I declined the captaincy before the balloting, but announced that I would aid the company in every way I could and would be found in the service in some position if there should be a war.

I never went into our leather store after that meeting, to put up a package or do other business.
The ladies of Galena were quite as patriotic as the men.

They could not enlist, but they conceived the idea of sending their first company to the field uniformed.

They came to me to get a description of the United States uniform for infantry; subscribed and bought the material; procured tailors to cut out the garments, and the ladies made them up.
In a few days the company was in uniform and ready to report at the State capital for assignment.

The men all turned out the morning after their enlistment, and I took charge, divided them into squads and superintended their drill.