"We had yesterday our monthly regimental inspection and in the
afternoon we had a grand review of the division by General Hurlbut.
In both these exercises it became necessary for me to command the
regiment. The division review was very fine, the finest we have seen
since we have been in the service. There were twelve regiments, with
artillery and cavalry. Our regiment was highly commended by the general.
"It has been a week since I have had a letter from you. Probably you
sent a letter by Schoenfield [the sutler], but if you did it has
not come, neither has Schoenfield. He started up the Tennessee River
with his stores, among which was some whiskey. The troops on the boat
discovered the whiskey, broke it open, and got into a general drunk.
The consequence was he was sent back to Paducah with all his stores.
That's what you get for having your letter in company with whiskey!
It reminds me that if you have a chance I would be very glad if you
would send me a pint bottle of the best quality of pure brandy. The
worst I have to fear in the army is diarrhoea, on account of bad
water, especially in the warm weather. St. Paul was sensible when he
recommended 'a little wine for the stomach's sake.' My little wife
won't fear I am going to be a drunkard."
Some of the minor trials of a soldier's life are recorded in my letter
of the 3d:--
"I have not told you that when we left the boats here, old Bill, our
negro cook, left us. I caught him selling whiskey to the soldiers
contrary to orders, and confiscated his whiskey, with a sharp lecture
which he took so seriously as to quit us without notice. Surgeon Walker
has loaned us his boy Frank, and he has been doing the cooking _under
my superintendence_, and we haven't been living so bad either. Frank
and I get up some first-rate meals. I do the plain cooking, such as
frying potatoes and meat, making hash, cooking rice, beans, hominy,
etc., while Frank makes the pies, biscuits, etc. We are not in danger
of starving while Frank and I have charge of matters! We used up the
last can of fruits to-night for supper of the fine lot you and mother
sent us. I can assure you we relished them greatly; they come in very
good place out here in the woods where our mess can't buy anything,
and have to depend on the commissary supplies for all our eatables.
Schoenfield is coming back to the regiment again, but you home-folks
must not rob yourselves of fruits, preserves, apple-butter, catsup,
etc., on our account!"