so some of the men cried Eyes Rite They
were awfully hansome especially one with a curling black mustarsh but
that horrid captain Kirby stopped them from looking at us and the whole
colum went by without paying us any more attention it was mean....

FROM PRIVATE GODWIN

Plattsburg, Saturday the 23d.

DEAR MOTHER:--

We are having really rainy weather. Till now it has rained but a few
hours at most, with intervals for drying. But it rained steadily all last
evening, drummed on the tight tent all night, and was still heavily at
work when the bugler failed to blow his horn this morning. Watches not
being at all uniform, men got themselves out of bed at their leisure. The
first sergeant did not think to wake us, and then was disgusted when many
of the men did not turn out at the first call. Those who were there made
a crooked line around a great puddle which stood in the depression
between our ridge and the head of the street.

But now, after breakfast, everyone is cussing. "What are we to wear?"
asked Knudsen of the first sergeant, who answered snappily, "The usual
things for a hike." Knudsen came back grumbling: "How were we to know
that we are going on a hike?" The word was passed along: "Packs," "No
packs." "Sweaters," "No sweaters." Then it was said that we were to wear
handkerchiefs in our hats, sure sign of a sham battle pending. So at last
at the whistle we turned out with sweaters, packs, ponchos ready (for
though it had stopped raining we did not feel safe) and some of us with
handkerchiefs twined in our hat-bands. Once in line we were sent
back--"No packs, no rifles." Again we came out and lined up again, only
to be sent back once more. "No sweaters." By this time it was rumored
that we were at last to take the oath, and this was confirmed by the
sight of the captain carrying a bunch of slips, containing the oath,
which in the last few days we have filled out, and yesterday had signed.
The men both grumbled and joked. "We can't take the oath with sweaters
on? Why not?" "Got on woollen underwear? Get cotton. You can't take the
oath in wool." So at last we were in line again, and then the captain
began to look through the slips. "Here's a man written his name twice
differently. Make out a new slip.--Here's a lot of men have signed with
lead pencil. It's got to be in ink or indelible pencil." Here he was met
by a lawyer, who had signed in pencil, and said, "A pe