respect for you, and admiration for those
chivalrous instincts which, when the banner of
beauty and glory was assailed by traitorous
legions, induced you to spring unhesitatingly to
its defense, have the honor to present you a
beautiful field-glass. Trusting that, by its
assistance, you will be able to see through your
enemies, and ultimately find your way to the arms
of your admiring fellow-citizens, we have the
honor to subscribe ourselves,

"Your most obedient servants,
PETER BROWN,
JOHN SMITH,
THOMAS JONES, and others."

The box containing the gift was carefully opened, and the necks and
upper parts of two whisky bottles, fastened together by a piece of wood,
taken out and delivered in due form to the Lieutenant. He seemed greatly
surprised, and for a few minutes addressed the donors in a very emphatic
and uncomplimentary way; but finding this only added to the merriment of
the party, he finally cooled down, and, lifting the field-glass to his
eyes, leveled it upon the staff, and remarked that they appeared to be
thirsty. This, of course, was hailed as undeniable evidence that the
glass was perfect, and Lieutenant Calkins was heartily congratulated on
his good luck, and on the proof which the testimonial afforded of the
high estimation in which he was held by the people of his native town.
Many of his brother officers, in their friendly ardor, shook him warmly
by the hand.

8. Hewitt's battery has been transferred to the Corps of Engineers and
Mechanics, and Bridges' battery, six guns, assigned to me. I gain two
guns and many men by the exchange.

Our Board grinds away eight or nine hours a day, and turns out about the
usual proportion of wheat and chaff. The time was when we thought it
would be impossible to obtain good officers for colored regiments. Now
we feel assured that they will have as good, if not better, officers
than the white regiments. From sergeants applying for commissions we are
able to select splendid men; strong, healthy, well informed, and of
considerable military experience. In fact, we occasionally find a
non-commissioned officer who is better qualified to command a regiment
than nine-tenths of the colonels. I certainly know colonels who could
not obtain a recommendation from th