The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-14
Five Minutes with the New Secretary
of War,


of War.
From the Washington Correspondence of the Phiadel
phia Inquirer.
The clock strikes ten {; the waiting crowd
rush in as the doors swing open, and being
among them, we soon find ourselves in the
presence of the Secretary. Now one stands
in front of him, and with smiling counte
nance be reaches out his hand and takes
hearty grip with grey haired man. "Well
sir, what is your wish 2"
+" My name is -; my son fought at
Springfield, and was wounded in the arm |;
he was in Fremont's STAFF, but is now with
out commission I want one tor him that
he may again try his other arm on the
Potomac, or in Missouri" You shall
have it sir !" replied Mr.. Stanton, and
turning to his Secretary be ordered him to
note the case, ''return home" he added, "the
papers will be sent you," and as the man
attempted to thank him, be stepped to one
side to two ladies who had just come in.
MADAM, what can I do for your" "Want
clerkship for my son his father was
killed at the battle of Belmont" Turning
again he noted the case, took the address,
told the lady to send him sample of her
boys writing and he would care for him.
A small bright.eyed boy all alone, was
trying to work his way through the crowd,
and the Secretary turned to him and asked
what be wanted. Il want my father got
out, cir he was taken at Bun Run and
has not come home with the rest" He
gave his name and regiment, it was noted,
and the Secretury lifted him up, kissing
him upon the forehead, and said: "Your
father should be proud of such noble boy,
and I'll see that he is released"
An individual has some new invention
for firearms; "Go to the ordnance depart
ment and get them to investigate it, l will
be glad to see it adopted" A Colonel
with green uniform on has some passes he
wants to read care you an army officer ?"
eyes sir" "1hen you cannot be heard I'M
til tomorrow come and see me then"
A large and well dressed man wanted
word in private. "What about?" Some
little matter about contract he had for
horses. "Cannot interfere, sir; go to Gen.
Meigs; if there is anything wrong he will
rectify it," Another succeeds in getting
him off to the side of the room, and the
conversation is inaudble until the Secreta.
ry replied: "No, sir, on no account will l
interfere in any contract while am here,
for anything from thimble up. There are
men appointed to attend to that DEPART
ment and l shall hold them to strict ac-
countability for every action"
Two soldiers wanted to be paid for the
time they were in confinement at Richmond
having just been released and presented a
furlough they had received week ago, and
also an order for their pay for time and ra-
lions. "Why do you not take this to Ma
| jor Beckwith and have him attend to it 2"
"We did, sir, and be says he has no order
| that will cover our case, and for want of
forms we are afraid we will be kept here
until our time is up, and we want to 60
home and see the folks before going at it
again." Turning to his Secretary he Or
dered him to write to Major Beckwith and
order him to report forthwith in writing
why these men were not paid up, instead of
being kept waiting. 1t was done; he sign.
ed it himself and said, "Here, take that to
him and bring an answer"
A Western man, who said he hailed from
the Reserve in Ohio, had about dozen
quires of paper written over two or three
times, which he said was an ASSAY on
Cheese" The Secretary laughed. "You
must 60 to the Commissary General; he has
charge of the feeding of the army" 81
have been at first one and then another all
summer, and somehow or other, do not
get any further ahead, and that is why l
want you to investigate it," and he com.
menced to unroll his papers. "Indeed; sir,
do not know how cheese would agree with
the soldiers"
"That's just why l want you to read
these papers and examine these certif-
Gates"
"But have not time, SIR"
All hands commenced laughing, but the
Ohio man stuck it out bravely. 81 assure
you that there lie not soldier in the army
who does not like crackers and cheese, and
1 can make it for three cents pound. Now
1 tell you what you had better do, go to
Senator Wilson and get him to put it in
his bill, it will then pass the Senate and be.
come an army regulation to give out cheese
rations." "Well, could you not endorse it,
and then it would be sure to be passed 2"
mo, caanot endorse it, because know
nothing about it" "Oh, well, will leave
these papers," and he made for the table.
IL will never read them, if you do, until the
war is over" With look of despair Ohio
made for the door, inquiring of every one
he met, if they knew where Senator Wilson
lived?
In came Major Beckwith, with the note
sent by the returned prisoners. "Why are
those men kept waitiDg?" because 1 have
no order for their special case"
"Mr. Wilson issue an order that will
cover all the prisoners that may be released
in future, and allow them full pay for every
day they are confined in rebel prisons.
Major, l have just learned there are over
$50 now waiting for their pay every man
must be paid today, and speed them on to
their homes"
A tall man wants commission in the
regular army. "Have you been in any
battle yet, sir ?" 81 was in the Mexican
war" "That won't do; that is too far
back" Il was at Great Bethel" "That
is better. will examine your record my.
Golf and inform Won IF Won are annointedD