Okay, welcome to William Ramsey Investigates as William Ramsey.

This will be episode eight in the reading of the book,

My Confession, Recollections of a Rogue by Samuel Chamberlain.

And we will go back to chapter 28.

So again, my confession, my confession, my confessions of a rogue by Samuel Chamber.

In the next evening at dress parade, an order was read by the adjutant signed by Major D.H. Rucker,

pointing me to the high and important position of a corporal. Shades of Napoleon rewarded at last.

How particular I was to the cut and fit of my chevrons as stitched on by Miss Charlie McGarry,

and what pride I took in their pristine glory on their background of red, my battle stripes.

How prompt I thought the poor privates were to obey all my orders.

Not a ghost of a chance to exercise my authority by putting some disobedient common soldier

into the guardhouse. But I'd done better. I got a pass for all my mess, and I gave them a grand

dinner at the Victorians at San Nicholas. Each bolder groom and his moza seated by his side while my

amigo, Martinez, honored me by his presence. Ramonda with the rest congratulated me on my

well-deserved promotion. We had a jolly time, and I was careful to keep sober and to see that all

were back in time at stable call.

But really the appointment made me a better man and a soldier.

It gave me more respect for myself, and I resolved that Rucker's confidence in me should not be misplaced,

and that in future I would try to deserve the honor.

But Dame Fortune, only a short, one short

week later, kicked down all my airy castles of glory, but I anticipate. Major Thomas W. Sherman,

with his battery of horse artillery, was encamped on the other side of the creek, known as Walnut Springs.

...