Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-31
A GAME OF BRAG.
Pay of American and British Army
Officers,


officers.
The following is one of Gen. Randolph B.
Marcy's "Border "reminiscences"
Many years ago; before Gen. Scott and
Sir John Harvey had adIusted the interna-
tiOnal complications involved in the settle
ment of the Northeastern boundary ques-
ton, and when serious apprehensiOns were
entertained of collision between the local
authorities along the border, our govern
ment established at Houlton, Me-, some fif
teen miles distant from point on the river
st. John, where there was an English gar
rison, military post subsequently known
as ''Houlton Barracks" This post at one
time was garrisoned by artillery troops I'M
der the command of Capt. j. B. Magrud
er, tall, handsome man Of elegant address
and courtly presence, whose social congeni-
atty, inherent colloquial tendencies, and
sparkling, viVaciOus bon nlOtS were acknowl-
edged by all his acquaintance.
The following little episode will exhibit
his character in a prominent light.
He upon one occasion obtained leave Of
absence, and visited Quebec, carrying let
tiers of introduction to English officers, by
whom he was received very cordially, and
invited to dine at the mess of the til Tegi-
ment of -, which was eminently an aris
tocratic organization, embracing upon its
muster-roll several young sciOns Of nobility,
! who prided themselves upon their luxurious
style Of living and entertaining, which, in
some respects, it was said, excelled that of
the household troops.
The mess-hall, upon the occasion referred
to, was draped with colors of the consan-
guineous nationalities, exhibiting the red
cross of st. George, surmounted by the impe
rial crown, entwined within the
graceful folds af the stars and
stripes; and the mrss-table groaned
beneath the weight Of a pOnderOus service
of gold and silver plate, which, through an
inialory stipend of months pay from all
Officers who had ever joined the regiment, be-
sides perennial subsequent tax, had been
constantly accommodating for over a century,
all of which was exhibited in dazzling
splendor upon the occasion.
The carte was printed in gold letters upon
white satin, and the numerous French
dishes, classified upon il strictly en- regle,
were Of the most recherche and piquant
character, while the Oldest and most costly
wines, in the greatest profusiOn, were being
reduced to the proper temperature in
In a word, everything within the power
Of money, art, and taste seemed to have
been exhausted in augmenting and giving
brilliancy and eclat to the .fete, and it was
doubtless imagined that the Yankee officer
would be struck with amazement at the
blaze Of magniticence which flashed upon
upon him as he entered the hall, and entire
nous l have no doubt he was very much as
tOnished, for he certainly had never before
seen anything like it. But he was very far
from exhibiting any surprise, on the con-
trary, he seemed to look upon the whole
thing with as much nonchalance as if it had
been an everyday affair, and, with his usual
self-cOnfdent assurance, he made himself
not only entirely at ease, but rather con-
spicuous in suggesting and leading the con-
versatiOn, which, among variety OF topics,
at length turned upon the subjects Of the
relative pay and emoluments allowed in the
English and American armies.
The Englishmen admitted that their pay
was small, but said this was a matter OF
little moment to them, as their private
purses enabled them to live as they pleased,
independent of their pay; and they appeared
to derive especial satisfaction from discuss
ing the magnitude Of their incomes and eX-
penditures.
During the conversation, one Of the off
GERS asked Capt. Magruder how much pay
he received, to which he replied:
DWELL, now, my dear fellow, declare
upon my honor, l have not the mos distant
conception. 1t strikes me, however, that l
have heard some poor devil of Captain,
who was entirely dependent upon his pay,
say it was something like two or three
hundred dollars a month, but really I'm not
positive. At all events, its a mere bagatelle,
and never have anything to do with it
myself. l give it to my butler to divide
among the servants for probationary, and
l suppose they know all about it."
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