days after the ten companies forming our regiment had been assigned to their respective position in the line before a battalion drill was ventured. At first, evolutions were ordered from a halt. "By the right of companies to the rear into column!" and other simple movements were executed from day to day. Marching in column of companies involved a good deal of treading upon each other's heels, and sometimes angry words ensued. I was unfortunate in treading upon my file leader's heels several times during a battalion drill. My comrade had "no music in his soul," and his heel had to suffer from his inability to keep time. He promised to chastise me after drill; but, although I was foolish enough to remind him of his threat, his better judgment prevailed, and we shook hands. One day, our regimental commander ventured as far into the intricacies of drill as to get us into "close column by divisions." The order to march was given, and the band commenced to play, when suddenly our commander's horse shied; a shower of small paper slips was seen floating about, and the order to halt was given. Line officers were summoned to the colonel's presence, and directed to march their respective companies to quarters. The slips of paper contained the orders for the several evolutions to be executed that afternoon. The loss was irreparable; our commander did not remember the order for deploying column, and was obliged to dismiss the drill. Day by day

we improved; and the colonel thus found in a somewhat ridiculous position proved himself one of the ablest and bravest officers that ever served his country.

We looked upon sergeants and corporals as in some way necessary to facilitate drill, or something of that sort; and, when they requested us to do anything which recommended itself to our judgment, we at once obeyed-not otherwise. En route for the South, and while the train was stopping, I jumped out of the carriage to pick some berries on the side of the track, whereupon a corporal ordered me back. I did not even notice the command of this "superior officer" until it had been several times repeated, when at last I looked at him significantly and said :

Corporal S., you are forgetting yourself, sir;" and thus the matter ended. Superiors learnt to give only proper orders, and subordinates to obey them without cavil, before we had been long upon hostile soil.

Life in Camp of Instruction was very enjoyable. The weather was warm-too warm, perhaps—but our tents were large and comfortable. Our food was abundant, well cooked, and served in a large wooden building inside the encampment. The tin cups and plates in which our food was served seemed rather a novelty at first; but we were not disposed to be over particular, and did not grumble much. Our regimental Sutler and the Madison shops furnished us with whatever luxuries we desired. Probably

every company in the regiment had from two to a dozen barrels of Lager Beer on tap. We were not notoriously beer-drinkers; but some of the officers started the practice, and it was considered the correct thing to have a glass of beer to offer your friends when they came to see you. We took pride in the hospitality of the camp.

Our evening Dress-Parades were always well attended by the beauty and fashion of the surrounding district, and by hundreds of friends of the soldiers who visited our camp from all over the State. How thoroughly disgusted we were at one of these parades when our major made us swear to defend a flag then presented to us. He never regained the respect lost by this piece of tomfoolery. The men of '61-North and South-did not require to swear to defend a flag, We were at once disgusted and offended.

I was on camp-guard one morning in July, when the sun appeared in dazzling splendour. A large white fiery orb gradually ascending, dispelling the very thin, scarcely visible mist of early morning, till finally all was silvery clear and bright-the heat increasingshining on the hard smooth drill-ground, on the tents and roofs of buildings, till it seemed to recoil in visible innumerable sparks and rays. I was relieved from duty about ten o'clock, when I retired to my tent for rest and sleep, soon to be disturbed, however, by beating drums and an order to "fall in!" Telegrams were read to us, first of success, and, within

a short time, of the complete defeat of our army at Bull's Run. We were also informed that we should leave for the front as soon as transportation could be furnished-perhaps in a day or two. Then began the telegraphing and writing home; and every train brought some one dear to the soldier, until at last we stood at the railway station, ready to enter the cars, each of us conversing with mother, brother, friend, or more than friend; receiving their blessing, and pledges, and words of affection, through their

smiles and tears. God bless those who remained at home! they never forgot us; and those we finally left for ever beneath the pine tree and by the running brook all over Virginia. And on the 24th of July, 1861, with the cheers of friends ringing in our ears, we started for the enemy's country.

CHAPTER V.

66 ALL QUIET ON THE POTOMAC."

"Better to sink beneath the shock

Than moulder piecemeal on the rock!"

BYRON.

"Thus the evil of the moment contains the germ of good that is enduring."-GREELEY.

HE difference in the political faith of the people of the Free and the Slave States accounts for the great enthusiasm with which they sprang to arms in both sections of the country. The men of the South believed in the right of secession: they were appealed to by those whom they trusted to take up arms in defence of their homes and firesides. Was there ever a rallying cry better intended to captivate and command brave men? We of the North, on the contrary, acknowledged the supremacy of the Union and Constitution: we were summoned to the field to save the Republic, and to

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