Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-02-27

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though he well knew the great abilit,
and experience Of Colonel Tombkins
Quartormastcr, and Major Eaton, Com
missary in New York City, wrote tw,
letters to Alexander Cummings, ESD
In one he "wants him to aid the Com
missary in purchasing supplies, and assis
the Quartclmastor in pushing them for
ward" The other letter states that:
"Ihe Department needs, at this mo
ment, an intelligent, experienced and en-
ergetic man, IN whom il can rely, to d8SiS
in pushing forward troops, muntion.
and supplies"
No men knew better than tho Secretary
that these qualifications were already
possessed by the army officers in New
Iork on whom Il ecaS safe TO rely. The
Secretary then gracefully COM mpliment,
Mr.. Cummings:
"You are acquainted with the in,erna
arrangements and connections Of tho
railroads in Pennsylvania, over which
for the present, they will have to pass
Can there be SO much intricacy about
the railroad connections in Pennsylvania,
that the United States Quartermaster in
New York or Philadel phia was not con-
versant with them? The Secretary then
adds touching appeal to his patriotism,
"l am aware that your private affairs
may demand your time. am sure youl
patriotism will induce you to aid me,
even at some loss to yourself"
On the 23rd of April the Secretary
again wrote:
"In consideration Of the extraordinary
emergencies which demand immediate
and ecislve measures, | hereby authorize
Edwin ID. Morgan and Alexander Cum.
mings to make all necessary arrange.
ments for the transportation of troops
in aid and assistance Of the officers ant
Army of the United States"
Either was authorized to act in the alb
sence Of the other. On the 4th day OF
May Governor Morgan delegated his
portion Of the power to George ID. Nor.
gan. On the 9th the Secretary wrote
"l sent you yesterday an official paper
to act in connection with Governor Nor
gan, by land, through Maryland and
Pennsylvania; it is important that you
should act promptly in sending supplies
S. CAMERON.
CDR. Cummings"
This is the first time he recognized his
friend as Doctor Thus armed, the Doc
tor seemed supreme in his orbit; instead
of rendering aid and assistance, he eff
fectually superseded the army officers
Major Eaton distinctly informed him that
las services were not needed IN tile purchase
Of SapplieS. Still, the Doctor commenced
buying over $2l 600 worth of straw hats
and linnen pantaloons, which were worth
less to the army, and not required by the
regulations. He employed a clerk of
whom he knew nothing-had never seen
before. In his evidence at first, he did
not know who recommended him. then
he thought he was recommended by Mr..
Thurlow finally he said, II re-
member now that Mr. Weed told me he
knew all about him." This clerk the
Doctor suffered to do all the business and
make all the purchases, except what were
made by George d. Morgan.
CHARTER OF THE cATALINE.
The Doctor next appoints Captain
Comstock to charter or purchase vessels.
The Captain, with friend, goes to
Brooklyn, inspects the Cdtaline, and learns
that the price is from S1S, 600 to $50, 600.
Instead Of purchasing or chartering, or
recommending the Doctor to do so, from
the owner, his friend suggests to Mr..
Dcvlin that there "is nice opportunity
to make something by good management."
This was the 23d day of April, the
very day the propeller Daylight left New
York with supplies for the Seventh Reg
iment, and two hundred recruits of the
brave and generous young men of that
city. The DayligAt left without convoy,
and reached Washington ST fely Inever
can forget the Odd day of April and the
trip of the Daylight, or of the gallant
band who were leaving all tho endear.
mentS of home and associations of friends
to encounter the peril of disease and bat
tie. never can forget the universal dis
quictude in the great city of the continent.
No mails. No telegraph. A dreadful
solemn suspense. Brave men, good men,
fearing, doubling, yet hoping. Actuated
by one impulse, ready to give all, even
life, for the defense of the capital Wash
ington founded and the flag the patriots
of the Revolution baptized in blood.
No one could have believed that at
such moment men could find leisure or
inclination to ascertain how something
could be made out of the greis of the
people by good management. Yet that
very day, when sympathy for bleeding
and the obligations of duty to
his employers should have received from
Captain Comstock all his skill and energy,
his mission was used to benefit friends
He knew Dr. Cummings was agent for
the War Department; still he counsels
freely with Mr., Develn about the value
of the Cotaline, and gives an opinion
what will be paid for her charter. Had
she been cheap at $4,000, his Govern
ment was entitled to the purchase,
After yielding to Mr., Develin all the
time he required for the negotiation, on
the 25th the boat was chartered by Col,
Tompkins, he relying on Captain Com
stock, the authorized agent Of DR.. Cum
mings, the agent of the War Department,
paying for her use $4,000 per month,
for three months. and if lost by war
risks, the Government to pay $50, 900.
Colonel Tompkins would not sign until
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