The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-29
How the General Gut the Red Tape.

Charles P. Birge. in Chicago Tribune.
Early in the war went out as a private from
the city Of Keokuk, on the Mississippi a sturdy
youth who was we'll known to everyone in that
city for his pluck, bravery and, above all, for
notions of honesty, which, his friends said, were
so old-fashioned as to cause him to rather lean
backward. Saur had the usual experience of our
soldiers, and was brought home with mimic ball
through him, but upon recovering promptly
joined his regiment. He became captain Of a
cavalry company, was in the signal corps and on
account Of his special energy and bravery was
near General Grants headquarters. In this way
he mad slight personal acquaintance with
Grant He rode at full gallop between Sherman
and Grant at Vicksburg and was known to be
equal to any emergency
In time Grant went to other fields and our
captain piodded through the war with Sherman,
Logan, Blair and Belknap, the latter having
lived next door to him in his native town all his
life, and, of course knew him intimately.
Well, Captain Saur, under the law regulating
such matters was responsible to the govern
ment for all the property of his company. It
had been receipted for by him, and when he was
detached or turned over his command to another
property charged against him might be duly
credited him in the Quartermaster's department.
For some reason, in the exigencies of an active
command, this was not done. and after Captain
Saur was mustered out he had due him some
So, 900 back pay. After some time he was con-
fronted with large account against him for
| property unaccounted for He called on Quar-
termaster- general Meigs, who furnished him
two ways you can get credit for this account.
Furnish me receipts for such property as You
may have turned over or file your OATH as an
officer, that it was lost or destroyed in action.
| The latter way is very common now. in settle
| ments of such accounts. am powerless under
the law to help you otherwise"
In scanning the items standing charged
against him, Captain Saur noticed lot of
picket ropes and stakes, about which he we'll
remembered, and he said: General Meigs,
| when in chase of Hood and his army, one day
contractor came to me with peremptory order
to receive and receipt for picket rope and stake
| for every horse in my command. My men were
| old soldiers, were used to hard work and much
| fighting and were loaded down with all they
could carry. They needed only plenty of hard
| tack, bacon, coffee and ammunition, but had no
use for rope and stake. weighing twenty or
thirty pounds, and openly said so. But my
orders were to take the ropes. did so and dis
tributed them. At the end of the first mile not
a rope could be found. Every man had thrown
his into the brush Now, no living man could
| prevent this. have no receipt, nor was the
property lost In battle. You say IL L swear 1T
| was so lost can have proper credit. The law
apparently gives premium for lying l won't
do it. If the facts are not enough | will go
without my pay And so he left it and came
home TO ponder over the injustice of army regu-
| lations.
In time however, General Grent made Bel
KNAPP Secretary of War Grant and Belknap
knew how such things came about, and Captain
Saur again went to Washington to lay his case
before his friend, Secretary Belknap. The Sec
rotary said; Captain, General Megs is right it
| is the law. know Of no way to help you out,
| save as he suggests. But possibly the President
might hell teu Let US go over to morrow be-
fore business hours and hear what he says. He
will be interested and will listen to you" This
was done. The President reviewed his recollec-