I hesitated a little before answering.

It was but a few days before the time set for mustering into the United States service such of the men as were willing to volunteer for three years or the war.

I had some doubt as to the effect a speech from Logan might have; but as he was with McClernand, whose sentiments on the all-absorbing questions of the day were well known, I gave my consent.

McClernand spoke first; and Logan followed in a speech which he has hardly equalled since for force and eloquence.

It breathed a loyalty and devotion to the Union which inspired my men to such a point that they would have volunteered to remain in the army as long as an enemy of the country continued to bear arms against it.