a bunch
of the enemy that we saw before us. But they sending out a messenger,
explained that they were dead, which saved us the trouble, not really to
our pleasure, for having made fools of ourselves we were anxious to take
it out on somebody. And then the bugle blew Recall.

Green troops in battle would cause just such confusion and delay. It was
very evident that we had spoiled some plan. The need of a soldier's
training would be plain to anyone that heard the babble of our voices in
that corner, conjecturing, advising, urging this and that. We are still
very far from the state in which we could be trusted to go into battle
and obey every order just as it came. The reasons for this I figure out
to be two.

In the first place I have learned that the so-called intelligent
volunteer, while able with surprising quickness to master the manual and
the drill, with the rudiments of skirmish work, and all because of his
trained mind, nevertheless does not readily give up his independence of
thought except in the presence of men whom he recognizes as his
unquestionable professional superiors. Hence, when deprived of such
guidance, each man has his own theory and his own advice, which he voices
without modesty.

Secondly, while in the regular army such situations are readily
controlled by the--(To be continued. We are going to move on.)

(In camp at Altona, after swim and retreat and supper,
writing while crouched in the pup tent for shelter from
a shower that has just spoiled the afternoon's conference.
Bann is luckily absent; I don't know what two could
do in this confined space, except when asleep.)

by the non-commissioned officers, it was very evident today that ours had
not sufficient control over us because they had not sufficient control
over themselves. They were new to their responsibility, and did not
understand how to handle the particular problem. And if we had needed
another example of what was lacking, it was at hand in a few minutes when
on our way to camp, and seeing the tents in plain view across a stream,
the captain decided to save us a half-hour by fording. So he led the way
down into the water, the lieutenant at his side discussing, tramped
across the shallow river, and marched on, whether forgetting us or
testing us I do not know. The first squad or two followed gamely, the
next faltered, and all the rest spread out in conf