The man that enlists or volunteers even if he doesn't get further than Chickamauga or Gretna Green and the man who doesn't enlist at all but minds his own business is much better off than I will be writing about what other men do and not doing it myself, especially as I had a chance of a life time, and declined it.
I'll always feel I lost in character by not sticking to it whether I had to go to Arizona or Governor's Island.

I was unfortunate in having Lee and Remington to advise me.

We talked for two hours in Fred's bedroom and they were both dead against it and Lee composed my telegram to the president.

Now, I feel sure I did wrong.

Shafter did not care and the other officers were delighted and said it was very honorable and manly giving me credit for motives I didn't have.