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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

From the Fund Established
in Memory of
THERON ROCKWELL FIELD
1889 S.
Member of the Yale Alumni Board
From 1922 until his death in 1940

NINE MONTHS

QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT :

Clje C^EEUs for S^alnng k Pillion.

CHARIiES LEIB,
LATE CAPTAIN AND ASSISTANT Q0AHTEKMASTEK iT. S. ARMY.

"All of ¦which I saw, and paut op -which I was."

CINCINNATI:
MOORE, 'WILSTACH, KEYS & CO., Printers,
No. 25 West Fourth Steek.t.
18 6 2.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862,
By CHARLES LEIB,
In the Clerk's OfBce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of Ohio.

Ccl7 Its'

CONTENTS.

Preface  v
CHAPTER I.
Ope'ning of the Campaign in Western Virginia  7
CHAPTER II.
Appointed and take Possession  17
CHAPTER III.
Supply M'CIellan's Column  ,  28
CHAPTER IV.
Clarksburg and its Notables  40
CHAPTER V.
Impressing Teams  50
CHAPTER VI.
An Indignation Meeting  62
CHAPTER VII.
Trials of the Quartermaster   74
CHAPTER VIII.
Arrest of the "Secesh"  89
(iiil

IV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
Comedy of War— The Night Attack  99
CHAPTER X.
The Mule Department  109
CHAPTER XI.
The Express Courier Line and the Bushwhackers  124
CHAPTER XII.
The Notables we Met  133
CHAPTER XIII.
Humor of the Department  153
CHAPTER XIV.
Forwarding Troops  166
CHAPTER XV.
Virginia Justice  174
CHAPTER XVI.
Chief of Transportation  178
CHAPTER XVII.
We are Rejected  186

PREFACE

The defection of the rebel States filled the civilized
world with sorrow and surprise. Men, high in the confi
dence of the American people, whose loyalty was not
suspected. Cabinet oflSeers, Senators, Members of Con
gress, and heads of Departments, threw themselves into
the vortex of rebellion, and boldly advocated the overthrow
of the Government,
Making the success of the Republican party at the last
Presidential election a pretext for their disloyalty, the
Southern leaders and press, by articles of the most
violent character, induced the belief in the minds of the
great mass of the Southern people, that it was the mis
sion of that party to exterminate their peculiar institu
tion, and thereby incited them to acts of treason and
rebellion. The loyal men of the nation were called upon
to suppress the rebellion, and nobly have they responded.
To-day, more than six hundred thousand patriotic men,
(V)

VI PRBFACB.
are ready to bare their bosoms to the enemieB of the
Government, willing to sacrifice their lives, if need be, in
defense of the glorious heritage bequeathed them by their
patriotic forefathers.
Desirous of doing his duty in the suppression of the
rebellion, the author tendered his services to the Secretary
of War, was appointed First Lieutenant in the Eleventh
Infantry, U, S, Army, and promoted to a Captaincy in
the Quartermaster's Department,
The duties and responsibilities of that Department are
so little understood by those who have no connection
with it, its officers are so frequently and shamefully mis
represented, that we, who have had nine months' experi
ence in it, owe it to them, as well as the public, to give
that experience at the most arduous and difficult post, the
base of military operations in the Department of Western
Virginia.

THE

CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER I.
OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN EST -WESTERN "VERGrNIA.
Immediatelt after the passage of the Ordinance
of Secession by the Richmond Convention, the
rebel leaders in Western Virginia commenced the
organization of military companies, as they de
clared, for home protection. Along the line of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad they "w^ere especially
active, and by their -violent threats, to a great
extent, overa-wed the loyal men.
On the 17th of May, fifteen hundred rebels, com
manded by Colonel Porterfield, marched into Fet-
terman, and on the 23d took possession of Grrafton.
During this time, the First Regiment of Virginia
Infantry -was organizing at Wheeling, composed of
volunteers principally from Pennsylvania and Ohio.
It was mustered into service by Captain William
Craig, A. Q. M., U. S. Army, a most energetic and
accomplished officer, who performed the arduous
(7)

8 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
duties of Mustering Officer, Quartermaster and
Commissary. News having reached Washington of the occu
pation of Grrafton, and the burning of a number of
bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Colo
nel B. F. Kelley, commanding the regiment, was
ordered to march against them, and to assume
control of the railroad.
In the mean time the " Woods Guard," of Pitts
burg, Pa., arrived at Wheeling, and were mustered
into ser-vice, under the call for volunteers for three
years, forming the nucleus for the Second Virginia
Regiment. Colonel Kelley's whole available force left Camp
Carlile for the seat of war, on Monday morning,
May 26th. Marching orders were received amid
a terrific storm of wind, rain, and hail ; but every
heart was light, and every eye brightened at the
prospect of an early engagement.
The order to march was given ; each company
moved quietly from camp to the Ordnance office,,
where "the men were supplied -with ammunition,
and as day was breaking, the regular tread of
infantry was heard marching across the suspension
bridge, and through the principal thoroughfares
of the city toward the railroad depot.
The whole city was wrapped in profound slum
ber. No drum was beat, not a sound passed the
lips of the men ; and, as company after company
defiled through the streets, it seemed like march-

OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN. 9
ing through the city of the dead. Until they
reached the depot, neither officers nor men could
form any idea of their destination, so secretly had
the movement been kept.
Here Colonel Eelley ordered an inspection of
arms, and, much to his surprise, found that many
of the men had never seen a minie rifle cartridge
before, and had loaded their pieces by placing the
ball in the muzzle and ramming it down with the
charge of powder on top. The charges were care
fully withdrawn, and the men instructed how to
load and fire.
They were indeed citizen-soldiers. Officers and
men, with but few exceptions, were ununiformed ;
and most of the swords the officers had were of a
primitive character. The men were well armed
with minie muskets, and although some of them
were ragged and almost barefooted, in many cases
having no tents, and but few blankets, they left
cheerfully for the field of action, feeling they were
engaged in a holy cause, each one resolved to die,
if need be, in defense of that starry flag, which for
so many long years had waved o'er them, and
which is the pride and glory of every patriot's
heart. As the train passed the different railroad sta
tions, the excitement became intense ; and at Glov
er's Gap the Secessionists boldly threatened, that
no more trains loaded with soldiers should pass
that point.

10 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
On arri-ving at Mannington the citizens provided
the almost famished men with dinner. Here
Colonel Kelley learned that two bridges, east
of that point, had been burned, and immediately
ordered the arrest and close confinement of several
prominent rebels, who had piarticipated in the out
rage. Moving rapidly forward to the first burnt bridge,
he ordered the erection of a temporary structure,
to enable the passage of the train. The men
worked with a will. They were anxious to go
forward, and each vied with the other in his efforts
to perform the duty imposed upon him. Night
coming on haversacks were examined, and as there
was but little in them, a car was dispatched to
Mannington for provisions to replenish the com
missariat. Cheerfully, its patriotic people res
ponded to the request of the Colonel.
The men bivouacked in a meadow, making beds
of rails, some of them having no covering save
the blue canopy of Heaven ; but every star was to
them a star of hope. It had been a rainy, bluster
ing day, but in the evening the rain ceased, a cold
west wind blew all night, the standing water was
covered with ice, and the grass frozen hard.
Hardly had the troops lain down, until an order
came from Colonel Kelley, directing Company A,
of the Second Regiment, to proceed to Glover's
Gap, to protect the railroad bridge, which the reb
els threatened to bum the next day. They had

OPENING OF THB CAMPAIGN. 11
already cut the telegraph wire, and torn up a por
tion of the track.
In a few moments the men were ready to move,
and at two o'clock arrived there, arrested the par
ticipators in the outrage, and early in the morning
six men were detailed under command of Lieuten
ant 0. R. West, to arrest other parties who were
implicated. Among these was one Stephen Roberts, a notori
ous character, noted for his bullying propensities,
who had made bold threats against the few Union
men in that locality. Coming suddenly upon him
in company -with other rebels, he swore he would
not, and could not, be taken by all the Federal
troops in Western Virginia, leveled his rifle at the
Lieutenant, but fortunately it snapped, when he
ordered his men to fire, and in a moment Roberts
was a corpse.
Thus fell the first rebel in Western Virginia.
The death of Roberts was the death-knell of their
hopes in that locality, for the news spreading rap
idly, in less than two days, nearly all the Secession
ists came in and voluntarily took the oath.
This had been an infected district. A company
organized there waa ready to join the rebel forces,
and would have done so within a few days, but the
death of their trusted leader caused them to dis
band. The day following that upon which the Virginia
troops moved from Wheeling, the Fourteenth

12 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Ohio Regiment, commanded by Colonel Stedman,
arrived at Parkersburg, and proceeded to guard
the bridges on the North-western branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which were also
threatened to be burned.
Colonel I. H. Morrow, commanding the Third
Ohio, entered Virginia a few days later at Ben-
wood, and was quickly followed by the Seventh
and Ninth Indiana Regiments, under command of
Brigadier-General Thomas A, Morris.
The 'temporary bridges were finished, trains
were again running regularly, and supplies and
troops were rapidly sent forward, while a detach
ment of men wag detailed to guard every bridge.
Everything ready. General Morris pushed forward
to Grafton, anticipating, from the strength of the
rebel position and their numbers, a sharp engage
ment ; but was doomed to disappointment, for on
his arrival they had fled.
They boasted of their prowess and bravery
(although six determined Union men, with levelled
rifles, prevented fifteen hundred from tearing down
the stars and stripes), but when their scouts brought
the information of the approach of the Federal
troops, such a stampede took place as has not been
witnessed outside of Western Virginia since the
commencement of the war.
It was a Gilpin race. Alarmed and panic-stricken,
many of them threw aside their arms and accou
trements, while the cavalry retreated at the top of

OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN, 13
their horses' speed. Spectators declare it was a
most laughable and interesting scene, to see four
teen hundred men breaking along the road leading
to Phillippi — never stopping to assist the hopeless
wights, whose wind proved too short for so long a
race. When they reached Philhpi, feeling themselves
out of harm's way, they made a stand; became
patriotic, and resolved to die, if need be, in defense
of their " homes and firesides," and the graves of
their fathers.
Grafton presented a busy scene. Soldiers poured
in by regiments, companies, and detachments.
Citizens and newspaper correspondents came by
scores, hotels were crowded, provisions scarce, and
empty cars were in great demand for sleeping
apartments. Some of the troops had neither tents
nor transportation, and empty houses were taken
possession of for quarters. So limited were they
in number that the men were literally packed to
gether while sleeping. Sickness was engendered,
and was the cause of the large return of sick, in
the army of Western Virginia, in the first months
of the campaign.
Although the headquarters of the army, there
was neither Quartermaster nor Commissary; and
for several days, officers and soldiers helped them
selves, from such stores as arrived.
Many amusing scenes occurred. Officers joined
their companies they had not seen before, and it

14 THB CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
was not an unusual sight to see a Captain muster
ing his men, and another officer, sauntering along,
would declare a portion of his company in the
ranks. On the eve of the battle of Phillipi, General
Morris ordered four companies to remain and
guard the post. At roll-call the next morning,
but one hundred and twenty answered, one com
pany having only seventeen men — ^the rest had
gone to the fight ; and it was several weeks before
some of them rejoined their companies.
Resting the troops for a day. General Morris
sent forward fifteen hundred men in difterent
detachments, under command of Colonels Kelley,
Milroy, and Dumont, who suddenly appeared at
Phillipi about day-break the morning of the 3d ;
charged the rebels right and left, causing them to
beat a precipitate retreat.
They had received information from Miss Abby
Kerr, of Fairmont, whose father and two brothers
were among their forces, that the day following
they would be attacked. She had learned this from
some source, and started on horseback, accompa
nied by a Miss McCloud, whose lover was also in
the rebel army, eluded our pickets, and made their
way to the camp.
Their rout was complete. It was a continuation
of Grafton races ; but this time they left behind,
arms, ammunition, clothing, horses, wagons, sub
sistence stores, and a very large number of letters,

OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN. 15
written by hands of fair rebels, congratulating
them upon the spirit of patriotic devotion, which
had induced them to volunteer in defense of
" Southern rights," and leave their homes, promis
ing to take "care of them if wounded, and to
mourn for them if killed."
When our forces arrived at Phillipi, they were
worn down -with fatigue, ha-ving marched twenty-
two miles from 11 o'clock at night.
The roads were in a horrible condition, the mud
ankle deep, the night so dark that the outlines of
the forms of the men could not be discerned even
at a few feet distant, and the rain descended in
torrents. To enable them to bear up under such severe
fatigue, they were ordered to throw away every
thing they had, except arms and ammunition.
Some of the men, from exhaustion, were left by
the way ; but the troops pushed forward, and
would have taken the whole camp by surprise, had
not a woman, living within half a mile of it, hear
ing the tramp of the men, fired a pistol, which
alarmed the pickets, who roused the camp.
When the charge was made, some ludicrous
scenes occurred. Dozens of the flying soldiery
were seen rushing along the road, -with their coats
in one hand, their pantaloons in the other, and the^
white flag streaming out behind. Others were
bare-footed, while one fellow had only time to get
one leg into his breeches, and in the hurry to get

16 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
in the other, lost his balance, and fell to the
ground. A farmer residing in the neighborhood, visited
the camp the night before, and was induced to
remain until morning. When the attack was made,
he took refuge in an old stable, imagining himself
safe ; but a six-pound cannon ball, passing through
the stable, took off his leg.
Colonel Kelley was severely wounded by Lieu
tenant Simms, Quartermaster of the rebel regiment.
For his gallantry on that occasion he was promoted
to a Brigadiership.
The battle of Phillipi caused great rejoicing, and
was the first of the series of victories won by the
Federal troops in Western Virginia.

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION. 17

CHAPTER II.
APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION.
In May, 1861, we received our appointment from
the Secretary of War, and reported for orders to
Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs, Quarter
master General, U. S. A., were courteously re
ceived, and on signifying a desire to be stationed
at Cairo, Illinois, where our troops were in hourly
expectation of an attack from the rebel forces, he
directed us to report personally to Major General
McClellan, at Cincinnati, Ohio, observing that he
would doubtless gratify our desire.
On arriving at that city we were chagrined to
learn he had moved to the mountains of Western
Virginia ; but reported to Captain N. H. McLean,
Assistant Adjutant General, who immediately tele
graphed the General, and received for reply :
" Direct Captain Leib to join me at once."
Hastening to Grafton we were ordered to Clarks
burg, then an obscure town, unknown outside the
limits of the State, but rendered important from
the fact of having been the base of military opera
tions, in the department of Western Virginia.
Taking the early morning train on the North
western branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
2

18 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
road, after a ride of twenty-two miles, through a
wild and almost unbroken country, the scenery
of which is picturesque and grand, we arrived at
our post, and called upon the Acting Quartermas
ter, who expressed great gratification at being
relieved from the arduous duties he had been per
forming for one day.
Up to this time the Quartermaster had been
changed almost daily.
Entering upon our duties at once; having no
experience, nor yet experienced subordinates; with
out a copy of Army Regulations, to familiarize us
with the requirements of " red tape," we felt as
does the mariner cast away in an open boat on an
unknown ocean, without chart, compass, or rudder.
There were but few troops there ; the Eighteenth
and Seventh Ohio, Howe's Battery, U. S. A., the
Sturges Rifles, of Chicago, Barker's Chicago Dra
goons, Burdsall's Cavalry, and a portion of the Third
Virginia Infantry, comprised the whole force.
Colonel Tyler, commanding the Seventh Ohio
regiment, an officer whose intimate knowledge of
every mountain path and fastness, peculiarly fitted
him to command the advance, was just preparing
to move to the mountains. Taking advantage of
the ignorance of our predecessor, he succeeded in
obtaining from him a much larger amount of trans
portation than he was entitled to; a portion of
which he was compelled to return to us, by order
of General McClellan.

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION. 19
The regiments that had passed through the
country had contracted bills of every description.
Their Quartermasters had no money, but gave
orders on the Quartermaster at Clarksburg, for
their payment. The necessities of the service re
quired that the articles should be had, and the
vendors were happy to accept the orders. Many
of the Quartermasters had no knowledge of the
requirements of the regulations ; and in many cases
the evidence of indebtedness was worthless.
In three hours after we took charge of the de
partment, indebtedness amounting to at least five
thousand dollars, was . presented to us, to aU of
which we found some objection, for the purpose
of gaining time; stating that the accounts were
not in proper shape, and that the vouchers were
not sufficient ; all of which, when we became famil
iar with the business of the department, we found
to be correct.
Now our troubles commenced in earnest. Colo
nels, Captains, and Regimental Quartermasters —
all of them as ignorant as ourself — ^wanted every
description of supplies.
" Certainly : anything I have you can get, by
presenting the proper papers,"
What were the proper papers? We did not
know. Fortunately, there was a copy of Army
Regulations at the office of the commander of the
post. We borrowed it an hour, and were safe;
for we learned that, upon a special requisition, a

20 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Quartermaster could transfer stores to a commis
sioned officer, and the order of the commandant
of the post, was his authority for doing so.
For two months we required, for every article,
a requisition. Duplicates are required of every
paper, in the department ; and when we requested
dup,licate receipts, officers frequently refused to
give them; declaring they would not give two
receipts for the same thing; that they would not
be cheated in that way. Even after explaining to
them, that one was to remain in our office, and the
other would be sent to the office of the Quarter
master General, at Washington, they wonld fre
quently object to signing them. On one occasion,
a Captain, on being requested to sign duplicate
receipts, exclaimed :
" Duplicate receipts ! H — 1 ! What kind are
they?" The day following. General McClellan and staff
arrived. Everything was bustle and confusion.
His coming caused great enthusiasm among the
inhabitants, who flocked, by scores, to his camp,
to see the youthful commander ; and many sage
predictions as to his success were indulged in by
the wiseacres of the town.
The troops were inspired by his presence, and
filled with the most ardent anticipations of success.
He immediately issued an order for the construc
tion of aanilitary telegraph line, and Captain An
son Stager, now of the Quartermaster's department,

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION, 21
having it in charge, went to work in earnest, to
push it through in the least possible space of time.
We were called upon to furnish transportation for
the material, and for such articles as were needed
for its construction; but objected, demurred, did
not know from whom we were to obtain receipts,
as Captain Stager was not then a commissioned
officer, and we knew nothing of the rule of the
department with reference to boards of survey,
and expending goods worn out in the public serv
ice. No order had been received from the depart
ment commander to furnish the stores, and we
would not deliver them. The telegraph-builder
became furious, and declared he would not go
ahead ¦with the line, unless he had the facilities
required afforded him. We could not help it ; had
no order ; were responsible for all the stores ; and
General McClellan could not get them without
proper receipts. Captain Rufus Saxton, Chief
Quartermaster of the department, was appealed to,
and upon his assurance that receipts should be
forthcoming, every want of Captain Stager was
supplied. Nearly all the military telegraph lines con
structed in Western Virginia, were furnished from
the Clarksburg depot, and knowing the interests
of the ser-vice required it, every facility for build
ing, protecting, and keeping them in repair, w^as
afforded the Superintendent and his assistants,
although the repairers broke down, and rendered

22 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
unfit for use, a large number of horses, by the
hard usage and little care bestowed upon them.
In a few days work commenced in earnest.
Whole railroad trains began to arrive, with every
species of Quartermaster's property. Horses and
wagons by hundreds, hats, caps, boots, shoes, tents,
blankets, harness leather, horse shoes, iron, mess
pans, camp kettles, axes, picks, hatchets, shovels,
and every conceivable article used in a 9ampaign,
were rushed in. There were no store-houses, and
no place to store the goods, while there was not a
single tarpaulin to be had, to protect them from
the weather.
A little store-house, belonging to a rebel who
had joined the Confederate army, had been taken
possession of, and was occupied by us, in conjunc
tion with Lieutenant Charles Allen, Acting Com
missary of Subsistence, (a capital officer,) but was
not of sufficient capacity to store the one-hun
dredth part of property received.
The railroad agents would tumble off stores,
helter-skelter, along the line of the road for half
a mile, wherever a spot could be found, without
giving our clerks time to receive them ; and we
were obliged to ask a detail of soldiers to guard
them. By dint of coaxing and begging, we gen
erally succeeded in securing the detail asked for ;
but the instant the back of their officer was turned,
in most cases, the men would slip oft", swearing
they ha4 come to fight, and not to watch stores.

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION. 23
General McClellan remained but a short time.
He was to move the Sunday following to Buck-
hannon, and was anxious to take with him a train
of at least one hundred wagons, loaded principally
with commissary stores. We had the different
parts of several hundred wagons, but they had
been so mixed, in shipping them at Cincinnati,
and reshipping at Belle- Air, that it was next to
impossible to get them together properly. A large
force was detailed for that purpose; but upon
examination only ten were found fit for immediate
service. Hind wheels had been piit on front axles,
linchpins lost or thrown away by the men, who
were anxious to get through in the shortest space
of time, wagon-hammers stolen, bows broken, and
swingletrees carried oft". We were disappointed
and mortified, and reported the condition of affairs
to the General, who said,
" Get the wagons in running order as soon as
possible. I will depend upon your prompt for
warding of supplies."
" Tou may, sir. At what time will you move in
the morning ? "
" At five o'clock, precisely."
" The wagons will be ready at that hour,"
As the minute hand denoted the hour of five we
were at the General's marquee, with watch in
hand. He had just risen, and was performing his
morning ablutions.

24 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
" General, it is just five o'clock. Your teams
are ready to move."
" You are prompt. Captain. Do not forget the
supplies." " Your order shall be strictly obeyed."
In the course of two weeks we received and had
in the government corral, two thousand horses;
many of them fine looking animals, but too young
for the service required of them, while others had
been " doaped," for purpose of sale, and by the
time they returned from one trip to the moun
tains, were fit subjects for the hospital; especially
as a large majority of the men we were compelled to
employ as teamsters, bestowed no care upon them.
It was not in horses alone the government was
swindled ; but it seemed to us, that the contract
ors who furnished supplies, vied with each other
in furnishing the poorest articles the market
could afford.
The Commanders, or Quartermasters of a large
majority of the regiments coming to Western Vir
ginia, were sent to Clarksburg for their transporta
tion. Every one was determined to select the best
horses in the " corral," and the finest wagons at
the post. This could not be permitted. It was
right they should have a fair average of horses
and wagons; but we could not, and would not,
comply with a demand that would work manifest
injustice to those who had not been supplied.

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION. 25
A Colonel, noted alike for his ignorance of mil
itary matters and want of good breeding, came to
Clarksburg to select transportation for his regi
ment. He did not call on us until he had exam
ined all our horses, when he came blustering into
the office, and in an imperious tone demanded of
one of our clerks :
" Is Captain Leib about ? '"
" Yes, sir ; that's him," pointing to us.
" Captain Leib, I have some business with you."
" Very well, sir ; as soon as I get through with
Lieutenant  , I will attend to you."
" I want to see you at once."
" As soon as I get through with the Lieutenant,
but not before, sir."
The Colonel was indignant that we would not
quit the young officer, but smothered his -wrath for
the moment.
Having disposed of the Lieutenant, we turned
to the Colonel, and said, blandly :
" What can I do for you, Colonel ? "
" I have a requisition for twenty-five teams."
" Let me look at it."
" Can't you take my word ? "
" I can ; but I must see that it is correct, and in
proper form."
After a moment's hesitation, he handed it to us,
and looking over it, we said :
" Colonel, do you want horses, harness, halters,
wagons, covers, tar pots, and water buckets ? "
3

26 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
" Of course I do."
" This is not sufficient. You must specify every
article. The Department holds me to a strict
accountability for every article that comes into
my hands, and I must have a receipt for every
thing I turn over to you."
"That is sufficient. I don't intend giving a
receipt for every d — d thing separate."
" Then, sir, you can't have them ; besides, you
can't have but twenty-two teams."
"By G — d, sir, I want twenty-five teams, and I
mean to have them."
" Very well, sir ; if you get an order from the
Department Commander, or Chief Quartermaster,
you can have them ; but not without."
He became terribly excited, cursed " red tape,"
and all Quartermasters; whereupon, we ordered
him to leave the office, which he did, swearing he
would see about it.
In the course of an hour, he returned in a better
frame of mind, and presented a requisition for
twenty-two teams, etc. The papers were right,
and we gave an order for them.
He wanted the post teams ; we refused : he in
sisted; but finding we were determined, desisted.
Having received the teams, he returned to the
office, expressed his satisfaction at the character
of the horses he had obtained, and quietly seating
himself, indulged in the luxury of a cigar.
After some time, he remarked :

APPOINTED AND TAKE POSSESSION. 27
"Leib, I've just been sitting here watching you
doing business."
"Have you?"
"Yes. I had a very bad impression of you,
from what I heard, and from what I seen of you in
the Cincinnati Commercial; but I think you a
good officer."
" I'm glad to hear it. I try to do my duty."
" Is the rush always as great as it is to-day ? "
"It is."
"If that's so, I wouldn't be Quartermaster at
Clarksburg for the whole of Western Virginia."
When the Colonel left he shook us warmly by
the hand, and urged us strongly to visit his regi
ment which would, in a few days, be at Cheat
Mountain. We always -will believe he telegraphed the Gen
eral to order us to flirnish him twenty-five teams,
and was refused.

