Sunday, April 7, 2024

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, Tuesday, September 23, 1862

Another inspection to-day. This time our guns and accoutrements were inspected, and much fault was found because we had not kept our guns from rusting. Only a few got off without a scolding, and these were some that seem to love a gun and care for it as they would a baby. This, with our everyday drill, and a general cleaning and scouring up of our guns and the brass on our belts and cartridge boxes, has kept us busy all day long. I had kept the inside of my gun clean, so I only had the outside to scour up. Little by little we learn our lesson, learn to put the best on top, and little by little the screws of discipline are turned on.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 36-7

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