876

HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE.

The ten companies of which the regiment was composed were officered as indicated in rosters and lists given on subsequent pages of this work. They were recruited in various sections of the State, and more generally composed of a superior class of young men than is usually found in any organization of like numerical strength. Though eight of the companies enlisted for but one year, it has been said that at the end of that time nearly all who were alive and able to do military duty reenlisted in this and other commands   many of those who took service elsewhere being advanced to official positions.

Co. A, designated according to first formation, was recruited chiefly in Christian, Todd, and Trigg Counties; Co. B in Christian and contiguous counties; Co. C in the fine country around Mason-ville, Daveiss County; Co. D in Hancock and Meade; Co. E in Jefferson and Oldham; Co. E in Union; Co. G in Warren; Co. H in Christian; Companies I and K in Hopkins, Webster and Caldwell.

Helm received a colonel's commission early in September, 1861, and took charge of the regiment, the several companies of which had reached Bowling Green from various directions and in some instances roundabout ways from their places of enlistment. He began a course of training which soon made the raw recruit a soldier. Dyer, in his interesting reminiscences of the command, tells in a few words the story of Helm's first lessons. "Company drill in the forenoon," he says; " regimental drill in the afternoon; brigade drill on Friday; inspection on Saturday; saber exercise between times; and guard and fatigue duty to occupy leisure hours."

In general, volunteers are loath to submit to this prompt and unremitting demand for preparation. Especially is this so with Kentuckians, who are peculiarly impatient of control and restless under restraint; but the test of soldierly qualities in men is the readiness with which they perceive the necessity of training, and respond to the requirements of a capable and earnest commander. These young men, in their first fever of excitement and enthusiasm, were no exception to the rule that grumbling followed an attempt to instruct them in the art of war, and reduce them to discipline; they felt themselves capable of riding down by mere force of concerted, though not scientifically organized action, any reasonable or unreasonable odds; but their leader had character and technical skill and tact, and he quickly won respect and confidence. Essential training was kept up, and soon the regiment took on the necessary machine character to be handled with precision by a competent leader; but it has never been in the power of any man or any military establishment to make of a body of Kentuckians a mere machine. The feeling of personal importance and personal responsibility can not be drilled out of them, and disaster to the verge of despair can