28 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER III.
SUPPLY m'cLBLLAN'S COLUMN.
General McClellan having moved to the
Mountains, we at once secured the ser-vices of a
number of Wagonmakers and Blacksmiths, and
taking all the force we could spare from the
" corral," set them to work fitting up wagons.
They were steadily employed, day and night, and
by Wednesday morning, July 4th, they had in
complete running order, one hundred and nine
wagons. During this time the Chief Wagon-
master was busy -with his men matching and
breaking horses ; very many of them had never
worked in harness.
By three o'clock the train was loaded, and at
four it moved toward Buckhannon, where it ar
rived late in the afternoon of the following day.
The few rations the troops already there had
taken with them had given out, and the arrival
of the train was hailed with delight. They at
once surrounded it, and in spite of the Wagon-
master, who insisted on being permitted to de
liver the stores to the Quartermaster, they took
possession of everything edible and carried it to
their respective camps, leaving their officers to

SUPPLY M'CLBLLAN'S COLUMN. 29
arrange the matter -with the Quartermaster and
Commissary, as best they could. But this was
not all. The teamsters had hardly finished un
hitching their horses, until they were surrounded
by a crowd of officers, who, without ceremony,
took possession of horses and wagons, and re
fused to give receipts for them. They insisted they
must have the teams ; the Wagonmaster pro
tested against their being taken ; and finally,
after begging and coaxing, succeeded in obtaining
lead-pencil receipts, on slips of paper, not two
inches in -width ; in two instances on the margin
of a newspaper : such vouchers would be scouted at
at the Quartermaster-General's office, especially as
nothing was specified, save horses and wagons.
We could do nothing. They had taken nearly
aU the train, and we have seen but few of the
officers since. When the matter was mentioned
to them, they were wofuUy ignorant of everything
connected with it. The affidavit of the Wagon-
master, stating the facts, "with the memorandum
Teeeipts attached, -will relieve an officer whose
property is taken, when it is impossible to obtain
other receipts ; while the officer taking it, is com
pelled to account for it. We received the follow
ing comforting dispatch from the Chief Quarter
master : Buckhannon, July 7, 1861.
¦Captain Charles Leib, A. Q. M.
. Of all that train, I could only send back fifteen

30 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
wagons. It is absolutely necessary to hurry up
supplies, and ammunition for small arms.
********* Hire all the transportation you can, and if
necessary press teams. Send a good Wagon-
master -with every twenty wagons, with orders to
report to me. Bend as much hard bread as you
can, and please inform me how many wagons you
can send to-day and to-morrow. R. SAXTON,
Chief Quartermaster.
In the mean time we were organizing trains,
and pushing them forward, as rapidly as possible.
For several weeks a portion of every train we
sent out was seized, and the Wagonmasters sent
hack -without receipts. In one instance a -whole
train was taken ; the Wagonmaster fearing to
return, left Virginia, and up to this time we have
not seen Mm. The facts as to the taking of the
train, were elicited of a teamster, who was with it.
Although frequently "belegraphing the Chief of
the Department and begging him to secure us the
vouchers necessary, even he could not get them
for us, as wiU be seen by the following telegram :
Buckhannon, July 9, 1861.
Captain Chables Leib, Clarksbubg, Va.
What is the prospect of supplies to-day. Hurry
them up, as fast as possible. I am afraid the

SUPPLY M'cLELLAN's COLUMN. 31
troops -will not be supplied. It was impossible to
get formal receipts for your teams in the hurry
and confusion of getting off McClellan's column.
You will have to get them, from time to time, as
you can, from the different Quartermasters in
charge, and if on closing your account there is a
deficiency, I -will give such a certificate, in addi
tion to your own, as -will clear up your accounta
bility at the Treasury. Please send up as many
newspapers as you can ; I have nothing to read.
R. SAXTON,
Chief Quartermaster.
As fast as stores arrived, we made the most
determined efforts to send them forward, and ex
perienced the greater difficulty in doing so, from
the fact that but little of our transportation was
returned. The course taken by the troops in
taking possession of the stores the instant they
arrived at their place of destination, and sometimes
on the roadj prevented us from obtaining the
necessary vouchers, while Wagonmasters, fearful
of being censured for giving them up, would not
return. Early in July, a gentleman called at our office
and stated, that he had been appointed Assistant
Quartermaster of Volunteers, and was on his way
to join General McClellan. A young Lieutenant
of Engineers, also on his way to Headquarters,
made a requisition for transportation, and we

32 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
gave the two what was termed an Ambulance,
but which in reality was only a Cincinnati " Ginger
Pop Wagon" repainted, and they left together.
As they rode along, discussing the weather, the
beautiful mountain scenery around and before
thetn, and the probabilities of a speedy termina
tion of the rebellion, the young Lieutenant in
quired of our citizen appointee what he was
going to Headquarters for.
"I'm going into the Quartermaster's Depart
ment." "Oh ! you're going to be Chief Clerk, I suppose ?"
" No ! I don't know that I am. I'm going to
assist some Quartermaster."
"You're to be Foragemaster, perhaps ?"
" I don't know yet what I'm to be, but here's
my commission."
"Why," said he, looking at it, "You're an
Assistant Quartermaster ! "
"Of course I am. That's just what I said.
I'm to assist some Quartermaster."
" What corps were you promoted from ? "
" What corps ! I never belonged to anything
in my life but the militia."
" Don't you belong to the army ? "
"No ! I don't know shoulder arms from right
face." "Assistant Quartermaster! You'll find out
what an Assistant Quartermaster is, old fellow,
before this war is over."

SUPPLY M'cLBLLAN's COLUMN. 33
He says he has already learned more about
it than he bargained for when he accepted the
commission. He is, however, a competent officer,
an energetic man, and we transacted a large amount
of business -with him.
On the arrival of troops at Buckhannon, they'
found that nearly all the Secessionists had fled,
fearing they would be arrested. Their houses
were taken possession of, and converted into bar
racks. Nearly every man who was there, had a claim
against the Government. One had lost his rails,
another had had his horse taken by the army,
others had been robbed of their cattle or poultry.
It seemed as if every man was making an effort
"to make all he could out of the war," as
some of them declared they would, and to compel
the Government to pay them for sending troops to
Western Virginia, to protect their homes and fire
sides, while they remained quietly at home, wait
ing to see which party would triumph, before tak
ing a decided stand ; such is the position of many
persons in that country.
The Acting Quartermaster at Buckhannon had
no funds, and referred their claims to Captain Leib.
Down they came like so many hungry wolves, and
-with a pertinacity that knew no bounds, urged
their payment. In many cases, they had no evidence
to support their statements as to the damage they
professed to have sustained. They were certain

34 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
their statements would be sufficient to insure their
prompt payment.
This was not confined to that portion of country
alone, but to the whole Department. Frequently
in the Kanawha Valley, claims were presented, and
upon investigation it proved that the loss sustained
by them, was from the rebel army ; but Uncle
Sam had plenty of money, and the Quartermaster
who refused to discharge the claimed indebtedness,
was sure to be denounced as a dishonest man.
The following is a copy of a bill, which is simi
lar in character to others among the papers of the
different officers of the Quartermaster's Depart
ment: " Ravenswood, Novber 1st, 1861.
" Sept. 19th, United States
To House Ijurnt l)y Eebles  $400 00
To 5 Apple Trees Burnt hj Fire, f 5 Ba  30 00
ISo 2 plum Trees Burnt by Fire, $S,..  6 00
To 2 Peach Trees Burnt by Eire, $3  6 00
To 1 Tool and Tools  78 75
To I Gring Stone  2 00
To Bedsteds, Chears & Table, and other fur
niture  37 14
To Brass Kettle & Tin ware  10 00
TJo 1 Clock  16 00
To 1 Sett harness, bridle and Collar  5 10
To Loss of Crop on the account of the Rebles, 39 16
$625 15
" Sir, the within account is the amt of Damages
I sustained by the infernal secession outbrake ia

SUPPLY M'CLELLAN'S COLUMN. 35
Jackson, and would be glad if you can intersead,
in refunding back my losses, the Rebles calld on
me to fight for the Southj as I was a Southern man,
I told them Nay, they made me leave my home,
then I inlisted. they then Burnt my House and I
am now in the ser-vice of the United States ser
vice. " Sir. You can learn of the Mr. D. Frostd, about
the Burning of my House He published it in the
Wheeling papers and hope by the Help of my god
and Country To stand against the traitors as long
as I live.
" I was in my Country's ser-vice in the out Brak
in Florida, got my Discharge, and they burnt it.
Then they Burnt my house with my other valuable
Papers. If you can Do something for me it will
in these Hard times Help me. For the poor Solger
boy, no more at Present, I remain Your Humble
Servant, excuse this -writing LEWIS STOOPS.'^
From Buckhannon, General McClellan moved to
Roaring Run, and from thence to Beverly, which
was the principal depot in the Cheat Mountain
district, for the distribution of Quartermaster and
Commissary stores. Captain Charles W. Moul-
ton, of Ohio, was assigned to duty there in the
Quartermaster's department. We doubt not, in
proportion to the amount of business transacted,
his experience is equal to ours.

36 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
The Tenth Ohio Regiment, commanded by Colo
nel Wm. H. Lytle, arrived at Clarksburg early in
July, and it is due to them to state, that while
there, they afforded us every facility for protecting
public stores, and promptly responded to every caU
made upon them for that purpose.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Indi
ana came next, and pushed rapidly on, all anxious
to participate in the expected fight.
The Quartermaster of the Thirteenth is a pecu
liar man. At home, he is said to be a thrifty
farmer, devoted to raising fine cattle and good
crops. He delights in presiding' at agricultural
meetings, and is noted for the pertinacity with
which he button-holes and bores those who are too
polite to rebuff him.
While at Clarksburg, he was never seen 'without
an umbrella under his arm, although the weather
was delightful ; and was dubbed the Paul Pry of the
army. We advised him to resign and go home,
for no man is qualified to fill the position he holds,
¦who will insist on discussing a question which can
be answered by yes or no.
Feeling more and more the necessity of having
a storehouse for the protection of the large aihount
of public property in our hands, we resolved to
build one. It was to be rapidly erected ; the order
for the lumber given to parties, who represented
that they could, and would, furnish it by a specified
time, but the time passed ; new promises were made

SUPPLY M'cLELLAN'S COLUMN. 37
daily, and as often broken, until we rescinded the
order ; and sending to Parkersburg, obtained it at
once. The building was finished, and a magnificent one
it is, being eighty feet front, and one hundred and
forty-four deep.
The lumber firm, feeling aggrieved and indig
nant that we would not wait their pleasure, and
permit them to take their own time to furnish the
material, reported us to Washington for having an
nulled the order, and refusing to give them " satis
faction." Their papers were indorsed by a United
States Senator, who recommended our removal
from that post, and we regretted that his recom
mendation was not acted on favorably, as for six
months we begged to be relieved from duty there.
For daring to do right, and not permitting thirty
carpenters to be idle, at the expense of the Gov
ernment, to oblige a wealthy lumber firm, we
were shamefully persecuted and misrepresented.
The Quartermaster-General sent us the charges,
which we returned -with a simple statement of
facts, and we have not since heard from it.
At a later period, when erecting two large Com
missary buildings, we positively refused to pur
chase a foot of lumber from them, and were again
reported, with a statement that we had refused to
take their offer, which they said was two dollars
per thousand less than we were purchasing it from
a Secessionist at Parkersburg — ^both of which

38 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
statements were false, as we paid less than they
asked; and the party from whom it was procured,
was a devoted friend of the Union, and had voted
for Mr. Lincoln for President.
In this respect, they were not alone, for there are
plenty of men, who, when we were first stationed
at Clarksburg, approached us -with hypocritical
smiles, and honied words, and did not favor us
with their presence when they found they could
not put their hands into our safe, and filch from
the public treasury. Patriots ! they were willing
and anxious to make contracts, of some kind, by
which they could make fortunes.
During the time we were stationed at Clarksburg,
we never gave but one contract (and that was
upon the day of our rejection by the Senate), which
was f«r forty tons of hay at twelve dollars per ton,
while at "Wheeling it was commanding thirteen
dollars and fifty cents, at which point we had been
obliged to purchase much of what we used.
Semi-occasionally, a great change in the opin
ions of the people as to us, took place. At times
they thought we were liberal, because we never
refused to contribute to any charitable enterprise,
a thing very many of the wealthier citizens were
never suspected of being guilty of Then we were
denounced, because we would pay no account unless
it was in proper form. They ^ould not understand,
why such a receipt as they gave a country mer
chant, was uot sufficient for the Quartermaster.

SUPPLY m'cLELLAN'S COLUMN. 39
One -wiseacre announced very triumphantly that
he had caught us cheating the Government. We
purchased a smaU amount of oats from him, and
took duplicate receipts for the money, when he
declared he had been obliged to give two receipts
for the same thing ; that Captain Leib had told
him he must have two, and he knew Captain
Leib was " cheating the Government, doing that
way.'^ Thus it ¦will be seen that it is time the common
school system was introduced in Western Virginia.

40 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER IV.
CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES.
This " Ancient Metropolis of Western Virginia,"
as its people delight in calling it, lies in a little val
ley, on one side of which runs Elk Creek, and on
the other the West fork of Monongahela river.
On all sides loom up wild, desolate-looking hills,
covered to their summits with the " forest pri
meval." The town itself is only approached by dilapida
ted-looking bridges across the streams before men
tioned, and is laid out irregularly, with little regard
to artistic taste or beauty. It is a motley collection
of rickety frame houses, dirty-looking brick dwell
ings, and old stone buildings, some of which are
propped up by large pieces of scantling — shattered
monuments of the first families of Virginia.
For the most part, the grounds around the
dwellings are alike destitute of good taste or com
fort. The town boasts a Court House (a most extra
ordinary specimen of architecture), which is used
for every purpose besides its legitimate one : for

Bartlett House, the Principal Hotel in Clarksburg.

CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES. 41
fairs, balls, parties, political, indignation, and other
meetings. Almost every sect is represented by a Church,
the most of which have been sadly disfigured by
the troops occupying them for barracks. There is
also an Academy, which has been turned into a
guard-house and prison, for the numerous politi
cal prisoners sent there.
An air of listless inactivity broods over the whole
to-wn. Many of the people are hospitable and
kind, the ladies refined and educated — ^have more
energy than the men — who, for the most part,
are lazy, indolent, and delight in interfering
with the affairs of strangers. Their principal
occupation, in the drowsy Summer afternoons, is
to sit upon their door-steps, with their little ne
groes playing at their feet, gazing into the street ;
at times discussing the war, and marking out plans
for our Generals to follow.
Pacing along the deserted streets in the twilight,
the only sounds which are heard beside the tramp
of your own footsteps, are the merry ringing laugh
of childhood, the tinkle of a distant cow-bell, and
the braying of the Government mules.
The languid inactivity of the town reminds one
of those primitive Dutch places in New York,
so graphically described by Washington Irving.
There the resemblance ends, for an ancient Dutch
burgher would be horrified at the unthriftiness and
4

42 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
laziness of those claiming to be the descendants of
the Cavaliers.
This is the old town.
At the depot, half a mile distant, where the
Government buildings are erected for the Quarter
master and Commissary departments, all is activity
and bustle. Trains are continually coming and
going, bearing stores to distant posts. Troops
are passing rapidly through, enthusiastic with
patriotism, and anxious to get a glance at Secessia.
Messengers with dispatches are rapidly hurrying
from camp to camp. There is the ceaseless roll
of white-topped army wagons, dissatisfied claim
ants hanging around the Quartermaster's office,
importuning the sentry for admission tho' know
ing it is already full ; the endless ringing of the
blacksmith's hammer, the activity and bustle of
the wagon-shop ; enthusiastic individuals who have
just discovered a new plan by which transport
ation can be hastened, or anxious to dispose of
horses at a high price from disinterested motives,
because they are " good Union men ; " the arrival
and departure of special trains laden with every
description of stores, and numerous Secessionists
in the guise of Union men, watching the slightest
movement and catching every whisper, hoping
thereby to learn something favorable to the rebel
cause, which they may be able to turn to advan
tage. This is the new town.

CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES. 43
In a large orchard, belonging to Major Jackson,
(a noted Secessionist,) between the old town and
new, is located the government " corral," where
are kept the horses, mules, and the necessary
equipments for transportation. Every thing betok
ens the activity of a Government depot. Here is a
large hay -house, filled to its utmost capacity, with
a dozen men pressing and curing hay. Forage-
masters issuing forage, men digging wells, ostlers
cleaning and feeding horses, others breaking them
to harness — all is bustle and work. There are
no idle men here, and every man is required to do
his whole duty.
Again we cross the bridge, the outer world is
left behind, and we breathe the enchanted air of
Sleepy Hollow. THE NOTABLES.
One of the chief personages of the town, from
the fact that he occupies the most modern resi
dence in it, is  , Esq., a self-styled aristocrat.
His residence is situated a short distance from the
road, the green surface of the beautiful yard iu
front of it being diversified with parterres of flow
ers, and clumps of ornamental shrubbery. The
rooms of the dwelling are decorated with hand
some and richly-carved furniture. Hanging from
the walls, in frames of the most heavy and ornate
description, are pictures, which glaring in color,
betray mediocre ability in execution ; plainly show
ing, that though the owner had wealth to purchase.

¦44 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
he had neither the ability to select, nor the educa
tion to appreciate works of art.
He approaches you with the obsequiousness of a
Uriah Heep, and by his overstrained politeness, he
seeks to propitiate you, and disguises his real sen
timents by professing to be a Union man ; which
latter emotion he never felt, until he became satis
fied the Federal arms would triumph in Western
Virginia. An attorney, he seeks alone in the lower paths
of his profession for money, and never pants for
glory in its higher walks ; but like the old man in
Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, tojling continually
amid the muck and mire of this sordid world,
never raises his eyes to Heaven. He has no friends,
not a generous thought or noble impulse, and
cares only for self. Feared by his inferiors, of
whom he has but few intellectually, and despised
by his equals, it is only to be wondered that he
does not despise himself.
' T is said, he occasionally shaves paper with the
grace and ease of a Wall street broker, and with
the rapacity of a Shylock, holds his debtor to the
very letter of the bond.
Another of the notables is 'Squire W  , who
claims to be a leading Union man. He is a med
dlesome little body, always ready to quarrel, and
his character was best described by himself when
he informed us, " I have been fighting this com
munity for twenty years." The 'Squire is exceed-

CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES. 45
ingly pugnacious, and the man who dares differ
with him, upon any subject, incurs his displeasure.
He is shiftless, has no idea of thriftiness, and
takes great delight in interfering with the busi
ness of others.
He sustains the Government from principle, and
from principle tries to make out of it all he pos
sibly can. The 'Squire was fierce in his denun
ciations of those whose claims were exorbitant.
They should not be paid ; but he had a small claim
of twenty-two hundred dollars, and as he was a
Union man, it was but right it should be settled.
It would have been a small fortune for him, and
he would have been enabled to put in good order
his farm, which for years had been only a com
mon. For six months he worked faithfully to
induce a Board of Claims to allow it ; but to no
purpose. Finally he appealed to the General com
manding the Department, and it was referred to
us. We measured the land, learned the real num
ber of rails destroyed, and investigated the facts.
Dire was the wrath of the 'Squire when he learned
it was in our hands. All hopes of obtaining more
than the loss sustained were at an end. He un
corked the -vial of his -wrath, and we were to feel
its power. We made a report, and incurred his
hatred for life, by recommending the payment to
him of eight hundred dollars.
In his way, he professes to be a General Jack
son ; at least he supposed himself Jacksonian in

46 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
-character ; but those who knew him best say that
his Jacksonianism is only the principle that pre
dominates in the mule. It became necessary
during the -winter to use some of the churches for
barracks. Two only, the Episcopal and Baptist,
were not taken. The former had a pastorj and
was all the town could boast, save the chaplain
of a Virginia Cavalry Regiment, who to us
seemed more like a Virginia Horse Jockey, than
a teacher of the doctrines of the Bible. The
'Squire never liked the Episcopalians ; they were
a " stuck-up set," and too proud for him, and he
would take the responsibility of having the
church taken. One cold, blustering day in Febru
ary, a company of Virginia Infantry marched into
town, and without giving the Captain time to make
a requisition on us for quarters, the 'Squire ordered
the men to take possession of the Episcopal
church, and they obeyed. In the discharge of
our duty, it became necessary to speak to him in
a decided manner. His ire was-roused ; there was
to be no more peace for us, but our shoulders
were broad, and we sur-vived.
The bonifaee of the town deserves a passing
notice. His political ambition no defeat can
daunt, nor misfortune check. The political Wil-
kins Macawber, of Western Virginia, he is always
waiting for something to turn up, in a political
way ; is always a candidate, with a certainty of
success, but is sure of defeat. Slovenly in attire,

CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES. 47
uncouth in manner, he is hardly a fair specimen
of a Western Virginian, claiming to belong to
" one of the first families."
Another indi-vidual, upon every lineament of
whose face is written petty larceny, can be de
scribed in a few words ; for as one of the old
Greek philosophers described a cotemporary as a
philosopher among fools, though a fool among
philosophers, so is he a boor among gentlemen,
though a gentleman among boors.
One of the notables, has not, inappropriately,
been called the dog of his party. He is on all
sides of every question, neither pig nor puppy,
and is only noted for his lying propensities and
cowardice. He does not even possess the boldness
of the father of his family,  Cain. These men
are the representatives of their class. We would
not convey the idea, that all resemble them, for
beautiful flowers often grow among poisonous
shrubs. Mr. M  , Clerk of the Court, is a polished
gentleman, possesses fine literary attainments,
a cultivated taste, a high order of intellect, and
his manner is remarkably -winning. One of the
master spirits of the Union party, he was among
the first to take a stand in upholding the Federal
Government, and enforcing the laws. To the
rebels, he was obnoxious, they alleging that
at his instigation many of them were arrested
on the arrival of the Federal troops. Should the

48 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
rebels ever obtain possession of Western Virginia,
his fate would be inevitably sealed. Esculapius
has a disciple, who is justly entitled to the appella
tion of a " Virginia gentleman." Affable, courte
ous, of polished manners, despising the tittle tattle
and petty slang, for which Clarksburg is noted, he
is certainly an exception to those ¦with whom,
from our official position, we were obliged to come
in contact. He has, however, but little energy, a
trait with which but few of the citizens are blessed ;
for 'tis the fact that when a contract is made, and
one of the stipulations require its performance next
week, it means a year hence.
The shepherd of this godly flock, is the Rev.
Mr.  , formerly Rector of the Episcopal Church
at B  , Penn., where he had a large congrega
tion, which 'tis said he lost, in consequence of
his Secession proclivities. He' may have been
wronged, for he took the oath on his arrival at
Clarksburg, and does not omit the prayer for the
President of the United States. He is a tall, ca
daverous-looking man, with long, wa^vy black
hair, considerably sprinkled with gray, has a full,
sonorous voice, and his greatest recommendations
are, that he preaches short sermons, pays short
pastoral visits, and never interferes with the tem
poral affairs of his parishioners, a thing unprece
dented in the religious history of the town.
Some idea can be formed as to the enterprise of
the people, from the fact that a great deal of the

CLARKSBURG AND ITS NOTABLES. 49
sidewalk was constructed fi-om the proceeds of
the suppers, given by the ladies for that purpose.
When the question as to the location of the
Capitol of the proposed new State was discussed,
Clarksburg entered the list, but no two men could
agree as to where the public buildings should be
erected. Fifty years ago, the people had more
enterprise than have those of the present genera
tion.

50 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER Y.
IMPRESSING TEAMS.
On the retirement of General Scott fro'm the
command of the army. General McClellan was
ordered to Washington, and Brigadier-General
William S. Rosecrans, an able and accomplished
soldier, the real hero of the war in Western Vir
ginia, succeeded him in the command of that
Department. Proceeding to Clarksburg, he established hi's
Headquarters, and commenced making prepara
tions for his Kanawha Valley Oampaign. We
gave him possession of part of our office, and he
encamped on a beautiful piece of ground, just east
of it.
Claimants came from far and wide by hun
dreds, with their accounts, and presented them to
him ; among them very many whom we had
refused to pay. The Secessionists were not back
ward. Although traitors, and favoring the rebell
ion, they had the unblushing effrontery to ask
remuneration, for what they said had been taken
from them,
A citizen of Clarksburg, claiming to be loyal,
introduced one Lurty to the General, as his friend,

0 Wy-'- -^
' ft- ,J*fW^ '* i^
m' 'A A. '

':' / ^ ^'^

Brigadier-General W. S. Bosecrans.

IMPRESSING TEAMS. 51
whereupon he stated his grievances. The troops
had taken possession of his residence at the com
mencement of the war, and converted it into a
hospital, destroyed his fences, appropriated his
corn, and materially damaged the whole property.
He desired the damages assessed, and wished to
know to whom he should apply. The General was
not aware that he was a violent Secessionist, and
had two sons in the rebel army. Turning to us, he
said, " Captain Leib will attend to it." We knew
Lurty had received no written orders to act in
the matter, and as we were opposed to giving aid
and comfort to the enemy, could never find time
to attend to his case. He wrote to the Gen
eral on the subject, the matter was referred to us,
and our reply settled the affair definitely.
During the stay of the General, the town waa
filled -with friends and relatives of soldiers, many
of whom insisted upon being sent, at the public
expense, to the regiments they desired to visit.
Failing in this, they did not hesitate to express
very unfavorable opinions of the Quartermaster ;
while some newspaper reporters took great pleas
ure in abusing us, roundly criticising our official
conduct upon the representations of our ene
mies. The bad condition of our horses was an endless
theme for them. They did not know, nor was it
our business to inform them, that we were daily
exchanging good horses for those worn down in

52 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
the mountains, because the interests of the service
was thereby subserved.
Having matured his plans, and perfected his
arrangements, the General moved toward Gauley
Bridge on the Slst of August. We were strongly
attached to him, and expressed a wish to accom
pany his column, but were told, " Captain, there is
work for you here ; hard work ; and your place
can not be filled." We felt the compliment, but
deplored the necessity that compelled us to
remain. We hurried forward supplies as he continued to
advance. When the column reached Cross Lanes,
Captain John G. Chandler, Chief Quartermaster
in the field, telegraphed us to send, in addition to
the daily supply of rations, sixty-five thousand
extra, per week, until further orders. All our
teams were on the road ; on reaching Weston, on
their return, they were again loaded by Captain
H. C. Ransom, and returned to Headquarters.
There was but one thing for us to do : to impress
citizen's teams into the service. Those who had
been hauling for the Government positively refused
to transport stores through a country where there
was the least danger ; though anxious to be em
ployed to haul to Weston.
About the same time an order came to send to
the column of General Reynolds, at Cheat Moun
tain, a large amount of Quartermaster and Com
missary stores. He had with him the Seventh,

IMPRESSING TEAMS. 53
Ninth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Seventeenth
Indiana ; the Third, Sixth, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-
fifth, and Thirty-second Ohio ; the Second, and part
of the Third Virginia regiments ; Captain Albion
P. Howe's battery, Loomis's Michigan and Daum's
Virginia Artillery, and three companies of cavalry
— ^Bracken's, company A, of Ohio, and Washing
ton Cavalry, of Pennsylvania.'
We were daily in the receipt of telegrams, such
as we publish below : HuUonville, Sept. 19, 1861.
Capt. Leib, Clarksburg :
Are you sending Beverly anything for us, or do
you intend us to fight on empty stomachs.
J. J. REYNOLDS,
Brigadier General.
We replied : Clarksburg, Sept. 19, 1861.
Brig. Gen. J. J. Reynolds, Hutton-ville, Va.
I sent, on Monday, twelve thousand (12,000)
rations to Beverly. I am doing the best I can. My
transportation has all been sent to Headquarters,
and I am pressing teams. Be assured I will not
let old Hoosier suffer.
CHAS. LEIB,
Capt. and A. Q. M.
The demands of both columns were urgent. At
once we sent men into the country to hire teams,

54 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
and directed them if the farmers would not hire,
to bring them any how.
When it became known we had directed their
impressment the utmost excitement prevailed.
Some men swore they would not, nor should their
teams go. Our orders were imperative, and they
always came. It became necessary in some instan
ces to send a file of soldiers to bring in these stub
born " old Virginia Gentlemen," who felt their
dignity insulted when informed, upon their refu
sal to hire, that their teams must go.
The Secessionists swore " like the army in Flan
ders," at the idea of working for the " d-— d Lin
coln government," while there were instances iu
which men tied their horses in the woods ; and we
know of one case in which one of them cut up a
wagon-wheel, so determined was he upon that
point. But he went ; as we furnished a wagon-
wheel for the trip.
Many were the fierce attacks made upon usj for
having dared insist upon their teams going. It
was no uncommon thing for some old Virginia
gentleman to call upon us, and demand to know
by what authority we had directed his team to be
pressed. Scenes like the following would fre
quently take place :
" I want to see Captain Leib."
" I am he, sir."
"Well, Captain Leib, your men have pressed
my team. It can't go."

