duty, he selects the men, and on him fall the anathemas of the shirkers and of those who may be really, though innocently overtasked. If punishment is to be inflicted, he is the agent of that punishment. If the captain is censured for the uncleanliness of the men or quarters, he comes back on the orderly. Living with the soldiers, he must yet keep up the dignity of the officer, so that his numerous commands will be obeyed without the interference of his superior. The neatness, discipline, general efficiency of a company depends as much on the first sergeant as on the commander. Give a company a good captain and orderly, and you may be sure they will be worthy of the service. I send you a copy of the company roll. As you run your eye over it, you will see there is excellent material in it, warranting me in saying that some of the best young men of the town are there. They start well, being all united. As four-fifths of the men are from Pittsfield, she has all the officers and none feel aggrieved thereat.

Co. B came into camp on the 7th and 8th instant. It numbers one hundred and two stalwart men, among whom are the pride of many homes, and the respected of many communities. The morale of this company is very high. By reading over its roll, you will see the names of those who never left their homes and prospects save at the promptings of duty. Their average age is twenty-six years, three months and seven days, and height five feet, eight and nine-tenth inches.

Charles R. Garlick, of Lanesboro, one of the firm of H. G. Davis & Co., dealers in dry goods, is captain. I have almost no acquaintance with him. He is very gentlemanly, dresses well, and is considered a prompt, active business man, of great value to his company. I think he will be an excellent disciplinarian and a reliable officer. He owns to twenty-six years of age.

Charles W. Kniffin, aged twenty-six years, merchant of West Stockbridge, is first lieutenant. He is a man of

unusual personal popularity, and certainly very much of the gentleman. In common with others, I am prepared to prophesy a brilliant career for Lieut. Kniffin.

Robert R. Noble, aged twenty-two years, is second lieutenant. He is a son of R. Noble, Esq., of Williamstown, and was for six months a sergeant in Second Massachusetts Volunteers, from which regiment he was discharged on account of ill health. He was the first volunteer from Williamstown. He acted as drill-master to Co. E, of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, receiving the praise of Col. Edwards. He is a good type of Young America, active, intelligent, self-confident. He loves military, and makes a fine drill-master, putting vim into the exercises, thus making them attractive to the men. As the other officers have had no military experience, Co. B has shown excellent judgment in raising young Noble from the position of a private to that of second lieutenant.

Orton W. Jennings, of Beckett, is the first sergeant. His looks denote intelligence and promptness, indispensable requisites for the orderly of a company. The men speak highly of him. I wish I was able to give you the names of those households from which two or more have

gone forth to the war. Some have sent their all; husbands and sons, leaving none behind save the aged and the women. Abraham Rosseter, of Richmond, has three sons, his all, in this company. It is easy to write that sentence, but it is a wonderfully suggestive one. It speaks of an aged couple in their loneliness (perchance of lonely wives) following their boys in prayer and thought through all the temptations of the camp, and the dangers of the field, stopping awhile as in fancy they hear amid the groans of the dying, voices all too familiar to them, Who can tell their need of leaning upon the Great Father of all for strength to sustain them in their weary waiting for them who may never return!

There were sad hearts in a darken'd home,

When the brave had left their bower;

But the strength of prayer and sacrifice

Was with them in that hour.

We turn from Co. B, otherwise known as Pomeroy Guards," in compliment to Robert Pomeroy, Esq., of this town, and introduce to your notice Co. " C," called “Berkshire Guards," to which I have the honor to belong.

It consists of ninety-three men, some of whom are equal in morality and intelligence to any in the regiment. Their average age is twenty-six years, four months and twentysix days. Their average height five feet, nine and fiveseventh inches. For size, we will be apt to wear the palm.

Charles T. Plunkett, son of Hon. T. F. Plunkett, is captain. He is a splendid specimen of the genus homo, being six feet, six inches high. As he is but twenty-two years of age, he may have reached his height (it is to be hoped so) but not his full growth. He can hardly be called spare or stout, but every way a well-built man. Give him two or three years of war life, and you may hunt New-England over for a better specimen of a soldier. He was engaged in the manufacturing business, at South Glastenbury, Connecticut, and was a member elect of the Connecticut legislature. Bright seemed the opening world to him, but leaving all the comforts and luxuries of wealth and of high social position, he has taken on himself the duties and hardships of a soldier. He steps in his new position with ease, and, if not suddenly stricken down by rebel bullets, which his commanding stature will invite, we believe he will do honor to the family He has a brother who went out with the 37th as

name.

a lieutenant.

Daniel B. Foster, of Cheshire, is our first lieutenant. He is thirty-four years of age, and has in him many of the qualities that make an efficient and popular officer.

By a combination, not unusual at elections, Pittsfield has not only the captaincy of our company, but also the second lieutenancy in the person of William W. Wells.

He is thirty-five years of age, and possessed of considerable ambition and energy.

John R. Camp holds the delicate and responsible position of first sergeant, which, we hope he will occupy to his honor and our benefit. You may not be aware that in these nine-months' regiments, the men elect the commissioned officers, who, in turn, appoint the non-commissioned officers. Thus, a duty of no ordinary importance devolved on us. When we consider the power entrusted to officers, how that power may be abused, that our happiness, almost our lives, are in their hands, it seems but right that we should have the privilege of choosing our own commanders. Yet I know not if it were not wiser to have them appointed by the Governor. True, with him, "kissing goes by favor;" but he could choose as. wisely as we could, seeing that we were called upon to vote for officers before going into camp and becoming acquainted with the candidates: Could elections be deferred till after an active campaign, we might vote more wisely. If, under the present system, the men choose unwisely, they will have none to blame but themselves. Poor satisfaction, to write "fool" against your own name.