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25 took every occassion to preach to others made may many enemies when I first entered the service. But I believe I also made friends of another class by the same meanes. My disposition is not half way conservatism. and I have no desire that it should be so. I am radical in my nature and I am glad of it. This same spirit has often caused me to be accused of hero worship. I confess that when I do admire any one I am liable to the mistake of lauding him to the skies. Whereas no human being will bear praise beyond a certain degree. I carry my dislikes in a similar manner entirely too far. But it is time to return to my narrative.

Nov. 26th About this time, I received notice of my brother Benjamins death. I was in rather poor health my self at the time and the sad news went very hard with me. I had in those days a very poetical idea of drill and discipline. I supposed it was absolutely necessary to understand the bayonet exercise to perfection. But in reality this branch military instruction is merely ornamental