"Your Men have Pressed my Team. It can't go."— P. 54,

IMPRESSING TEAMS. 55
" What is your name, sir ? "
" My name is  ."
" Where do you live ? "
"Up on Elk Creek."
"Are you a Union man ? "
" Yes ; one of the best in the country. I have
done all the hauling I can for the Government,
but this pressing Union men's teams is going to
have a bad effect upon the cause."
" All I have to say, is, should Jeff. Davis and
his army get in here, they would take your horses
and wagons, strip your farm of everything, may
hap set fire to your residence, and not pay you
one cent ; while I will pay you for their use. Our
troops have come here, from across the Ohio, to
protect you — something you should be doing your
self. You know we have two armies in the field ;
one at Cheat Mountain, and one at Gauley Bridge.
I am required to supply them ; they want bread,
and must have it. I am sorry to disoblige you ;
but your team must go."
"But, Captain."
"I have no time to discuss this matter. It is
settled." " It is mighty hard if a man can't do as he pleases
with his own property."
" Good morning, sir." And we bowed him out.
Of the three hundred men whose teams we were
compelled to impress, there was not one who did

56 THE CHANCES FOR MAKINGf A MILLION.
not curse us during the time the impressment con
tinued. General Rosecrans advanced toward Gauley
Bridge, and the teams were obliged to follow.
The weather was very unfavorable, raining almost
incessantly ; the roads were cut up, and almost
impassable ; the country became more and more
hilly, forage became scarce, and the private team
sters consoled themselves with the thought that
they would soon return, and that neither the order
of Captain Leib, nor the bayonets of the troops,
could compel them to another such a trip.
Arrived at Gauley, they were obliged to remain
for some time, as there was no transportation there,
save the trains belonging to us, and they had gone
forward "with the column.
Stores were sent up the Kanawha by the steam
boat load, and had to be transported to the differ
ent points above steamboat navigation, where they
were required.
An officer, who was there, declared it was laugh
able to hear the impressed men, when seated round
their camp-fires, curse the Gauley country, moan
at being kept so long from their families, and come
to the sage conclusion that the Quartermaster at
Clarksburg was a great rascal for sending them so
far from home, when he said Cross Lanes was their
destination. They were certain we knew they were
to be kept there.

IMPRESSING TEAMS. 57
Among those who appeared to take a deep inter
est in our success in obtaining teams, was an old
fellow who was familiarly known as " Shade Hurst."
He took great pleasure in informing our agents
who of his neighbors had fine horses and wagons,
and would chuckle when, much against their will,
they were taken to town.
Shade was playing a strong game. He had
plenty of good teams, and was endeavoring to
make fair weather with the agents of the Gov
ernment, so that he would not be called upon for
them. Besides, Shade was a quarrelsome man,
and was always at law -with some of his neigh
bors, most of whom he owed a grudge which he
was thus endeavoring to pay.
But murder will out. It came to the knowledge
of Colonel Runnion, our Chief of Transportation,
that Shade was in a position to do the Government
some service, although he bitterly denied it. The
Colonel informed him that we desired him at our
office, and he came.
" Mr. Hurst," said we, " you have good horses
and wagons — ^the Government wants to hire them."
" You are mistaken. Captain ; I haven't got
any." " Your neighbors say you have, and I want them
to go to Gauley."
"Maybe, my neighbors know what I've got
better than I do."

58 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
"I guess not, Mr. Hurst; I am satisfied they
have not misrepresented you."
" My son has teams, but I have none."
"We will not discuss that matter. You have
them, and I want them. You will remain here
until you send an order for the teams. Colonel
Runnion, please order Mr. Hurst's stallion put
into the stable. On second thought, I will have
him hitched in a two-wheeled ambulance, and ride
a few miles into the country, while Mr. Hurst
decides whether he will write the order for hia
teams." If there was one thing on earth more than an
other Shade loved, it was his stallion, and he
almost cried as he said, " For God's sake. Captain,
do n't hitch up my stallion ; I 'd rather you 'd
take my wife ; I '11 bring you all the teams you
want." " Very well, you can go ; but I '11 expect you here
by to-morrow evening, with one at least. If you
don 't come, I '11 order a file of men to go for it."
At seven o'clock the next morning, he was at
our office, ready to go to work ; was sent to the
mountains, and did not return for more than a
month. Those employed in the Cheat Mountain line
fared better. Whenever a train would return, a
dozen would slip home and remain for a few days.
The utmost vigilance was required to keep their

IMPRESSING TEAMS. 59
accounts correctly, for they would claim pay for
the time thus absent. When finaUy discharged,
they hung around our office like so many cormo
rants, and insisted on being paid, although they
knew we had not a dollar at that time. After
some time we received a treasury draft for seventy-
one thousand dollars, and a check for ten thousand.
The whole country at once learned the fact, and
the men came in droves to receive their pay. Like
a swarm of bees, they congregated about the office
door, reminding one very much of a scene about
the polls on election day in the city of New York,
when a fine was not formed, and every man was
struggling to vote first.
The process of payment was necessarily slow.
Each account had to be critically examined, and
duplicate receipts given upon the pay-roll. When
night came, we had disbursed six thousand dollars,
and the crowd dispersed, grumbling and dissatis
fied, that they had not all received what was due
them. Until every dollar was paid, the rush con
tinued. Men who growled, grumbled, and de
nounced us, and who would offer the clerks and
messenger money to " get in next," would declare
the instant they were paid, the Quartermaster was
a clever fellow after all. Most of these men real
ized more in two months from the impressment
of their teams by the Government, than it was
possible for them to make by a year's labor, out

60 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
of their dilapidated looking, unproductive, half-
cultivated farms. According to the account of
some of those who were paid at Gauley Bridge,
they had not been paid in full. They appUed to
us to make up the deficiency, and declining to do
so, we were of course handsomely abused. A few
acknowledged they had been overpaid, but did not
propose to refund the overplus to us, nor to the
Quartermaster there. About the middle of Octo
ber, a telegram was received from Camp Scott
which afforded us infinite pleasure :
Capt. Leib, A. Q. M., Clarksburg.
General Rosecrans has concluded to commence
the transportation of supplies for this column by
way of the Kanawha. By this, we shall save
some thirty-five miles land transportation, which
is important for many reasons. I shall give you
notice of the change ; do nothing until you hear
further, and send on as usual.
J. G. CHANDLER,
Assistant Quartermaster.
In a few days, the order came from the Captain,
and with it a notice that he was obliged to take
some of our trains.
With so much rapidity had supplies been sent
to General Reynolds by Captain Ransom, Assistant
Quartermaster at Grafton, and ourself, that by the
time -winter set in, he had almost enough to last
until the roads became passable in the spring.

impressing teams. 61
During December and January, we were over
run -with applications for hauling, by the men
whose teams we had impressed, all of them declar
ing they wanted to do all they could for the Gov
ernment. It was a profitable business, and they
were offended because their -wishes could not be
consulted. " Sich is life."

62 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER VI.
AN INDIGNATION MEETING.
During the third quarter of 1861, the number
of employees connected with our post, in the capa
city of clerks, mechanics, laborers, wagonmasters,
and teamsters, was nearly seven hundred. The
teamsters were mostly rowdies and wharf rats
from the Ohio river cities, who were too cowardly
to enlist, too lazy to labor, and came to Virginia
with the expectation of ha"ving a good time, and
plundering " Secesh " property. Nothing but the
absolute necessities of the service induced us to
keep them, although sent by the agents of rank
ing officers. We incurred the displeasure of a
brother officer by sending away twenty-six fellows
who were worthless and unfit for any service.
Very few were familiar with horses, and did not
even know how to harness them.
For some time, there had not been a dollar of
money either in the Department or at our post.
The employees became uneasy, distrustful, and
dissatisfied. They feared for their pay, while
crowds of claimants were daily besieging us to have
a time fixed when their claims could be settled.

AN INDIGNATION MEETING. 63
A set of sharpers and sharks from Pennsylva
nia, headed by a fellow named Hogg, who had
furnished horses for two companies of cavalry,
although knowing we had no money, hung around
like so many horse-leeches, crying give, give, give !
Hogg bulHed every person in his section of coun
try, and tried to buUy us, but failed. He an
nounced that he would make Captain Leib pay
his claim at once, and came to our office for that
purpose. " Captain, I have a large claim against you, and
it must be paid."
" Who are you, sir ? "
" My name is Hogg : George E. Hogg."
" Oh ! yes ; you 're of the firm of Hogg and
Brading." " Yes, I am. I 've waited since last June for
the money, and now I mean to have it."
"You shall be paid as soon as I receive the
money." "'When will that be?"
" As soon as I get it."
" WeU, one thing is certain, I shan 't leave here
untU I get my money."
" That 's a good idea, Mr, Hogg, Clarksburg is
a good place to stay, and boarding is cheap."
" One thing is certain, if I don 't get my pay
soon, I '11 telegraph General Rosecrans. I don 't
intend to be fooled any longer.
" I would do so, if I were in your place. I 've

64 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
no doubt the General will be deUghted to hear
from you."
" What do you mean, sir ? "
" Just what I say."
" Well, I want tay money, and won 't leave
without it, that 's certain. It seems strange you
can't pay so small an amount."
" Mr. Hogg, I have already said you shall be
paid as soon as I get money. If you think you
can bully me, you are mistaken in the man. I 'm
very busy this morning ; good day, sir."
Mr. Hogg waited for some time, but finally leftj
declaring he never wanted to go to Clarksburg aa
long as Captain Leib was : Quartermaster. The
men murmured, and it was insinuated that we had
money but would not pay them. Strong men, to
whom the Government was justly indebted, would
come to our office weeping, and beg for God's sake
to give them .money, their families had nothing -to
eat, and they were ragged or nearly so. We sym
pathized with but could not assist them. Captain
John List, of Wheeling, happening at Clarksburg,
learned the peciiliar position in which we were
placed, and generously offered to loan us all the
nioney required. After consulting General Rose
crans, who knew our wantsj we borrowed sixty-
five hundred dollars, giving our note therefor,
which was indorsed by the General. The money
was disbursed, and we received three thous
and dollars more from Captain List, and other

An Indignation Meeting Benounces TTs.

AN INDIGNATION MEETING. 65
smaller sums from personal friends in the town.
Most of the money was of the Wheeling banks,
which was at that time at a discount, but those to
whom it was paid disposed of it at par. Humanity
dictated this course, and aU we received for sup
plying their pressing wants was abuse from men
with whom we never had any business, and did
not know, and claimants whom we could not pay.
The newspapers charged that we were speculating
¦with Government funds, exchanging gold and
silver for uneurrent paper money, thereby swind
ling the Government employees. It was a matter
of no importance to us. The department at Wash
ington knew we had not a doUar of Government
money. The commanding General knew the facts,
and we would not answer to the community so
contemptible a charge. It was discussed at the
corners of the streets, in bar-rooms, and in stores,
where loafers were in the habit of congregating.
While the exciteinent was at its greatest height,
Hon. John S. Carlile, United States Senator, -vis
ited Clarksburg, his former residence, but now a
citizen of Wheeling. He was the master spirit of
the Union movement in Western Virginia. The
evening of his arrival he was serenaded, and
responded in a speech of some length, in reply to
the caU of a large number of people who had
assembled in front of the residence of the gentle
man whose guest he was. We were attracted
thither by the sound of the music, and to our sur-
6

66 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
prize the Senator attacked without naming us;
ad-vised the people, if they had grievances, to hold
a public meeting, state them, and " expose unfaith
ful public servants."
The speech gave great satisfaction, and the fol
io-wing day strenuous efforts were made to get up
an indignation meetiug, but it failed.
The next night, the few who took an active part
in the matter, induced a large number of persons
to assemble at the Court House, who, after effect
ing an organization, passed a preamble and reso
lutions ; but the proceedings were not published,
as the president and secretary refused to sign them.
The gist of one resolution was, as we were informed
by parties present at the meeting, that the treat
ment of the people by the Quartermaster, and
his refusal to purchase oats, corn, and hay, would,
they feared, have the eft'ect to weaken the Union
sentiment of Harrison county.
From the hour we took charge until relieved
from duty, we could not find time, during business
hours to discuss crops, weather, the war, and the
probability of a speedy settlement of the difficul
ties — some, or all of which, for the first three
months, many persons expected us to do. They
were in the habit of doing so in the office of the
County Clerk, and in the shops and stores of the
town, and could not understand, why they should
not do the same thing in the Quartermaster's office ;
or why, when we had answered their questions,

AN INDIGNATION MEETING. 67
and they continued to hang round, making inqui
ries ha-ving no relation to business, we should
ask them :
" Have you any other business with me ? "
"No, sir."
" You'll excuse me, then ; I'm very busy. Good
morning, sir," and bow them out.
To the indignation meeting we paid no atten
tion ; and when the facts which led to it became
known, the men who were active in getting it up,
did not hesitate to say, that they had been misled
and misinformed, and had done us gross injustice.
At a subsequent period, Senator Carlile visited
Clarksburg, acknowledged to us he had been mis
taken, and urged us not to ask to be relieved from
duty there. He sent the following telegram to the
Secretary of War, we adding an appendix :
Clarksburg, October 26, 1861
Hon. Simon Cameron, Sbc'y of War,
Washington.
Will -write you fully on my return to Wheeling.
Perhaps it would be well to make no change here,
until you have seen what I will write.
JOHN S. CARLILE.
Senator Carlile requests me to send this tele
gram. He is anxious I should remain here, and is

68 THB CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION,
satisfied great injustice has been done me. I do
not desire to remain where I have been so grossly
slandered. I expect every day to be relieved.
CHAS. LEIB,
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Upon his return to "Wheeling he wrote the Sec
retary, protesting against our relief; it never came.
The scenes which transpire in the Quartermas
ter's office are at times exceedingly ludicrous. We
will give a few from our own experience.
Enter, a farmer, arrayed in all the glory of cop
per colored jeans, with one leg of his pantaloons
in the top of his boot, an old white slouched hat
stuck on the back of his head, hands in his pock
ets, an immense quid of tobacco between his jaws,
with the juice running from the corners of his
mouth. " Is Captain Leib about ? "
" Yes, sir. Pm he."
"WeU, Captain, I've got a bill agin the Qover-
ment, I want you to settle."
" What is it for."
" Why, a lot of things the solgers tucJc, when
General Rosemycrans went to the Gauly Bridge."
"Let me look at it?"
We give the bill verbatim :

AN INDIGNATION MEETINQ. 69
Capiain Libe, United States, To Enock Seeks, dr
tu 17 turkes tuck by solgers  20 00
ditto 31 chicens  6 00
ditto 1 caf kild  5 00
ditto 2piggs  16 00
46 00
" I can't pay that bill. I have nothing to do
-with subsistence. If it had been for hay or oats,
and I were satisfied the articles had been furnished,
I might pay for them."
" I've got a biU for a stack of hay, but I thought'
I would Uke to get this money fust."
" You must go to Lieutenant Allen, the Com
missary. He may pay it, but I think it doubtful."
" I were at Mr. Allen's office, and axed for him,
but they said he were gone to Cincinnatti on a
tower, and I thought I'd make out the bill to you."
"I'm sorry, but I can't pay you- Aj-e you a
Union man."
" Yes, I am ; and there ai'nt many of us neither,
where I live.
"Where is that?"
" Out in the neighborhood of Braxton. Look
here, Cap, if you'll just pay this bill I'U give you
two dollars and a half."
" Do you want to insult me ? "
" No : I only want to give you two dollars and a
half, if you'll pay my bill."
" I can not pay it,"

70 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
"All I've got to say, if that's the way you're
going to do, I sha'nt be a Union man any more."
" Good morning, sir."
Like many more, his loyalty depended upon
what he could make out of the Government.
Our messenger, one day, brought us a card, upon
which was handsomely engraved,
" Col.  ,"

and said " the gentleman wishes to see you, if you
are disengaged."
" Show him in."
He presented a letter of introduction from an
officer, who recommended him as a man of posi
tion and character, who had something to commu
nicate of interest to the service.
"Be seated, sir."
He took a seat; after conversing on ordinary
topics a few moments, remarked, "You have a
fine warehouse and magnificent stables, Captain."
"Yes, sir."
" How many horses and mules have you now ? "
" About seventeen hundred."
" You must use a great deal of forage."
"I do."
" Where do you get it from ? "
*« Most of it from Capt. Craig, at Parkersburg,
though I purchase considerable here."
^? I have beep furnishing some of the Quarter-

AN INDIGNATION MEETING. 71
masters, and learning you used a great deal, thought
I 'd eome here, and see if I could not get a con
tract, to furnish you ; I think I can make a satis
factory arrangement."
" What kind of an arrangement ? "
" Of course, this is confidential."
" Certainly,"
" I wiU di-vide the profits -with you."
" Will you ; hotv much can be made ? "
" It depends on the amount of forage you pur
chase. If you -wiU permit me to furnish all you
want, we can make a good thing of it."
" Colonel  , I am here to protect the inter
ests of the Government and not to s-windle it.
You can 't have a contract from me for anything.
The sooner you leave my office the better I wiU
be pleased."
"But, Captain."
" Good morning ; I have no time to talk to you."
He left, and we have not seen him since. At
home, he is said to be a respectable citizen, and
stands high as a man of business. No doubt he is
ready at any moment to get up an indignation
meeting against us.
Here is a lady, -with a note from Governor Den
nison, of Ohio, who states that she has two sons
in the army, whom she is desirous of visiting, and
requests us to furnish her transportation.
" Where are your sons, madam ? "

72 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
".They 're with General McCleUan ; they 're the
only two boys I 've got, and when the war broke
out I told 'em to 'list and do their duty; but I
couldn 't stand it any longer, not to see them; so
I told the old man he must take care of the child
ren, and I went to Columbus, and got this letter
from the Govenor. He 's a mighty nice man."
" How old are your sons, madam ? "
" One 's twenty-one, and the other is jest nine
teen." " I am sorry, madam, but I can not ^ve you
transportation." " Can 't you send me up in a wagon ? The Gov
enor said he guessed you would."
" No, madam, I am prohibited from doing so ;
besides, women are not permitted to follow the
army." " I don 't care whether the General likes it or
not, I 'm bound to see my boys, and I know they
want to see their mammy."
" If you are determined to go, you had better
take the stage."
" I haven't got money enough to get home if I
do, but I 'm going, if I have to walk."
We admired the patriotic devotion that induced
her to urge her sons to volunteer, and yet more the
filial affection which would induce her to walk
twenty-eight miles, over the mountains, in an ene
my's country, to visit them, and gave her three
doUars to pay her stage fare. The same day,

AN INDIGNATION MEETING. 73
a supply train left for Buckhannon, and telling
the Wagonmaster her story, he permitted her to
ride. When the train reached its destination, we
were telegraphed by the Chief Quartermaster, to
permit no more women to come up on Govern
ment trains, as they were not wanted. Although
the Wagonmaster had -violated our orders in per
mitting her to ride, we could not discharge him.

74 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER VII.
TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER.
Who wouldn't be a Quartermaster ? said a friend,
seated, one morning, for an hour in our office,
watching the continual stream of persons coming
in and going out, asking five hundred questions
upon as many different subjects, and finding fault
because they could not be gratified in every partic
ular. One would not work longer unless his wages
were raised ; another called to say, he could not
haul us any more hay until we would have a broken
bridge repaired ; this man has lost his dog — our
Chief Carpenter has taken him up, and he wants
an order for his deUvery ; that one desires to bor
row a pair of horses and a wagon, to haul coal for
a few days ; a young lady is anxious to visit her
friends in the country, and is sure the Captain ¦wiU
loan her a horse, he has so many ; a field officer
wants to " draw a horse," and is indignant because
we inform him that officers must furnish then*
own, and swears the regulations allow him three^
a Quartermaster desires to turn over a lot of bro
ken-down, worn out, worthless horses, which, three

TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER, 76
months ago, he receipted to us for in good condi
tion, and wants us to return his receipts, and take
the horses ; a farmer insists on borrowing " a gun "
until the war is over — ^he is a good Union man,
and Mr. G  will indorse him, which to us is
no recommendation.
Mr. G  , in our eyes, occupies an unen-via-
ble position. Bland, smooth, always ready to do a
favor if he can thereby make ten per cent. ; he is
one of the Union leaders, who, at the commence
ment of the war, opposed taking ground for either
pa'rty, fearing his property might be confiscated.
He always has a few claims to collect, for which,
of course, he charges nothing ; and his position is
such, that his property, which is his God, is safe,
it matters not which party succeeds.
Here we have a man who has an account against
one of our teamsters.
" Captain, I have an account against one of your
teamsters for thirty dollars."
" Why don't you coUect it ? "
" Because he says you havn't paid him for two
months." " He will be paid as soon as I receive the
money." " I have been trying for six months to get this
bUl paid, but he always has some excuse. If you'll
take the account and hold back the thirty dollars,
I'll give you ten per cent."

76 the chances for making a MILLION.
" I have no right to do so, and if I had, would
not ; I 'm not a shaver."
" But, Captain, if you would tell him that I'm a
particular friend of yours, and tell him he must
pay the bill, he would do it. I'll take some every
month." " I can not do so. I'm an agent of the Govern
ment, and not for private individuals."
" But you might do this for me. I have alwaya
been your friend, and stood up for you when you
were abused."
" I'm obliged to you for that ; but I have ho
friends so far as duty is concerned."
" Well, if you won't do it, you and I are two.
I'll sue him, and garnishee you."
" I have no objections ; but I'll not recognize
the garnishee."
" If that's the way Union men are to be treated
by the Government, I say d — n the Government."
" Leave my office, or I'U send you to the guard
house." He left, and was ever after our bitter enemy.
It frequently happened that regiments, when on
the march, were compelled to abandon horses worn
down, and unable to proceed further. The people
along the roads were always on the alert to pick
up such horses ; but were never anxious to return
them to the Government.
The U. S. branded upon the fore shoulder always

TRIALS OF A QUARTERMASTER. 77
betrayed them, and horses were frequently recov
ered. Every wagonmaster and teamster in our employ,
was directed to inquire for abandoned Government
property ; and the result was, we " took up " a
large amount.
Whenever a pei'son,ha"ving such property, would
report the facts to us, he was remunerated for his
trouble and care ; but when an attempt was made
to keep it from our knowledge, we would take it
and pay nothing. Such cases were of frequent
occurrence, and did not tend to increase our popu
larity. One Adams, residing on Hacker's Creek, where
a number of Secessionists were in the habit of
meeting, took a horse, ¦with the intention, doubt
less, of keeping him. He knew the horse be
longed to the Government ; but, like many others,
wanted to make all he could out of the war.
Learning the fact, we sent a wagonmaster for
the horse, and Adams finding himself caught, de-
Uvered him up, but was importunate for remuner
ation for his keeping.
It was one of the cases which came under the
rule of the law, with reference to appropriating
property belonging to others, and no attention was
paid to his letters.
Finally, a clerk in the Department, received the
following note :

78 the chances for making a million.
Mr. Steel :
Sib — Being acquainted -with you, and also a rela
tive by marriage ¦with your first wife, I ask it as a
favor, if you wiU assist me in getting the above
account. If the account is not made out in form,
make one out that is, and send it to me, and I will
prove the account if it is necessary. My reason
for asking you to help me in this matter is, I am,
or used to be, personally acquainted with you, etc.
If I am not mistaken, you married Eunice Carder,
and I married Edith Earle. Perhaps you wiU
recollect me, and render me aU the assistance you
can, because we are relations.
Your friend,
J. W. ADAMS.
February 5, 1862.
Notwithstanding this touching appeal, Adams
never received pay.
The latter part of June, one West, of Western
Pennsylvania, arrived at Clarksburg with a com
pany of cavalry. He was authorized by the
Secretary of War, he informed us, to raise the
company, and the horses were to be appraised, and
paid for by the Government. General McClellan
issued an order for their appraisement, and the
Commandant of the Post appointed a Board for
that purpose. Without authority for so doing, the
Board also appraised the saddles, some of which
were worthless, and the Commandant of the Post,

TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER. 79
Colonel T. S. Stanley, Eighteenth Ohio, gave the
owners of the horses certificates as to their value,
and setting forth that they were delivered to the
Assistant Quartermaster ; which was false -in fact,
as we never, for a single moment, had them in our
possession, and not constructively so for months
afterward. The owners wanted their money. The
horses were not in our possession. We had not
the Captain's receipt for them, nor yet an order
for their payment.
The General commanding was appealed to, the
order for payment given; but the receipts were
not forthcoming, and we refused to pay. A storm
of indignation followed, and we found ourselves
in the newspapers, with such representations as to
our character, that, had we not been named, those
who knew us most intimately, would not have
recognized the picture. They w^ere not paid until
the receipts came, and when the last left Clarks
burg we breathed a wish that we would not again
be tortured by having to do business with such
a set of sharks.

