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Devine was removed to hospital in a state of insensibility. The injuries he had received proved of so serious a nature that he was incapacitated for further service, and was ultimately discharged.

Madill was brought before a court martial, and sentenced to severe corporal punishment. This, however, had no effect in correcting the ferocity of his character, and he was at length sentenced to a long term of solitary confinement. His constitution, impaired by excess, soon gave way, under this punishment, and he was removed from prison only to finish his career in the hospital.

CHAPTER XIII.

"I will show you, slaves,
How you should be commanded, and who led you."

In order to form the regiment after the accession of so many inexperienced volunteers, it became necessary to have daily field drills, so as to be in a state of tolerable preparation for the ensuing half yearly inspection.

The officers, on first joining, are also subjected to frequent drilling, more particularly in that branch called field exercise. The sooner the officer makes himself thoroughly acquainted

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with his duties, the more agreeable he will find his position, as it must be any thing but pleasant for patrician blood to find itself under the orders of a serjeant major.

One field day, it so happened that a young Cornet who had lately exchanged from the infantry, found himself placed under the command of a serjeant major, named Donovan, who, though a good disciplinarian, was unfortunately addicted to intemperate habits, and on this particular occasion, was not entirely recovered from the effects of his previous night's libations.

On the formation of the squadrons Cornet, G——, the officer in question, had the command of the right troop, another subaltern that of the left, while the serjeant major commanded the squadron from the centre.

The squadron having been properly told off, proceeded with the others to the drill ground. I should mention that our new Cornet was a

consummate fop, and, like all young officers, impatient of the least reply on the part of the men, whom he was in the habit of committing to the guard room for the most trifling and imaginary offences. These facts rendered the scene I am about to describe highly amusing.

As the troop was manoeuvring, under the orders of the Colonel, who was exceedingly rapid in all his movements, the Serjeant Major discovered that Cornet G was utterly in

capable of managing his men.

66 Troops, right wheel, forward," shouted the Serjeant Major in quick succession, as we broke into column, preparing to countermarch upon our centre.

The Cornet got bewildered, took up the word of command as "left wheel," and gave it accordingly. The troop wheeled to the reverse hand, when the Serjeant Major finding every thing thrown into confusion, thundered out,

"Threes right, right wheel, front form."

This brought the troop again into its proper place; and the Serjeant Major, turning round to the Cornet, angrily addressed him,

"What the devil are you about, sir? Another mistake, after all the pains I have taken with you," and then turning half aside, he muttered audibly, "May I be d-d if he isn't as stupid as an ass."

The officer bit his lips with vexation, but had the good sense not to make any reply. The men enjoyed his humiliation, and a general titter ran through the troop.

"Into line," was the next order. This brought us into our proper position.

66 By the flank, march off threes; right thrown back," again shouted the Colonel.

"Threes right,” repeated the Serjeant Major, and off we proceeded at a canter to our new alignement.

By another unfortunate mischance the Cornet got placed in a wrong position. Instead of

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