This was unbearable, and after using no gentle force to straighten the fellow and make him shoulder his musket, I set to work to instruct him in the duties of a sentinel. After half an hour’s hard work I left him thinking I had succeeded pretty well. A short time after I had occasion to return the same way in company with Captain Schaffer, the officer of the day, to whom I related what had occurred in front of his tent. He laughed, and offered to lay a wager that he had forgotten every word I had told him, which I readily accepted. As we approached what was my chagrin to find the fellow in exactly the same position I had at first found him, nor did he move when we got directly opposite to him. Again I asked him “what he had been put there for?” As before, he answered “to look after that thar feller’s things back thar,” accompanied with the old kick.
“Have you not been taught the duties of a sentinel, sir?” I demanded in an angry tone.
“Wall,” said he, without moving an inch, “thar was a feller ’round here a bit ago, who wor a tellin of me somethin’, but I kinder believe he didn’t know any more about it than I do.”
I troubled myself no more about that sentinel, the reader can rest assured.
After having remained at Camp Lee some three weeks, I determined to resign my commission, and endeavor, if possible, to raise a company for the field, for I had discovered that a good many young men were coming over from Maryland about that time to go into the army. I found it the most difficult task I had ever undertaken, as most of them preferred the cavalry or artillery to the infantry. However, by great perseverance, and the aid of Captain Richard Winder, about the 20th of December I mustered into the service a company of eighty-five as fine men as ever trod a battle-field. They were principally from the lower counties, and well behaved and intelligent men.
With the assistance and influence of Generals Elzey and Winder, I was enabled to arm and equip them well, which I could not have done otherwise, for clothing and the improved arm were at that time in much demand.
Having received my orders, on Sunday, the 30th day of December, 1862, with Volandt’s band at the head, I marched my company through the streets of Richmond to the Virginia Central depot, where I took the cars en route for the Valley of Virginia, to join the First Maryland Battalion of Infantry, or as it was afterwards called, to distinguish it from the First Regiment, the Second Infantry.
I found it at New Market at daylight on the morning of the 2d of January, upon the eve of marching to Moorefield, on an expedition against the enemy, along with the rest of Jones’ command, to which they were temporarily attached.
My men being wearied, I was directed to remain behind and do provost duty until the return of the expedition. It proved a fruitless one, and they returned after a week of great suffering, having been compelled on their march to break the ice and ford the many rapid mountain streams between the two places.
For the first time in a good many months I had the pleasure of taking by the hand my old friend and former companion in arms, Major James R. Herbert. I also, to my great delight, found many of the officers and men of the old First in the Battalion, now numbering seven companies, and among the former Captain Wm. H. Murray, Captain John E. Howard, and Lieutenants George Thomas, Clapham Murray, and Zollinger.