A DISPATCH FROM GOVERNOR PIERPONT.
Wheeling, September 16, 1861.
Captain Leib, A. Q. M.
Colonel Ford, of Ohio, is here with a regiment,
en route for General Reynolds. His Quartermaster

80 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
has no money. Can you assist him. Answer
immediately. F. H. PIERPONT.
We liked Tom Ford, and knew how difficult it
would be to march through Western Virginia
without funds. We had not a dollar, and it was
e'vident we were applied to as a dernier resort.
The money could be raised by giving our note ;
and forgetting that we had determined not to
again pledge our credit, borrowed a thousand dol
lars and " turned it over " to the Quartermaster,
and sent the Thirty-second Ohio on their way
rejoicing. Governor Pierpont was delighted at
the prompt manner in which we responded to his
wishes, and sometime after ordered his pet regi
ment, the First Virginia Cavalry, to Clarksburg.
The Colonel, Henry Anisansel, had been a Lieu
tenant in a Cavalry company in the three months'
service, and had distinguished himself as a dashing
officer. In Western Virginia, as in every other
State, men were appointed to office, and especially
in the Quartermaster's department, who are not
capable of discharging the duties of the position.
It was so in the case of the Quartermaster of this
regiment, and unfortunately he had not the ability
to learn. The Colonel appointed a second Quar
termaster, while the Governor commissioned a
third. These officers were all anxious to act, and
¦willing to receipt for Government property. Num-

TRIALS OF THB QUARTERMASTER. 81
ber one was waiting the acceptance of his resigna
tion ; number two was in charge of the Quarter
master's property, and number three was trying to
get possession of it, and had received money for
the use of his regiment, from the Chief Quarter
master, as will be seen by the foUo^wing, in reply
to an inquiry made : Wheeling, January 14, 1862.
Capt. C. Leib, A. Q. M.
Bonsai's receipts are about as good as any of
that regiment. I transferred funds to him, as he
held a commission.
J. G. CHANDLER,
Capt. and A. Q. M.
Like a number of other Virginia regiments, it
was composed principally of men from Ohio and
Pennsylvania ; but many of the officers knew not
their duty, nor did they manifest a disposition to
learn it; whUe others were capable, brave and
chivalric. While at Clarksburg, they were weU
provided ¦with comfortable quarters, and their
every request granted. When ordered to New
Creek, the men went ¦with the expectation of being
made at least as comfortable as they then were,
but disappointment awaited them. It was in the
latter part of January, the weather horrible, and
they obUged to go into camp with no stables for

82 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
their horses. The men thought they could not
stand it, and we were telegraphed.
New Creek, January, 1862.
Captain Charles Leib:
Here I am without shelter, but ordinary tents.
Can you find us Sibley tents, and stoves? liyou
can not, we will give it up.
H. ANISANSEL,
Colonel 1st Virginia Cavalry.
New Creek was then out of the Department, and
we did not send them.
If those who are so eager to find fault with
Quartermasters, and charge them with not doing
their- duty, could but take their places for a single
week, or act at a post where there is a large amount
of business transacted, even for a single day, for
very shame they would blush at ha^ving been guilty
of such gross injustice to a class of men, upon the
faithful discharge of whose duties great results
often depend. A citizen of Cincinnati, Alf. Bur
net, who visited Clarksburg, gave, in one of the
papers of that city, the foUowing account of a visit
to Clarksburg: " Camp at Clarksburg, October 29, 1861.
To THE Editor of the Daily Press :
" Par in^vitation," I have just run down to thia
encampment to " see what I could see." Clouds of

TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER. 88
snow He about the sunset ; the leaves rustle by with
the breeze.
The camp is comparatively deserted; one
United States battery, and a few companies, being
all that are deemed at present essential to hold
this point. Many are, however, near at hand, so
that, in case of necessity, there can be thrown into
this place thousands of men.
Company K, Colonel Dunning's Regiment, un
der Captain Jackson, is still here. I noticed them
upon drill, and they went through their evolutions
in splendid style. The boys were in excellent spir
its, ha-ving just received information of General
Kelley's success at Romney.
A visit to the immense storehouse, erected un
der the superintendence of Captain Leib, for the
safe-keeping of the army supplies, is worth a day's
journey alone. The Captain is using his utmost
endeavors to keep the house as empty as possible,
by sending off to all the regiments the winter-
apparel and quartermaster's stores.
Charlie Leib, or Captain Leib, is a peculiar and
almost indescribable specimen of humanity. A
portly, robust, jolly, unassuming-looking specimen
of a Western man. No gewgaws^no red tape.
Colonels, Majors, and Quartermasters enter fre
quently, and inquire :
" Is Captain Leib here ? "
" I am he," is the reply.
Many, thus coming first into his presence, are

84 the CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
astonished ; and Colonel Marrow told me, in giv
ing a description of the Captain, that he fully
expected to meet a " very tiger," but was much
astonished to find a thorough business man. The
jeason Leib is so defamed is this : he is constantly
employed ; having hundreds of thousands of dol
lars' worth of Government property to pass through
his hands weekly. Ignorant Colonels, and Cap
tains, and Quartermasters arrive here, and hand
in requisitions improperly made out. One wants
a thousand coats, another a thousand blankets and
shoes, or a hundred horses.
Here's the style of talk :
Enter a Colonel or Quartermaster. " I want a
thousand overcoats. Have you got them ? "
" Yes, sir : yes, sir."
Colonel, or Quartermaster. " I also want eight
hundred pairs of socks, and the same of shoes."
" All right," says Leib ; " hand me your requi
sition." Here he is presented with a document of no
earthly account ; ignorantly made out, no head nor
tail ; perhaps lacking the proper signatures.
Leib refuses to furnish the articles -without the
proper vouchers. The consequence is, Leib is
cursed from " Dan to Beersheba" by " ign orant men,"
because, forsooth, he refuses to give out articles
until he himself is made safe in so doing. These
men return to their regiment and curse Leib, in
order to shift the responsibility, when, if tiie truth

TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER. 85
were told, they themselves are to blame. I will
venture to say, and I have it from those who know
him well, that he never yet has refused to fill a
requisition that was properly made out, and he
had the articles.
I paid a -visit to the "yard," where there are
now, in splendid order, seventeen hundred horses
and mules. These are under the Captain's care.
The yards are kept very clean, and the ani
mals are now luxuriating upon oats and com — a
sight that wiU not greet their eyes long after they
leave his supervision.
Colonel Desparde's residence — a beautiful pa
latial homestead — ^is situated directly opposite this
Aostile place. The Colonel don't Uke the ani-
mules being in such close quarters ; but Uncle Sam
is heedless of such peculiarities of individuals, and
Colonel Desparde is submissive, having a short
time since been accused of Secession procUvities,"
THE SNAKE HUNTERS,
"When General McCleUan first moved to West
ern Virginia, he authorized one John Baggs, of
Belmont County, Ohio, who claimed to be famiUar
-with every cow-path and hunter's trail in the de
partment, to raise a company of forty men, to act
as scouts. This he soon succeeded in doing, and
his company was composed of as brave, yet
uncouth and ragged, set of men as were ever mus-

86 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
tered into the service of Uncle Sam. When Baggs
first made his appearance in Western Virginia,
his dress would have done honor to Bloody
Nathan, in Nick of the Woods, but soon his
whole appearance was changed. His company
dubbed themselves the " Snake Hunfers," and
never either gave or asked quarters of the bush
whackers. They were known far and wide as
" Baggs' thieves." The Captain and his men were
devoted to each other, and woe to him who incurred
their displeasure. Their name was a terror to
Secessionists, and many were the desperate efforts
made to entrap them, but with no success. One
sultry day in July, a tall, rough-looking, iU-dressed
personage, having the appearance of a foot-pad,
came stalking into our office, and walking up to
our desk, said :
" Captain Leib, I want two wagons and horses
for my company."
" Your company? Who are you?"
" I am Captain Baggs."
" Who is Captain Baggs ? "
" He is Captain of Baggs' independent scouts-—
the Snake Hunters. Our principal business is to
hunt up and run down the Secession varmints,
who are shooting down Union men whenever they
get a chance."
" You may be a good man. Captain Baggs, but
you're a hard-looking customer. If you're the
captain, I would like to see your privates."

TRIALS OF THE QUARTERMASTER. 87
" The boys do look pretty hard, but you'd look
hard, too, if you'd been living on ' huckleberries
and birch-bark for a month, and had to crawl on
your belly to save your life, as my Snake Hunters
had to do."
" Have you been doing that?"
"I haven't been doing nothing else. We've
been where gilt-edged soldiers daren't go, no thanks
to red tape and shoulder-straps. Captain Leib, I
think you are a darned sensible man, to go with
out brass buttons. They would spile the oldest
hand in the business."
" You are a plain-spoken man. Captain Baggs."
"So every body says. But look here. Cap, I
want them teams."
" WeU, sir, you can't have them."
" I don't care a cuss whether I get them or not.
My men can do -without them, as they have been
doing ever since this war began. I'm for the Gov
ernment, barefooted or shod."
" Are you a commissioned officer ? "
" Of course, I am."
" If you had the proper papers, you could get the
wagons and horses : as it is, you can not have them."
" "Wliy, damn your buttons, I've got the papers
straight from Gineral McClellan. Here they are."
" AU right. You can get the teams."
" No wonder. Cap., you were shy of me. I know
I look Uke the de-vil, but I haven't been to the
tailor-shop for some time."

88 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Having got his teams, the Captain left, swear
ing we were a bully Quartermaster.
Just before going into the fight at Cross Lanes,
he addressed his men as follows :
" Snake Hunters ! there's going to be a fight.
Go in, you thieves ! You have no characters to
lose or win. If you don't kill some of the Secesh,
you ought to be killed. You have no characters
at home, and if you're killed it would be no sacri
fice, and nobody wUl cry after you. You and I
both have come here to hold up the Government,
and without it we're nothing. Whisky and the
Government is our pride. Every body says you
are thieves. It may be true, but we defy a lady to
say we ever insulted her. We're the oldest com
pany in the three year service in Western Virginia.
Who first came to the rescue of the loyal people
of Nichols, Braxton, and Greenbrier ? Why, Cap
tain John Baggs and his Snake Hunters — who
never stole nothing from nobody. Your lives are
worth more to you than to anybody else. When
I give the word, pitch in with a yell. We'll all
take a drink!"

ARREST OF THE '" SECESH." 89

CHAPTER VIII.
ARREST OF THE "SECESH."
The Union men of Western Virginia are vin
dictive and unforgiving. Without being able to
assign a reason for so doing, and -without thought,
hundreds of men declared for Secession, left their
homes at the approach of the Federal troops, be
Ueving that their triumph would be followed by
the immediate execution of every man who had
voted for the ordinance of Secession. In the
mountain counties, where the people are almost
wholly uneducated, the leaders so excited their
fears, that they fled at the approach of our sol
diery as though fleeing from death. When they
found they had been deceived, very many desired
to return, and expressed a -willingness to take the
oath of allegiance, and to support the Government
in good faith. This met with determined opposi
tion from Union men, who too often gratified their
private piques by causing the arrest of their neigh
bors, who upon examination were frequently dis
charged, the evidence against them being insuffi
cient to warrant their detention. Men who, before
the rebeUion, had no position, sociaUy or politi
cally, suddenly loomed into importance, arrogated
8

90 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
to themselves leadership in the Union movement,
for which they were not fitted by nature or educa
tion, and claimed to be exponents of the Union
sentiment. Pot-house politicians aspired to prom
inent positions, and their ambition was frequently
gratified for want of better material. The poHcy
inaugurated by General McClellan, and adopted
by General Rosecrans when he assumed command,
of not interfering with or molesting persons who
did not take up arms against the Government, or
give " aid and comfort to the enemy," met their
unqualified condemnation, and they appeared de
termined no man who ever entertained a Secession
thought should repent his error. We have a case
in point. E. W. Patton was a leading man in
Harrison County. Although possessing little edu
cation, he is blessed with strong common sense,
and is, we are informed, a devoted friend and a
good hater. A politician, he possessed the confi
dence of his party, and was a favorite leader. In
an evil hour he embraced the odious doctrine of
Secession, and proclaimed it from the stump.
When the troops arrived at Clarksburg, many of
his friends were arrested. Patton residing at Mil-
ford, a few miles distant, being informed he was a
" marked man," left home, and proceeded to the
Greenbriar country, with the intention, as he de
clared, of returning as soon as the excitement was
allayed. Shortly after, the battles of Laurel Hill
and Rich Mountain were fought, and he was pre-

ARREST OF THE " SECESH." 91
vented from doing so. After several months, he
wrote to his relative, Hon. Charles S. Lewis, ex-
Member of Congress, who submitted us the letter,
and desired to know if we thought the military
authorities would permit him to return, were he to
take the oath of allegiance. We could not answer
the question, but remarked, if he was not sincere
he would be a dangerous man. We are permitted
to give the following extract from the letter :
" Since the beginning of hostilities, I have occu
pied a strictly neutral position, never having aided
either party, in any shape or form. I have been,
as before stated, in the Southern States ever since
I left home, but the reason I left and am now here,
has also been fairly stated. I voted at the election
for the ordinance of Secession. My object in now
writing you, is to procure through you, from the
Commander of the Federal forces in Western Vir
ginia, a ' pass,' that will enable me to return to my
home and family among you. Every interest I
have in the world, social, civil, and political, is
united, and indissolubly bound up, with the people
of Western Virginia ; and, in the language of one
of old, ' Thy God is my God, thy people are my
people, where thou goest I -will go, where thou
diest I will die, and there -will I be buried.' Occu
pying the position you know I do, why should I
not return, and that soon ? You now have it in
your power to confer upon me such a favor as it is

92 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
seldom one man can confer upon another. Yes,
you can restore me to my home, to my wife and
little children, who are in constant need of sup
port and assistance from me, and who can not
possibly pass the approaching winter without my
assistance, or some other equally efficient aid.
Will you do it? Can you refuse when my all is at
stake? Won't you act, and that immediately,
and grant me reUef ? The statement here made is
strictly correct, and I would be wilUng to append
my affidavit thereto. " Your cousin,
"E. W. PATTON."
A week later, Patton made his appearance in
Clarksburg, and the whole to-wn was in a fever of
excitement. Although he announced he had taken
the oath before Colonel John G. Kelley, at Graf
ton, who had administered it by order of Brigadier
General Kelley, commanding the district of Graf
ton, the meddlesome ones denounced him as a
traitor and spy, and, at their instance, Patton was
arrested by the Commandant of the Post, when
he produced the certificate of Colonel Kelley that
he had taken the oath, and was entitled to the pro
tection of the military authorities. Their curses
were loud and deep. At first the document waa
pronounced a forgery; General Kelley was tele
graphed upon the subject, and when his reply
came Patton was discharged. It was resolved he

W© were only ECunting Squirrels."— Page 98.

ARREST OF THB " SECESH," 93
should leave the country; a committee was ap
pointed to notify him of the fact, but, as in other
instances, after passing high sounding resolutions,
and making boisterous speeches, the whole matter
was permitted to sleep, each member of the com
mittee depending upon the other to act, and all of
them saying they could not find time from their
business to do so. Having a personal difficulty a
few months after, upon a frivolous pretext he
was again arrested, and almost immediately dis
charged. The Secessionists arrested in arms, in the moun
tain counties, presented a woe-begone and misera
ble appearance. Taught to believe they were
performing a sacred duty they owed their cause,
by shooting the friends of the Government, and
appropriating their property, they skulked about
the country, steaUng horses and cattle, picking off
pickets, and shooting from behind the rocks and
bushes along the high roads aU who bore the
semblance of Union men — a most unnatural and
cowardly species of warfare.
When arrested -with arms in hand, they were,
according to their accounts, the most innocent, as
well as the most abused, of men. Not one of them
ever purposed doing any harm.
On being interrogated as to their object in being
armed, their invariable reply was :
"We were Only hunting squirrels."
They were mostly unshaven and unshorn,

94 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
presenting a filthy appearance, and were attired in
the most heterogeneous and primeval manner, for
Western Virginia is truly a museum of old clothes.
We would occasionally receive letters of the fol
lowing character from officers at camps, where
Secession prisoners were confined :
Headquarters 0. V., U. S. A.,
Camp Chase, December 5, 1861.
Quartermaster at Clarksburg:
Sir — H. T. Martin, who is a prisoner at this
place, had sent to him a carpet-bag containing
clothes, and which, he says, is detained by you
until his trial shall occur. If this be the case, such
a course only compels the Governor to furnish him
while here. Nothing is sent into the prison with
out an examination, and only when found unob
jectionable. You will please, therefore, send every
thing belonging to said Martin that is necessary as
evidence, to this camp.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
W. H. CLAPP,
Act. A. A. G.
Not aware that we were detaining Martin's
carpet-bag, we repUed :
Office of Assistant Quartermaster,
Clarksburg, December 9, 1861.
Captain — In reply to your communication of the
5th inst., I have the honor to inform you that I

arrest op the "SECESH." 95
never heard of Martin, or his carpet-bag, until the
receipt of your letter.
I am respectfully, yours,
CHAS.. LEIB,
Captain and A. Q. M.
Capt. W. H. Clapp, Act. A. A. G., Camp Chase,
Ohio.
Among the prisoners sent to Clarksburg, was
a young girl of seventeen, named Mary Jane
Green. She resided in Braxton County, and, for a
long time, was engaged in carrying a mail between
Sutton, the county seat of that county, and the
rebel camp on the Gauley. She was illiterate,
perfectly fearless, and cordially hated the " Yankee
vagabonds, " as she termed the Federal troops.
She was noted for her profanity, and when, with
the rest of the family, she was arrested, cursed and
swore Uke a professional blackleg, or horse racer,
declaring she would have the heart's blood of
every " Lincoln pup " in Western Virginia. The
real cause of the war, and the effect of Secession,
having been explained to her brother, he expressed
a desire to be permitted to take the oath of allegi
ance, saying that he had been misled. Mary
Jane became furious, forgot all sisterly affection
she possessed, denounced him as a coward, and
swore that he might take the oath, but that
they could not make a d — d Abolitionist of her.
When on her way to Clarksburg, in charge of

96 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Lieutenant George E. O'Neal, her language was
such, he declared, as to almost disgust him with
the sex. While confined in prison, she abused
passers-by ; shouted lustily for Jeff. Davis and the
Southern Confederacy, and swore she would have
the heart of General Rosecrans, if she were ever
released. Kindness did not move, and affection
was thrown away upon her. The Secession ladies,
who are refined and intelligent, deeply sympa
thized with her, but permitted the Federal officers
to provide her with decent apparel, which she
accepted, although coming from those whom she
regarded as her persecutors. The people residing
in the neighborhood of the jail felt relieved when
she was sent to Wheeling. Arrived there, she
was taken to the principal hotel, and treated with
the greatest kindness ; was neatly clad, and, on
promising that she would try to do better, was
released, and a home obtained for her in a respect
able family; but falling in with some Secession
friends, she became as bad as ever.
After the release from Camp Chase of a number
of prisoners residing in Western Virginia, who
took the oath and gave security for their future
good conduct, we were greatly annoyed by them.
Those residing west of Clarksburg had railroad
passes furnished them to that point, and fre
quently came with a request from Quartermasters
to furnish them transportation to their houses.
We were not there for that purpose, and did

ARREST OF THB " SECESH." 97
not, in a single case, comply with the request.
The Secessionists could not understand why we
would not use our transportation to convey them,
and always left grumbling, that we were not half
as accommodating as other Quartermasters. It
mattered not how ragged and ill-clad these men
were when arrested, they always returned in a
suit of Uncle Sam's clothing. The course of the
authorities toward them had the effect to change
the feeUngs of many toward the Northern people,
and many acknowledged to us that they were
satisfied that they had been better cared for than
were the Federal prisoners at Richmond. In some
instances, upon returning to their houses, they dis
regarded their obUgations, and, to be revenged for
their imprisonment, became more violent and -vin
dictive than they were before. In and about
Clarksburg, the Secessionists were comparatively
quiet, and unless pointed out, it was almost im
possible to tell who they were. The leaders had
nearly all fled to Richmond, while the young men
raised a company, elected U. M. Turner, a promi
nent member of the bar, Captain, and joined the
rebel forces.
One bright spring afternoon, a company of Se
cessionists made their appearance in the town, and,
after parading, the streets for some time, were in
vited to the residence of a prominent Secessionist
to partake of a lunch. The young Union men
became furious, and assembling in front of the
9

98 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
house, -with arms in hand, compelled the valiant
warriors to march to the jail, where, with ill grace,
they stacked their arms for the night. The fol
lowing morning, some of the would-be Union lead
ers, desirous of toadying to the Secession sentiment,
persuaded the young men to deliver the company
their arms, which they finally did, much against
their -wUl. To hide their shame, the company, on
arriving at Weston, the county seat of Lewis
County, asked permission to stack their arms in
the jail, saying they were in the habit of doing so,
when in a country town. The most bitter feeling
existed among the parties. Friends, who for years
had sustained toward each other the most inti
mate relations, suddenly became bitter enemies.
Society was broken up, and the ladies would flout
by each other with flashing eyes, looking scorn
and contempt. It was our fortune to come in con
tact with both men and women, and it is due them
we should say they seldom obtruded their opinions
upon us. When they did so, an intimation, which
we always gave, that the subject was distasteful
to us, sealed their mouths.

COMEDY OF WAR. 99

CHAPTER IX.
COMEDY OF WAR, — THB NIGHT ATTACK.
In May, immediately preceding the arrival of
the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, there occurred an
incident too laughable to pass over without some
notice. We will give it as related to us. When
it became known that the regiment had arrived at
Parkersburg, and was on its way thither, the men
of Clarksburg claiming to be loyal — suddenly be
came very patriotic. Meetings were held, patri
otic speeches made, bold threats indulged in to
exterminate the Secessionists, and it was resolved
to organize a " Home Guard," a patriotic band,
which proved, alas! to be "invisible in war and
invincible in peace." Men of all ages and sizes
rushed to the standard. Officers were elected, who
declared they would fight, aud they were regularly
drilled when the roads were dry, and the weather
propitious. The "Guard" was the hope and
pride of the Union men of Harrison County. Fond
mothers gazed exultingly upon their darling sons,
arrayed in all the " pomp and circumstance of glori
ous war." Youthful maidens looked admiringly
upon their chosen ones, and silently prayed that,
though kept far from the scenes of danger, each

100 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
one would, ere the war was over, win the ptar of a
General. Hearing that a noted guerrilla chieftain, whose
deeds of cruelty had made him the terror of West
ern Virginia, had threatened to attack the town,
pickets, composed of the valorous Guard, were
stationed at all the roads leading to it. It was
a time of expectation. When citizens retired,
they feared they would waken to witness scenes
of blood, and to hear the death shrieks and dying
groans of their neighbors, and to find their homes
in flames. At sunset, the detail was made from the
Guard of those who were to stand picket for the
night. They were well armed -with primitive
weapons, and, to keep their courage up, a flask of
the principal production of Western Virginia —
" apple whisky."
One moonless, though starry night, as the shiver
ing and alarmed pickets, marching to and fro
upon the end of the bridge nearest town, fancying
in every bush an armed man, and an enemy behind
every tree, suddenly they were startledj with what
appeared to them the uniform and heavy tread of
approaching soldiery. To revive their fainting
courage, which, like Bob Acres, was oozing out at
their fingers' ends, they appUed themselves to their
flasks. Again they listened, and again they drank,
for nearer, and yet nearer, came that solemn tread,
each fbot-fall of which seemed their death knell.
And now it reaches the bridge, and, against the

COMEDY OF WAR. 101
the star-Ut sky, they see the gleam of innumerable
bayonets. " "WTio goes there ? " one of the pickets in
faltering accents cried, " his hair standing on end
and his voice sticking in his throat." No answer
but the solemn tread ! Firing their guns in a per
fect paroxysm of terror, the pickets precipitately
fled toward town, shouting at the top of their
voices :
" The enemy are coming : the Secesh are upon
us!" Rushing to the Court House, the beU peals out
its wild alarm. The to-wn is roused; men rush
franticaUy from their houses, half-dressed, followed
hy women, -with disheveled hair and scanty attire,
moaning as if the day of judgment had come,
and beggings their husbands and sons not to go to
war. That innumerable band, the " Home Guard,"
assembled tumultuously in front of the Court
House, and the line ha-ving been hurriedly formed,
amid the tears, and against the entreaties of the
women, take up their line of march to the bridge,
resolved to do or die. They near the fated spot ;
and as they do so, their pace decreases, and at last
comes to a dead halt — ^fear and anxiety depicted on
every countenance.
"What brave spirit dare lead the attack ?
They listened. No sound was heard save the
sighing of the wind among the trees, and the

102 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
dashing of the waters of the Monongahela against
the abutments of the bridge. Some masked bat
tery or ambuscade, they are sure, will open upon
them. >
Who dare reconnoiter ?
At last, an old man, of Falstaffian proportions^
with fair round belly, with good capon Uned, like
him of Shakspeare, dares the venture. A lanterh
is procured. He nears the bridge. He hears noth
ing save the hea-vy breathing of what appears to
him, like one in agony.
Gathering fresh courage, he proceeds across the
bridge, followed by the "Guard," and finds, in
stead of the dreaded enemy thirsting for blood, an
innocent cow, in the last agonies of death. She
had been mortally wounded by the chance shots
of the va,liant pickets, before their precipitate re
treat. Her horns, dimly seen in the obscure lights
they had taken for the bayonets of the foe, and
her heavy tread for that of the approaching soli
diery. The " Guard " were crest-fallen, and each swore
to the other a solemn oath never to divulge the
secrets of that fearful night. But, alas ! for human
frailty. When under the influence of applcK
whisky, one of the parties related to us these
facts. They retired to their homes wiser and,-
we trust, better men.

