Among  the  present  limited  number  of  troops  on
the  Plain  are  two  regiments  of  infantry,  all  from  the
rebel  army.  They  have  cheerfully  re-enlisted  into
the  federal  service.  We  passed  one  of  these  regi-
ments on  the  road  yesterday,  it  having  jiist  come
upon  the  line.  They  were  all  young  but  hardy
looking  men ;  and  the  Colonel,  who  is  of  course
from  the  old  federal  army,  testified  heartily  to  their
subordination  and  sympathy  with  their  new  service.
They  are  known  in  the  army  as  "whitewashed
rebs,"  or  as  they  call  themselves,  "galvanized  Yan-
kees.
Aside  from  the  Indian  question — which,  indeed,
gave  only  a  pleasant  zest  to  our  progress,  and  taught
us  novices  at  which  end  to  hold  our  pistols  and


12  ACROSS    THE    CONTINENT.
rifles, — we  have  had  a  most  delightful  ride  so  far.
