The fine horse, which was to have carried me to Nashville and thence
to Kentucky, was kindly disposed of by an auctioneer, and the price,
minus a handsome commission, handed to me, and then I commenced
service in the "Jeff. Davis Invincibles," Co. B, Second Tenn.
Volunteers, under command of J. Knox Walker, of Memphis. I still
entertained some hope of escape, as I had not yet taken the oath;
and I worked hard to obtain information which might aid my purpose.
I could find no one to trust, and dare not be too inquisitive about
roads and distances.

The first regiment raised in Memphis was composed largely of the
upper classes, and represented many millions of property. It was of
the same type as the 7th regiment of New York, whereas the second
contained about 750 Irishmen, chiefly Catholics, in character like
the fine 69th New York. We camped in the Fair Ground, a short
distance from the city, an inclosure of some seven acres, surrounded
by a high board fence, and guarded by thickly stationed sentinels.
As these sentinels were not from our newly-formed regiment, but from
trusted companies of older standing, I was soon convinced there was
no chance of escape, and resigned myself to the necessities of my
lot.

This being once settled, my first resolution was to master all the
details of military duty, and perfect myself in drill, feeling
conscious of ability soon to rise above the station of a private
soldier. This determination saved me from despondency, and was of
signal advantage in subsequent adventures.

On May 6th we received orders to proceed to Randolph, sixty-five