character, which packed up ready for mailing, had been left behind. In the morning, we were awake by daylight, with eyes swollen, and feeling very little refreshed by the night's slumber.
After breakfast, I wrote home to mother, to report progress thus far, and we then strolled over the grounds, walked down to the Susquehanna, and wandered about over the town. There were great efforts made by some to find a breakfast in the town, which was almost impossible, so that we three contented our appetites with what we had brought with us.
Before long, we learned that there was a good bit of discontent manifested among the militia, and we were told that orders had been issued not to accept any for a less term than six months, and already many talked about returning home, as they had come with the expectation of serving as the militia hitherto had done, many having their business matters at home demanding their attention, and they had no idea of remaining for that length of time. About nine o'clock we were ordered to fall in, and having taken my place in line, Shaffer[1] came to me and said, “Your place is in the rear.” “What is that for?” I asked. “Sergeants always are in the rear of the company,” was the reply, so I took my station accordingly. The names of the non-coms, were then read to' us, viz.: Sergeants Smith, Vanderslice,[2] Shaffer,[1] Pennypacker and Keeley.[3]
The Corporals I have forgotten, though Lloyd, Caswell,[4] and Sower[5] were among them. We then marched out to Camp Curtin, and were taken to one corner of the
