He told me that Gassion--and France has no better soldier--said publicly after the battle that the victory was largely due to this young friend of ours, and that had it not been for him things might have gone altogether differently; and he said that Enghien, proud and ambitious as he is, frankly admitted the same thing.

Of course I can only go upon what I have seen of him, but from what he said, and the manner in which he said it, I am convinced that we could not get a better chief than this young colonel.

I believe that he will make it a comfortable regiment to be in, but I also believe that those who oppose him will find that they make a grievous mistake." The next day Hector took up in earnest the work of organizing the regiment.

In the first place he insisted that the officers should learn their drill; then, that instead of handing over the practical command of their companies to their sergeants, they should themselves command them on the drill ground, look after the discipline and comfort of the men in barracks, and become personally acquainted with the character of every man under their command.

Many of the sergeants were inefficient; these were speedily deprived of their rank, and men of good conduct and zeal appointed to their places.