Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks; or, Two Recruits in the United States Army

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27680

Title

Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks; or, Two Recruits in the United States Army

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Two spirited boys, Hal Overton and Noll Terry, decide to enlist in the Regular Army after witnessing disrespect toward soldiers. Their journey from civilian recruits to disciplined soldiers at Fort Clowdry offers an exciting, wholesome adventure filled with camaraderie, military training, and a daring defense of a mail train against bandits.

Summary up to 500 words

In H. Irving Hancock's spirited tale, *Uncle Sam's Boys in the Ranks*, two industrious young men from New Jersey, Hal Overton and Noll Terry, decide to enlist in the United States Army. Inspired by their fathers' service and disgusted by a local bully's contempt for the military, the pair travels to New York to join the Regular Army. After passing a rigorous examination and a brief, awkward stint in the 'Awkward Squad,' they are assigned to Fort Clowdry. The narrative chronicles their transition from civilians to soldiers, highlighting the strict discipline, the camaraderie of the squad room, and the challenges of military life, including hazing and learning to handle weapons. A major plot point involves a thrilling ambush on a mail train. While traveling through the Rocky Mountains, Hal and Noll are called to action by Major Davis when masked robbers attempt to hold up the vehicle. Despite being unarmed, the rookies display remarkable bravery and quick thinking. Hal tackles a robber, while Noll strikes another, allowing Major Davis to neutralize the threat. During the ensuing firefight in the darkness, the recruits fire their revolvers to defend the mail, successfully driving the robbers off and securing the prisoners. The train crew and passengers are saved, and the recruits earn the officer's high praise for standing by him like true soldiers. Upon reaching their destination, the boys are welcomed by Captain Cortland, the commanding officer of B Company. Noll is pleased to learn that he has been transferred to the same company as Hal, finally becoming true 'bunkies.' The story emphasizes themes of respect for the uniform, the value of hard work over idleness, and the formation of true brotherhood among soldiers. It portrays the gulf of discipline between officers and men, noting that they do not eat together, yet it celebrates the spirit of duty and honor. The book concludes with the boys fully integrated into their company, ready for future adventures, promising a sequel that will detail their rise to becoming seasoned veterans. This volume serves as an engaging introduction to military life for young readers, blending action with moral lessons about patriotism and character.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Fiction