years old, so I worried that I might be rejected; however, the recruiter didn't even ask for my age. A fat, old jolly doctor performed my examination. He started off with a joke, and then he felt my shoulders, back, limbs, and gave me a few taps on the chest. When he finished, he told the recruiter, "He's all right for service," and I was accepted. The pay is $13 a month, and I will get a $300 government bounty for enrolling, too. My parents aren't happy that I'm leaving, but I told them that it is my duty as a citizen of this country, and I would bring them some income, too. I'll be leaving by train in 6 days. |
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