nd resigned myself to the necessities of my
lot.

This being once settled, my first resolution was to master all the
details of military duty, and perfect myself in drill, feeling
conscious of ability soon to rise above the station of a private
soldier. This determination saved me from despondency, and was of
signal advantage in subsequent adventures.

On May 6th we received orders to proceed to Randolph, sixty-five
miles above Memphis, on the Tennessee shore of the Mississippi
river, arriving by boat on the 7th. The town of Randolph, which
formerly contained about three hundred inhabitants, is situated
above high-water mark on a narrow strip of land nearly three hundred
yards wide, behind which rises a bluff ninety feet high and very
steep. On this bluff, overlooking the town and the river, we
established our camp, and here commenced our real soldier's life.
The daily routine was as follows: Reveille at 5 A.M.; drill from 51/2
to 71/2; breakfast, 71/2; fatigue call from 8 to 10; orderly call, 10;
dinner, 12, M.; fatigue from 1 P.M. to 4; drill and dress parade
from 41/2 to 71/2; supper, 8; tattoo, 9 P.M. The fatigue call did not
mean rest, but work.

Thus we toiled for eight weary weeks without rest, except as the
Sabbath--the blessed day of rest--gave us some relaxation. My
observation, even so early in my military life, convinced me that
the observance of the Sabbath is no less a physical necessity than a
religious duty--though I can not say that our regiment kept it with
a very intelligent view of its sacred character. Our chaplain,
Father Daly, celebrated mass in the morning, preached a sermon in
the afternoon, and in the evening settled the drunken rows--which
were entirely too numerous to recommend to a Protestant youth the
religion of which the priest was nevertheless a very favorable
representative. His influence was vastly important as a governing
power, and he wielded it wisely and kindly.

The idleness of the Sabbath was a great evil, as there was nothing
to read, and card-playing and cock-fighting were the chief
amusements. This was also our wash-day, and the ration of soap
issued for six men was only enough to wash one shirt; hence this was
given by lot to one of the mess, and the others were content with
the virtue of water alone. While our regiment was often commended
for its ability in building fortifications, no one ventured to
compliment its cleanliness.

Soon after we camped at Randolph I was