COMEDY OF WAR, 103
THB NIGHT ATTACK.
When General Rosecrans moved from Clarks
burg, on the 31st of August, he left two companies
of Virginia Infantry, Company B, Fourth Artillery,
U. S. Army, and an ununiformed cavalry company.
The Commandant of the Post, Colonel  ,
was a courteous gentleman, but an inexperienced
soldier. The night after the General left, we were sent
for to the United States Hotel, where we found E.
M. Norton, Esq., United States Marshal for the
Western District of Virginia, and several citizens
known and recognized as loyal men. Their budget
was opened to us,
A special messenger had just arrived with the
news, that, learning there was but a small force to
protect the immense stores in the Quartermaster
and Commissary Departments, the Secessionists
had suddenly assembled at Worthington, resolved
to burn Shinston, eight miles distant, and were
marching on Clarksburg, to destroy it, and take
possession of the stores.
The following was received from men who it was
said were reliable :
"Shinston, Sunday, September 1, 1861.
Colonel —
We arrived here at half-past nine o'clock, and we
learn that the Secessionists have taken possession of

104 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Worthington, took down the flag, stopped the
mail, and are pressing Union men into service,
and we expect them here to-night. Please send in
haste.
S. S. FLEMING,
JOHN A. OGDEN,
A. W. SHLNN."
The information, it was 'said, was reliable! A
council-of-war was convened. The Colonel ordered
the men to sleep on their arms, and we telegraphed
General Rosecrans, then near Weston, twenty-two
miles distant.
A messenger was dispatched to arouse the citi
zens, and as he dashed through the streets on
horseback, shouting, " Wake up ; the Secessionists
are upon us. You 'U aU be dead in half an hour,
unless you turn out and defend yourselves," win
dows flew up, capped heads popped out, and the
utmost excitement prevailed.
That patriotic band, the "Home Guard," had
died a natiiral death, and citizens came rushing to
us, begging for God's sake to arm them, which we
did; and, some of them became so fond of the
rifles, that they were never returned.
About two o'clock in the morning, we heard
the discharge of two muskets, and in a few min
utes the Commandant of the Post rushed into our
office, trembling with excitement, looking wild
and haggard, his face blanched, and his hair

COMEDY OF WAR, 105
disheveled, the very picture of despair, and fairly
shouted :
" Captain Leib, the enemy are upon us. They
have driven in our pickets. "What 's to be done ? "
"We must meet and whip them, sir," we re
plied. He hesitated, stood stUl, and looked undecided.
It was evident he was unnerved, and knew not
what to do. We, a Captain, took the responsi
bility of ordering him.
" Colonel, order out your men at once ; send
Connar's Cavalry to the Ordnance Office ; I will
arm them ; and send word to Captain Howard. I
'will join you in five minutes. Go quick," and he
went. We joined him, and found he had done nothing.
At his request, we took command, and ordered out
a company to reconnoiter.
Upon investigation, it proved that three or four
sick horses had escaped from the hospital, which
was near by where the pickets were stationed, and
had strayed toward them. Through the dim grey
of the early morning, they mistook the horses for
the advance guard of the rebels, fired upon them,
and fied, the terrible rebels running in a dift'erent
direction. On returning to town, we learned the Colonel
had gone home sick, and keeping the facts to
ourself, placed on guard, on the top of the hills

106 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
surrounding the town, such citizens as feared an
attack, with orders to give the alarm should the
enemy approach. The enemy never came.
The day following, we were again notified that
the rebels had taken possession of Worthington,
torn down the stars and stripes, and were pressing
Union men into service.
General James S. Wheat, Adjutalnt General of
the " restored Government of Virginia," marched
against them with a large force from Wheeling,
while Colonel Crossman was dispatched with sev
eral companies from Grafton, by Brigadier-General
KeUey. The following dispatch was received from the
General :
" Can you spare me a couple of companies of
infantry ? Answer.
B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier- General."
One company was sent, and volunteers asked
for. Of all the citizens, only three responded.
Arming a large number of our teamsters and mule-
drivers, and directing the Ordnance-Sergeant to
put in order a six-pounder, sent by Governor
Wise to Clarksburg at the time of the John
Brown raid, we sent them to reinforce Colonel
Crossman.

COMEDY OF WAR. 107
The foUowing morning, we received this tele
gram: Grafton, September 2, 1861.
Captain Charles Leib —
We attacked the rebels at Worthington this
morning at daylight, but they are strongly posted,
and can not be routed without artillery. Send me
at once two guns of Howard's Battery.
B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier- General.
During the day, fiying rumors came that a des
perate battle had been fought, and, after a long
struggle, the rebels had been driven from their po
sition, and nearly one-half of them taken prison
ers. The patriotic Union men of Clarksburg, who
would not volunteer, were deUghted, and declared
they would have gone, but they knew there was no
necessity for their doing so.
On the 3d, General Kelley again dispatched us :
Grafton, September 3, 1861.
Captain C. Leib —
I have no official report from Worthington yet,
but learn by passengers that the rebels have scat
tered, and the troops are returning this morning.
B. F. KELLEY,
^ Brigadier-General.
The whole affair proved to be a farce. Some

108 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
half-dozen drunken rebels entered Worthington,
tore down the fiag, threatened to destroy the town,
and, at the approach of our troops, fied.
The Colonel commanding the forces, it is said,
reported that, in the engagement, he had lost one
man. It was subsequently ascertained he had run
away.

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 109

CHAPTER X.
THE MULE DEPARTMENT.
It was evident that the transportation of stores
to the mountains by wagon-trains during the fall,
vdnter, and spring, would be next to impossible.
The six-horse army wagon, weighing nearly a ton,
is itself a load when the roads are cut up, and the
mud knee-deep. General Rosecrans, 'with his
accustomed forethought, ordered the purchase of a
large number of mules, which were to be broke
for packing. "When purchased, they were -wild as
so many deer, as will be seen by the following
telegram from Captain WiUiam Craig, A. Q. M.
at Marietta, to whom they were originally sent,
and who forwarded them to us :
Marietta, August 19, 1861.
Captain Charles Leib —
These are the most de-vilish mules I ever saw.
They destroy every thing, eat up trees and fences,
and have nearly killed half of my men. Do you
think of taking them away soon ? If you love
me, do so.
W. CRAIG,
Captain, and A. Q. M.

110 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
It was a gloomy prospect for us. Captain
Craig had been stationed for years in New Mexico,
was familiar with the habits of the animals, and it
was evident they were so troublesome, that even
he was anxious to get rid of them. We were igno
rant of every thing pertaining to them, but it was
sufficient that the General commanding desired
them broke as soon as possible. It was no easy
matter to secure the services of men accustomed
to handling them, and although we had numerous
applications from persons to take charge and pre
pare them for the road, it was a long time before
the services of an experienced packer could he
obtained to superintend the work. It seemed as
though the evil one had taken possession of
them, so stubborn and refractory were they.
When the first lot was partly broke, we transferred
a portion of them to Lieutenant John H. Shuttle-
worth, of the Third Virginia Infantry, a detach
ment of which was ordered to a section of country
where wagons could not go without great diffi
culty. At the close of the first day's march, the
animals were turned loose into a lot, and the fol
lowing morning it was next to impossible to catch
them, the men having nearly worn themselves out
before they succeeded in doing so. Had they been
Mexicans, it would have been the work of but a
few moments. The saddles were not rightly ad
justed, the packs not properly slung, and for miles
the ..road was scattered with hard bread, flour,

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. Ill
beans, coffee, rice, and sugar. At considerable
expense, and after much trouble, we succeeded
in securing a party of French Creoles and Mexican
Greasers, from the prairies and mountains of the
far West, who were so famiUar with them, that, as
if by magic, the mules became tractable and gentle,
and in less than two weeks they had two hundred
ready for packing. It was a matter of wonder to
the Rip Van Winkles of the town, to see two hun
dred wild mules running loose in the streets, fol
lowing, like so many sheep, an old grey horse,
from whose neck was suspended a cow-bell ; but
their indignation was excited, that the animals,
instead of wading through mud a foot deep, pre
ferred the sidewalks. The hideous and uncouth
appearance of some of the men, their unintelligible
jargon and -wUd war-hoops, as they sometimes
dashed through the streets when off duty, was a
great cause of complaint, to say nothing of the
grumbUng of a Nabob, whose palatial residence
was erected too near the mule-yard, and whose
morning slumbers were disturbed by their hideous
braying ; nor yet of the indignation of some anti
quated beldam, when a refractory brute, upon
being driven to water, would breach her dilapi
dated and rotten fence. Over a cup of tea was the
Quartermaster freely discussed for permitting these
things, his official conduct criticised, and his most
sacred private relations canvassed.
The trial trip.to the-Juauntains almost .proved a

112 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
failure. General Milroy, commanding at Cheat
Mountain, telegraphed for forage^ and it was
determined to send a pack-train of one hundred
mules loa(ied with oats. Paul Guitar, Chief of one
of the trains, was ordered to prepare for the trip.
Paul is a St. Louis Creole, and for many years was
in the service of the American Fur Company,
among the Blackfoot Indians, as a trader and trap
per. He is brave and illiterate ; speaks EiigUsh
imperfectly, and the history of his life is one of
deep interest. He was proud of his band, many of
whom were with him in the Rocky Mountains, but
he was willful, and determined to have his own
way in every thing.
Before going to Virginia, he was employed in
packing stores in General Fremont's Division, in
Missouri, where every request made was granted
him ; but we would not do so, and he became stub
born, and refused to move. The order had been
given, and Paul found he must go. Taking more
men and less mules than directed, he proceeded
toward Buckhannon, and, instead- of making that
place before halting, camped five miles distant
from Clarksburg.
Mr. C. C. Catiett, Chief of the Mule Depart
ment was dispatched for him, and at twelve o'clock
at night Paul was brought before us, and severely
reprimanded for disobedience of orders. The
extra men were brought back, and early in the
morning he proceeded .on hia journey..  ....

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 113
The adventures and voyages of old Paul are
so full of incident and interest, that we are sure
they will interest our readers.
In the spring of 1831 he was employed by John
B. Sarpy, the senior member of the firm of Pierre
Chouteau & Co., of the American Fur Company,
to go to the Indian Country on a trading and trap
ping expedition. The Rocky Mountain Indians
were at that time at war -with the whites, and with
a full knowledge of the dangers he would be com
pelled to encounter, and the trials he would proba
bly be called upon to endure, in spite of the entrea
ties of his friends and relatives, embarked, with a
number of others, on the steamer latan, which had
been chartered by the Fur Company to convey the
voyageurs as far as Council Bluffs — a distance of
five hundred miles.
Paul was young, Ught-hearted, and full of hope
for the future. He delighted in excitement, and
when, after disembarking at the Bluffs, in com
pany -with other mountaineers, he left for the
mouth of the Yellow Stone River, in charge of one
hundred and fifty pack mules, laden with beads,
caUco, and every description of trinkets, to tickle
the fancy of the Indians, declared he never had
been so happy.
Ninety days after leaving St. Louis, the party
reached the fort of the Fur Company, and for the
first time, during that period, slept under a roof.
Although his maiden trip, his sleepless energy and
10

114 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
undaunted spirit, the care he took of the animals,
and his efforts to do his duty, attracted the atten
tion of the men, who recognized in him a master
spirit, and with one voice pronounced him Chief.
The House, at St. Louis, appro"ving their choice,
he entered upon his duties, and commenced the
organization of a party to go upon a hunting expe
dition up the Yellow Stone River.
Aft^r an absence of several months, during which
time they obtained a large quantity of valuable
furs, the party returned to the fort, where Paul
remained in charge a considerable length of time.
The time for his return having arrived, he caused
to be built ten Mackinaw boats, loaded them with
furs and buffalo-robes, and taking on board Mr.
Charles P. Chouteau and family, who were to
accompany him, at a given signal cut loose from
the shore, proceeded down the river, meeting with
no accident until when nearly opposite Fort Ben
ton, where the whole fleet was snagged ; those on
board barely escaping with their lives, and the
Fur Company losing thirty thousand dollars.
The accident chagrined and mortified Paul,
who was piloting the boats. He immediately ten
dered his resignation to Mr. Chouteau, who replied
he could afford to lose the goods, but that him he
would not give up. Every article they had was
lost, save the wet clothing upon their backs ; and,
although many of the men had not seen their fami
lies for years, they resolved to return t© Fort

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 115
Pierre. After forty days hard traveling, they
reached it at the dead of night, and demanded
admittance. The inmates, believing the fort was
about to be attacked by Indians, fired upon them,
instantly killing four of the party. Discovering
their mistake they threw open the gates, and Paul
and his almost famished band entered, not to re
joice as they had expected, but to mourn the loss
of their companions. Fatigue and hunger were
forgotten, and the old mountaineers, men who were
strangers to fear, and whose eyes had scarce been
bedewed with tears, wept as they dwelt upon the
bravery and virtues of the dead, who with them
had borne the hardships of the frontier, and braved
the poisoned arrows of the Rocky Mountain sav-

Another trip up the Yellow Stone was the result
of the disaster upon the river. On reaching the
mouth of the Kankee, one of its branches, where
Paul encamped for the night, the party had their
first skirmish with the red skins. About nine
o'clock the guard came rushing to Paul's wigwam,
and gave information that a band of Blackfoot In
dians had stolen three of the mules, and were in
the vicinity of the camp. In a moment he was up,
and telU-ng the guard not to stir, quickly dressed
himself, and, with the stealth of a cat, moved
through the camp, awakened his men, whispering
that danger was near, cautioned them not to make
the slightest noise, and not to leave the lodges

116 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
until the signal was given. With rifies by their
sides they lay for more than an hour ; hearing no
signal became alarmed, and one of them crept out
side the lodge, but in a few moments returned,
saying that he had heard voices where the mules
were picketed, but he could neither hear nor see
Paul. Shortly he made his appearance, and gi'ving
directions, the whole party left the lodges, creep
ing upon their hands and knees for some distance,
when he gave the signal to halt, and suddenly
raising up walked toward the Indians, and asked
why they, who had been, in times gone by, so
friendly, had come to steal his property. They
recognized his voice and replied, they only wanted
to borrow a few mules. Paul replied, if they
would only come to his lodge he would give them
all they wanted. After consulting for some time,
they agreed if Paul would give them up his rifle,
they would accompany him. Instantly comply
ing with their request, he was seized from behind
and thrown upon the ground ; but while a rope
was being tied around his body, he gave a whistle,
and in an instant his party surrounded the In
dians, killing the two who were tying him.
The Indians, finding themselves out-numbered,
returned the mules, shook hands with Paul, and
the Chief of the band offered him his daughter for
his wife ; he accepted : and at St. Louis she and
her four pappooses are to be seen, all of them living

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 117
images of the hero of the Yellow Stone. Their
trinkets exchanged for robes and furs, the party
returned to Fort Pierre. Boats were again built,
and the whole party were once more on their way
to St. Louis. When they neared the spot where
they were wrecked before, Paul, who under the
most trying circumstances is usually calm, became
terribly excited. Night was approaching, and the
lady of Mr. Chouteau, who was on board, implored
him to wait until morning, before attempting to
proceed ; but quietly telling her to go to the cabin,
he seized the helm with a firmer grasp, and sur
veying with his eagle eye the angry waters, waved
his hand to those in charge of the other boats to
come on, (all the while encouraging the passen
gers,) safely passed the dangerous point, followed
by the whole fleet. Arrived at Council Bluffs, the
cargo was transferred to a steamboat belonging to
the Fur Company, which was waiting their arrival.
After an absence of two years and three months,
Paul stood on the wharf at St. Louis, and was
warmly welcomed by his friends; but he had ac
quired a fondness for mountain life, and after a
few days became restless, dissatisfied, discontented,
and could scarcely contain his joy, when, at the
end of two months, he was notified that in a few
days he would be required to leave for Fort Pierre
¦with a lot of mules and horses. At once he set
about niaking preparations for the trip, and with
some trouble succeeded in obtaining the number

118 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
of men required to accompany him. Some of
those who had endured with him the hardships
of the former trip, and knew how cordially the In
dians hated the whites, were deterred from going
by their families, to whom they had related their
adventures and trials. Paul made the trip, a dis
tance of three thousand miles, in one hundred and
twenty days. After an absence of several years,
during which time he was most successful in trad
ing and trapping, he returned to St. Louis, and
resolved to abandon the life of a mountaineer.
But he was not satisfied, and joined the party of
Colonel Fremont, who was preparing for his cele
brated trip to the Rocky Mountains. Twenty of
his men were frozen to death on that trip. For
more than sixty days they were on the mountains,
and endured every hardship men were capable of
enduring. After some time Paul left the party,
and returned alone to St. Louis, and was again
sent by the Fur Company to the upper Missouri.
On one occasion, when on a trading expedition, a
party of Sioux Indians came upon him and hia
men when asleep, took him prisoner, carried him
to their camp, where they stripped him of his cloth
ing, and at a signal fr9m the Chief, the women
would pass by him, and with a hickory cudgel
administer severe blows upon his bare back. He
was finally released, and told to turn somersaults
for the amusement of the women, but failing in
this, they pricked him with needles, delighted at

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 119
the pain they occasioned him. Tired of their cruel
sport, they bade him run for his life, and he de
clares, though nearly dead, never before had he
made such good time.
Like nearly every article furnished for the army,
the pack-saddles proved almost worthless. They
were made of bass wood, covered with sheepskin
instead of raw hide, and were fastened together
with four-penny nails. The instant they were ex
posed to damp weather, they almost fell apart. It
was next to impossible to fasten the saddles on the
mules properly, and the result was, the loss of a
considerable quantity of grain.
By order of General Rosecrans, we sent to the
Kanawha Country, Cheat Mountain, and other
parts of the Department, some of the most experi
enced of the packers to teach Regimental Wagon
masters and teamsters the art ; but little benefit was
derived therefrom, as they had no opportunity of
applying their knowledge to practice.
The execrable ¦winter weather, for which West
ern Virginia is noted, had a bad effect upon the
public animals in our Department. It was cold,
blustering, raining, and snowing almost daily
for four months ; and if the sun did venture to
shine, it was only for a few hours. To protect
them, we built a large number of sheds and sta
bles, a part of which were for the horses of the
First Virginia Cavalry and Captain R. V. W.

120 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Howard's Light Battery, Fourth ArtiUery, U. 8.
Army. The mule packers were a happy set. Seated
round their camp-fires at night, they would relate
to each other, with great gusto, their adventures
in the mountains, while at times they would while
away the weary hours Ustening to the patriotic
songs of a glee club, belonging to one of the
bands. The different bands were jealous of each other;
each claiming to be able to perform the greatest
amount of labor, and to have their animals in the
best condition, and broke to packing. Paul and
his band had painted upon their cooking-shed,
" We come to work, and not to learn ; " Captain
Bayes and his greasers, "Actions speak louder
than words ; " while another band, brought from
Cincinnati, were contented with announcing them
selves as " Buckeye Boys."
Occasionally, differences would arise between
them and the men employed in the horse depart
ment, upon whom they professed to look with
contempt. Unable to settle the difficulties, the
Chiefs would at times appeal to the Quartermaster,
and the party being in fault would receive a severe
reprimand, or discharge.
Rev. J. W. Curry, or Brother Curry as he is
sometimes called, is Chaplain of the bloody Third
Virginia Regiment of Infantry. Brother Curry

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 121
is a preacher of the Methodist persuasion; is a
sincere Christian, and a devoted lover of yellow-
legged chickens. His heart overflows with the
milk of human kindness toward his fellows, and
his whole soul is wrapped up in the spiritual
welfare of his regiment.
For many months, the regiment was scattered ;
but he faithfully visited the different companies,
giving them good advice, preaching patriotic ser
mons, and urging the men to send to their families
every dollar of their pay they possibly could. He
was certain to be on hand to receive his pay
whenever the Paymaster came around, and also
the allotments for the families of the soldiers,
every dollar of which he promptly and faithfully
deUvered. Though a good, he was not a great man, and
always preached short and practical sermons. A
joke he did not relish half as much as a good
dinner, especially if the joke was at his expense.
We had in-vited Rev. Father O'Connor, of Wes
ton, to hold service in the Government warehouse,
as a large number of troops, then at Clarksburg,
were of his faith, and extended a similar invitation
to Brother Curry, promising him a large congre
gation. He accepted; the time was appointed,
and the day previous we rode into the " corral,"
and calling around us several hundred teamsters,
mule-drivers, and^ packers, informed them that on
the morrow there would be service, and that their
11

122 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
presence would oblige us. They readily agreed to
attend, and when morning came, and the hour for
service arrived, some two hundred marched into
the warehouse, and quietly took their seats.
It was a pleasant sight, to look upon those rough,
unlearned, unlettered men, many of whom had
probably not attended Divine service for years,
upon bended knees, listening to a fervent prayer
offered at the throne of grace, and to behold them
weeping as he recounted the sufferings of the dying
Saviour upon the cross.
During the entire sermon, not a single man
moved ; but the instant the benediction was pro
nounced, there was a rush for the door.
Their comments upon the sermon were amus
ing :
" I say, Bill, how did you like that preacher? "
" Fust rate ; he's a gay old preacher, ain't he ? "
" Well, he is. Did you see how he fetched Jake
to his milk ? He blubbered like a baby."
"I don't think he can preach much," said
another. "You ort a' been to camp meetin' near Dayton,
last summer. The way the preachers brought the
fellows down on their marrer-bones was a caution.
I say. Bill, didn't that big old feller, what stood by
the Captain and led the singin', holler? Wouldn't
he make a bully mule-driver ? "
Others were silent and subdued. They probably
thought of the religious instructions received in

THE MULE DEPARTMENT. 123
their youth at the knee of a mother now in her
grave ; or of what was taught them at Sabbath-
School. Though of rough exterior, they had true hearts.
Their Uves and associations had been such as would
apparently crush out every religious feeling and
sentiment, but only a word was needed to revive
them. Repeatedly they inquired of us when there
would be "preaching in the warehouse," but
Brother Curry was soon after ordered to join his
regiment at Buckhannon, and we had not an
opportunity of again in-viting him.

124 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER XI.
THE EXPRESS COURIER LINE AND THB BUSHWHACKERS.
In consequence of the stoppage of the mails
west of Clarksburg, it became necessary to estab
lish an Express Courier Line to Headquarters, to
convey to the officers of General Rosecrans' col
umn their letters and official documents from the
Headquarters of the Army at Washington.
Procuring the best men we could, we put the
line into operation, but it was some time before it
worked to our entire satisfaction. The superin
tendent proved inefficient ; but, for the want of a
better, we were obliged to retain him for a time.
The General grumbled ; his staff grumbled, and
there was a general grumbling time at Head
quarters, at the irregularity with which the mail
arrived. Horses and riders were stationed about eight
miles apart, a time-table prepared, and the couriers
were ordered to push forward as rapidly as possi
ble. They were also directed to watch the military
telegraph line, and to report to the nearest offi
cer, when the line was out of order. Becoming

EXPRESS COURIER LINE AND BUSHWHACKERS. 125
impatient with the slow movements and little
energy displayed by the Superintendent, we tele
graphed him :
A. F. Newman, Chief of Express,
BULLTOVVN :
What is required to perfect the line. You have
had plenty of time to do so. Every facility has
been afforded you, and yet nothing has been done.
Unless you get the line in good working order at
once, I must make a change. You have not yet
reported your stations to me. Answer at once.
CHAS, LEIB,
Captain and A. Q. M.
This dispatch set him to work in earnest. He
felt that his official head was in danger, and, after
a time, we had for a while uninterrupted commu
nication with Headquarters. The body of the
rebels had been driven from the country lying be
tween Harrison County and Gauley River. It was
not deemed necessary to retain a large force there,
and, by degrees, the troops were withdrawn, only
part of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Regiment having
been left to protect the Union citizens, and to keep
open the roads.
This fact becoming known to the rebels, a num
ber of parties of guerrillas, or bushwhackers,
returned, shot down Union men, cut the telegraph
wire, stole the horses of the couriers, and occa-

126 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
sionally took one a prisoner, and sent him to Rich
mond. The bushwhackers are composed of a class of
men who are noted for their ignorance, indolence,
duplicity, and dishonesty; whose -vices and pas
sions peculiarly fit them for the warfare in which
they are engaged, and upon which the civilized
world looks with horror. Imagine a stolid, "vicious-
looking countenance, an ungainly figure, and an
awkward if not graceful, spinal curve in the dor
sal region, acquired by laziness and indifference to
maintaining an erect posture ; a garb of the coars
est texture of homespun linen or linsey-woolsey,
tattered and torn, and so covered ¦vdth dirt as not
to enable one to guess its original color ; a dilapi
dated, rimless hat or cap of some wild animal
covering his head, which has not been combed for
months; his feet covered with moccassins, and a
rifle by his side, a powder-horn and shot-pouch
slung around his neck, and you have the beau
ideal of a Western Virginia bushwhacker. Thus
equipped, he sallies forth with the stealth of the
panther, and lies in wait for a straggling soldier,
courier, or loyal citizen, to whom the only warn
ing given of his presence, is the sharp click of his
deadly rifle. He kills for the sake of killing, and
plunders for the love of gain. Parties of these
ferocious beasts, under cover of darkness, frequently
steal into a neighborhood, burn the residences of
loyal citizens, rob stores, tan-yards, and farm-houses

Devil Bill Parsons, the Bushwhacker.

