When the Regiment went into camp for the winter, 1861, the boys built
quarters of logs, with canvas tops; Company B built what they called a
Hermitage, of timber, mud and canvas. Its capacity was for about
twenty of the men. A chimney was constructed of sticks and mud for a
base, topped out with barrels. One night, we, of the shoulder straps
and high chevrons, got an invite to a barbacue at the Hermitage. As we
filed in a huge fire, with half a yearling steer hanging over the fire
place, met our view. It hung directly in the blaze; the boys were
occasionally throwing water on the meat to baste it. As fast as the
outside was cooked, it was sliced off and passed around. Whiskey was
plenty, and copiously used, to wash down the banquet. Songs and
speeches were in order. By the way, Company B had plenty of
talent--doctors, lawyers, preachers and gentlemen; a good time all
around. Finally some one of the party, who had not the fear of his
Creator, or shoulder straps in his heart, blew up the chimney barrels,
and all went up in smoke.
[Illustration: {The exploding chimney barrels.}]