He was called a "sergeant" in the regular battalion, learned the manual of arms, and regularly attended the parade and guard-mounting of the Thirteenth, back of my camp.

We made frequent visits to Vicksburg, and always stopped with General McPherson, who had a large house, and boarded with a family (Mrs.Edwards's) in which were several interesting young ladies.

General Grant occupied another house (Mrs.Lum's) in Vicksburg during that summer, and also had his family with him.
The time passed very agreeably, diversified only by little events of not much significance, among which I will recount only one.
While, we occupied the west bank of the Big Black, the east bank was watched by a rebel cavalry-division, commanded by General Armstrong.

He had four brigades, commanded by Generals Whitfield, Stark, Cosby, and Wirt Adams.

Quite frequently they communicated with us by flags of truce on trivial matters, and we reciprocated; merely to observe them.