of need, and who is now enjoying life at his retreat in the Adirondacks, where he entertains his friends in princely style.

Up to that time the officers of the regiment, including the commanding officer, Major Hogg, had done everything they could to make the position disagreeable for me. He was in a drunken and disgraceful condition most of the time, but soon after this general order was promulgated there was a sudden change, and I became one of the most popular officers in the regiment from the simple fact that I was the means of its being mentioned in general orders and complimented for the first time during the war, notwithstanding the many battles and engagements in which it had participated during the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg. However, it created quite a jealousy and envy among a number of outsiders in the first division.

The first time I had occasion to notice the feeling outside of my regiment was in a report made by Colonel Crafts of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, which was referred to me for a reply. As Colonel Crafts had been absent from his regiment most of the time when it was composed of good men and officers, who were most all killed and wounded in battle, he was advanced in rank and got command of the regiment after it had been filled up with recruits and substitutes, and not having been noticed in orders by any of the officers over him, he felt jealous of any public notice in the part I took at Hatcher's Run, and made an uncalled-for report to the General commanding the brigade.

CHAPTER IV.

January 6, 1865. I always made it a rule not to show partiality to men of my company, but as young Collins (Brown) was a bright boy and good penman I selected him as company clerk. His father's letter to me was only a sample of hundreds I have received from parents whose sons were in my command since I entered the Army. Some of the best men North enlisted in the artillery regiment, as it was given out that they would be placed on duty in defence of the Capitol and would not have to go into the field and endure the hardships of the common soldier. Under those circumstances most every profession or trade, and men from nineteen to sixty years of age, from the minister who sacrificed the duty he was required to perform to the patriotic crossroad farmer, who would leave his farm and stock in charge of his young sons, and then the gambler, who enlisted in order that he could get better acquainted with the boys after payday, were all put together. I shall never forget many of the complaints made to me as Captain. The preacher would often come to my quarters to let me know that men were playing cards for money, and that it would be much better for them to be reading their Bible or praying. The steady old farmer would complain of the preacher continually annoying them with his prayers and advice to prepare for death, etc. Smith would complain that Jones was putting on too much style for a soldier, and that he and his tentmate did not want him in their tent or dugout; that Sergeant Brown or Corporal Simmons were not fit to be over good men; that they belonged to a low class with whom they would be ashamed to mingle at home, and did not wish to serve under them.

I would change them from one tent to another until I had them classed off in very good shape. I still remember the many complaints brought to me against Van Allen, whose father was a broker, and the only fault they could find was that he put on too much style for a non-commissioned officer. It was not long before I had peace and good feeling in the company, but I had to work hard to accomplish it, as my Lieutenants were not of much service, they being of a rather complaining and fault-finding dis

position. Much better material existed in the ranks for officers than they.

Two months had not passed ere I had my company in such a good condition that the steadiest and most careful inspectors, who would examine not only the general appearance of the company, but would carefully inspect each gun, the equipments and clothing, quarters, cook-tent, company books and all papers and records, but he would require me to drill and maneuver the company in his presence, and it would make me feel quite proud after the inspection to hear him say, "Captain, I am well pleased with the appearance of your company and its management, and have no fault to find or suggestions to make more than to say, continue as you have started and you will always get a favorable report from the inspector." The most of my time was required in looking after the men, who had a hard time in keeping everything clean and in order, as many of them had to sleep in mud and dirt most of the time during the fall and winter of 1864 and 1865 while in front of Petersburg, as it snowed and rained, froze and thawed, so that the red mud was over the shoetops in many places in camp, which the men were obliged to walk through, being without stoves and scarcely anything in the shape of fuel except green pine wood in fireplaces with our mud chimneys, which would smoke us all out of quarters at times, while we would have to stand in the cold mud until the chimneys were fixed or the quarters made more comfortable. Our guard duties were about the same from one day to another. The men were in camp from three to six days at a time, and would have to drill, do police duty, perform general guard duty and be on the watch day and night to keep from being surprised by the rebels, who were encamped within a few hundred yards of us, all the time watching for a chance to gobble us up; and as some of us had very comfortable little houses plastered with mud, we were not going to let them be taken from us if we could help it. In addition to the camp duties the men were obliged to go out on picket duty from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. On that duty men were not supposed to lie down, take off their clothes or go to sleep, but many had deep holes dug in the ground where they could sit and talk and keep warm the best they could from the little fire allowed in the hole in the ground which protected them. from the bullets of the rebel pickets or sharpshooters when careful

not to expose themselves; but often careless men were shot, which, however, made but little impression upon other soldiers, as it was such a common event to see a wounded or dead comrade. It was astonishing how contented most of the men were, some of whom had lived in their brownstone fronts, with every comfort in life that money could afford; but we made up our minds that we were soldiers and those over us had put us where we were, and that it would not better our condition to find fault or appear the least discontented; so we obeyed all orders and kept up as cheerful a front as possible. Although a mere boy, I was obliged at times to assume the dignity of an old judge. I took such a pride in having a company of my own that I felt as if I would like to remain in the Army all the time. On January 1, 1865, I wrote to my old Colonel, who had gone into civil life, for a letter of recommendation for the regular Army, and the following was his reply:

Office of Close, Corbett & Monroe
Washington City: Jary

5 & Corbett

327 PennAr

4-th 1864

to year
promoted to a Lient in Cc. A. of

the same

He provel a faithful Affin and has been promoter time to the Casting

He

is now

in a Mother Nagunde

desirens of obtaining
oblaring a parition

in the Regular Bung and think he would

mote à bolsille Offrein and

with- thend to himself and to this,

Upon showing the above letter to a regular Army officer friend, he told me I would have to go in as a Second Lieutenant, as no positions were given in the line to a higher rank. That so discouraged me I would not apply for it, as I thought it would be rather a come-down to accept a Second Lieutenantcy after having been a full Captain. So I went on with my duties as Captain of Company E and as Brigade Officer of the Day.

As I was in command of the regiment one day on account of Major Hogg's being sick (drunk) I detailed myself for duty and reported accordingly, showing my own orders at headquarters.

Not having a horse of my own, one was always furnished to me from brigade headquarters for my tours of service, lasting from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

January 7, 1865.

While performing the duty of Brigade Officer of the Day I often met field officers of different regiments whom I had not seen since I was on the staff of the corps commander. Among them was the Lieutenant-Colonel of the One hundred and twenty-fifth New York, who suggested that I come into his regiment as a Major, and that if I would go to Elmira and get three companies, or enough more to make three companies, he would see that I got my commission. I told him to put the proposition in writing and get the approval of the brigade commander and I would undertake the job. The following was received by me within a week afterward:

Headquarters 125th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry,

January 7, 1865.

I do hereby agree, if Capt. Geo. A. Armes, Second New York Artillery will procure three companies for my regiment, that I will make him Major of the same, that vacancy now existing.

(Signed) JOSEPH HYDE,

Lieut.-Col. Commanding 125th N. Y. V. I.,

3d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d A. C. (Endorsement.)

Headquarters 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d A. C.,

January 9, 1865.

I approve of the within. Captain Armes made an agreement with me last summer to recruit three companies for this regiment, but was ordered to the field before he had time to undertake it. I respectfully request that he be permitted to make the trial. I have confidence in his ability to accomplish what he attempts. (Signed) C. D. MACDOUGALL,

Col. Commanding Brigade.