Some time while I
was sick Chaplain Parker left us. I hear he had some differences of opinion
with the officers, but don't know what. Major Foster was in it in some shape,
for his name and the chaplain's are the most common in the yarns that are told
about camp. I used to believe all I heard, but I have learned to wait for the
truth, and that doesn't always come out. Lieutenant-Colonel Smith is a rough
and ready customer and stands in no more awe of the officers than of the men.
So long as we behave half way decent he is kindness itself, but disobey orders
and he is a raging lion. But he is our best friend, and is the only real
soldier in the whole outfit. He is a regular army officer and his chief concern
seems to be the welfare of the enlisted men. Now that I am
able to be about camp and have no duties to perform, I enjoy seeing the
captains and lieutenants put through their paces as well as the rank and file.
For meeting to-day Major Foster read a chapter from the Bible, read a hymn and
then sang it, after which he pronounced the benediction.
SOURCE:
Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 96
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