minutes it will be too late; my friend will remain. One

battle-field, I reported to his Assistant Adjutant-General, Colonel

John C. Kelton, and told him of my anxiety to take a hand in active

field-service, adding that I did not wish to join my regiment, which

was still organizing and recruiting at Jefferson Barracks, for I felt

confident I could be more useful elsewhere. Kelton knew that the

purchasing duty was but temporary, and that on its completion,

probably at no distant date, I should have to join my company at the

barracks; so, realizing the inactivity to which that situation of