“Well,” said Captain Haskell, “if you have got your name reversed, that is a small matter which will straighten itself out when you recover your memory.  What I was going to say is, that you may be received into my company as a recruit, as it were, but to be returned to your original company whenever we learn what company that is.  We will continue, through brigade headquarters, to try to find out what regiment you are from—­and under both of your names.  While you are with me I shall cheerfully do for you all that I can to favour your condition.  You will be expected, however, to do a man’s full duty; I can stand no shirking.”

The Captain’s tone was far different from that he had used toward me in the tent; his voice was stern and his manner frigid.

“We will take the best care of you that we can,” he continued, “and will keep to ourselves the peculiar circumstances of your case; for I can well understand, although you have said nothing about it, sir, that you do not wish confidences.”

His tone and manner were again those of our first interview.

“Captain,” I said, “I know nothing of military life.”

“So we take you as a new man,” said he, adopting anew his official voice, “and we shall not expect more of you than of an ordinary recruit; we shall teach you.  If you enroll with me, I shall at once make a requisition for your arms and accoutrements, your knapsack, uniform, and everything else necessary for you.  You may remain in the hospital until your equipment is ready for you.  Report to me day after to-morrow at noon, and I will receive you into my company.  Now, Frank, excuse me; it is time for prayers.”

The men gathered around us.  Captain Haskell held a prayer-book in his hand.  A most distinguished-looking officer, whose name the doctor told me was Lieutenant Barnwell, stood near with a torch.  Some of the men heard the prayer kneeling; others stood with bowed heads.

The Captain began to read:—­

“O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed, give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to do Thy commandments, and also that by Thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

“O Lord, our heavenly Father, by whose almighty power we have been preserved this day; by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

“O Lord, our heavenly father, the high and mighty Ruler of the Universe, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most heartily we beseech Thee with Thy favour to behold and bless Thy servant the President of the Confederate States, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit that they may always incline to Thy will, and walk in Thy way.  Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts, grant them in health, and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord.