The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-21

~~-N
papers, and was supposed to have been
safe under Ferris care, when the fact
was the poor man knew nothing con-
corning it. ......
The trains were getting ready to EN-
bark at place on the Big Sandy, few
miles above Catletssburg, and the gen
eral spent the most Of his time steaming
up and down the river on little vessel
that he kept for his own use; that is,
he so occupied the hours when not
grounded on a sand-bar, for, having been
lieutenant in the navy, he thought he
knew all about navigation, and would
give the orders for the boat himself, fire.
quently with the same effect.
The morning that the loss of the desk
was discovered, General Nelson made
his appearance at an early hour at the
place where the trains were, and de-
manded to see the quartermaster.
Dismiss that wagon.master," COM
manded the general, when the major
came to him, II can't endure the looks
OF him, and will not have him about
He must GO.
"But, general expostulated the ma
jor, "he is the best wagon-master in the
division, and the trains are not ready to
move. cannot lay my hand on another
one that could possibly fill his place"
"Send him to me, then" angrily ex-
claimed the general, "and, by Heaven
III talk to him.
So the chief wagon-master was sent to
General Nelson, and got what he called
such a terrible going over that, al
though mild.rnannered even-tempered
man, he could not help saving up a
g-udge against the general, and an in
teption to pay him back as soon as ever
he got the chance.
The troops were embarked without
delay, conveyed down the Ohio river,
and safely landed at Louisville. The
general took up his quarters at the Gait
House, occupying one of the very best
rooms on the ground floor, and ordered
the next one to his to be given to his
division quartermaster.
81 must have my quartermaster about
me continually said the general de-
cisively.
What will become of my duties in
that case, general p asked the major.
81 don't know" said the general, with
very much the tone of one not caring,
either. "You must attend to your duties,
sir, and you must attend to me too. AS
YOU are an early riser, | would like you
to wake me up at four o'clock every
morning, and get my orders for the day.
At four o'clock" he repeated.
Very well, general" said the ma or.
Now it was not strictly necessary that
the quartermaster should be around the
general constantly, but the fact was that
the major was hearty, whole-souled
man, with cordial ways, and the general
made no disguise of his liking for him,
at the same time quarreling with him
necessarily.
The following morning, when the
alarm clock walked him at four, the
major rose, dressed himself, and walked
into the next room, which was as dark
as Egypt, save for tiny flame Of light
in the burner. He turned on the gas
until it flooded the chamber with bright
ness, and approaching the sleeper, said,
in loud voice, with emphasis on every
syllable
General William Nelson, it is four
o'clock =
Then, touching him on the shoulder,
he Withdrew few PAGES, for the general,
when suddenly reused from slumber, was
apt to strike such heavy blows at the
person nearest him, that it required con-
siderable control of face and manner to
have it inferred that one looked upon
them entirely in the light Of joke.
The general drew long breath with
much noise, but did not stir, and the
major was obliged to repeat the awaken
ing process; =.
the general.
at is four o'clock said the major.
What are your orders, generaly =,
"Tell Colonel Blank to report to me,
said the general.
VERY well,' answered the major; but
the colonel is thirty miles away.
The general turned over in his mind
what he should say next.
"Tell Adjutant Ferguson to report to
me at six O'clock said he.
VERY well, general" said the major.
And the general curled himself up
| well, not exactly curled, he was too pom
derous for that mean he rolled HIM
self up in the bedclothes and went to
sleep.
The major laughed a little, walked
back into his own room, pulled off his
boots, and tried to follow his genera 8
example But sleep came to him no
more, and at haltpast five he concluded
to get up and set his clerks to work.
The major hada million dollars worth
of army stores in a five-story building,
and, to do the necessary work pertaining
to them, six clerks, and number Of
negro porters. He quite enjoyed arons-
ing them all, although | have no doubt
they wished that Old Nick had him for
obliging them to commence their day so
early.
On his return to the hotel at seven,
he met the general in one OF the CORR