Finally the company commanders began forming their troops. All the tents were down and packs were packed. Fires were all checked to be sure that they were completely out. Since the troops were nearly ready, we used the last of the water and coffee to put out the fire. One of the teamsters brought a bucket of water from the stream, too. I gathered what charcoal was there to add to my bucket of fuel for the forge. Most of the hay from our beds had already been carried back and thrown on the hay stack, although some had been fed to the horses.

When the companies were formed, the colonel moved out to the road with his staff. The officers all mounted and the troops began to move. The appearance was much better today. We have been drilling for almost six months, but most of our drills had concentrated on loading and firing our muskets. It looks as if we should have spent more time on marching!

As the last company cleared the fence line, Robert started our team. We were the lead wagon today, and since I had driven yesterday, he offered to drive today. An offer I willingly accepted for I had something on my mind. I finally determined to talk to Robert about it.

"Robert, Lieutenant Colonel Alsop said last night that I should appoint a corporal to help me. Do you want the job?"

Robert looked surprised and thought for a minute or two, then he replied, "No, Will, I don't believe I do. I have a terrible time talking to groups of people. I do well with one or two, but many more than that and I get very nervous. I will do the writing that needs to be done, for I do have a fair hand. But I would rather someone else was the corporal."

I thanked him for his honesty, and told him, "I needed to ask you, for I didn't want to leave you out. But I also think that it would be better if it were someone from a different wagon. That way there is less chance of friction."

"I would not have felt left out, but I thank you for the consideration. You are right that it would be better for someone from one of the other wagons to have the job. Thinking of all the parts of a problem is why you are the sergeant, Will. People recognize that ability in you and respect it."

"I think it's more that I've got a big mouth!" I told him with a chuckle.

"Well, there may be some of that, too!" he replied with a grin.

As we rode along, Robert and I talked over the various teamsters, trying to get all of them straight in my mind. I wanted to be able to call them all by name within a day or two. At the same time, we discussed their different attitudes. All were hard workers, and all volunteer when there is work to be done. But there were differences between them. The teamster from Company A kept coming to my mind. He had made several very good suggestions, and was of a congenial nature as well. Finally I determined that if we made a noon stop, I would take him aside and see if he was willing to serve as the corporal. I told Robert what I had decided, and he admitted that he had thought of the same person.

We did make a noon stop, at a pleasant little meadow. Word was passed that we would stop for only an hour, so we all made our fires at the side of the road and quickly cooked our meal. I took time to ask the teamster for Company A if he would serve as the corporal, and after a minute of thought, he agreed. When we went back to the fire, I called the teamsters together and told them what Lieutenant Colonel Alsop had said last night. I asked if anyone had any suggestions. Getting no response, I then told them that the new corporal would be Corporal Baker from Company A. The appointment was greeted cheerfully. We finished eating and cleaned our plates and utensils in the stream. Telling the teamsters to be ready to mount up, I went forward along the column, to speak to Lieutenant Colonel Alsop.

When I found him, the companies were beginning to form in the road. I told him of the appointment of Corporal Baker, and he asked me to prepare a roster of all of the teamsters. He said that I should indicate which unit each teamster was with, and indicate both mine and Corporal Baker's rank on the roster. I told him that I would have it for him shortly after we stopped for the evening. I also asked him if I could get a small supply of paper from the regiment, since I had very little. He said he would get me some this evening.

Then I asked if we were going all the way to Boston today, since I knew that it wasn't very much farther. He said that we were going to stop short of Boston, and find out where we should go before getting too close. He mentioned that there had been a battle at Bunker Hill just a few days before. Our troops had been forced from their positions by the Red Coats, and the commander wanted to make sure that we went to the right place.

We had been standing at the side of the road during our conversation. The troops had begun to move, so he mounted and went forward to ride with the staff. I waited where I was till Robert got to me with the wagon.

When I mounted to the seat, Robert clucked for the team to go on. He had only paused for a couple of seconds. As we rode along, I told him about the roster that the lieutenant colonel had asked for, and asked him if he could make it from the one he had made for guard duty the night before. He said he could, and I asked him to please make two copies so that I might keep one. He said he would do that, and promised to do it as soon as he had finished un-hitching.

