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As soon as the camp at
Meridian Hill was established
Major Howe was appointed instructor of officers and men in guard duty, police, etc.;
Lieut. Col. Devereux instructor of officers and men in school of the soldier, school of the company, etc.; while
Colonel Hinks was instructor of the regiment in the school of the battalion and in skirmishing, and of the officers in making papers, muster-rolls and returns.
The regiment was drilled by company or by battalion eight hours in each day, and an officers' school was held at headquarters three evenings each week.
Each Sunday was given over to the reading of the
Articles of War to the men. It seemed to them that whatever they did, the penalty was that they be shot, ‘or such other punishment as may be inflicted by courtmartial.’
Sunday morning inspection was also established and the first one was decidedly amusing.
The order was for
all men to be in the line.
This included everyone connected with the regiment, cooks, clerks, teamsters, detailed men, etc. The regular members of the regiment were much interested at seeing the extra men in line.
The wagoner of one of the companies had not seen his musket since he first received it at
Lynnfield.
He knew nothing of the manual, neither did the regimental mail carrier.
As
Lieut. Col. Devereux came down the line and the men threw up their guns for inspection, the first named did it in fairly good shape, having watched his comrades on the right.
The officer looked at his musket and then at him.
‘What do you mean by bringing such a musket for inspection?’
‘It ought to be all right,’ said the wagoner.
‘It's brand new and I've never used it since it was given to me.’
