Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-12-10
BURNSIDE AND EKIN.

An Illustration of the Manliness 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
Gem Ekin, now living at Louisville,
KY, closely connected himself with
this state both by residence and service
] during and after the war. 81 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, oppo&ite what is
now DIR. Bartlett's church, but was
formerly the residence and headquar-
tiers of Gen. Winfield Scott At the
time of which l speak il 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 | was
then chief clerk. The supply was OBJ
tanned by detail of officers sent to Col
Ekin, who assigned them as inspectors
at different places of purchase over the
country. When Gen. Burnside organ
fzed his independent corps of thirty
thousand men he obtained permission
from the war department to detail his
off &ha
spection of horses for the cavalry arm
of his corps and they went out to pur-
chase horses exclusively for their
corps,
II seems that as time went on the sup
ply sent in by these special officers was
exceedingly limited while Col Ekin's
officers were 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 a 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 ] 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
twas not receiving more horses from the
bureau; and the quartermaster was re-
spending that he was sending all that
Burnside's special detail of officers was
buying. Finally, in burst of passion
Burnside exclaimed: This bureau is |
conducted with either gross incapacity |
pr devilish unfairness Grant is receiv- |
ing all the horses while ] am receiving |
bone. l shall report this state of affairs |
o the secretary of war and the quarter
naster-generaL
The only indication of anger on the |
bart of Ekin was his under lip, which |
uivered as he responded calmly in his
auve and measured tones, i hope you !
Fill sir; l hope you will was
brought to this place from indianapolis |
Because of supposed fitness for the posi- |
ion. If | am not conducting this |
ureau properly it is your duty, sir, as
general officer, to report me. hope |
GU will DO it
I will, sir; rest assured I will,
Pundered Burnside as he went out
THE next day, continued Capt Hay |
Fter pause, 81 heard light step up
the stairs, accompanied BY a CHEEKY
histle. 1t was a bright air from IL
Eravatore. and was followed by a mild
p on the door. When the door opened |
aj.-Gen Ambrose E. Burnside en-
red Is Col Ekin imp he asked in a
easant voice, like a drummer want