Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-09-26
BURNSIDE AND EKIN.

An Illustration of the NIanliness of One |
and the Courtesy of the Other.
Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside and Gen. |
James A. Ekin are both claimed as
Indianians The former was an Indian
ian by birth, as he was born in this |
state at the town of Liberty, while
Gen. Ekin, now living at Louisville,
KY, closely connected himself with
this state both by residence and service
during and after the war. II once saw
these men come together in an episode
that will be forever impressed on my
memory" said Capt. w. II. Hay, of the
custom office "They are very unlike
each other, yet both truly great men.
The incident took place during the war
in the Chain Building on Eighth
street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth
streets, in Washington, opposite what is
now DR.. Bartlett's church, but was
formerly the residence and headquar-
ters of Gen. Winfield Scott. At the
time of which / speak it was occupied
by Gen. Ekin, then assistant quarter
master, with the rank of lieutenant
colonel, as headquarters of the cavalry
bureau, with the duty of supplying the
army with cavalry horses, and l was
then chief clerk. The supply was OBJ
tained by detail of officers sent to Col.
ElIin, who assigned them as inspectors
at different places of purchase over the
country. When Gen. Burnside organ
ized his independent corps of thirty
thousand men he obtained permission
from the war department to detail his
own officers for the purchase and in
spection of horses for the cavalry arm
of his corps, and they went out to pur-
chase horses exclusively for their
corps
1t seems that as time went on the sup
ply sent in by these special officers was
exceedingly limited, while Col. Ekin's
officers We're obtaining a full supply.
One day heard heavy step, as of a
boot shod with anger laundering up the
stairs, and then wrathful fusilade of
blows upon the door. The next mo-
ment Gen. Burnside surged in.
where's Ekin?' he demanded in gust
of passion. pointed to the next room.
The door was left open and soon heard
an angry roar, succeeded by a mild,
suave answer. concluded I had bet
ter see as well as hear, what was going
on, and went into the room. AS every
one knows, Gen. Ekin always was the
courtly gentleman, suave and polite,
never losing his temper. Gen. Burn
side was demanding the reason why he
was not receiving more horses from the
bureau; and the quartermaster was re-
spending that he was sending all that
B,rnside's special detail of officers was
buying. Finally, in a burst of passion,
Burnside exclaimed: This bureau is
conducted with either gross incapacity
or devilish unfairness. Grant is receiv-
ing all the horses while am receiving
none. shall report this state of affairs
to the secretary of war and the quarter
master-general.
The only indication of anger on the
part of Ekin was his under lip, which
quivered as he responded calmly in his
sauve and measured tones 4 hope you
will, sir; / hope you will l was
brought to this place from Indianapolis
because of supposed fitness for the posi-
tion. If l am not conducting this
bureau properly it is your duty, sir, as
general officer, to report me- hope
you will do it
Il will, sir; rest assured l will,
thundered Burnside as he went out
"The next day." continued Capt Hay,
after a pause, 81 heard a light step up
on the stairs, accompanied by CHEEKY
whistle. 1t was q bright air from III
Travatore' and was followed by a mild
tap on the door. When the door opened
Mai. Gen. Ambrose e. Burnside en-
tered. is Col. Ekin imp he asked in a
pleasant voice. like q drummer want