As every soldier knows, wheeling by companies is one of the most difficult of manuvers, and requires some preparation of a battalion before attempting to execute it.

Our thousand was made up of infantry, cavalry and artillery, representing, perhaps, one hundred different regiments.

We had not been divided off into companies, and were encumbered with blankets, tents, cooking utensils, wood, etc., which prevented our moving with such freedom as to make a company wheel, even had we been divided up into companies and drilled for the maneuver.

The attempt to obey the command was, of course, a ludicrous failure.

The Rebel officers standing near Barrett laughed openly at his stupidity in giving such an order, but he was furious.