Oliver Otis Howard, Autobiography of Oliver Otis Howard, major general , United States army : volume 1

“Be sure, Governor Washburn,” I said, “I shall always respect your wishes and we will soon be ready for the front.”

“ Just so, just so. How I like the true ring. We will put down this rebellion in short order with this sort of spirit; eh, Blaine?” Thus Washburn ran on. Blaine laughed as he quietly assured the governor that he was too sanguine. “If you had come from a place as near the border as I did, you would not emphasize short order; not much I My mind is fully prepared for a long siege.”

“As God wills,” said the governor, rising. “Now let us go down and introduce Colonel Howard to ‘the boys.’ ”

I was sure that Mr. Washburn felt satisfied with my election. His first three years regiment — a thousand strong-made up of his friends and neighbors, was to be commanded by one who had received a military education, and who had at least some army experience.

Slender of build, and at the time pale and thin, I did not seem to those who casually met me to have the necessary toughness, but for reasons of his own, perhaps owing to his nearsightedness, Washburn gave me immediate confidence.

We three then left the governor's room, descended the broad steps to the east, crossed State Street, and proceeded along a gravel path to about the center of a grovelike park. This was a public lot which extended along the street for some distance and then east toward the Kennebec an eighth of a mile. A portion of that beautiful inclosure was alloted to my regiment. In fact, it already had possession. The choicest of everything belonged to the men at that time. They