EXPRESS COURIER LINE AND BUSHWHACKERS. 127
of every thing they can put to use, especially arms,
ammunition, leather, clothing, bedding, and salt.
They do not stop at pillage, for ofttimes is their
track marked with blood. The leaders of some of
these bands have acquired great notoriety by their
cold-blooded brutality and adroitness at theft.
One of these is a man who, in days gone by, en
joyed, to a great degree, the confidence of the peo
ple of Western Virginia. He, together 'with
ex-Governor Wise, did much to make bushwhack
ing respectable in the estimation of the depraved
and ignorant. The political leaders, who instigated
these men to engage in bushwhacking, generally
keep aloof from actual participation in the war,
only planning forays, participating in the gains of
theft, and conveying stolen horses and goods to
a market where they can be disposed of to an
advantage. A notorious bushwhacker is Bill Parsons, or
Devil Bill as he is called. Bill is filthy in appear
ance, and, Uke the rest of his class, has low instincts,
and is as ferocious as a hyena. It is said he has
eleven wives, and it is a fact well known, that one
of them is his own daughter. He resides in Roane
County, where he has been guilty of many gross
outrages. The result of this devilish mode of warfare in
Western Virginia, has been the destruction of
every interest, and almost every pursuit, save
that of the soldier. Towns have been burned or

128 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
pillaged, farm-houses deserted, agriculture has
been neglected, commerce destroyed, and the inter
ests of education disregarded. Many of those who
were favorable to Secession ha'ving seen their error,
desired to return to loyalty, and seek peace and
protection from the Government they, a short time
ago, attempted to destroy. To Colonel Thomas
M. Harris, commanding the Tenth Virginia In
fantry, is the Union cause greatly indebted for
creating a healthy public sentiment in what is
called the rebel counties. At the risk of his life
he went among the Secessionists, pointed out to
them the madness of their course, and induced
many of them to renounce that damnable doc
trine. Notwithstanding the threats that the Courier
Line should be broken up, it was kept in running
order. As fast as a horse was stolen, we replaced
him, armed the Couriers with Na'vy revolvers, and
directed them to shoot whoever attempted to in
terfere with them when in the discharge of duty.
This, to some extent, intimidated the bushwhack
ers, who are mostly cowards, and do not care to
get within the range of a pistol.
Another Superintendent was appointed, one
Angus M. Reiger, of Clarksburg, who, we had
reason to believe, from representations made to us
as to his character, was a man of pluck, and pecu
liarly fitted for the position, but after having
passed over the Une a few times, and having, as he

EXPRESS COURIER LINE AND BUSHWHACKERS, 129
said, been shot at, tendered his resignation, as we
believe, because there was danger of the enemy
firing bullets. We were obliged to forage the
whole line from Clarksburg, as there was none to
be obtained on the road. Every pound of hay,
corn, and oats had been used that could be ob
tained, and it was no small matter to transport
grain in the depth of -winter, and in the early
spring, through the enemy's country, when the
roads were almost impassable.
The most urgent and earnest appeals were made
to us by the Acting Assistant Quartermaster at
Sutton, where a company of Cavalry was stationed,
to supply that post -with forage, while Captain
Moulton, at Beverly, also drew upon us largely.
It was sent to these posts at an enormous cost, but
that was of no importance, when there was danger
of the public animals suffering.
Michael Eagan was the only Superintendent of
the Express Line who was really efficient. He was
the first Courier sent forward, and in the discharge
of duty stopped at nothing; swam streams swollen
by the hea-vy rains of that country ; crossed the
mountains when he knew the bushwhacking
bloodhounds were on his track, and when warned
not to attempt their passage, would quietly reply :
" Captain Leib ordered me not to stop until I had
reached Headquarters, and I must obey." He is an
Irishman by birth, had received a liberal educa
tion, and, in his younger days, was in the British

130 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Army. He knew not fear, and, finding him com
petent and meritorious, we promoted him.
The line was kept up at a heavy expense, and
when General Rosecrans left the Gauley Country
and removed to Wheeling, we recommended that
it be abandoned, but it was not until we were
relieved from duty.
While the rebels were in the habit of stealing
horses from the Courier Line, and from loyal citi
zens, our troops did not hesitate, and very properly,
too, to take the horses of rebels in arms, or leading
ones who gave them aid and comfort. This was
especially so with the three months' men. Those
who could not take their horses home, frequently
disposed of them for a mere pittance. This was
wrong. It was their duty to deliver them to a
Quartermaster, who would receipt for them, and
take them up on his property return as " captured
horses." On one occasion, the Quartermaster at
Grafton received information that three horses,
justly belonging to the Government, were in the
hands of three citizens of Fetterman, two miles
distant. A polite note was sent them, requesting
the delivery of the horses, to which two of them
promptly responded ; but the third, one Berger, a
loud-mouthed Secessionist, who, in the absence of
troops, talked large and bravely of his own valor,
and the chivalry of the Southern Army, paid no
attention to the request, other than to declare he
would see Lieutenant Smith d — d, before he would

EXPRESS COURIER LINE AND BUSHWHACKERS, 131
deliver up the horse. An order was then sent,
which he indignantly tore up, and threatened per
sonal violence to the messenger. He was delighted
with his own bravery, and boasted that he had
con-vinced the Yankees that he was not to be trifled
with — ^that they could play no games on him ; he
had bought the horse, and all the soldiers at Graf
ton could not take him. Very soon, a corporal
and four soldiers, with flxed bayonets, approached,
informed Berger that he was wanted at Grafton, and
before he could recover from his surprise — to the
infinite deUght of the Union men, and the chagrin
of the rebels, who were present — ^was on his march
thither. Arrived there, he inquired in a pompous manner
of Lieutenant Smith :
" I want to know, sir, why I am arrested."
"You shall know, Mr. Berger. You have a
fine horse belonging to the United States, and it is
my duty to obtain him."
"I have a horse I bought for eighty dollars from
a soldier, and he's mine. I paid for him, and
mean to keep him."
"Don't get excited, Mr, Berger. Take this mat
ter easy. Do you mean to say you paid that amount
of money for him ? "
" I mean to say he cost me that much. The sol
dier killed my game cock, worth fifty dollars. I
gave him a terrier pup, worth thirty, and called it
square."

132 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
" Mr. Berger, you had better send to the soldier
and get your pup back. I have no doubt your
game cock was a valuable bird, and that your ter
rier pup will make a good dog, but as neither of
them would be recognized on my property return,
I expect you to deliver the horse to me at once."
"I won't do it."
"You won't?"
" No, curse me, if I do ! "
" Corporal, hand this man over to the officer of
the guard, with instructions to keep him in
custody until further orders."
" You don't mean to put me in the guard-house,
do you ? "
" Yes ; and to keep you there until the horse is
restored." "Well, if I must, I must! but it's hard to de
prive a man of his property, and loose his cock
and pup besides. I'll give him up under protest ! "
Berger, having sent for the horse, delivered him
to Smith and left, swearing he would be revenged
on the soldier for cheating him, when he knew the
horse belonged to the Government.

NOTABLES WE MET. 133

CHAPTER XII.
THE NOTABLES WE MET.
We are indebted to the Wheeling IntelUgencer
for the foUowing sketches of Brigadier-General
Wm. S. Rosecrans and Brigadier-General George
L. Hartsuff: BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROSECRANS.
William Starke Rosecrans was born in Kingston
Township, Delaware County, Ohio, on the 6th of
November, 1819. His parents were Crandall Rose
crans, whose ancestors were originally from Am
sterdam, Holland, and Jemima Hopkins ; the form
er a native of Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, who
immigrated to Ohio in 1808 — the latter, raised in
the same beautiful country, and a daughter of a sol
dier of the Revolution, who had for five years daily
oft'ered his life and treasure in that struggle for lib
erty. The early years of the present General were
passed in close application to his studies, so that at
the age of eighteen he was well fitted for his ap
pointment as cadet at the Military Academy at
West Point, in 1838. He graduated with high
honors in 1842, being third in mathematics and
fifth in general merit, in a class of fifty-six, num-

134 THE CHANCES F R MAKING A MILLION.
bering many distinguished competitors. He en
tered the Corps of Engineers as Brevet Second
Lieutenant on the first of July, 1842, and served that
year at Fortress Monroe, as First Assistant, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. E. De Russey.
He was ordered to duty at West Point, in 1843,
as Assistant Professor of Engineering.
About this period General Rosecrans was united
in marriage, at St. John's Church, in New York
City, to the amiable and accomplished Miss A. E.
Hegeman, only daughter of Adrian Hegeman, long
known and respected as one of the noblest jurists
of that city. In 1844, he was detailed as Assistant
Professor of natural and experimental philosophy.
In 1845-'47 he served as Assistant and First Assist
ant Professor of Engineering, and had charge of the
department to which Captain Swift had been at
tached, while that officer served in Mexico, and was
also for nine months Post-Quartermaster. He was
ordered to Newport in 1847 and there took charge
of all the fortifications, and the reconstruction Cf a
large military wharf, which had previously been de
stroyed during a storm. This duty devolved upon
him on account of his recognized ability as an
engineer, and was then looked npon as a decided
compliment. He remained there until 1852. In
1852-'53 he was charged with the survey of New
Bedford and Providence Harbors and Taunton
River, under an act of Congress, appropriating a
stated sum for the purposes of improvement. In

NOTABLES WE MET. 135
April, 1854, he was ordered to report for duty to the
Secretary of the Navy, in the Bureau of Docks and
Yards, then assigned as Constructing Engineer at
the Washington Navy Yard, until November, 1853,
when, on account of ill health, he felt compelled to
resign his position, and tendered his resignation to
the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. The resig
nation was not accepted, from a desire to retain so
valuable an officer in the service, and a leave of
absence was granted, with the understanding that,
at its termination, if the resignation was insisted
upon, it would be accepted ; which was subse
quently done in April, 1854,
From that date to June, 1855, General Rosecrans
occupied an office in Cincinnati as Consulting En
gineer and Architect. In June, 1855, he was in
duced to take charge of the interests of the Cannel
Coal Company, which, with other parties, were
engaged in building locks, dams, and endeavoring
to effect slack-water na-vigation on Coal River, in
Western Virginia. As Superintendent of the
works, and President of the Company, he gave
great satisfaction, but relinquished his position to
assume control of the Cincinnati Coal Oil Com
pany, then making preparations for an extensive
business, in which he was directly concerned. The
many improvements perfected by him while in
this capacity, furnish ample e-vidence of the fer
tility of his inventive genius, the depth of his
researches, and the activity of his energetic mind.

136 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
But the threatened storm of rebellion at last burst
upon the country, calUng to arms the noble heroes
who were prepared to shed exultingly the last drop
of blood in the effort to maintain the Government
and preserve the Constitution.
When General McClellan was appointed, he at
once selected General Rosecrans as his Aid and
Acting Chief Engineer, with the rank of Major.
The Legislature of Ohio then purposely created
the office of Chief Engineer of the State, which
was intended for General Rosecrans, and accepted
by him.
On the 10th of June, 1861, he was appointed by
Governor Dennison Colonel of the Twenty-third
Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and was sent upon a
mission to Washington City to arrange for the
maintenance and payment of the Ohio contingent
forces. On the 20th of June, he was nominated by the
President a Brigadier-General in the regular army,
a promotion universally acknowledged to be as
rapid as it was deserved, and attended with the spon
taneous approbation of all classes and creeds of citi
zens, who knew his worth and estimated his merit.
When the advance into Western Virginia was
made. General Rosecrans was intrusted ¦with a
brigade composed of the foUowing regiments : the
Eighth and Tenth Indiana, and the Seventeenth
and Nineteenth Ohio, and placed in command at
Parkersburg.

NOTABLES WE MET. 137
Here, from an eye-witness, we find this testimony
of his energy :
" Our General is an incessant worker. He is in
his saddle almost constantly. He has not had a
full night's sleep since he has been in Virginia, and
he as often takes his meals on horseback as at table.
His geniaUty and affability endears him to all who
eome in contact with him. His soldiers recognize
in him a competent commander."
He afterward proceeded to Clarksburg, thence
to Buckhannon, and on the 12th of July fought
the now memorable battle of Rich Mountain, suc
ceeding by his own plans in achieving a disastrous
defeat for the rebels.
In this battle he cut a passage nine miles through
the wood, and after coming upon the enemy's rear,
after a desperate fight of an hour and a half,
completely routed them, capturing " all they had,
and taking many officers, as well as privates, pris
oners." The rebels numbered about two thousand,
under General Pegram, who was soon after obUged
to surrender himself a prisoner of war.
Subsequently, General Rosecrans drove the rebel
Generals Wise and Floyd out of Western Virginia,
and captured their effects.
Socially, the General is a refined gentleman, yet
frank, free-spoken, and off-handed, as the fashion is
at the West. In person he is a little above medium
height, rather thin, and very erect, "with a conspicu
ous broad forehead, and clear gray eyes.
12

138 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
McCleUan being called to the head of our Army
of the Potomac, on the 22d of July, General Rose
crans immediately took his place in command of
the Army of Western Virginia, being appointed
on the 24th of July.
On the 1st of August, General Rosecrans tele
graphed to the War Department at Washington,
that the valley of the Kanawha was freed from
rebels, and that his forces had captured one thou
sand muskets, a quantity of amniunition, etc.
On the 10th of September, he wounded and
routed Floyd, who had sixteen pieces of artiUery,
and five or six thousand men at Carnifex Ferry,
and again rid his Department of rebels.
General Rosecrans' Headquarters are at Wheel
ing, where he has been actively preparing for the
spring campaign. His forces are in such a condi
tion as to strike terror to the quaking miscreants,
who have made their hitherto happy land one vast
scene of treason and bloodshed.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE L. HARTSUFF.
Brigadier-General Hartsuff was born in the
State of New York, on the 28th of May, 1830.
He removed to Michigan in 1841 ; entered West
Point Academy in 1848; graduated in 1852 as
Brevet Second Lieutenant of the Fourth ArtiUery;
was ordered to Texas in October, 1852 ; served
there until January, 1854, having been previously

NOTABLES WE MET 139
promoted Second Lieutenant in the Second Artil
lery ; he was ordered to Florida in June, 1854 ;
served there continually in the field until July,
1856, having greatly distinguished himself in seve
ral bloody contests with the Indians, and once so
severely wounded as to be reported dead.
The thrilling recital of his hardships and suffer
ings was published in the papers of the day, and
excited much interest.
He also served in Florida as Acting Topographi
cal Engineer, and surveyed many of the swamps
and jungles of that malarious region. He after
ward went with a detachment to Fort Wood,
Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor, and remained
there in command one month, being ordered to
West Point in September, 1856, as Assistant In
structor in Artillery and Infantry tactics.
He remained at West Point up to June, 1859,
when he was relieved at his own request, and went
West to join his company at Mackinaw, ser"vilig
there until October, 1860.
The Captain was a survivor of the disaster to
the Lady Elgin on Lake Michigan, exhibiting on
that occasion the coolness and courage for which
he is distinguished.
In January, 1861, he was ordered on duty at
Washington, and was there appointed Assistant
Adjutant-General on the 22d of March foUo-wing.
On the 7th of April, while under orders for
Santa F^ he waa met in New York with an order

140 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION,
to join a secret expedition, the destination of which
was unknown at the time, but afterward proved to
be to Fort Pickens, Florida.
He returned to Washington on the 16th of July,
and received orders to join General Rosecrans in
Western Virginia, arri-ving at Clarksburg on the
6th of August, 1861.
During the campaign in Western Virginia, Cap
tain Hartsuff was distinguished for his gallantry
and coolness upon the field of battle. He is mod
est, unassuming, and eminently as well as severely
just. His appointment was the reward of real
merit, and not brought about by the chicanery of
political demagogism.
MAJOR ROBERT B. CLARY, CHIEF QUARTERMASTER.
Major Robert E. Clary, Chief Quartermaster of
the Department, is one of the purest and best men
in the service. He is a native of the old Bay State,
and entered the Army from West Point, in 1828,
After serving at the School of Practice, at Jefferson
Barracks, Missouri, for one year, he was attached
to the Fifth Infantry, and, in the Spring of 1829,
joined his company at Fort Bridger, where he
remained until 1832, when his company was made
a part of General Scott's force, to suppress the
Indian outbreak under Black Hawk,
In 1838, Lieutenant Clary was promoted to a
Captaincy in the Quartermaster's Department, and
ordered soon after to Florida, and placed in charge

Major Robert E. Clary, Chief Quartermaster.

NOTABLES WE MET. 141
of the important depots of Black Creek and Pi-
latka, from which the troops were supplied. In
1845 he was ordered, with two companies, to
establish Fort Wilkins, in Copper Harbor, Lake
Superior, where he remained on duty until the
breaking out of the Mexican war, when he was
ordered to Fort Leavenworth, and subsequently to
New Orleans, where he was stationed until 1851.
From thence he was sent to CaUfornia, in charge
of the depot at Benicia. In 1857, he took charge
of the Department at St. Louis; but being too
honest an officer to suit the purposes of the Secre
tary of War, he was relieved from duty there, after
some time. In 1860 he was ordered to Utah, and
was in charge of the Quartermaster's Department
until the troops were ordered east, to take part in
the suppression of the rebelUon.
When the news reached Utah of the determina
tion of some of the Southern States to secede, it
found among the officers of the army there, not
only sympathizcTS, but open, and avowed friends.
On the occasion of a dinner party, one of them pro
posed as a toast, " the Assassination of the Presi
dent and Vice-President of the United States,"
which was drank ; while one of them declared, he
did not drink, but if he did, he would respond to
it with all his heart. Some of these officers are,
to-day, in the rebel army, while others are now in
the Federal service.
Major Clary, who is a true patriot, was indignant

142 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
at such evidences of treason, boldly denounced it ;
and the evidences of the disloyalty of these offi
cers sent to the War Department.
In November last. Major Clary was ordered to
take charge of the Department of Western Vir
ginia, as Chief Quartermaster. As an officer, he is
prompt, efficient, watchful of the interests of the
Government, and has a keen sense of justice.
Those who know him best, love him most. Our
official intercourse -with him was, to us, most
agreeable and pleasant.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM CRAIG, A. Q. M.
The ablest Assistant Quartermaster in the De
partment of Western Virginia, is Captain WiUiam
Craig. He was born in Vermillion </Ounty, Indi
ana, in 1831, is the son of a prominent politician of
that county, and was sent to Wabash CoUege, where
he remained until the age of seventeen, when he
received a cadetship at West Point, graduated in
1853, and was appointed Brevet Second Lieutenant
in the Third Infantry. The next year he was sent
to New Mexico, and soon after his arrival a war
broke out between the United States and the Utah
and the Hicrea-Apacha Indians. There were but
few troops in New Mexico at that time, and volun
teers ha-ving been called for. Colonel St.Vrain, a cele
brated mountaineer, raised a regiment and marched
against them. Lieutenant Craig was appoiuted
Adjutant of the Regiment. This force operated

Captain William Craig, A. Q. M.

NOTABLES WE MET. 143
on the head waters of the Arkansas River, and
after a campaign of seven months against them,
the Indians sued for peace. During the winter
the troops suffered terribly from cold, and fre
quently on their marches passed over snow forty
feet in depth. At Sangre de Crista Pass, the
guides tried the snow, and found they were above
the tops of the trees. On emerging from the Pass,
on the east side of the mountains, they found the
grass five inches in height. Colonel St. Vrain,
who is an extensive landholder, in appreciation of
the ser-vices of Lieutenant Craig, presented him a
mile square of land at that point. The war over.
General Garland selected him as his Aid, and
although appointed Second Lieutenant of the
Eighth Infantry, then in Texas, would not permit
him to join his company. He was promoted to a
First" Lieutenancy in 1857, and soon after was
married to Miss Mary E. Cutts, the grand-niece
of the late President Madison, and daughter of
Lieutenant Thomas Cutts, formerly Adjutant of
the Third Infantry, a most promising young offi
cer, who died a number of years ago. The follow
ing year, Lieutenant Craig was appointed Assist
ant on the Coast Survey, and directed to report to
Professor Bache, the Superintendent, who some
time after ordered him to survej^ a line from
Beaufort, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia ;
but before the instructions could be carried out.
South Carolina seceded.

144 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
The operations on the Coast Survey having been
suspended in the South, Lieutenant Craig reported
to the Adjutant-General for orders to join his
regiment, but was informed that the traitor Twiggs
had surrendered all the Federal forces in Texas,
and directing him to wait further orders. Much to
his surprise, he was unanimously elected Colonel of
a Volunteer Regiment, then just raised at Auburn,
New York, and of which the son of Secretary
Seward was elected Lieutenant-Colonel. The fol
lowing complimentary but just notice of his elec
tion was published at the time in an Auburn paper :
" Cayuga Regiment. — First Lieutenant WUUam
Craig, of the Eighth Infantry, United States Army,
was on ; Saturday last unanimously elected Colonel
of the Cayuga Regiment of Volunteers. This fine
regiment could not have made a better selection.
Lieutenant Craig was detached from his regiment
last summer, and transferred to the Coast Survey
between Beaufort and Savannah. His regiment
was surrendered by General Twiggs in Texas, and
is now at Indianola, prisoners of war. The inter
ruption of the Coast Survey has prevented him
from being occupied on his detached service.
" The Cayuga Regiment may congratulate itself
in ha-ving secured so competent a commander.
The long experience of Lieutenant Craig in Mex
ico, as Aid to General Garland, has given him a
perfect knowledge of field duty, and his thorough

NOTABLES WB MET. 145
military education and service ¦will give that regi
ment unusual advantages over those who are less
fortunate in the qualifications and military abili
ties of their officers. If events shall call that regi
ment into actual service, we predict for it a
gallant and honorable career from what we know
of the material of which it is composed, and learn
of the capability of its accomplished commander."
Hastening to Washington with his certificate of
election, and the indorsement of Governor Mor
gan, he applied for leave of absence during the
war, to enable him to take command of the regi
ment ; but was met by General Scott with, " the
little army must not be broken up," and his
application refused, much to his chagrin.
Shortly after he was appointed Captain and
Assistant Quartermaster, and directed to proceed
to Wheeling and muster into service such compa
nies as could be organized in Western Virginia,
which the Government, from dispatches and letters
received, were led to believe were numerous. He
declares, that instead of being met by twenty-two
hundred men, ready to be enrolled, as had been
represented, he was met -with nothing but sneers
and jeers at every corner, and with the epithets of
Lincoln abolitionist, and mercenary hireling, and
that such a thing as a star-spangled banner could
not be obtained in the city of Wheeling for love
nor money. 13

146 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
Not daunted with this discouraging reception,
he determined to see if some good could not " come
out of Nazareth;" had flags made, purchased
drums, hired musicians, and, after two weeks of
hard labor, succeeded in raising one company.
While there was a strong Union under-current in
Wheeling, men feared to avow their opinions, and
the few who boldly declared that the Union must
be preserved at all hazards, and the President sus
tained, did so at the risk of their lives. Among
these were E. M. Norton, now United States
Marshal, James W. Paxton, Dr. Thoburn, A. W.
Campbell, Editor of the Intelligencer, and Thomas
Hornbrook, now CoUector of the Port — all of
whom had supported Mr. Lincoln for the Presi
dency. Companies from Ohio and Pennsylvania
presented themselves, anxious to be mustered into
service, but were disbanded and re-organized,' be
fore they could be received as Virginia troops.
Having raised the First Regiment, the Colo
nelcy was tendered him, but the reply of General
Scott to his application stared him in the face —
"the little army must not be broken up " — and he
was compelled to decline. The Second Regiment
was next raised, and the command tendered him,
but he could not accept it.
When the First Regiment was ordered to march
to Grafton, Captain Craig desired the officers to
receipt for the Quartermaster's and Commissary's
stores they had received from him, which one and

NOTABLES WB MET. 147
all reftised to do ; and he did not obtain them until
Colonel Kelley ordered the officers to comply with
his just request.
By an order of General McClellan, Captain
Craig was placed in command of the forces at
Wheeling. Prisoners were sent there from all
parts of the State, and placed in his charge, some
of whom Governor Pierpont ordered released, and
among others a notorious bridge-burner, named
Stevens. The Captain could not recognize the
authority of the Governor, and the result w^as, a
bitter war was made upon him by that functionary,
and charges brought against him. We give an
extract from a letter to General Meigs, Quarter
master General, with reference to him, from the
Governor :
"My operations have been made vexatious by
the conduct of Captain Craig, Quartermaster for
this Di"vision. He first had his Headquarters here ;
then he removed them four miles down the river,
to Bellair. The next move was to Marietta, Ohio,
eighty miles down the river ; leaving a clerk at
BeUair to receive and forward his goods to. Mari
etta, Ohio. Marietta is to "Wheeling, for distribut
ing supplies, about as convenient as Acquia Creek
is to Washington. Now, the goods for my regi
ments are taken from Bellair — four miles from
"Wlieeling — and shipped to Marietta, there drayed
and stored, and what becomes of them is more

148 THE CHANCES FOB MAKING A MILLION.
than I can tell. Some of them have been sent
back ; the residue is either lying there, or has been
distributed to other troops.
"Why it is that Captain Craig's Headquarters
should be removed to Marietta, eighty miles from
Wheeling, and goods intended for troops that I
am raising and equipping should be carried .from
here to Marietta and back again, is more than I
can comprehend.
I am con"vinced the whole matter is a scheme
and determination of Craig to embarrass this
ser"vice. And I now respectfully ask that he be
removed from this line, and disconnected from
this military di"vision, and that he be ordered
immediately to send to Wheeling all the goods
in his possession intended for this service.
I have further most respectfully to ask, that a
Quartermaster be appointed at this place. If it
can not be done, I want to know it at once. And
if Captain Craig is not removed from this Military
Department at once, I want to know that, too.
I am yours, etc.,
F. H. PIERPONT,
Governor of Virginia."
His Excellency did not know that when he
proceeded to Marietta it was by order of General
McCleUan. At a later period, Captain Craig was ordered to
purchase horses for the First Virginia Cavalry,

Captain A. V. Barringer, Commissary of Subsistence,

NOTABLES WE MET. 149
which he did ; and the horses, which were not seen
by the Governor, were pronounced almost worth
less. They were sent to us for the regiment, and
the Colonel, as well as ourself, pronounced them
the finest lot ever sent to the Department.
So anxious was Governor Dennison to secure
the services of Captain Craig, that he sent a special
messenger to Washington to get him detached
from his Quartermaster duties, to enable him to
take command of a regiment, and succeeded. He
commenced at once to raise his regiment. As fast
as he raised companies, they were mustered into
service, were put in camp, and prepared for the
field. It was probably the best equipped regiment
in the State, but some difficulties ha"ving been
thro"wn in his way, preventing its speedy forma
tion, he resigned ; and was again ordered to duty
in the Quartermaster's Department, and stationed
at Parkersburg.
He is eminently just in all his dealings, and in
social Ufe a poUshed and courteous gentleman.

