Chapter I: Preface

In writing the following incidents of a soldier’s life during his career in the army, I would, in the first place, throw myself upon the indulgence of a generous people. Not being a man of letters, I am rather doubtful of the present little work meeting with that support which I at one time anticipated; but be it understood that I am the son of poor and humble parents, and my education consequently limited. After having undergone the severe sufferings and dangers of a soldier’s life, as represented in this little work, I feel that my constitution, once vigorous, is now broken; and it is by the desire of a few of my brave companions in arms that I write the following facts, that the public may appreciate the value of the soldier. The few verses of poetry which I have added to this little work will be very interesting to those of poetic feeling. The language expressed in these simple lines is from the heart of him who so often took part in the carnage and strife of the late war, and in my calm and reflective moments I penned in rhyme these verses of my poetic imagination.

THE AUTHOR.

TWELVE YEARS IN THE ARMY;

OR,

THE INCIDENTS OF A SOLDIER’S LIFE.