When it came to taking the field the regiment asked to have another appointed colonel and the one they had previously chosen made lieutenant-colonel.

The 21st regiment of infantry, mustered in by me at Mattoon, refused to go into the service with the colonel of their selection in any position.

While I was still absent Governor Yates appointed me colonel of this latter regiment.

A few days after I was in charge of it and in camp on the fair grounds near Springfield.
My regiment was composed in large part of young men of as good social position as any in their section of the State.

It embraced the sons of farmers, lawyers, physicians, politicians, merchants, bankers and ministers, and some men of maturer years who had filled such positions themselves.