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did not want any collision or difficulty with
him, &c &c and took leave of him for the night
& lodged in the tent of one of his officers, an
intimate friend. Col. Jennings was a proud
vain glorious - self willed man - foolishly
puffed up with being the commandant of a Regiment
& that too at a separate post. He was
unpopular with his Regiment, and I knew it
I had a very general acquaintance with his officers,
many of whom were devoted friends.
I imparted to them my determination to leave
in the morning, regardless of any orders I might
receive from the Col. which, altho' unmilitary
they highly applauded. We had no tents with
us - nor camp equipage. He had none to
supply us with, & of course, if we remained
our situation would have been exceedingly uncomfortable
it was then late in the month of
October. Having eat our breakfast in the
morning, I directed my men to prepare for
their march back to St. Mary's. The lashed on
their knapsacks in quick time. I ordered them
to parade & form company - & made them
load their muskets & fix their bayonets. We
were inside of Col. Jennings encampments which
was enclosed with a rude breast work of logs
but in the direction, I had to march, there was
an open space of 20 or 30 feet. Col. J. was
sitting on a stump near his margins, not
more than 50 yards from me. I had to march
immediately by him & as I passed I saluted
him & respectfully bade him good morning.
"Where are you going Capt.?" (said he). To St. Mary's
was my reply. By what authority? By the
authority of the written order of Col. Barbee
that I showed you last evening. "I command
you to remain, until I countermand that
order." Excuse me Col. - I have not time", was
my reply & marched on. By this time, at least
one half his Regiment was near enough to

{Re Reg Reg}