Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-05-20
For the Ellsworth Americana
How a Captain Won His Company.

When two OF more old soldiers have an
hour together nowadays, they always re-
call many interesting incidents. A few days
ago | fell in with couple Of my comrades
of Go. {. ist Maine Heavy Artillery and
we began to talk Of Co. G. matters OF
course We began at the beginning Of the roll,
with our then Captain, aherward 1t. Col
4. A. Smith. well" said one 1--WE didn't
take TO him at first he was a school-master,
college sort Of a chap rather stuck up and
rather on his military. We weren't that Mind
Of men then. We didn't have anv trouble
With him, but We didn't like his inspections,
his white gloves and blacked boot notions,
but we got to like him frs, rate"
And do you know the time he won every
man Of US or nearly every one ?" inquired
the other comrade. Well. You'll remember.
when call It TO your mind. You will re-
member that the first time We we're paid af-
ter leaving Maine in August was one day
IN February at Fort Sumner. There was
more than six months pay due US, but We
were TO be paid two months and the extra
days. The payment was made through
window Of Smiths quarters. Company b.
was paid first, than came 60. c. BENJAMIN
/. Atherton." sang out the Paymaster. as
his clerk named a sum OF money and the
Major pushed ii toward him. THAT isn't
right said Capt. Smith who stood b, the
window With copy Of the arm, regulations
under his arm, "fes il is." replied the Pay
master grufily. 1T is not. Sergean, do not
touch that money" Said the Captain,
major, Atherton's pay on ,ha, roll is 50
much and you have rendered him - much
how is this p At is all right" persisted
the Paymasier and he called the mex, man.
"lt il no, all right stand back there Ser
geant Salisbury Major you mus, explain
what are those figures which have been pu,
upon my pay roll since il va, signed BY the
men, The amount due the sutler, said the
Major. who authorized you 70 put the
suffers charges on my pay roll ?" demanded
the Captain. None oi sour--h business"
sad the bFowhea,er, "li j. my business ana
nobody's else" reioFted Smith. You have
no right to put suffers figures on my roll
or TO collect a cent. or tbs sutler. that 10
not put on the roll" Then he opened the
army regulations and read the las The
Payma.tsr was thoroughly mad. Captain
Smith, order YOU under arrest "Iou
can't put me under arrest. you have no au-
thori,y 10 DO It and If you think otherwise
come oui here and Try it," By this time five
hundred men were silent spectators, Ser
geaa', take that money !" again shouted the
Pa,ma.trr. "Aiher,on. AM Captain of
Co. G.. you obey me, retorled Smith in TIE
same tone. Thus the Pssmaster and Cap
tain slared al each other-one man Of ffty,
the other the youuse,, Captain il the Regi-
men,- What do yoa propo.e to DO ?" de-
manded the pasmaster TO 30 my duty.
sir. 10 see that these men who haven't man,
rights, have all that belong 10 them" iii
have you court -mar,iaed for in.ubordina-
tIon," said the PAymas,ef. "Ill prefer
charges against you for violation Of ID. at
ticses Of war" retar'cd the Captain. Then
they glared a, each other again What 10
yua propose asked the Payrns.,er softeniug
a iItile. II propose this" said Smith
these meu are paid two months pay ana
You propose to pa. the suiler out Of that
their cutters charges for four months.
Many Of these men because they have Al
Ioited most their pay wll be ieft aithou, my
money. II is fair to pay The sutler as fat
as they are paid, /, is an outrage u DO
otherwise. propose that the sum, due the
sutier which ,nu have put DO my roll, he
divided b, two so that half may be paid
now. That's fair and that's all | will do."
There Vas ha.ty consults,ion and then the
Pssmas,.r seeing that the Young Captain
had him, openly agreed u il. The fshi
lasted half an hour The language was hot
so nice as emphatic bat It ~a> uvat one
the way our Captain bri.tIed Up to the
mighty Paymas,er The result vas tina, the
whole Regimen, was paid on Smiths basis,
even Go. B. being called back for The pur-
pose. After that Captain Smith had the
hearts Of all of US and Of tie Regiment FIR
that matter. Go. c.