One fine old fellow did his best to persuade us to take black powder rifles, explaining with paternal indulgence that no one yet really knew just what smokeless powder might do, and that there was a good deal to be said in favor of having smoke to conceal us from the enemy.

I saw this pleasing theory actually worked out in practice later on, for the National Guard regiments with us at Santiago had black powder muskets, and the regular artillery black powder guns, and they really might almost as well have replaced these weapons by crossbows and mangonels.

We succeeded, thanks to Wood, in getting the same cavalry carbines that were used by the regulars.

We were determined to do this, not only because the weapons were good, but because this would in all probability mean that we were brigaded with the regular cavalry, which it was certain would be sent immediately to the front for the fighting.
There was one worthy bureau chief who was continually refusing applications of mine as irregular.

In each case I would appeal to Secretary Alger--who helped me in every way--and get an order from him countenancing the irregularity.