ding for one hour. But it was no use; I couldn't be.

I was nothing but a boy. But I had my ideas. I thought, perhaps, more than
some of the officers did. I kept myself posted on facts and the topography
of the country. The dispositions of generals was a matter of grave
importance to me. I believed generals should be selected to command, NOT
for their qualifications in military tactics alone, NOT because they had
graduated well-dressed from "West Point," but for their indomitable pluck,
judgment and honesty of purpose. It did seem to me that some of our best
officers were invariably placed in the most unimportant positions and
commands. Take, for instance, "Custer's" Brigade of daring men, headed by
those intrepid officers, Alger and Towns, wasting their time and
imperiling the lives of thousands of good soldiers around "Emettsburg,"
"Gordonsville," "Bottom Bridge," carrying out the foolish orders of
superiors in command. Why could not these officers of cool judgment be
with us at this critical moment?--they made THEIR victories, what would
they have done had they the great opportunities that were presented to
others who failed?

All night about the camp-fire the boys would delight in nagging
me--getting me into arguments and debates. They called me the "midget
orator of the Army of the Potomac." I will never forget one night soon
after the advance on Petersburg; we were clustered about with coffee cups
and pipes; an argument waxed warm in regard to the possibilities of the
war lasting two more years; finally I was called upon for my views.
"Midget," said Col. McArthur, "if you had supreme command of our army,
what would you do?"

What would I do? If Uncle Sam would give me one regiment from each State
in the Union--give me Grant, Burnside, Sherman, Sheridan, Custer, Alger,
Hooker, Hancock, Thomas and Siegel to command them, I would take Richmond
and settle the rebellion before they had time to wire and ask Stanton if I
should. This was received with cheering and applause. But my boyish
fancies and ideas were never gratified; I never had the pleasure of seeing
my ideal army together, and Richmond was not taken for many months
afterward.

A few days after our regiment was drawn up in line of battle in a
wheatfield. It was just nightfall. I was lying down on the bank of a ditch
waiting for the move-forward. Suddenly a shell came over my head and bust
right in the center of my company. I thought I saw legs and arms flyi