the coffee and the poor cooking of the food in general, but they were as good as could be expected where so much was cooked at once. The officers were furnished in a large tent by Charles L. Jefts.

Six or eight hours a day were spent in drill, and the balance of the time mostly taken up with duties incident to camp life. Ten or fifteen men of a company were detailed for guard duty every day, who patroled the limits of the camp, allowing no soldier to go out without a pass from head-quarters. The number of passes issued daily was limited to five for each company. The daily routine of the camp was as follows: reveille and roll-call at 5 o'clock, a. m.; breakfast, 6.30; guard mounting, 7.30; to the color (regimental drill), 8.30; dinner, 12.30; company drill, 3 p. m.; supper, 5.30; battalion line and dress parade, 6.30; tattoo, 10; taps, 10.15, when all were supposed to wrap their blankets around them and lie down to slumber.

Colonel Briggs and Lieutenant-Colonel Decker were both on the park, working incessantly for the good of the Regiment, and pushing forward its equipment as fast as possible.

THURSDAY, June 20.-About noon a hundred or so of the volunteers attempted to "run the guard." Their purpose was early discovered and frustrated by calling out the three left companies of the Regiment, who stopped them. before they reached the guard line. The leaders of the disaffected ones complained that the rations furnished them were of an inferior quality, that the hash and soup were unreasonably filthy, and the beans, potatoes, etc., only half cooked.

CHAPTER II.

Sworn into the United States service-A few who wouldn't swear-Complaints in regard to food-Arrival of quartermaster's and ordnance stores -Celebration of Independence Day-Arrival of regimental band-Inspection by Governor Andrew-Presentation of colors-Testimonials to officers-Departure for Medford-The new camp-Rank of officers-Supplied with baggage and ambulance train-Orders to embark for Washington-Mustering in recruits-Breaking up camp-Address of Ex-Governor George N. Briggs-March through Boston-All aboard and off for the

war.

FRIDAY, June 21.--The ten companies comprising the Regiment were sworn into the service of the United States by Captain Marshall of the regular army. The companies were nearly all full, the deficiencies being supplied on Thursday by an accession from Spencer, and a number from Captain Edwards' disbanded company. Before the administration of the oath, the rules and regulations by which they were to be governed were read to the soldiers, and with few exceptions, and those among new volunteers, all cheerfully consented to obey and respect them. During the ceremony the different companies were arranged in column by company, and with the right hand uplifted and heads uncovered they swore allegiance and obedience to the United States and to defend her against all foes and opposers whatsoever. About twenty of the Westfield company refused to take the oath on account of a change in the office of first-lieutenant, which was made by the Governor and announced the day before. The company had selected Pliny Wood by a two-thirds vote, against Andrew Campbell, who received the Governor's appointment. The dissatisfied soldiers were generally sustained, and the citizens of Westfield held an indignation meeting upon receipt of the news and fully endorsed the action of the seceding

members. The matter was finally amicably arranged; both gentlemen withdrew from the company, and David M. Chase was mustered in as first-lieutenant. Five of the Great Barrington company refused to serve, two from cowardice, and the remaining ones because the towns they belonged to made no provision for their families. In the North Adams company there was a disruption on account of alleged poor rations, and a dozen or so refused to take the oath. They were stripped of their uniforms, when all but five promised to be mustered in and remain with the Regiment. The remaining ones were drummed off the grounds, and the leader, named Brown, was shaved of his hair and whiskers on one side and otherwise roughly treated. The companies that served unanimously were greeted with loud cheers by their comrades and the crowds of spectators.

A change was made in the appointment for Company I; James P. Brooks of Holyoke, who had been elected by the company as second-lieutenant, was set aside, and Joseph H. Bennett of West Springfield was mustered in his stead. Brooks took the change without apparent hard feelings, saying, he enlisted to fight, rather than for an office.

In regard to the charge made by some of the men, and which had received mention in the daily papers, that the food furnished them was unfit to be eaten, Colonel Briggs sent the following statement to the Springfield Republican for publication:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE Republican.