Our intimate business relations with this prompt
and energetic officer, the faithful manner in which
he discharged the onerous duties of his position,
justly entitles him to a notice at our hands.
Captain Barringer was born in the city of Troy,
New York, in 1829. His father dying when quite

150 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
a youth, his mother placed him in a leading mer
cantile house in that city, at the head of which
was a gentleman noted for his taste, cultivation,
refinement, and great moral worth, who is now the
leading spirit in a noted New York business firm,
to whose example and teachings, we have frequently
heard Captain B. declare he is greatly indebted for
his success in life.
But the boy became restless; he longed for a
broader field of operation, and that field was the
great West. At sixteen, he removed to Cincinnati,
where he was fortunate in securing a situation in
a prominent jobbing house on Pearl street, ¦with
which he remained for ten years.
He had, as he declares, no taste for mercantile
pursuits, and abandoning them engaged in the
study of architecture, and having made himself
familiar with the construction of gas works, and
the manufacture of gas, he embarked in that
business. At that period, only the most important cities
of the Union were enjoying the benefits of this,
the greatest improvement of the age. The success
of such an enterprise as lighting small towns was
considered questionable. People were afraid to
take hold of it ; but Captain Barringer was satis
fied that it was tenable, and he was not mistaken.
In the last ten years, he has erected gas works in
twenty-five cities and towns, and among them
Milwaukie, New Albany, Columbus, Zanes^ville,

NOTABLES WE MET. 151
Sandusky City, Mt. Vernon, and Newport, Rhode
Island, The works at the latter place are noted
for their beauty and completeness.
His contracts during that time amounted to
about two millions of dollars.
Subsequently, he became interested in the con
struction of a land grant railroad in the North-west ;
was in turn Secretary, Director, and Trustee for the
conveyance of la;nds ; but the crisis of 1856 and
1857 interfered with its construction, as it did
with every other undertaking of any financial im
portance, and for the time being it was abandoned.
From that time until the breaking out of the
rebellion, he again engaged in his former pursuits,
when he determined to enter the army, and was
appointed by the President Commissary of Sub
sistence, and directed to report to Brigadier-General
Rosecrans, commanding the Department of West
ern Virginia, then at Clarksburg.
Proceeding thither, he requested to be stationed
at a post where there was " plenty of work," and
was ordered to relieve the Acting Commissary at
Parkersburg. He took charge on the 29th of Au
gust, and found the Department in the most dire
confusion, and though inexperienced and without
competent subordinates, soon brought order out
of chaos, systematized his business, and in every
emergency supplied from his post the principal
depots in the whole Department, with the vast
amount of stores required, with a promptness that

152 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
won the highest encomiums from the General
commanding and the Chief of his Department.
When at Clarksburg, to report for duty, we
made his acquaintance, and Were struck with his
activity of mind, comprehensive business views,
and the deep interest he manifested in every thing
connected with the service.
His reports and returns to the Commissary-Gene
ral are promptly made, and he has received from
that officer gratifying evidences of the estimation
in which he is held by his Department.
Aside from our official intercourse, our relations
with him were pleasant and agreeable. Although
young, his business qualifications are of no ordi
nary character, and we predict for him a brilliant
career in the business world.

HUMOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. 153

CHAPTER Xlir.
HUMOR OP THE DEPARTMENT.
It could hardly be supposed that in a Depart
ment where there is so much stern reality, there
is any humor, but could our readers have spent
an hour in our office at Clarksburg, the first six
months we were there, they would have heard
much to amuse and interest them. Questions the
most ridiculous in character were asked us ; notes,
letters, and official documents were daily received
from officers which should have been sufficient to
have caused them to lose their shoulder-straps.
We give a verbatim copy of an order from Lieu
tenant Colonel H. Prather, of the Sixth Indiana
Regiment, commanding the post of Webster, given
Lieutenant D. L. Smith, Quartermaster and Com
missary at Grafton :
Gbnl Quarter Master
Smith send Rations of Flower.. Cofee. Shugar
rice, and beans, for 90 Men, for 5 days arerage
and 5 days subsequient, also Stationary for post,
all out of Cofee, and cant have breakfust, unless it

154 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
comes, the articles of Provisions are for the board
ing masters, also send 50 rations of beaf fresh.
H PRATHER,
Lieut Col Comd Post
Webster 16 1861
This officer, on another occasion, telegraphed
Lieutenant Smith to send him by " special patrol
train, one pen six sheets writing paper, and six
brown envelopes for use of Post."
Telegrams frequently sent by officers who are
on terms of intimacy, at times cause great merri
ment. Telegraphing to Captain William Craig,
then at Bellair, Ohio, for a hay-press, we received,
after repeating the message, the foUowing reply :
"BeUair, August 7, 1861.
" I am unable to get hay-press, but, by going to
Lake Erie, I might procure you a light-house."
W. CRAIG,
Captain and A. Q. M.
We were sold, and, telling the joke gracefully,
acknowledged the corn. At a later period, when
upon a Board, at Beverly, to examine volunteer
officers, he suggested, in a telegram to us, that not
a few needed a " Ught-house," of the truth of
which there is no doubt, for there are many illite
rate and incompetent officers in the Department
of Western Virginia.

HUMOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. 155
Lieutenant L. D. Smith, of the Second Virginia
Volunteers, was Acting Assistant Quartermas
ter, at Grafton. He is an active, energetic, busi
ness man ; and was ready to work, night and day,
to promote the best interests of the service. Like
ourself he knew' nothing of regulations, when
detailed for duty, and had to do with officers who
knew less, and who believed they were entitled to
receive every article they desired. A Sergeant,
belonging to the Seventh Indiana Regiment, on
one occasion, presented him with an order from a
field officer, for twelve pounds of oats and fourteen
pounds of hay, and was politely informed that
officers could not draw forage for private horses.
The Sergeant reported this to the officer, who,
bursting with rage, rushed furiously to the office of
the Lieutenant, and asked him in an imperious tone,
"Are you the Quartermaster?"
« I am."
" "WTiy do you disobey my orders, sir ? "
"Who are you?"
"I'm Colonel Spooner, Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Seventh Indiana Regiment, and want to know why
you disobey my orders to issue oats for my horse ? "
"I have several reasons for so doing. Colonel
Spooner. In the first place, I have no oats. In
the second place, I have no money to buy them.
In the third place, officers can not draw forage
from Quartermasters. I could not issue to you, if
even I had forage."

156 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
" I did'nt come here, sir, to be informed as to
my rights. I know them, and I'll have them. If
you do not issue forage immediately, sir, I will
report you to the General for disobedience of
orders." " I can not accommodate you, Colonel ; and
the best thing you can do, is to report me to the
General." In a few moments an orderly summoned him
before General Morris, and, repairing to his office,
met the irascible Colonel. The General, in his usual
mild manner, addressed the Lieutenant with —
" Quartermaster Smith, what is the difficulty
between you and Colonel Spooner ? "
" General, he ordered me to issue forage for his
private horse, which I have no power to do."
"IsthataU?"" That is aU."
Turning to Colonel Spooner, he inquired,
" Is that the cause of your complaint ? "
"It is, General."
^' Then I advise you to do as I do, and every
other officer and gentleman does, send them to a
private stable. You are allowed a certain amount
for forage, and must buy your own feed. I trust.
Colonel Spooner, you ¦will enter no more com
plaints, but attend to your own business Good
day, sir."
Colonel Spooner made no more requisitions on
Smith.

HUMOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. 157
Among the patriotic Union men of Western
Virginia, Frank Pierpont, Governor of the " Re
stored Government of Virginia," stands pre-emi
nent. He is possessed of a strong will and great
determination of character, and when Governor
Letcher fell into the hands of the Secessionists and
used his position and authority to raise the stand
ard of rebellion in the State, Frank Pierpont was
one of the men who took bold and open ground
against the movement. The loyal men of Western
Virginia called a Convention at Wheeling, elected
him Governor, and he went to work at once to
put it in a state of defense ; raised regiments, and
succeeded in obtaining a large supply of Quarter
master's stores and clothing, camp and garrison
equipage for the troops. By mistake, ten thou
sand blankets got into the possession of some
Quartermaster, and were, of course, issued. The
Governor was sorely troubled. He telegraphed
all the principal Quartermasters in the Department,
that they had ten thousand blankets belonging to
him, and directing that five thousand be sent him
at once. He knew we had a large amount of
every description of stores ; it might be they were
at Clarksburg, and he ventured a telegram :
Wheeling, September 10, 1861.
Captain Leib, A. Q. M. :
Ten thousand blankets, sent to my order for the
Virginia Regiments, were sent to Clarksburg

158 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
Send me five thousand of them by return train, if
possible. F. H. PIERPONT.
It was a shrewd move in the Governor, but did
not win ; we knew nothing of them, and replied :
Clarksburg, September 10, 1861.
Governor F. H. Pierpont :
I have no blankets, except such as I have
receipted for.
CHARLES LEIB,
Captain and A. Q. M.
The Governor was puzzled. It was evident
there were plenty of blankets at our depot, and he
must have some at all events. Coming down four
thousand, he telegraphed :
Wheeling, September 10, 1861.
Captain Charles Lieb, A. Q. M. :
I must, at least, have one thousand blankets.
F. H. PIERPONT.
We could not respond to the wishes of the Ex
ecutive, much as we desired to oblige him. His
receipt would have been worthless at the Depart
ment at Washington, for although he was anxious
to conduct the war in Western Virginia, the
President had not, as in the case of the Governor

humor of the department. 159
of New York, appointed him a Major- General.
The receipts of an Assistant Quartermaster were
of more importance to us than that of the Gov
ernor. Another dispatch followed :
Wheeling, September 11, 1861.
Captain Leib, A. Q. M.
Are you sending me any blankets to-day ? "
F. H. PIERPONT.
Our reply was, " Nary a blanket."
But he was not to be put off. Blankets he was
resolved to have from somebody; became impa
tient, then importunate, and finally Lieutenant
Smith, Acting Assistant Quartermaster at Grafton,
made a requisition for them, which we filled ; the
Governor received them, and was happy.
Old Mrs. Cline is known to every man, woman,
and child in Clarksburg — and well she may be.
For more than half a century she has sold " cakes
and beer" to the youth of the town. The old
sign, " M. Cline, Cakes and Beer," is familiar to
everybody. She is a queer looking, little, old
woman, rejoices in high, white, starched caps,
ornamented with a broad ruffie; has a hooked
nose, and a chin which appears anxious to get in
close proximity with her nasal organ. The expres
sion of her eyes is peculiar, and when roused
she is a perfect termagant. Her prejudices are

160 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
strong, and we have heard it remarked, "I'd
rather meet a tiger than old Mrs. Cline, when she
is mad." In the early part of the summer her
shop was the resort of the men who were detaUed
for picket duty on the bridge crossing the west
fork of Monongahela River. They entertained
her with marvelous stories of war, and details of
battles which had never been fought; at times
making her hair almost stand on end, by telling
her what the rebels would do if they ever took
Clarksburg; and comforted her by vowing that
they would protect her and her property, if they
died in the attempt. Feeling very grateful, she
would regale them on her best beer and finest
cakes ; but in course of time their tales grew stale,
and her liberality was at an end, for a large force
was stationed there, and her fears were quieted.
The men had no money, and they knew not what
to do. One bright day in August, while one of the
pickets stood leaning on his musket, a bright
thought struck him, and turning to his comrade
said : " I say, Jim, I'll tell you the way we'll come
it over old Mrs. Cline. I mean to write an order
on the Quartermaster for all we want, and as we're
going to leave in a few days, wont she have a
good time collecting it ? Would'nt I like to be at
the Quartermaster's office, and see that red-nosed,
goggle-eyed feUow, coming to get the money.
Won't ! the Captain move his boots ! " The cakes
were got, and a few weeks afterward, while we

HUMOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. 161
were busy, preparing the papers to turn over a
large amount of Quartermaster's stores, the " red-
nosed, goggle-eyed " individual made his appear
ance. Turning to him we said :
" "What can I do for you, sir? "
"Why, Cap., I've a bill agin you, as 'ort to be
paid." "Let me see it, sir."
We give a verbatim copy :
Captain Leib : KwATER Master
too M Cline Detter
tu cakes and Beer, got by the solgers, one dollar
and a haf 1.50
*' I can't pay that bUl, sir."
" Well, but Cap., the boys got them, and here's
the order for the pay."
" They were not authorized to give orders
on me."
" It 's d  d mean, Cap., any how. You ought
to pay it, as you pay all the solgers' bills."
" You must go to those who got the cakes."
" They've gone off."
" I can not help you. Good day, sir. I want
to be alone."
He turned and left, but as he passed out of the
door said :
"Look here. Captain Leib, I hope you'll git
turned out of office. Everybody says you won't
14

162 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
pay nobody untU you can't help yourself; but I
didn't think you'd be so mean, as not to pay old
Mrs. CUne."
The " boys," before leaving told the story of the
order. Old Mrs. Cline declared: if that Quar
termaster ever came to her house for cakes and
beer, she'd give him a piece of her mind.
Captain F  , Brigade Quartermaster in the
three months' ser'vice, is a wag. He had little ex
perience in the Quartermaster's Department, but
knew the importance of obtaining receipts. He
had a holy horror of "red tape" and dupUcate
receipts. The men were fighting for their coun
try, and must be cared for. Every thing he issued
he got such a receipt for as he could, and at the
end of three months he had a keg full of memo
randum receipts and notes of issue. He knew
the horses had eat the oats, corn, and hay ; the men
had used the clothing, fired away the ammunition,
and used the rations. He had done his duty, and
that was all he cared for. Before entering the
three years' ser^vice, he concluded to send his
papers to Washington, to enable the Quartermaster-
General to settle his accounts. They were sent in
a keg by express, with a letter ad^vising General
Meigs of their transmission. The General wrote
him, stating that he did not understand them ; to
which the Captain replied : that " if he, General
Meigs, with his weU knovpn ability, and able corps

HUMOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. 163
of assistants, could not understand the papers, how
could he expect a poor de-vil of a Quartermaster to
explain them — one, too, who knew nothing of the
duties of the position !" That letter finished the
correspondence. The following descriptive list of a private of the
Second German Ohio Regiment, written by the
Captain of his company, is a rare specimen of
literature : Second German Ohio Regiment.
William Tubbee, bravour of the compaigne
" K," was born in the City of Osnabruck, King
dom of Hanover, Germanic. He is 33 (thirty-
thry) old, and 5 feets 8 inges hich, and was been
in this rigiment from the forst day of commance.
He god too sesters in the city of Toledo, Ohio.
WiUiam Tubbee received from his compaigne — 1.
1 blanket; 2. 1 hat; 1 poar ov shies; 4. 1 coat;
5. 1 paar of pontoloons ; 6. 1 paar of pretches ;
7. 2 paar unterschirts ; 8. 2 paars stockens ;
9. 1 plaid; 10. 1 naif; 11. 1 fore; 12. 1 tinn cop.
The Captain of the compaigne,
TH. WICH.
National of WilUam Tubbee :
His hear is bron,
" Noss is long,
" Mouth is general,
" Eyes are gray,
" Moustache is lick his hear,

164 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
The color of his face is white.
WUUam Tubbee oots to Meister Sodler too dollars.
The Captain of the compaigne, TH. WICH.
CAPTAIN LEIB AND HIS HOBSB DOCTOR.
A few days since, while Captain Leib, U. S.
Quartermaster at this place, was very busy ship
ping some horses and wagons to Cumberland, he
was interrupted by one of his clerks, who said :
" Captain, here is a list of medicines the new horse
doctor wants."
The Captain took the paper, and glancing over
it, exclaimed : " Angle worm oil ! " " Where is
the horse doctor ? "
"Here I am," answered a diminutive son of
Erin from the crowd.
Captain. — "Are you the horse doctor who
comes so highly recommended ? "
Doctor. — " Faith, I am, sur. "
Captain. — "Have you had much experience in
the treatment of diseases of the horse ? "
Doctor.-^" Yes sur, a great dale. "
Captain.—" Where ? "
Doctor. — " In Ireland ; in the ould country. "
Captain. — "Have you treated horses since you
have been in this country?"
Doctor. — " Yes sur, a great dale at Wiston. The
farmers always called me, and I gave satisfaction. "

HUMOR OF THB DEPARTMENT. 165
Captain. — " For what diseases do you use ' angle
worm oil ? ' "
Doctor. — "Faith, yer honor, it's mighty good
for the horse. "
Captain. — " Are you familiar -with the anatomy
of the horse?"
Doctor. — " What is it ye'r saying ? "
Captain. — " Can you tell me the difference
between pneumonia and lung-fever ? "
Doctor. — " Don't know, sur. They may be all
the same for what I know. "
Captain. — "How is a horse affected by lung-
fever?" Doctor. — " I — I — sure, sur — I — like he had the
distimper — a running at the nose and mouth like."
The Captain smiled, and sending for his cashier,
said : " Mr. Steel, pay off the new horse doctor ;
he won't do. "
It is e-vident that no man can remain long in the
Quartermaster's Department unless he is compe
tent to discharge the duties for which he is
engaged. The Captain remarked after the doctor left :
" I suppose that man and his friends, like many
others who can't control this Department, -will
curse me, but I guess I can stand it. I came here
to do my duty, not to be popular. "

166 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER XIV.
FORWARDING TROOPS.
About the middle of September, General Lee,
commanding the rebel forces on the south side of
Cheat Mountain, made a bold attempt to surround
the command of Genera,l Reynolds, but failed in
spite of all his well-matured plans. Lee advanced
toward General Reynolds, but was driven back to
his old position by the General, who was apprised
of his movements. The greatly superior forces of
the rebels, on the south side of Cheat Mountain,
rendered it necessary for the General commanding
to order reinforcements from Ohio and Indiana.
Brigadier-General Robert C. Schenck, who was
at Clarksburg, on his way to join General Rose
crans, having been ad-vised of their coming,
returned to Grafton to superintend their move
ments, and to attend to their thorough equipment.
We received from him the following telegram :
Grafton, Va., September 15, 1861.
Captain Charles Leib:
Milroy's Regiment will arrive here to-night,
without knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, or over
coats. The knapsacks and haversacks can be

FORWARDING TROOPS. 167
furnished here. Can you supply canteens and
overcoats ? Send them, if you can, or all you can,
up to Webster.
ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Brigadier- General.
We answered : Clarksburg, September 15, 1861.
Brigadier-General R. C. Schenck:
Have overcoats, but no canteens. Have orders
to send them all to General Rosecrans. How
many do you want for Milroy ? Answer.
CHAS. LELB,
Captain and A. Q. M.
The General answered that he must have ten
hundred and fifty, and we took the responsibility
of sending them. Without transportation, there
was but one course to be pursued to get their camp
and garrison equipage to the mountains. It was to
impress such teams as were not already in the ser
vice.. Such a dilapidated train was never before in
the service of Uncle Sam, and it was with the great
est difficulty some of the horses reached Beverly.
Most of them were wind-broken, spavined, and
bUnd, and would have done discredit to the bone-
yard, while the wagons were generally coupled
and tied together with hickory withes.
The weather in the mountains was becoming
very cold; snow fell, and many of the soldiers

168 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
were suffering for the want of clothing and shoes.
Donations came thick and fast from their homes,
and our storehouse, as well as that of the Quarter
master at Grafton, was filled almost to overflowing.
These, together with clothing, were sent forward
as fast as the goods arrived and the means of
transportation enabled us to do so. So, too, with
every Quartermaster on the line, and yet news
paper scribblers, for the sake of making readable
and sensation articles — and men from whom we
had a right to expect, at least, justice — ^without
inquiring as to the reasons for the non-receipt of
clothing, charged the Quartermasters -with negU-
gence in not obtaining it, and squandering what
they did receive, to say nothing of their cursing,
because their every request was not complied with,
and whim gratified. The maUs were fiUed with
letters of complaint to the Quartermaster-General ;
accusations of the dishonesty of Quartermasters
freely made, and, even the poor Wagonmasters,
who are required to receipt for the goods intrusted
to their care, and to deUver them in good order
and condition to the receiving officers, were accused
of s-windling, as -will be seen by the foUo-wing letter
from an agent of Governor Morton, of Indiana,
to General Meigs :
Indianapolis, September, 1861.
Being absent for two weeks, I have just returned
from Cheat Mountain and Elkwater, as an agent

forwarding troops. 169
of Governor Morton, looking after Indiana troops.
I am satisfied the Government is being s-windled
by those Quartermasters, Wagon-trains, and, in
fact, we are supporting all Western Virginia. I
did not let those officers know my business. There
should be a good business man, one who has dealt
largely in produce, to look after all those men from
Cincinnati through Western Virginia. We are
swindled with moulded crackers, mast-fed pork,
rain-'water vinegar, and no fair proportion of any
other supply. I am satisfied something is wrong.
A. WALLACE.
Frequently, these " agents" made their appear
ance in Western Virginia ; men who knew as Uttle
of the requirements of the service as an unborn
child, and with unparalleled impudence would
announce their mission, and demand to know all
about the workings of the different Departments.
They were generaUy poUtical hacks and party
favorites. Their gratuitous and ridiculous sug
gestions, and unasked for ad"vioe, to officers who
were making every exertion to render comfortable
the brave men who were baring their bosoms to
the enemy, only provoked a smile of contempt.
When men charge Quartermasters with stealing,
they forget, if they ever knew, that they and their
securities are responsible for every article that
comes into their hands, whether it be a horse-shoe
nail, a six-mule wagon, a thousand horses, or ten
15

170 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
thousand overcoats, and they are required to furnish
th6 Department at Washington with a receipt for
every article transferred to officers, and to account
for what remains in their hands. So exact is the
Auditor in the settlement of accounts, that if there
is an error amounting to five cents in a business
of five hundred thousand dollars per month, the
account is returned for Correction. It is not only
the duty of the Quartermaster to care for the
property transferred to him, but also to gather up
every article abandoned by regiments when march
ing or changing stations. He is required to take
it up on his property return, and having done so,
is charged with it. The Quartermaster's Depart
ment is the pack-horse of the Army. While the
duties of other officers are specifically laid down in
the Army Regulations, Quartermasters occupy the
pleasant position of being compelled, in many in
stances, to take the responsibility of acting without
orders, while a refusal to do so would subject them
to a charge of neglect of duty, and render them
amenable to a Court Martial.- Upon page 159,
" Revised Regulations for the Army of the United
States," will be found the foUovving paragraphs :
Quartermaster's Department.
" This Department provides the quarters and
transportation of the Army, storage, and trans
portation for all army supplies : army clothing,
camp and garrison equipage, cavalry and artillery

FORWARDING TROOPS. 171
horses, fuel, forage, material for bedding and
stationery. " The incidental expenses of the Army, paid
through the Quartermaster's Department, includes
per diem to extra duty men ; postage on public
service ; the expenses of Court Martials ; of the pur
suit and apprehension of deserters ; of the burial of
officers and soldiers ; of hired escorts ; of expresses ;
interpreters, spies, and guides ; of veterinary sur
geons and medicines for horses, and of supplying
posts -with water; and, generaUy, the proper and
authorized expenses for the movements and opera
tions of the Army, not expressly assigned to any
other Department."
The man who enters this Department with the
expectation of living an easy life, and who intrusts
his business to his employees, it matters not how
trustworthy they may be, or how much they may
enjoy his confidence, will, ere. three months pass
over his head, find himself irrevocably involved.
It requires care, watchfulness, promptness, and
unbounded energy to discharge promptly and
satisfactorily the duties of the position, and no
credit is given by that exacting master, the Gov
ernment, for extraordinary exertions to protect
its interests, regarding them, as they properly are,
only in the Une of duty.
Upon one occasion, while busUy engaged assist
ing our warehouse laborers unload half-a-dozen

172 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
railroad cars, which were filled -with boxes of
clothing, and performing more manual labor than
any of them, an elegantly dressed Lieutenant-
Colonel of Ohio Infantry approached one of our
clerks, and inquired for Captain Leib.
" That's him," pointing to us.
" What, the man in his shirt sleeves, and striped
cotton breeches, helping them Irishmen roll
boxes?" " Yes, -sir."
" What in the deuce is he working for in that
way, when he has plenty of men here ? "
" He says they don't take hold in earnest, and
he wants to give them a lesson."
" He's the first Quartermaster I've seen since
I've been in the service who would do that. Don't
Captain Leib belong to the regular Army ? " '
"He does."
"Well, I must say he is the roughest looking
regular officer I've ever seen. He must be down
on red tape."
" No, sir ; he's a stickler for regulations, and
would'nt give the Secretary of War a mess-pan
without the documents."
" He makes the men jump round pretty brisk."
"Yes, sir, he's a working man, and no man can
stay with him unless he has some snap in him."
"I should judge so, from the way he snaps off
officers ; at least I've been told he does."
" He is pretty plain with them, when they come

FORWARDING TROOPS. 173
here and make all kinds of ridiculous requisitions,
and get mad because he won't fill them,"
When we got through, the Colonel introduced
himself and said :
" I want to draw a pair of Na-vy revolvers for
myself." ^
" You can't draw them."
"Why not?"
" Officers are required to furnish their own arms.
You can get them from the Ordnance Sergeant by
paying for -them."
"I was told I could get them by making a
special requisition on you."
" You were misinformed."
" You let my Colonel have a pair."
"I did not. If he got any, he paid Sergeant
Nixon for them."
" I may be mistaken, but I know he got them
when we were here."
« That is probable."
The Colonel left the office, swearing that he
knew we could have taken his receipts for the
pistols, if we had desired.
If there is among our readers one who is par
ticularly amiable, and can not say no, but desires
to he cured of that weakness, let him secure an
appointment as Assistant Quartermaster, and be
ordered to Western Virginia, and in one month,
in self defense, he -wiU speak the dread word, with
a hearty good will, when occasion requires.

174 THE CHANCES VoR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER XV.

¦VIRGINIA JUSTICE.

