The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-05

July. old SO. Jonn ". Devoe put my Dill
of lumber for S76.18 In the Prison Fund bill.
Meanwhile, Capt. Reynolds, A. Q. NJ, had
been relieved and ordered away, but before
leaving paid the said bill to Mr.. Reuben
Hatch, the gentleman from whom the lum-
Der had been procured and which had been
charged to me personally. | was not aware
of this payment to Hatch at the time. This
payment to Hatch was subsequent to Devoe
putting it in his bill, which bill was submit
ted to and approved by Col. johnson before
payment, whose duty 1t was to carefully ex-
anime the same and correct all errors there
in. Subsequently, and before the fast of the
payment to Hatch came to my knowledge,
being in Devoe & Champions store, Devoe
said he had collected the money, and tend
cred me four $50 bills. Having no change,
| passed back to him $50 bill, telling him
TO take his change out of that. He said he
had no change. | replied, well, keep it and
pay yourself for your trouble out of the bal
ance and let the rest go on account, as l
should probably have other business with
him, and then left the store.
A few days afterwards, meeting Col. John
son, again importuned him for that $500
borrowed money. Instead of paying me, he
addressed me as follows:
Captain, you know | have always been a
friend of yours, but recently, L have heard
bad reports of you from prominent citizens
of Rock Island, who say you are q copper
head and will vote for Mcclellan. | feel it
to be my duty to report this to department.
headquarters, and you know the result will
be the same as in the case of Capt. Glitter
man, whom | got out of the service, really on
this ground"
| replied
Colonel, | shall vote as my conscience
dictates and that says, vote for Mcclellan
| believe the rebellion will be put down
quicker under Mcclellan than under Lin
coin"
He replied:
UNLESS yol go slow and alter your gait,
| will have you dismissed the service"
1t occurred to me afterwards that the $500
was the trouble, and | really did try to get
the money elsewhere but wholly failed and
my creditors were getting clamorous and
threatened legal proceedings, unless 1 imme-
diately raised the money, and | was again
compelled to ask Col. johnson for that $500.
| failed to get anything but black looks, an
unwelcome greeting and an indefinite an
swer.
On the last day of July l received an order
relieving me from duty as acting assistant
quartermaster and to turn over all property
TO Capt Reno, which | did without delay,
and all matters were found correct, in that
department.
In this connection the following cores
pondence Is appropriate, as explanatory of
that lumter bill which was put In Devoe's
Prison Fund Account and paid me by De-
voc as before mentioned, Before making up
my report for the month of July, | had as
certaned that Hatch had collected the money
for that identical lumber bill, from Capt.
Reynolds. Thus having the money in my
hands aud not knowing exactly what to do
IL, l,ll
cation to Col. W. Hoffman, u. S. A.. Com
missary General of Prisoners:
Rock ISLAND BARRACKS,
Rock Island, H.. August ~, 1864.
Col. VIM. Hoffman, L. 5. A., Washington, d. c.
Commissary General Prisoners.
C0!oReI-l have the honor TO most respectfully
report that, in the month of July, lS64-amongst
other things in the bull OF J. q. Devoe against the
prison fund ofthls post-there was charged against
the prison fund a bill for lumber amounting 10
about S76.1s, which said lumber had been pur-
chased for PRISON use, but afterwards allowed and
paid by Capt. Reynolds, the depot quariermaster
al Rock Island.
The said amount is now in my hands, &C
count OF the lumber being paid as aforesaid !;
therefore | have the honor to most respectfully
request, Tor information, In what manner | shall
return the said amount to the prison fund at this
| post.
| have the honor Colonel TO remain,
Your obedient servant,
MATHEW MARX,
! CaptCo F, 4,h Reg't C, A Q NJ.
| Col. Hoffman replied as follows:
| OFFICE CoMHIssARY GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Washington, d c, October llth, 1864.
/ To Capt Mathew Marx, A NJ, Rock Island,
Illinois.
CdptGin-I directed by the CommIssary
I General of Prisoners, 10 inform you in reply TO
your letter OF August 2ith, that the amount of the
| bill tor lumber, paid from the prison fund, which
was afterwards allowed and paid by Capt. Rey-
nolds, Depot Quartermaster at Rock Island,
should be returned TO the commissary as Amount
enormously paid Tor Lumber
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[Signedl G. BLAYDES,
Asst to COMFY Gen'l of Prisoners.
Copy. II. T.. Howe,
LIST Lieut.. and Judge Advocate q. c. NJ.
Upon the receipt of Col. Hoffmau's letter,
| turned over to Capt. Butterfeld the money
received from Devoe, as per receipt from
Cant Ruttprfpld