He could go for twenty-four hours on a bit of bread and a draught of water better than any one, and without a minute's sleep, stand for hours at a stretch holding a position; he was always the first to explore dangerous roads, signing to his companions if he could answer for their safety, and all this with a natural, quiet self-possession as if he were taking a walk in town, or reading a newspaper at Spargnapani's.
Weeks and months went by like a dream, in constant excitement, and the exhausting strain of strength.

Christmas passed at the outposts without gifts and with few good wishes, and the thunder of the guns took the place of church bells.

January came in with a hard frost, trying the field troops bitterly, and bringing with it hard work for Wilhelm's regiment.

The 61st belonged to General Kettler's brigade, which strategically kept the Garibaldi and Pelissier divisions in check.

By the middle of January the brigade was in full touch with the enemy.