1862 March 14

[from the recollections of Capt. Jonathan B. Hager,  14th U. S. Regulars, as copied from his diary]

Mar 14 Friday To day was held the first general review
of the Brigade. Brig Gen. Sykes Commanding the
Brigade reviewing officer. We thought at the time,
how large an army it was, that small brigade
of regulars! What a magnificent spectacle that
handful of men! How insignificant it seemed
afterward when compared with an army of
30 or 50 or 100,000 men--The review passed off
handsomely & the 14th was highly complimented
for its appearance & actions. This pleasure
was not to last. Orders came to march next morning
at 5 oclock--This day my men got together &
made me a comfortable hut, by digging
a hole in the ground almost a foot deep, log-
ging a couple of feet more above the surface,
and my two rubber blankets stretched over a
ridge pole made a splendid roof.

MSS 9044