Cold-feet—­fear, lack of courage (to have cold feet is to be afraid, to lack courage).

Commissaries—­groceries.

Crawl—­to admonish.

Dog-robber—­name by which the enlisted men call a soldier who works for an officer. (An offensive term, the use of which generally results in trouble.)

Dough-boy—­infantryman.

Dough-puncher—­the baker.

Down the Pole—­to drink, after having stopped.

Duff—­any sweet edible.

Fatigue—­extra work.

File—­a number on the lineal list.

Fogy—­ten percent increase in pay for each five years’ service.

Found—­to be found deficient or wanting in anything, especially an examination.

French leave—­unauthorized absence.  Absent on French leave—­absent without authority.

Goat—­junior officer in post, regiment, etc.

Goaty—­awkward, ignorant.

Guard House Lawyer—­a soldier with a smattering knowledge of regulations and military law; quite loquacious and liberal with advice and counsel to men in the Guard House or other trouble.

Hand-Shaker—­a soldier who tries to win the favor of first sergeant or troop commander.

Hardtack—­hardbread, biscuits.

Hash Mark—­enlistment or service stripe, worn on sleeve.

Hike—­a march; to hike; to march.

Hitch—­a term for enlistment period.

Hive—­to discover, to catch.

Hobo—­the provost guard.

Holy Joe—­the chaplain.

Hop—­a dance.

How—­form of salutation in drinking, meaning “Here’s to your health,”
“My regards,” etc.

I. C.—­condemned by an inspector.

Jaw-bone—­credit (to get things on “jawbone,” is to buy on credit).

Jump—­to admonish.

K. O.—­the commanding officer.

Major—­name by which the sergeant-major is usually called by the enlisted men.

Mill—­Guard-house.

Mule-skinner—­a teamster.

Non-Com—­non-commissioned officer.

O. D.—­the officer of the day.

Officers Line, or Officers Row—­the row of houses where the officers and their families live.

Old Issue—­an old soldier.

Old File—­an old officer.

Old Man—­the company commander.

On Official Terms—­not to be on speaking terms except officially.

On the Carpet—­called before the commanding officer for admonition.

Openers—­cathartic pills.

Orderly Buckle—­a soldier when going on guard who strives by extra neatness of appearance to be designated as orderly for the commanding officer.

Orderly Room—­company office.

Outfit—­one’s organization in the army.

Over-the-Hill—­to desert.

P.—­Prisoner.

Pills—­the hospital steward.

Punk—­light bread.

Q. M.—­the quartermaster.