e me (for they
had little hope of ever seeing me again) was almost too much for them to
bear.

We went into camp the first of August. Spent the first night in the
barracks. I did not sleep much, I assure you, every thing was so
strange--so much noise and confusion of tongues. But I soon became
accustomed to my surroundings, and found real attractions in camp life.

I had always made it a rule to reprove sin whenever an opportunity
offered; but I soon found out what it meant to cast pearls before swine.

Then I adopted another plan; it was this: first, to watch every
opportunity of doing a good turn for my comrades. I interested myself in
the loved ones they had left at home--in a word, I tried to make them love
me; and I succeeded far beyond what I expected. I do not think there was
one in our company who would have seen any harm come to me if they could
have prevented it. Then, when occasion required, I could reprove sin
without being reproached and made to understand it was none of my
business.

Our time was mostly occupied in drilling, until the 24th of August, when
we were mustered into the United States' service. On the 29th, we struck
tents early in the morning and marched to the depot, where we took the
cars for the seat of war. It was a sad time with us that morning, as one
after another bid farewell to loved ones. Very few of those brave men ever
returned. I had previously taken leave of my friends and told them I
should return to them again.

We started from Concord about seven in the morning; large crowds were
gathered at the stations all along our route to encourage and cheer us.

We arrived in Washington on the first of September; laid in the barracks
near the station that night. The next morning, I got leave to look about
the city, and must confess I was sadly disappointed. I had expected to see
something grand, and perhaps I should if I had traveled far enough. As it
was, about all there were to be seen were cows and goats, with vast
numbers of swine running at large in the streets. I went back to the
barracks not very well pleased with our Capital.

In a very short time we had orders to fall in. We then crossed the long
bridge, and marched about three miles beyond, and camped for the night.
About midnight we received orders to turn out--the rebels were upon us. We
turned out in a hurry; formed a line across the road with bayonets fixed,
for we had as yet received no ammunition. We remained in line