CHAPTER VI. AN INDIGNATION MEETING. DURING the third quarter of 1861, the number of employees connected with our post, in the capacity 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 having 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 ranking 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. A set of sharpers and sharks from Pennsylvania, 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 bullied every person in his section of country, and tried to bully us, but failed. He announced 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." “Well, one thing is certain, I shan't leave here until 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'll telegraph General Rosecrans. I don't intend to be fooled any longer. "I would do so, if I were in your place. I've no doubt the General will be delighted to hear from you." "What do you mean, sir?" "Just what I say." "Well, I want my 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." The Mr. Hogg waited for some time, but finally left, declaring he never wanted to go to Clarksburg as long as Captain Leib was Quartermaster. 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 sympathized with but could not assist them. We Captain John List, of Wheeling, happening at Clarksburg, learned the peculiar position in which we were placed, and generously offered to loan us all the money required. After consulting General Rosecrans, who knew our wants, we borrowed sixtyfive hundred dollars, giving our note therefor, which was indorsed by the General. The money was disbursed, and we received three thousand dollars more from Captain List, and other |