me. They are mounted police. We have a sentry here,
he sits in a rocking chair. Imagine one of Sampson's or Dewey's
bluejackets sitting down even on a gun carriage. Wait till I write my
book. I wouldn't say a word now but when I write that book I'll give
them large space rates. I am writing it now, the first batch comes out
in Scribner's in July.

to you all.

DICK.

During the early days of the war, Richard received the appointment of a
captaincy, but on the advice of his friends that his services were more
valuable as a correspondent, he refused the commission. The following
letter shows that at least at the time my brother regretted the
decision, but as events turned out he succeeded in rendering splendid
service not only as a correspondent but in the field.

TAMPA--May 14, 1898.

DEAR CHAS.

On reflection I am greatly troubled that I declined the captaincy. It
is unfortunate that I had not time to consider it. We shall not have
another war and I can always be a war correspondent in other countries
but never again have a chance to serve in my own. The people here
think it was the right thing to do but the outside people won't. Not
that I care about that, but I think I was weak not to chance it. I
don't know exactly what I ought to do. When I see all these kid
militia men enlisted it makes me feel like the devil. I've no doubt
many of them look upon it as a sort of a holiday and an outing and like
it for the excitement, but it would bore me to death. The whole thing
would bore me if I thought I had to keep at it for a year or more.
That is the fault of my having had too much excitement and freedom. It
spoils me to make sacrifices that other men can make. Whichever way it
comes out I shall be sorry and feel I did not do the right thing.
Lying around this hotel is enough to demoralize anybody. We are much
more out of it than you are, and one gets cynical and loses interest.
On the other hand I would be miserable to go back and have done
nothing. It is a question of character entirely and I don't feel I've
played the part at all. It's all very well to say you are doing more
by writing, but are you? It's an easy game to look on and pat the
other chaps on the back with a few paragraphs, that is cheap
patriotism. They're taking chances and you're not and when the war's
over they'll be happy and I won't. The man that enlists or volunteers
even if he doesn't get further than Chickamauga or