Among others whose teams we were compelled
to impress, were those of some of the relatives of
one Dan Riblett, a Corporal in Captain A. C.
Moore's company, Third Virginia Infantry. Rib
lett is a quarrelsome, disagreeable fellow, fond of
drinking, and, when under the infiuence of liquor,
exceedingly abusive. He was indignant that the
teams jvere taken ; and meeting our Foragemaster,
Thomas H. Croghan, (who had the matter in
charge,) on Sunday, December 8th, heaped upon
him the most vile abuse, to which Croghan repUed
in a spirited manner, but passed on. Late in the
afternoon, Croghan, in company -with Charles F.
Beyland, and H. Clay Goff, two of our clerks, rode
to the west end of the town, intending to make
an excursion to the country ; but ha-ving no passes
were turned back by the pickets stationed at the
bridge across the west fork of the Monongahela
River. Riblett was there, in company with other
soldiers, but said nothing. The party had not
gone more than one hundred yards, when he raised
his rifle and fired at Croghan, the ball missing him,
but taking effect in the right thigh of Mr. Bey-

VIRGINIA JUSTICE, 175
land, completely shattering the neck of the femur.
Medical aid was procured, and the day following
he was taken to the hospital.
Colonel Ainsansel, Commanding the Post, or
dered Riblett to be put in irons, and sent to jail.
The deepest excitement pervaded the community,
and the universal sentiment was that he should be
hung forthwith. On being informed he had shot
a man, Riblett inquired with fiendish glee, whether
it was Croghan ; and learning it was not, repUed,
he was sorry it was not him.
He was examined before a Magistrate, and upon
the evidence presented was committed for further
examination by the Board of Magistrates. This
board was composed of a set of old fogies ; most
of them respectable farmers, but ignorant of the
principles of law. Riblett was brought . before
them, the testimony heard, and he discharged
on the ground that no one could swear that the
baU which struck Beyland was fired from his rifle ;
although he acknowledged he had fired at Croghan,
who was in company with Beyland, and it was
proven that no other gun had been discharged. It
was a mockery of justice, and unworthy the char
acter claimed by the people of the Old Dominion.
From what we learned, it appeared as if the
court was not desirous of learning the facts, nor
yet of thoroughly investigating the case. Had
Beyland been a citizen of Virginia, and surrounded
by influential friends, instead of being a foreigner

176 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
and almost unknown, we can not but believe the
result would have been different. Beyland was a
stranger, while the votes of the Riblett family are
required on election day.
It is due the Attorney for the State to say that
he did his duty in the case.
Many of the people were kind to Beyland, and
attentive to all his wants; not so with others.
Some two months after the attempted assassina
tion, one A. M. Reiger, whom we have already
mentioned as ha-ving been for a time Superintend
ent of our Express-line to Gauley Bridge, called
and informed us that he had a bill against us, for
having watched with Beyland for one day. We
give the bUl and receipt : Clarkshwg, March 18, 1862,
Captain Charles Leib, A Q. M., To A, M, Rbigeb, Dr.
To waiting one day on C, F. Beyland, shot by Dan Riblett,
of the Third Virginia Infantry  $1 50
Recei-red payment, A, M. REIGER.
We have no comments to make upon this
extraordinary exhibition of Western Virginia
generosity. Under the skillful treatment of Dr. Charles K.
Winne, Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army, he improved
much more rapidly than the nature of the injury
led us to anticipate, and we trust that he will

VIRGINIA JUSTICE, 177
ultimately recover. Dr. Winne is an able and
accomplished young surgeon. He has been in the
Department of Western Virginia since the com
mencement of the war, and, for a long time, was
in charge of two hospitals at Clarksburg. They
ha-ving b^en "broken up," he was ordered to
Parkersburg, and placed in charge of the General
Hospital. He is a gentleman of rare Uterary
attainments; is modest and unassuming, and de
voted to his profession. We have to regret that
we can not say as much for all who are in the ser-
¦vice in that capacity. We know a number who
can not ¦write a prescription correctly.

178 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION

CHAPTER XVI.
CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION.
Our Chief of Transportation, Colonel David
Runnion, of Chicago, is an extraordinary man.
He was untiring in his labors, and no man ever
served the Government more faithfully than did
he. His life has been one of " ups and downs."
At times rolling in wealth, then, hy the reverses
of fortune, left without a dollar, but never for a
moment losing the energy which has marked his
career. Colonel Runnion ¦was born in 1805, iand is a na
tive of New Jersey, where he resided until his
thirteenth year, when his .parents determined to
take up their residence in the West. Young Run
nion, although a child, drove a four-horse team
across the AUeghanies to Brownsville, Pennsyl
vania, where, procuring a flatboat, the family em
barked, with all their worldly goods, and floated
do^wn the river to Cincinnati, wher^ they sold the
boat, and, going into' the interior, settled at the
town of Lebanon.
When of sufficient age, Da^vid was apprenticed to
a tanner and currier, and having faithfully served
his apprenticeship, abandoned the trade, which he

Colonel David Bunnion, Chief of Transportation.

CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION. 179
heartUy disliked, and, removing to Indiana, settled
at Lafayette, a thriving and gro"wing town, where
he became extensively engaged in mercantile pur
suits, and had a number of branch stores scattered
through the country.
He was also an- extensive dealer in and shipper
of horses and cattle to the Southern market, espe
cially to New Orleans. A man of fine address,
warm-hearted, frank, and generous almost to a
fault, he became a fevorite ¦with the Hoosiers along
the Wabash River, every one of whom knew
" Uncle Dave Runnion."
The reverses of 1837 so seriously affected his
business that he was obliged to suspend, and giv
ing up everything to his creditors, removed to St.
Louis, and afterward to Cincinnati; in both of
which places he was largely engaged in business.
In 1855 Colonel Runnion removed to Chicago,
the center of business in the North-west, at that
time crowded with capitaUsts from all parts of the
country, making hea^vy investments in real estate.
With the exception of San Francisco, no city in
the country had been built up so rapidly, and
enjoyed so great an amount of prosperity. Prop
erty commanded almost fabulous prices ; buildings
were erected as if by magic ; and speculation was
so rife that the poor man of to-day was a mUlion-
aire to-morrow. Engaging largely in the manu
facture of brick, in which he invested every doUar
he had, besides having pledged his credit for a

180 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
large amount, when the crash came in 1857 he went
down, ¦with a large indebtedness hanging over
him which he was unable to discharge, but nearly
all of which has since been paid. He then opened
an agency for the sale of real estate, and among
other large sales he made, was one to the rebel
Colonel, John A. Washington, of Mount Vernon
notoriety, who, during the past summer, was shot
by a party of Federal scouts, at Cheat Mountain,
when making a reconnoissance of the position of
our troops.
The sale of real estate failing in consequence of
the tightness of the money-market. Colonel Run
nion, like many other energetic business men, was
thrown out of employment. Among the masses
he was a favorite, and was nominated three differ
ent times for important political positions, by the
friends of the late Senator Douglas, whose per
sonal friend, and warm admirer he was.
On taking charge of the Quartermaster's Depart
ment, at Clarksburg, we found that we required
the services of an energetic working man, to take
charge of the Transportation Department, and
telegraphed and tendered him the position, which,
to our gratification, he accepted, and still holds.
From the day he took 'charge his whole soul was
•wrapped up in his duties. During the months of
August, September, and October, he was on horse
back, frequently, from four o'clock in the morning
until midnight, attending to every minutia of his

CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION. 181
department -with the greatest promptitude, having
hundreds of men, horses, mules, and a very large
number of wagon-trains under his charge, besides
attending to the purchase of forage required. He
performed the labor of half-a-dozen ordinary men.
It was amusing to watch him hurrying up the
slow-motioned, old fogy Western Virginians en
gaged in transporting stores ; and yet with all his
sternness of manner, he was a favorite with them.
On one occasion. Captain Steel, now of the Com
missary Department, a most exemplary and com
petent officer, and correct business man, said to us :
" Captain, I have a good joke on you."
"Indeed!"
" Yes ; I heard half-a-dozen farmers cursing you
this morning."
"That 's nothing new. Captain."
" They cursed your old, gray beard, and said you
swore at them lU^e a trooper, if they were not at
the warehouse in time, and ready to load early in
the morning,"
" Swore at my gray beard ? "
"Yes; but I told them that you had no beard,
and that it was Colonel Runnion. They were sur
prised, and said that every body thinks you are
the man with the long, gray whiskers."
A FENCE MAN.
For twenty-five years, Eli Marsh, or, as he is
deferentially called. Colonel Marsh, ruled the

182 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
democracy of Harrison County with a rod of iron.
He is the political " Gamaliel," at whose feet the
democratic youth are reared, and woe to him who
incurs his displeasure. His hopes of getting his
hands into the poUtical flesh-pots of the county
are at an end. Like many other democrats of his
class, EU thought democracy meant secession, but,
fearing his property might be confiscated, dared
not avow his sentiments. An order had been
issued requiring every citizen whose loyalty was
questioned, to take the following oath before he
could obtain a pass to enable him to pass the
pickets :
" I do solemnly swear that I will support, pro
tect, and defend the Constitution and Government
of the- United States against its enemies, whether
domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith,
allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance,
resolution, or law^ of any State Convention to the
contrary notwithstanding. That I do this with a
full determination, pledge, or purpose, without
any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever:
and, further,^that I will well and faithfully perform
all the duties required of me by law. So help me
God." This was distastefhl to Eli, who, on several occa
sions had succeeded, through the infiuence of a
Union man^ in obtaining a pass without being
required to comply with the order. Thinking he
had a powerful friend at court, he visited the town.

CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION. 183
as usual, not knowing the Commandant of the
Post had been changed, but, soon after his arrival,
learned it, to his chagrin. Captain A. C. Moore,
the commandant, was absent, and we were tempo
rarily in command. Strong appeals were made to
us in his behalf, but to no purpose. EU then came
himself. "Captain Leib, I understand you are Com
mander of the Post just now."
" I am, sir."
" I would Uke to have a pass."
" You can get one by taking the oath."
" But, Captain, I'm an old man, and never did
such a thing before, and don't want to do it now."
""WTiat position do you occupy? Are you a
Union man or a Secessionist ? "
" I do n't take any part. If the Federals suc
ceed, or if Davis succeeds, I can live under either
government. I have n't been away from home
over night for four years ; besides, I have a sick
daughter, who requires my care."
" Occupying the position you do, you can not
get a pass without taking the oath. The order
must be enforced."
" I was told so before. "When Dave Hewes was
Commander, I was refused ; but my friend Waldo
Goff went to him, and got me a pass in ten
minutes." " Colonel Hewes may have given you one at the
request of Mr. Goff, but if he and every other man

184 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
in town would ask one for you, I would not grant
it." , " But, Captain, I am not an enemy of the
Government." "You are not its friend. If you were, you
would not object to taking the oath. Loyal men
always take pleasure in declaring their devotion
to the Union. Those who are disloyal must take
the oath, or remain here until the rebellion is
crushed." " I will give you any security you may require,
that I will not take part for either party."
" Colonel Marsh, I will settle this question defi
nitely. If my father were here, and were not a
loyal man, much as I honor and revere him, he
could not leave this town without taking the
oath." The Colonel was satisfied we were in earnest ;
notwithstanding which he sent some of his per
sonal friends to importune us, and we were waited
on by a lady upon the subject, but to no purpose.
The Hon. Mr. Le'wis, ex-Member of Congress,
called upon us as his friend.
" Captain, Colonel Marsh is exceedingly anxious
to go home."
"No doubt of it."
" He does not want to take the oath. He is a
very determined man ; is headstrong, and Ukes to
have his own way."
" WeU, sir, what does he desire ? "

CHIEF OP TRANSPORTATION. 185
"He has said he will not take the oath, and
sticks to it ; but desires you to take his parole.
He is a man of honor, and you can trust him."
"Is Colonel Marsh an enemy of the Govern
ment ? "
" He says he is not."
" Then I can not take his parole. It can only
be taken from our enemies."
"I have nothing more to say. I see you are
determined he shall take the oath, or remain
here." " I am."
He remained in town six weeks, growling at the
Government, the tyranny of the military authori
ties ; and had his pseudo-Union friends -write and
telegraph the Commanding General, requesting
that an order might be issued giving him per
mission to leave, but to no purpose.
After six weeks of lamentation he took the
oath. It was the first time he had been compelled
to yield his stubborn -will, and Union men and
Secessionists quietly rejoiced that, for once in his
life, Eli Marsh had not had his own way.
16

186 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.

CHAPTER XVII.
WB ARE REJECTED.
On tne 23d of February, we learned by the tele
graphic dispatches from Washington City, that the
Senate had rejected us, on the ground that we had
a million of dollars unaccounted for. The charge
was so ridiculous that it only provoked a smUe of
contempt. Desirous of knowing, however, the truth of the
statement, a member of the Military Committee
was telegraphed upon the subject, who replied, he
had "not even heard such a report of Captain
- Leib," It was a cowardly Ue invented by an enemy,
who desired to do us an injury. We were rejected
for reasons of a political character, through the
influence of a Senator noted for his heartlessness,
and the pertinacity with which he follows those
who will not do his bidding, and act in concert
-with his tools in the State he represents, and of
which we are a citizen.
For months, parties in his interest at Washing
ton City, boasted that we would be defeated, and
yet no charge was brought against us but what

WE ARE REJECTED, 187
we could meet. We were aware of the hostility
of this Senator, but our duties were so arduous
and pressing, that, in justice to the service, we
could not, nor would we ask leave of absence to
go to Washington to secure our confirmation.
He defeated us at the former session of Congress,
but we were re-appointed upon the recommenda
tion, and at the urgent request, of Brigadier-
General William S. Rosecrans, Commanding the
Department ; Brigadier-General B. F. Kelley,
Brigadier-General James Oakes, Captain John G,
Chandler, A. Q. M., the Chief Quartermaster of
the Department of Western Virginia, and a large
number of officers then stationed at Clarksburg.
Their letters in our behalf were filed in the War
Department ; but when they were wanted, while
our confirmation was pending before the Senate,
they could not be found.
Our rejection afforded infinite satisfaction to
the Shylocks, sharks, and thieves, who, for nine
months, had tried to get their hands into the pub
lic treasury, but failed. Many of those who had
defamed and abused us, expressed their regrets at
our rejection, for which we did not thank them ;
and only hope they will endeavor to conduct them
selves with propriety toward our successor, and
behave like decent, honest men, and prove them
selves true friends of the Government, instead of
being traitors in disguise, as we have reason to
believe they are.

188 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION,
From a large number of letters forwarded the
Military Committee of the Senate, in favor of our
confirmation, we select the following :
Headquarters Department of Western Virginia,
Wheeling, December 23, 1861.
Hon. Henry Wilson,
Chr'n Military Committee, U. 8. Senate :
Washington, D. C.
Dear General — Captain Charles Leib was sent
to this Department inexperienced, and without
experienced clerks ; stationed at Clarksburg at a
time when large and imperative demands were
made on the Quartermaster's Department for every
kind of service and supply. His devotion to duty
was untiring, and his success very creditablfi.
After his rejection by the Senate, I have con
tinued to watch his course, and it has been carefully
observed by the Chief Quartermaster. My conclu
sion is, that he is a capable, energetic business man,
and that his appointment will be a benefit to the
service. I hope he may not be refused it.
I am, very truly, yours, etc.,
W. S. ROSECRANS, '
Brigadier-General V. 8. Army.
Wheeling, Va., February 7, 1862.
Hon. Henry Wilson,
JJ. 8. Senate:
Dear Sib — You have before the Senate, for

WE ARE REJECTED. • 189
confirmation, the nomination of Captain Charles
Leib, of the Eleventh Regiment ' United States
Infantry. He asks my testimony as to his com
petency and efficiency as an officer, and I most
cheerfully give it to you.
Captain Leib has been acting for many months as
Quartermaster in this Department, In September
and October last, my duties brought me into close
relations with him in that capacity, and with pecu
liar opportunities to observe the service he was ren
dering the Government ; ever since I have heard
the most constant account of him. His prompt
ness, activity, and ability are such that I regard him
as one of the best and most effective officers of his
grade whom I have known since I have been in the
service. Very respectfully, yours,
ROBERT C. SCHENCK,
Brigadier- General.

Wheeling, February 6, 1862.
To THE Chairman of the Military Committee,
Washington :
I take pleasure in bearing my testimony to the
efficiency with which Captain Leib has discharged
his duty as Quartermaster, at Clarksburg. During
the past summer and fall, I had command of this
"district of Grafton," which embraces Captain
Leib's post. He is a man of great energy and

190 the chances for making A MILLION,
promptness, and has rendered general satisfaction
to the officers of my command.
Respectfully yours,
B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier- General.
Cheat Mountain Summit, Va.,
October 12, 1861.
To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :
The undersigned having charge of a regiment
in Western Virginia, being the Thirty-second
Ohio, and having come to this State destitute as
to an outfit for my regiment, I have been brought
in contact with all, or nearly all, the Post Quarter
masters in Western Virginia; and being much
surprised at seeing in the public press attacks
made upon the integrity of Captain Charles Leib,
Quartermaster of the Post at Clarksburg, Virginia,
without any kind of soUcitations from any one,
beUe^ving that the public interest demands it of
me, I make this voluntary statement.
I have thus far furnished my regiment with
every thing through Captain Charles Leib, at
Clarksburg, Virginia, and can testify that he is
the most active, inteUigent, energetic, honest, and
accommodating Quartermaster on the entire line,
and disposed, in all things, to accommodate Army
officers to the utmost extent of his capacity. I
have found him in all things strictly honest and
upright. I have not only noticed it in his dealings

WE ARE REJECTED. 191
with myself, but with others. The charges that
have been made against him are without founda
tion in fact, to my certain knowledge, and are but
the fabrications of disappointed persons who
sought, and failed, to use Captain Leib for the
promotion of their own base ends, assisted by rebels
to whom the Captain has given no quarters, and
whom he has controlled for the public good alone.
Captain Charles Leib, wherever known, needs
no recommendation from any one, for he is a gen
tleman who recommends himself to all who make
his ^acquaintance. This volunteer offering is,
therefore, given for the benefit of those who know
me, and have not the pleasure of an acquaintance
with the Captain.
THOMAS H. FORD,
Colonel Thirty-second Ohio Vol., U. S. A.
Clarksburg, Va., September 13, 1861.
General Henry Wilson,
Chr'n Military Com.mittee, U. S. Senate :
Dear Sir: — Captain Charles Leib, U. S. Army,
Assistant Quartermaster at this point, has been in
command of that Department during the whole
time I have been in command of this Post.
I desire to say that no man could have dis
charged the perplexing and responsible, as well as
arduous, duties with more ability than he has. He
is prompt, energetic, determined, quick to act ; is a
man of coolness, and is eminently qualified for the

192 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
post he holds, and, in a case of emergency, proved
himself a true soldier. I sincerely hope Captain
Leib may be confirmed by the Senate, and, in say
ing this, but express the wishes of the officers and
men of my command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. T. HEWES,
Colonel Commanding Post.
Camp Company " E.," Fourth Artillery, U.S.A.,
Clarksburg, Va., December 4, 1861.
General : — Captain Charles Leib, Assistant
Quartermaster U. S. Army, will, he informs us,
come before the Senate for confirmation.
As officers of the Fourth Artillery, having been
stationed here during the past summer, we desire
to bear testimony to the prompt and faithful
manner in which he has discharged his duties.
He has been obliging and courteous in all his
intercourse with us, and we believe him to be a
true and faithful public servant.
We have the honor to subscribe ourselves, General,
with great respect, your most obedient servants,
R. V. W. HOWARD,
^ Captain Fourth ArtiUery.
STEPHEN WHITNEY,
Mrst Lieutenant Fourth ArtiUery.
AUG. C. CRAVEN,
Second Lieutenant Fourth Artillery.
Qenebal Henry Wilson,
Chairman Military Committee, Washington City.

WE ARE REJECTED. 193
Grafton, Va., January 2, 1862.
Hon. Henry Wilson,
Chr'n of Military Committee, U. S. Senate.
It affords me much pleasure to unite with many
other officers in the Army, in our expression of ap
proval of the services of Captain Charles Leib,
Assistant Quartermaster, at Clarksburg, Virginia.
During the past seven months. Government stores
to the amount of several hundred thousand dollars
have passed from the post of which I have had
the honor to have in charge, for all of which Cap
tain Leib has receipted promptly. He has, by his
urbanity of manners and his strict attention to
business, in his intercourse with the officers of the
Army and others, contributed to facilitate the pub
lic service in an eminent degree. If strict atten
tion to duty, and a desire to perform that duty,
will entitle an officer to the approval of his Gov
ernment, I have no hesitation in saying that
Captain Leib is deserving such consideration.
D. L. SMITH,
Captain Second Virginia Volunteers,
A. A. Quartermaster.
Clarksburg, January 9, 1862.
Sir: — Although personaUy unknown to you,
permit me, as an officer of the Army, to bear tes
timony to the prompt and energetic manner in
which Captain Leib, Assistant Quartermaster at
this the most important post in Western Virginia,

194 the chances for making a million.
has performed the perplexing and arduous duties
devolving upou him. I have been stationed here
since September 1st, and have been in almost daily
communication with him. I have never made a
requisition upon him that he has not promptly
filled, while his devotion to duty is acknowledged
by every officer of the army stationed here during
the fall. He is always at his post, and in all' my
intercourse ¦with him I have found him a courteous
gentleman. Hoping he may be confirmed by the Senate, I
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. K. WINNE,
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army.
To Hon. Henry Wilson,
Chairman Milito,ry Committee.
Leib Barracks,
Clarksburg, Va., December 3, 1861.
General H. Wilson,
Chairman Military Committee U. S. 8. :
General: — The undersigned officers of the
First Virginia Cavalry desire to bear testimony to
the efficient and faithful manner in which the
Assistant Quartermaster at this post. Captain 0.
Leib, has discharged his public duties. We have,
ever since the First Virginia Cavalry has been
stationed here, been in daily communication with
Captain Leib, aud feel it incumbent on us to say,
that while he has been exceeding strict in all his

WE ARE REJECTED. 195
deaUngs with us, he has, at the same time, been
just and obUging. The Quartermaster's Depart
ment has no more prompt and honest officer than
Captain Leib, and we hope the Senate will unani
mously confirm him. H. ANISANSEL,
Colonel First Virginia Cavalry.
N. P. RICHMOND,
Lieutenant- Colonel Mrst Virginia Cavalry.
J. S. KREPPS,
Major First Virginia Cavalry.
HENRY CAPEHEART,
Surgeon First Virginia Cavalry.
C. C. KREPPS,
Adjutant First Virginia Cavalry.
THOS. H. REEVES,
Captain First Virginia Cavalry.
ROBERT WARD,
Captain First Virginia Cavalry.
AUGUSTUS NORTON,
.First Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
SAMUEL LIDY,
Second Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
W. C. MULLEN,
Second Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
J. S. SHUMAN,
Captain First Virginia Cavalry.
JOHN HESS,
Captain First Virginia Cavalry.

196 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
J. STEIN,
First Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
J, P. WILSON,
F\rst Lieutenant Mrst Virginia Cavalry.
S. B. HOWE,
Second Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
WM. N. HARRISS,
Second Lieutenant First Virginia Cavalry.
Parkersburg, Va., October 21, 1861,
General Henry Wilson:
I have visited Clarksburg every week for some
three months past, and can say that I have always
seen Captain Charles Leib at his post and ready
for duty, which, as far as I have noticed, he has
performed with promptness; and I can say, from
close observation, that he has made 'an efficient
officer; his labors have been attended with per
plexity, but withal he has discharged them hon
estly and faithfully. My connection with the
office has led me to observe closely his ability and
attention, and, I am free to say, that I believe he
has performed all that the Government has
required. Yours, respectfully,
JOHN F. HOY,
Lieutenant- Colonel Sixth Virginia Regiment.

WE ARE REJECTED. 197
After our rejection, without our knowledge, the
following letter was sent to Hon. Henry S. Lane,
a member of the Military Committee :
Wheeling, Va., March 1, 1862.
Hon. Henry S. Lane, U. S. Senate,
Washington City, D. C.
Sir — We have heard with great regret that the
appointment of Captain Charles Leib, Assistant
Quartermaster, United States Army, has been
rejected by the United States Senate, and deem it
our duty to state, for the best interest of the serv
ice, that we are familiar with the manner in which
this officer has heretofore discharged his duty as
an agent of the Government, and consider him
one of the most active, energetic, and industrious
officers in the ser^vice. He has, we firmly believe,
consulted only the interests of the public service
at all times ; and we earnestly hope the Senate
¦will reconsider their action in the case of Captain
Leib, and continue him in the service, as Assistant
Quartermaster, in the Department of Western
Virginia. We are, very respectfully.
Your obedient servants,
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier- General, U. S. A.

198 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
By a note in my possession, I am authorized by
General Denver to add his name to the above.
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. 8. A.
ROB'T C. SCHENCK,
Brigadier- General, U. 8. Vol.
See also a letter heretofore written by me to
Hon. Henry Wilson, United States Senator from
Massachusetts. R. C. S.
R. E. CLARY,
Major and Chief Quarter'master,
Department of W. Va.
1 am free to state, from the best information I
have been able to obtain of the manner in which
Charles Leib conducted his business at Clarks
burg, since the commencement of the war, he is a
good Quartermaster.
F. H, PIERPONT,
Governor of Virginia.
Wheeling, Va., March 3, 1862.
Cumberland, March 12, 1862.
Sir— I join heartily with Generals Rosecrans and
Schenck, in calling your attention to the case of
Captain Charles Leib.
I have known Captain Leib, as a Quartermaster,
in Western Virginia, for several months, and can

WE ARE REJECTED, 199
assure you that, for capacity, energy, and integrity,
he has no superior.
It is my conviction, that his earnest desire to do
his duty to the Government, and his attempt to
carry out instructions, regardless of favor, have
created the active enemies he is now suffering
from. It seems strange, that men of questionable capac
ity and integrity should be selected, confirmed, and
sustained, in these offices, while the one man, who
has striven to fill his place, with an eye singly
to the public good, should be thrown out and
disgraced. Believing that in the loss of Captain Leib, the
Department will be deprived of a faithful servant,
I hasten to write you this.
I am, sir, yours respectfully,
DONN PIATT,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
" Stricken down, attempted to be disgraced, we
felt most deeply the compliment paid us by these
letters. On the first day of April we were relieved from
duty by Captain J. M. Huntington, A. Q. M. We
had no regrets at retiring from the Department.
We had done our duty, and gained the confidence

200 THE CHANCES FOR MAKING A MILLION.
of the General commanding the Department, and
the Chief Quartermaster.
A large number of officers urged us to go to
Washington, and ask a re-nomination by the Presi
dent ; but we would not do so. We served the
Government faithfully, and have nothing to ask
of those who have done us such gross injustice.

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