THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

September 12. Received new blankets today. Had a heavy dose
[22] of battalion drill twice today. The men got mad towards the
last of it in the evening and done every thing careless.
They commenced hooting at one time on doubling column by
divisions on the centre. Made the colonel very mad. Thought
he would give them a little more, but the longer the worse,
so he had to give it up for a bad job. I was mighty savage
myself. I will drill my best for an hour, and after that I
don't care how I do it. The men all act and say the same
thing.
September 13th, Friday. Went out digging today. Walked
about 4 miles to our work and then found ourselves about five
minutes walk from our own encampment. Worked hard all day
cutting down stumps. Good thing for the muscle. Some of
those who are troubled with the dispepsia and ennui should
come out here for about a month. I will warrant them a more
permanent cure than Dr. Brandreth and his pills combined can
expect. Retired to my virtuous couch a 9 1/2 P.M. to sleep
the sleep of the righteous.
September 14th, Saturday. Received new caps today. Teams
went after rifles for the regiment. Did not get them. Had
not got to Washington yet. Get them soon, I hope, as the old
muskets we have got are not worth a cent. Terrible heavy
battalion drills today,enough to make an angel swear. The
old colonel has sunk below zero in my estimation. I can bear
as much as any man, but I don't like to be bored to death
with nonsensical drill. It only makes the men sullen and
discontented.
[23] September 15,Sunday. Had orders to parade in full marching
orders, notwithstanding Gen'l McClellan's orders that the
army should [do] nothing but what was absolutely necessary on
a Sunday. The whole brigade was out in the same style. We
were just getting in shape for a drill and review when Gen'l
McDowell happened to drop in on us and stopped it
immediately. Long may he wave for that. The old colonel
was dissapointed awfully. I could see it on his face, but he
had to care. Frisby does love to drill. Had a good time
eating the things which my dear wife sent me. God Bless her
and spare me to get back to her. The folks home think that
we are litteraly starving through the misrepresentations of
some old billious malcontent. Plenty to eat and to spare.
There is not an army in the world that is as well taken care
of as the American, and I know whereof I speak. Dress parade
at 5 P.M. We formed a square and had a splendid address --
half sermon, half
an error
lecture. Took his text from the (old Testament). Had some
reference to Palestine, whereas he began narrating his
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