I advised him what to read and study, was considerably amused at his receiving instruction from a young lieutenant who knew the company and battalion drill, and could hear him practise in his room the words of command, and tone of voice, "Break from the right, to march to the left!" "Battalion, halt!" "Forward into line!" etc.
Of course I made a favorable report in his case.

Among the infantry and cavalry colonels were some who afterward rose to distinction--David Stuart, Gordon Granger, Bussey, etc., etc.
Though it was mid-winter, General Halleck was pushing his preparations most vigorously, and surely he brought order out of chaos in St.Louis with commendable energy.

I remember, one night, sitting in his room, on the second floor of the Planters' House, with him and General Cullum, his chief of staff, talking of things generally, and the subject then was of the much-talked-of "advance," as soon as the season would permit.

Most people urged the movement down the Mississippi River; but Generals Polk and Pillow had a large rebel force, with heavy guns in a very strong position, at Columbus, Kentucky, about eighteen miles below Cairo.
Commodore Foote had his gunboat fleet at Cairo; and General U.S.
Grant, who commanded the district, was collecting a large force at Paducah, Cairo, and Bird's Point.

General Halleck had a map on his table, with a large pencil in his hand, and asked, "where is the rebel line ?" Cullum drew the pencil through Bowling Green, Forts Donelson and Henry, and Columbus, Kentucky.