Drum-Major Gurney, and a quartette sang it before a large
audience, who expressed themselves delighted with it. I can only
remember two verses, which are as follows:

"Ere rude winter's crust of rime
Milder spring can soften;
Ere to greet the blither time
Robins warble often;
O'er the undulating wild,
Rising like a hardy child,
There the Mayflower sweet, unseen,
Spreads its leaves of glossy green.

"'Neath the lee of rubbly rocks
Snowy fragments linger,
Shedding tears that Phoebus mocks
With his fiery finger.
Tears that act as cheering showers,
Tears that cherish sweet mayflowers,
Till each little lilac bell
Breaks in beauty o'er the dell."

This was another triumph for us. The Premier, Hon. Jos. Howe,
complimented the writer, and added some graceful remarks. The general,
too, and all friends of the regiment complimented Sergeant Smith on his
beautiful poem.

One of our best and most genial color-sergeants deserted. It was a
great surprise to us to learn of Sergeant Josh. Topham's departure. It
was said that he was disappointed in not having to fight the Yankees,
for which purpose he was sent out, and thought he would step over and
help the Confederates. He left the barracks, went into the city,
changed his clothing, wearing a clergyman's suit and carrying a
suitcase. He had to exercise great care to hide his identity. If
detected, it would have been ten years' penal servitude. He took
passage in a schooner which carried him to Boston, and when he wrote
and told us all about it, he said his anxiety was relieved when the
harbor was cleared. We often heard from our old comrade; he got along
splendidly and was soon promoted to the rank of quartermaster.

The battalion at this time was in a state of much anxiety; Captain
Robinson was dangerously ill, and suffering from internal troubles. His
death, which soon followed, was a great blow to me, as our relations
were of the most pleasant character. His remains were interred in Point
Pleasant Cemetery with full military honors, and the regiment mourned
the loss of a good officer and soldier's friend. I was appointed
assistant clerk in the brigade office. Sergeant-Major Forbes, late of
the 62nd Regiment, was the senior clerk, but before I entered upon my
duties I acted as secretary to a committee of officers who had charge
of the late Captain Robinson's effects. Some of these were sent to his