HAMPDEN PARK, June 21, 1861.

In justice to Messrs. Allen and Bristol, who have contracted for the subsistence of the troops of my command, I feel bound to say that the complaints mentioned in the city articles of to-day's Republican, are without good cause and unjust. After thorough and repeated examinations, I believe that Messrs. Allen and Bristol are entitled to great credit for the manner in which the arduous duties of their business have been performed. I can refer to such authorities as Surgeon Chamberlain and Mr. David Leavitt, who know that the soup so unmeasurably filthy was both palatable and

wholesome, and abundant in quantity. It is not surprising that coffee made in ninety-gallon kettles should be roily. The food has up to the present time been provided at the expense of the State, and the compensation is limited to the price of the army ration (thirty cents). I am confident that in quality and variety, as furnished, it is better than could be furnished were the rations to be drawn and prepared in strict pursuance of the army regulations. I should have avoided anything like a public statement of this nature, did not the interest of the friends of the troops in their welfare, as well as the business reputation of the parties accused of unfaithfulness in their duties, seem to authorize and demand such a notice. HENRY S. BRIGGS.

The camp of the Regiment was daily visited by hundreds of the residents of the city and the towns in the vicinity.

SATURDAY, June 22, was made a general holiday for the troops, and nearly half of them went to their homes to spend the Sabbath with their families.

SUNDAY, June 23.-The Regiment, what there was left of it, attended services in the city, and listened to pleasant patriotic sermons.

The general health of the Regiment at this time was good.

During the week the equipments began to arrive; overcoats of good serviceable gray cloth; hats, "what hats!" of an unmentionable dirty, light drab color, that were discarded as soon as caps could be obtained, and India rubber knapsacks that were condemned as soon as the Regiment reached Washington and could obtain others to replace them.

TUESDAY, June 25.-Treated to a supper of strawberry shortcake by those faithful friends, the ladies of Springfield. Large quantities were furnished, so there was plenty and some to spare.

TUESDAY, July 2.-Marched from Hampden Park to the United States Armory, and there supplied each man with a bright new musket from the arsenal. Seven hundred and forty were given out, about two hundred and twenty of the

Regiment being absent on leave and on duty at the camp. The muskets were of the common kind, model of '42, and were replaced afterward by the Enfield rifle. They were temporarily distributed for purpose of drill and parade. The reception of the arms gave new zest to the life of the soldiers, for drilling without guns was dry business.

THURSDAY, July 4. The eighty-fifth anniversary of American Independence was celebrated by the Regiment in connection with the city fire companies, Union Guard, Springfield Cadets, and the old members of the City Guard, by parading the principal streets. While drawn up between Pynchon and Elm streets, a beautiful floral procession of eight hundred children from the public schools, under direction of Col. Horace C. Lee, passed through the center of the Regiment and presented each soldier with a handsome. bouquet of flowers, which were received with thanks and borne with pride at the point of their bayonets through the line of march. A free dinner for the soldiers and invited guests was furnished in a large tent on the park, and several hundred of the general multitude mingled with them. Rev. Mr. Parsons opened with a grateful and patriotic prayer, and, following the satisfied inner man, there were some good sentiments offered through toast-master William L. Smith, which were responded to briefly, wittily and pertinently. Mayor Bemis opened the oratory with an eloquent and fervid expression of patriotic feeling and pride, and the other principal speakers were Colonel Briggs and Lieutenant-Colonel Decker of the Tenth Regiment, Col. James D. Colt of Pittsfield, Judges Chapman, Wells and Morris, Ex-Mayor Calhoun and Rev. Mr. Drummond of Springfield, Erastus Hopkins of Northampton, Capt. Ralph O. Ives of the Barrington company, and George T. Davis of Greenfield. The speaking was all effective and interesting, quite above the average of fourth of July oratory. Distributed among the speeches were some excellent singing from the glee clubs of the Regiment, under the lead of Sheriff Bush and Charles O. Chapin.