William Moore Parkinson

It is nearly 12 o'clock, I have just got in from drilling the Co. three hours and a half. It is a long time to drill, but I put it through. McElhaney drilled through the first drill, one hour before breakfast. The men say they would rather drill all day under me as one hour under McElhaney (1st Lt). They do not like him. He curses them when they do poorly. I am going to stop it. I treat them like soldiers, and I make them mind, and if they do not, I put them on extra duty till they are glad to mind me. They like my 2nd Lieut, Fred Smith, very well. He is a good drill master, better than I am. I have had one man desert. I have had men looking for him two days, and have five men out today. I hope they will get him. I will punish him severely, so severe that none of the rest will leave soon again, and he will be sorry that he left. I say poor fellow if he is caught. We can hear them fighting nearly all the time at Vicksburg, and I wonder all the time where John and Silas is. May they come through safe. About four thousand prisoners passed up today. I hear that Jeff Davis had issued an order to hang all officers of Negro Reg if caught, is it true? I received the stamp and envelopes. Remember William

©2006 C.S. Parkinson