d, three-quarter
pound of meat, one pound of potatoes, pint of coffee, pint of tea and
pint of soup. After being dismissed from drill we had to visit the
canteen and buy bread and cheese, or whatever else we could get, at our
own expense, for I can assure the reader we were a hungry crowd.

I became fond of the drill and exercises and soon passed into a higher
squad, and I also made good progress towards an inspection that was
about to be made as to fitness for the first squad. We had an
excellent, good-natured instructor, Color-Sergeant Summers, who had
served in the Crimea. He used to say to the squad, while at bayonet
drill, when our thrusts did not please him, "You could not make a hole
in a lump of butter, much less in a man."

He would also insist that our heads be held up as high as was
practicable without breaking our necks. On one occasion a recruit
thought it was impossible for him to look down again, and therefore bid
the sergeant good-bye, which brought a hearty laugh from the veteran.

In the fall of that year we moved over to Plymouth and occupied the
Citadel and Millbay barracks. During the Crimean war the Russian
prisoners were sent to several parts of England. Some four hundred,
with several officers, were confined in the Millbay barracks, and it
was a considerable time after the war ended when they were sent back to
Russia. While in England they were well cared for, the rations were
excellent, and visitors were allowed to see them once a week.

The prisoners would make fancy articles, such as rings, pins, slippers,
etc., and sell them to the visitors. Of course, the officers were
paroled; the men were allowed out twice a week. They would enjoy the
concert given by the military bands during the summer season, and when
the time came for them to leave, if they had their choice they would
rather remain than return to their native country. I was present and
saw them embark.

In October, 1858, I was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal. Now my
responsibilities began. Instead of doing sentry-go when on guard, I was
second in command and posted the sentries. I was also relieved from
fatigue duties and other work the private has to do. I drew the Company
B rations and acted as orderly to the company officers. Here was a time
for a young N.C.O. to show to all concerned his tact, consistency and
all the business capabilities he possessed. Although my promotion
carried no extra pay, I was proud of it, with