[Illustration: {A guest is thrown out of the tent.}]
Be it understood, that the calibre of the commission, or officers of
the 4th Michigan, was of a high order, for courage and undisputed
ability, as the roster in appendix of this narration shows. On a
certain occasion, Captain O. was holding a levee at his quarters. All
went well. Punch and other refreshments were freely indulged in.
Hilarity ran high. Captain O. attempted to make a short speech. His
muddled condition caused a remark from another befuddled officer, that
did not please the choleric Captain. He threw open the flaps to the
entrance of the tent; divested himself of some of his uniform, and
proceeded with the attempt to throw his guests out. But the doughty
Captain struck a bigger job than he could handle. The result was, the
Captain was picked up and deposited ten rods away in a ditch that had
been dug around a tent. This same brilliant officer afterwards
commanded a Regiment. He sent them into their first battle without
ammunition. But the courage of the promoted Captain was undoubted.