The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-01

human bondage in America
Capt Eaton served through the Seminole war.
He aiterward served ms Purchasing Commits
say in Now York. In 1916 he went under
orders TO Mexico. and was formally appointed
Commlssary Of Subsistence on Cen. Taylors
stan. He held this Office till tho close Of tho
Mexican war. How well he discharged its DIM
cult duties in IN cnemy's country and In pre-
railroad days the patent OF nobility given to
him by Old Zach" and published above abun-
dainty tells. Exacting In the line Of duty. driv-
ing, strict. unsparing OF himself and others.
there was a rich. soft. quiet side TO the mans
nature. Of which charming glimpse is given
in fragment ~ letter unsigned aud undated.
but evidently written from Mexico after the re-
coipt Of box from his family containing COM
forts aud tokens OF love. and thoughts for his
happiness Going down In the box, he came to
" Evnngclinc." then just published. without
finishing tho unpacking. he dcyourcd the
poem as he sat ON his stool. A few days aftor-
ward y Texas ranchman came to his tent TO
sell him b,cf and pork. The Commissary babe
him take n soat. and. looking the rongh but
sensitive man over. said Wouldn't you like
TO hear great poem Z" And he read Eyango-
line" aloud. Tho Wild hard manhood Of the
Texan changed under tho puthos Of tho reader
and tho charm Of the poet. He listened ub-
sorbed. and cried like young girl For gal
lantry In the battle Of Bucna Vista. Eaton was
brevetted Major on the 18th Of May. 1913.
He served In California. Tor three years no
was Chief OF the Commissariat Of tho Depart
ment " the Pacific. Tho interval between 1851
and 1854 covers much Of the moral madness
and wild wickednoss which disngured the
youth OF the Golden State. The story Of
Eatono administration in San Francisco for
that period gives US the gracious figure Of a
soldierly gentleman. moving in busy throngs,
inspecting and buying. checking blasphcmy
with pleasant dissuasion. and pleading with
disOrming tact against drinking and gambling
Ilo was a moral power in San Francisco. His
name to this day It's associated with the first or
gani7cd effort TO establish religion, 10 check the
vice and awlessness Of a community Of miners
anl gamblers living without wives and mothers.
lie helped largely 10 build the Howard Presby-
terinn Church. He taught Sunday schools. His
wife WIS mainly Instrumental In founding the
Ladies Protectvoand Relief Society the earliest
and one Of the most successful charities On the
Pacific coast. lie wrote temperate, articles for
newspapers and editorials 10 dissuads from
gaming. but special honor is given to MAJOR
Eaton by the "Forty-nlnors for that he ad-
ministcred his important on 20 In the wisdom
on principle be sustained tho home market
In every instance he procured army supplies
10 far us he could. from California AMI Oregon.
aud imported only from the Est what tho
Western coast was uuuhe 90 furnish.
In the summer of 1855 Major L atom was or
dered East from California. to 70 on duty as
Purchasing Commi-snry in N"w York city.
The lightue-- Of his duties euabad him 90 live
In New Haven Conn. the residence II his son.
The tastes for science and literature which he
bad Inherited placed him Immediately In social
relations with the best minds In this university
town. Now began his intercourse with Presi-
dents Day aud Woolscy. Professors Silliman.
Thaehcr. Olms.,ad. Judge Asa Blcon. Doctors
Ives and Knight. and others. which lasted till
~ died.
His house became ono " New Hlvcu's gather
ing places flr people % hne culture and gennl
natures. both old aud Young. In H. too were
held occasionally the meetings Of the Connec-
t'ut Academy Of Arts and Sciences. u which
he was an active member. Among the FIRST uses
he made ~ tho frat leisure that peace promo
ton. and "a p'rmnuent homo gave him since he
entered Wost Point was indulgence of his pas
-iou COR botany. Ho became RVolunt,er aid to
his son. who had chosen that beautiful science
for his life work. spent his money freely in ~
'ANAIANliE 70 lNhiAAf lNl hlllls Nnl III AlN iiAl
seasons Of tho yoar could often be- soon in rapid
march over The country about New Haven. with
Tin can or portfolio. collecting plants for the
sons herbarium.
The FIRST runbings Of the slovehollers' re-
bolton ended this vacation in the lie Of the
active soldier Tho dutcs % his once in New
York became 80 urgent in 1850 that he took up
his residence there. Tue overture Of the war was
played in Charleston harhNr. IS Purchasing
Clmmssary he assisted in fitting out the S,tr Of
the West for her expedition 20 get supplies into
For, sumter. and aNorwari H-s sted in prepar-
ing tho Baltic Tor tho same mission. Instantly
on the breaking out VI hostilitos he was called
on TO send provisions to the different divisions
Of the army aud - provide subsistence for the
troops Of the Elstorn and Middle S,atos on their
way to the front. lie had the greatest pride ID
being ready at any hour Of day or night e
moct whatever calls might DO made on him Tor
commissary stores. In the single year 1868 he
purchased and shipped 2l65.7l9 packages
which wis At about the ratio Of 1000 packages d
day Tor every day IN the entire yoar except sun
days.
Throughout, the war his work was enormous
How quietly ii was done. with what molestl
and simplicity, thousands OF witnesses aro liv
ing 90 testify. That ii was promptly. honestly
anu lN'l4''Nt1 hVll' tNHiN NAlNlNluS fhNlulhhuNl
knows. Early in his administration roeun
despair d ~ cheating the Government through
him. His knowledge ~ business was complete
His integrity was imprcgnnble. lie used thu
microscope and detective chemistry to save IN,
soldiers from adulteration Of their food. H.
examined and tested everything he bought. lie
rgiily rejected what did not como up 10 tn
standard. He punished attempts nj fraud. III
speedily inspired his own morality into tho larg,
body OF dealers In commissarY supplies. aud I'll
the cnd Of the war the machinery Of his great
department moved without friction or disturb
ance. With wisdom and conscieutiousness rar
in armies in times Of war. he u4ei as far rs III
could the customary methods and channels o
trade. lie might have demanded. and woul
certainly have got. great storehouses and maya
zines; and. whilo putting the Government tC
enormous expense. he could have inflated hi,
! consequence by conspicuously presiding ove
vast and busy establishments. But tho MAJ
was MS modest as he was honest and his al
minstration Of the supplies Of tho Army OF thu
Potomac. the Army OF tho South. tho Army O
North Carolina. tho Army Of tho Gull an,
! largely the Army Of Fort Monroe and vicinity
WAS directed from an Old manslo In the decay
| ing quarter Of State street. ON the Battery.
From this place. too he supplied NIL tho OK