Before I left St.Louis orders were received at Jefferson Barracks for the 4th infantry to follow the 3d.

A messenger was sent after me to stop my leaving; but before he could reach me I was off, totally ignorant of these events.

A day or two after my arrival at Bethel I received a letter from a classmate and fellow lieutenant in the 4th, informing me of the circumstances related above, and advising me not to open any letter post marked St.Louis or Jefferson Barracks, until the expiration of my leave, and saying that he would pack up my things and take them along for me.

His advice was not necessary, for no other letter was sent to me.

I now discovered that I was exceedingly anxious to get back to Jefferson Barracks, and I understood the reason without explanation from any one.