WETTSTEIN. 77 



trusty fellow trotted at my heels through rain 

 and shine, by day and by night, with his face full 

 of glee, and his well-filled canteen at the service 

 of our little staff. Mud and mire, ditches and 

 fences, were all one to him and Klitschka ; and 

 in Vix's day they followed her lead over many a 

 spot that the others had to take by flank move- 

 ment. 



Our work in Missouri was but little more than 

 the work of subsistence. We were a part of an 

 army too large for any Eebel force in that re- 

 gion to attack, and too unwieldy to pursue gue- 

 rillas with much effect. But now and then we 

 made a little scout that varied our otherwise 

 dull lives ; and at such times Wettstein always 

 attached himself to the most dangerous patrol- 

 ling party, and Klitschka was usually the first 

 to bring back news of the trifling encounters. 



At last, in February, 1863, when we had lain 

 for a month in delicious idleness in the heart of 

 a rich country, literally flowing with poultry and 

 corn-fodder, I, being then in command of a divis- 

 ion of cavalry, received an order from Davidson 



