gency, and of
the wasteful unpreparedness of the Government, that within three weeks
from the day this regiment was mustered into service, and before it
had ever had what could properly be called a battalion drill, it was
in the battle of Antietam. But subsequently officers and men were
instructed and drilled in the field, in time snatched from battle,
marching, picketing, and camp duties. They learned the duties of a
soldier by performing them, and in performing them; at first
laboriously, with difficulty and awkwardly. But they learned them
well. Of the original officers, two served with great distinction and
rose to the rank of Major-General. And the men so raw and undrilled at
first, under the severe but wise discipline and thorough instruction,
became soldiers as good as any that ever carried muskets. At
Gettysburg, ten months after muster in, they stood till 40 per cent.
of their number had been killed or wounded, and then charged. That
line, so awkward, raw, and unprepared at first, in all the subsequent
campaigns, from Antietam to Appomattox Court House, in fights as
stiff, and under fire as searching and deadly as any, was never
broken. Never!

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE RAISING AND
ORGANIZATION OF A REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS IN 1862***

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