ascending the river. I am fully of the opinion that each link composing this chain was from 3 to 4 feet in length, and from 3 to 4 inches in thickness, and weighed

lbs. This chain* being sunk so as to be cleverly under water, it was quite amusing to behold large Sturgeon pitching up above it, and then be caught upon it and lie dashing and fluttering about for a considerable length of time, at times, before they would succeed in extricating themselves from their iron elevated position of uneasiness. With all these impediments, to which were added floating and stationary batteries, upon which heavy ordnance were planted and which in an emergency would undoubtedly have been well manned, I should think that nature and art combined would have been heavily taxed, and would have had hard work to have pushed a vessel up the river above where this great chain lay moored.

Colonel Humpton frequently took me with him (whilst at West Point and other military posts) to ride "the patrols" at night. It being generally very late in the night when we would go these rounds, I very frequently got very sleepy and would linger behind him. When I would do this, he would stop his horse until I would ride up to him, he would then quietly reprimand me, telling me at the same time that I did not know the danger I was in, and for me to keep close and quietly behind him. This going the grand rounds the Colonel was quite fond of, although a dangerous duty, especially where there were ignorant and cowardly men set as piquet guards. As he would advance towards a piquet

*The author, in consequence of Capt Dewees' imperfect recollection of the length, thickness and weight of its links, was induced to address a note to a very worthy and highly intelligent gentleman of his acquaintance [Mr. Bardwell, Principal of the Manchester Academy] upon the subject, he having understood that that gentleman had seen one of the links at some point towards the North. Mr. Bardwell with that retiring modesty and love of truth which characterizes the man, stated in a kind note, briefly in return that he had somewhere seen an account of the estimated length and thickness of each link, and stated that his then present impressions were, that the length of its links was from 2 to 3 feet, and their thickness was from 2 to 3 inches. Captain Dewees is of the opinion that they were of greater dimensions and weight than the author has attached to them in his description as above.

guard, the piquet would hail him by calling out "Who comes there?" Colonel Humpton would answer "A friend." The piquet would then cry out "Advance friend and give the countersign." The Colonel would

then advance and make as though he would advance upon him, and pretend to coax or pass him. The piquet would then call out "Stand friend and give the countersign." The Colonel would be at the end of his sport with each piquet guard at this point of time, he had to give the countersign or the next moment receive the contents of the piquet's musket. This was a perilous duty. Oftentimes a promise of reward would be made to a piquet guard for permission to pass. Instances, however, were very rare, that of soldiers suffering officers or others to advance and bribe them from duty. There have been instances, however, of piquets having suffered themselves to be tampered with. Sometimes soldiers not knowing their duty thoroughly, when asked by an officer (knowing him to be such) and thinking that they were bound to obey his orders, finally consented to give up their muskets when asked by officers to let them look at their pieces to see if they were in good condition, &c. Should the piquet do this, the officer would immediately call out to another piquet guard, and have the delinquent taken under guard, and would afterwards have him punished for his dereliction in duty. A camp or piquet guard (piquet especially) receives the countersign and his duty is to know no man, nor suffer himself to be tampered with by privates, officers or others, no not even by the General of Division. His duty is made known to him, and the nearer he adheres to the line of his duty, the more does he evince his possessing the lofty ingredients and character of a true soldier, and the more will he endear himself to his brother soldiers and superior officers.

As I made a somewhat lengthy stay at West Point after visiting it this time, I will endeavor to describe to my readers some of our soldier doings. Each morning we had to play and beat the Reveille at the peep of day,

and then the Troop for roll call. After roll call, a number of men would be called out of each company as camp and piquet guards, and so many for fatigue duty.These were called Fatigue Men. A drummer was also chosen and was called "Orderly Drummer of the day. This drummer had his drum constantly lying on the parade ground during the day. Its place was generally where the colours were planted, or in other words, where the American standard was erected on a pole similar to what is now known and called a Liberty Pole. When the Sergeant of the fatigue men called out "Orderly Drummer," this drummer repaired to the Sergeant immediately, who ordered him as follows: "Orderly Drummer beat up the fatigue's march." We having had a name for every thing, or rather tunes significant of duties of all kinds. To beat the "Point of War" "out and out," or through from beginning to its end, which embraces all tunes significant of Camp Duties, ADVANCES, RETREATS, PARLEYS, SALUTES, REVEILLES, TATTOOs, &c. &c., would consume nearly or altogether half a day, and to beat the Reveille properly, "the Three Camps," which constituted the 1st part, "the Scotch, Hessian and Drags Single and Double," which constituted the 2d or middle part, and "the Three Camps," which constituted the 3d or last part, would consume from the peep of day until after sun rise. There are many good Drummers and Fifers now-a-days that would not know what the "Point of War" is or should mean. Nor do they know what should be played or beat for a Reveille properly. Some at Baltimore in 1813 and 1814, beat "Sally wont you follow me," and others other tunes quite as inappropriate.

