At 5 o'clock, a.m., we all landed, and it seemed that everyone wanted to be first to land, so anxious were we to get on shore again. Here we were received by the rest of our regiment, who arrived a few days ago. We were much rejoiced in seeing one another again.
To-night, for the first time, we are sleeping on foreign soil. All quiet to-night.
Wednesday, February 17, 1847.—This morning after breakfast, and after having our tents all fixed right, Louis Bymaster and myself took a walk around the island, and we find it a much prettier and larger place than we expected. We also visited the Palmetto Regiment and Louisiana Regiment drilling on dress parade, and they are the hardest looking (new) soldiers that I ever saw, and if you call these men chivalry of the Sunny South, I would like to see some of the poor.
This evening one of the Louisiana Regiment died, and was buried with all the honors of war.
Thursday, February 18, 1847.—This morning Capt. Small reported himself to Col. Wynkoop for duty, after which he gave orders to our company for each and every soldier to clean up his brasses, his belts and make a fine appearance, for the first time, on foreign soil.
At 10 o'clock, a.m., the drums beat. We formed into line, and mustered eighty muskets. After a little speech from our Captain, we marched to the parade-ground, and I must say that our company looked as well, if not better, than any company in the regiment.
After going through the usual parade drill, we marched back to our quarters, where we met Col. Wynkoop, who complimented us very highly by saying that we drilled better, looked healthier and cleaner than any other company in the regiment, and he hoped that we may continue in our drilling, cleanliness and good behavior in camp, as well as on dress parades, after which Capt. Small thanked the Colonel for the compliment, and the Colonel then left with cheers.
