The Mental and Moral Attitude of the Men Before Us

The 20th main regiment had 358 men equipped for duty in the ranks with 28 officers. 120 of these men were recruits, whom some recruiting officer had led into the belief that they should be discharged with their regiment at the end of its term of service. The Exigency was great. I released the prisoners and Provost guards all together and sent them to their companies. All but the drummer boys and hospital attendants went into the ranks. Even the cooks and servants, not liable to such service, asked to go in. They're taking the line and you're putting down my spatula. Let's go. Others whom I knew would fall out on the marches or foot sore and given a