Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, June 21, 1863

The "long ears” are issued to the different companies to-day, and in every direction the men are seen trying the virtue of their steeds. As is characteristic of this animal, they prove stubborn and spring towards the “latter end,” and in consequence many of the soldiers are elevated. It is indeed amusing to see our donkeys lunge, jump, “thrust and develop.” We remarked to a soldier this evening that the mule was not the patient creature it seemed, who, feeling inclined to defend the mule, and who by the way was an observing soldier, replied that “his mule was so patient that it waited three hours to get a chance to kick him. But the Seventh being a conquering regiment, soon subdue the unruly ones. The virtue of each man's mule is now being freely discussed, each soldier claiming that his mule is a superior mule. All are anxious for a scout or a raid now; all are of the opinion that the Seventh on their steeds will present quite an imposing cavalcade; we are sure they will strike terror in rebeldom when Dick leads them forth. From the twenty-first to the twenty-eighth the regiment is principally engaged in breaking mules, &c., making preparations to respond quickly to the expected blast of the bugle.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 173-4