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August 24, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to Ephraim C. Dawes (Brother)

PART I - Click for full-sized scanned image PART II - Click for full-sized scanned image Camp Kalorama, August, 24th 1861. My men are getting through with their measles, and I hope to soon have out full ranks. We are drilling every day and improving rapidly. It is announced that we are soon to be reviewed by President Lincoln and Gen. George B. McClellan. . . . . . We are here at Washington yet, and I think likely to stay a week or so. We were reviewed yesterday by the Brigadier, (Rufus King,) and our regiment never before appeared so meanly. It was enough to try the patience of a martyr, the performance of that contemptible brass band of ours. They played such slow time music that we passed the reviewing officer at about forty-seven paces a minute. We had to hold one leg in the air and balance on the other while we waited for the music. By the way, old Kanouse belongs to this band. He is sick, and I do not wonder at it. He goes along, pumping up and down on a big toot horn. He wants to get out of the band. I should think he would, for if a man in the regiment is caught in a rascally trick, the whole regiment yells, 'Put him in the brass band.' . . . . . As the regiment is at present organized, I am junior Captain in the fourth division, (Companies 'B' and 'K'). Captain Edward S. Bragg, of Company' B,' is rated as my senior. I really rank him though, by the date of my commission, and I propose to have this thing corrected (Youthful vapor). Twice yesterday, on that ridiculous review, I gave orders when Bragg was at fault. Captain Bragg, though, is the brightest man in the regiment. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore. It is highly entertaining to hear him relate his experiences. Our Colonel (Lysander Cutler) is rigid in his discipline, and stern and unflinching in exacting the performance of all duties, and I believe will prove of determined courage. Frank A. Haskell is one of the best Adjutants in the army. (To view this page in its Source Category, click here for PART I and here for PART II)