Next to me on my right was a boy of 17, Henry Parker. I remember it because while we stood

at ease, he drew my attention to some violet set his feet and said, it would be a good

idea to put a few into my cap. Perhaps the yanks won't shoot me if they see me wearing

such flowers, for they are a sign of peace. Capital said I, I will do the same. We plucked

a bunch and arranged the violets in our caps. The men and ranks laughed at our proceedings

and had not the enemy been so near, their merry mood might have communicated to the army.

Presently we swayed forward in line with shoulder to arms. As we tramp solemnly and silently

through the thin forest and over grass, still in its withered and wintry hue, I noticed

that the sun was not far from appearing, that our regiment was keeping its formation

admirably. Before we had gone 500 paces, our serenity was disturbed by some firing in

front. They are added already, we whispered to each other.

Stand by gentlemen, said our captain. Our steps became unconsciously briskert and alertness

was noticeable in everybody. We drew nearer to the firing and soon a sharper rattling

of musketry was heard. Within a few minutes there was another explosive burst of musketry,

the air was pierced by many missiles, which hummed and pinged sharply by our ears,

patterned through the treetops and brought twigs and leaves down on us. Those were bullets

Henry whispered with awe. Private Henry M Stanley, 6th Arkansas, at the Battle of Shiloh.

I fired quickly into the advancing men and fell forward onto the slope for shelter while

I reloaded. While firing down the line, turning on my back to reload each time, I noticed

that a fine-looking fellow who I did not know from some other company had crawled up as

near to me as he could get within arm's length, but not so well sheltered as I. He was firing

away as fast as he could. I looked at him as he was loading his gun and preparing for

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