One morning, about daybreak, the new guard was relieving the old guard.

It was a bitter cold morning, and on coming to our extreme outpost, I saw a soldier--he was but a mere boy--either dead or asleep at his post.

The sergeant commanding the relief went up to him and shook him.

He immediately woke up and seemed very much frightened.
He was fast asleep at his post.

The sergeant had him arrested and carried to the guard-house.
Two days afterwards I received notice to appear before a court-martial at nine.