No one had mentioned anything that needed repair, so I said I would un-hitch tonight, since he had done it last night.

He accepted that, but suggested that if Lieutenant Colonel Alsop came for me that he would take over. He also asked me why I felt it necessary to do all of the same things that the others did. Since I was the sergeant, he felt that were some things I should not have to do.

I told him that Master John had often talked about his time with George Washington during the French and Indian war. He had said on several occasions that the officers and sergeants that were the most respected by the men were those who "pitched in." They were always obeyed quickly and usually cheerfully, since the men knew that they would work just as hard when necessary. The officers and sergeants who thought themselves "above" the regular labor were not respected.

Robert said that while he had not thought of that, it made sense. I told him that when he made out any duty roster to be certain to include my name and Corporal Baker's on the roster. He said that he would, and asked if he should make up some kind of record sheet, so we could see who had done what. He reasoned that if he did that we would not always be calling on the same men, and the work would be equally shared by all. I agreed immediately and thanked him for the suggestion.

We halted for the day earlier than yesterday. The commander halted us near a road side tavern with a large fenced area. The sign on the tavern had been altered. It was easy to see that it had once been known as the "King George." But the name had been changed to the "George Washington!" I guess the tavern keeper wanted to be sure that all knew where his sympathies lay!

The commander had secured the corral for our use, so we pulled the wagons into a line along one side of the fence, un-hitched and turned the horses inside. The tavern keeper told us as we were turning them in that we should take what we needed in the way of hay or grain from his barn, and that there would be no charge. Thanking him for his patriotic offer, I suggested to the men that each horse should be given a small amount of grain and plenty of hay. We also made free with enough hay to make our beds under the wagons.

The company commanders had been told to make camp in the field on the other side of the road. After that was done they were to drill their troops. The colonel wanted us to be sure to present a decent appearance when we meet with the regular army.

Calling the teamsters to our fire, I said that since the drilling didn't apply to us, it might be a good idea if we wiped the dust from our wagons and cleaned them up. It would also be easier for us if they were clean and neat on the inside. I added that while I saw nothing wrong with a mug of ale, it would be better if we waited till all the troops were released from their formations before getting any. And I made it clear that I did not want ANY drunkenness!

Letting the bulk of the teamsters go to their wagons to start cleaning, I told Corporal Baker that when he had finished at his wagon, I needed to talk to him. He said he would be back as soon as possible and left. I went to clean our wagon and reminded Robert about the rosters. He immediately started making them out.

Baker had not arrived by the time I finished cleaning the wagon, so I got the team and tied them next to the wagon. Getting a curry comb and brush from the wagon, I proceeded to brush down and curry both of the horses. After I had finished that, I took the time to inspect their feet and shoes. All were in good condition, for which I was grateful. While I know how to shoe a horse, and will when necessary, I really do not enjoy doing it.

Seeing what I was doing, the other teamsters followed suit. They all brought their horses to me to check their feet. One horse had a small stone between the frog of his foot and the shoe, but I was able to get it out with my hoof pick. The teamster was upset that the stone was there, blaming himself for carelessness. I told him not to blame himself, all horses will occasionally pick up a stone. Just check the feet in the morning and evening, or any time a horses gait changed. He mentioned that he did not have a hoof pick, so I said I would make him one.

There were several old horseshoes hanging on the corral bars, and I asked the hostler who they belonged to. He said that I could have them, if I needed the iron. I thanked him and took them to make hoof picks.

Robert brought me the roster for Lieutenant Colonel Alsop, so I went to find him. He was in the headquarters area, and thanked me for the roster. He had remembered the paper and handed me a good bundle. There were four pads in the bundle. He mentioned that we would soon have another wagon, the colonel was looking for a small one to use for the headquarters.

Of course, it will need to be modified for his use. Robert and I can probably work out ways to do the things he will need. The only problem might be the amount of iron we will need.

I suppose we can use wood for some of the things I would normally make from iron. What ever we do it must be done carefully, so that the colonel will have no reason to complain.