[83]
Concerning the strictness of his discipline the same officer says:—
He tolerated no departure, not even of a hair's breadth, from his exact and literal orders, on the part of those under him. He expected the same treatment from his superiors, and he always obeyed in that spirit. He was just as rigid to himself in all the duties he owed to his command, as he compelled his command to be in all their duties to him, and that was to the very extent of both spirit and letter. I can say with absolute certainty, that, during my constant connection with him for fifteen months, he never neglected one military duty or act that he owed to his company that was possible to be performed; and, on the other hand, I do not think that any member of his company ever neglected a military duty without being punished for it.
Abbott's commission as Captain was dated May 24, 1861; and he was one of the very first volunteer officers of that rank in the United States sworn into the national service for three years. Three of Abbott's classmates, R. G. Shaw, H. S. Russell, and C. R. Mudge, were lieutenants in this regiment, while it was in camp at Brook Farm, and four more were subsequently connected with it. Of the eight, one half were killed, or died from the immediate effect of wounds received in battle.
On July 12, 1861, the regiment joined the command of General Patterson at Martinsburg, but was soon after transferred to that of General Banks. In October, Captain Abbott was ordered home to obtain recruits. While here the news from Virginia was such as to indicate an impending battle, in which it was probable that his regiment would be engaged. He was very much excited at the thought of being away at such a time. He chafed so much and his impatience became so strong, that his father, fearing that he would go back to the field without waiting for orders, and perhaps thereby involve himself in difficulty, went to Major-General Butler, who was at that time in Boston, and obtained from him a military order commanding Captain Abbott to return to the field. He went back taking with him forty recruits, and arrived in Washington just after the battle of
