They would lie in bed and wait until the
last roll of the drum, then tumbling out, they would have hardly
sufficient time to take their places in line to answer to their names
when called. One morning, during roll-call, the company were
surprised to see running from the direction of Sergeant Hammond's
quarters two men to all appearances of African descent. The First
Sergeant, not knowing who they were, ordered them to stand aside, and
then continued the calling of the roll. When the names of John B. M.
and L. DeJ. were called, two "colored gentlemen" responded. The first
sergeant, after roll-call, reprimanded them for appearing in such
condition, advising them to in future be more prompt at roll-call.
Some one or more merciless wags among their comrades had, during the
silent watches of the night, and while they slept the sleep of the
just, surreptitiously decorated their countenances with burnt cork.
Of course Hammond knew nothing of it until their appearance at
roll-call; but I do not think that afterwards there were any of
Hammond's squad tardy at roll-call.

Directly after reveille came the sick-call, when those who required
medical attention went to the hospital; breakfast at 7, guard-mount
at 8 A. M., company drills and target practise from 9 to 11 A. M.,
dinner at noon. In the afternoon, battalion drill of the entire
regiment, and at sunset dress parade, which on pleasant days was
witnessed by a large number of the citizens and notables of
Washington, including President Lincoln and members of the Cabinet.
After the parade, the regiment formed in double column, closed en
masse, when our chaplain, Rev. Augustus Woodbury, read a portion of
scripture, followed by prayer, the service closing with singing the
doxology by the entire regiment, accompanied by the band, with most
solemn and impressive effect; tattoo roll-call at 9 P. M., taps at
9.30, when lights were extinguished and every man was supposed to be
in his bunk for the night; but on many occasions there was more of
supposition than reality. Notwithstanding the circumstance that we
were United States soldiers, and as such bound to obey the army
regulations, there were in nearly every squad men who would at times
commit acts that had they realized the consequences if found out,
they would not have suffered themselves to do. To take men from civil
life, with no previous military training, and subject them to army
discipline, is a difficult task to accomplish,