"They're with General McClellan; 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 children, 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 nineteen."

"I am sorry, madam, but I can not give you transportation."

"Can't you send me up in a wagon? The Govenor 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 enemy's country, to visit them, and gave her three dollars to pay her stage fare. The same day,

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 Government trains, as they were not wanted. Although the Wagonmaster had violated our orders in permitting her to ride, we could not discharge him.

7

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 particular.

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 delivery; that one desires to borrow 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 will 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 their own, and swears the regulations allow him three; a Quartermaster desires to turn over a lot of broken-down, worn out, worthless horses, which, three

months ago, he receipted to us for in good condition, 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. Gwill indorse him, which to us is no recommendation.

Mr. G- in our eyes, occupies an unenviable 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 commencement of the war, opposed taking ground for either party, 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 collect 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 bill 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."

"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 Government, and not for private individuals."

"But you might do this for me. I have always been your friend, and stood up for you when you were abused."

"I'm obliged to you for that; but I have no 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'll send you to the guardhouse."

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