At West Point (as at all other military posts) the musicians knew at once when a particular roll or march was named, what tune to play, and the soldiers all knew at all times what duty was to be performed upon the hearing the musicians "beat up." When the orderly · Drummer would beat up the Fatigues March, all soldiers chosen for the day would repair to their post, form into

lines and were marched off immediately, and set to work. There was always a great difference manifested in the manner of attending the calls, "Fatigues March" and "Roast Beef." The soldiers at the Fatigue's call generally turned out slowly and down-hearted to muster upon fatigue parade. When an officer would "sing out” orderly Drummer beat up "the Roast Beef," and the musician fairly commence it, the soldiers would be seen skipping, jumping and running from their tents, and repair to where the rations were to be issued out.

That

there would be a difference manifested, will not be wondered at when it is stated, that the fatigue men had to muster for the purpose of going to labor, chop, dig, carry timber, build, &c. &c., whilst the others would turn out voluntarily to learn what they were to draw for breakfast, dinner, &c.

To each regiment there was a Quarter Master attached, who drew the rations for the regiment, and to each regiment belonged a Quarter Master's Sergeant, that drew the rations for and dealt them out to the companies, or delivered them in charge to the Orderly Sergeants of companies.

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The Quarter Master's Sergeant at a proper hour would Sergeant's and as many men as might be necessary, and repaired to the store-house and slaughterhouse, which were built at the edge of the North River and extending some distance into the river. These buildings were very large. These men always took poles with them that were kept for the purpose,-that of carrying meat upon to the camp. They took also camp kettles with them for to carry Vinegar, Whiskey, &c. in to the camp. These men on their return, were marched in front of their respective companies. The Roast Beef would then "be beat up," and the men understanding the music (which is a signal for drawing provision) would hasten as before mentioned, and stand ready to receive their quota. The Orderly Sergeant of each company divided the meat into as many messes as were in each company (six men consituting a mess,) and then a soldier was made to turn his back to the piles. The

er.

Sergeant would then put his hand upon or point to each pile separately and ask "Who shall have this." The soldier with his back to the mess piles, then named the number of the mess or the soldier that was always considered as the head of the mess, and in this way they proceeded until all was dealt out. Every man in each mess drew (when it was to be had) a gill of Whiskey each day, and often Salt and Vinegar when these were to be had. Sometimes when Flour was scarce, it would be drawn every day. Sometimes we would draw three day's rations on one day, and sometimes none at all for two days togethSometimes we drew Baker's Bread, and always when it was to be had. Sometimes we drew Sea Biscuit. I have been down at our slaughter-house at times for the purpose of assisting in carrying the provisions to camp, and have seen a great many cattle drove into it at a time. I recollect that, once we had to wait until the butchers would kill. They drove upwards of a hundred sheep into the slaughter-house, and as soon as the doors were closed, some of the butchers went to work and knocked the sheep down in every direction with axes, whilst others followed and stuck or bled them, others followed these, skinned them, hung them up and dressed them. A very short time elapsed from the time they commenced butchering them until our meat was ready for us. I recollect having been there at another time when they were killing bullocks. They drove a very large and unruly bullock into the slaughter-house. This fellow they could not knock down. They had given him a great number of very hard blows upon his forehead, but could not fell him to the ground. He at length broke away from them, and left the building by jumping through a window. The butcher's pursued him, caught him, and brought him back secured by means of a strong rope. One of the soldiers belonging to our party happened to say (unguardedly) that had he had the knocking of him down, he would have had him down in a much shorter time than they had consumed. The butchers dropped the bullock and all, and took af