Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-08
BURNSIDE AND EKlN.


An Illustration of the Manliness of One
and the Courtesy of the Other.
Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside and Gen
James A. Elin are both claimed as
Indianians The former was an Indian
ian by BIRTH as he was born in TINS
state at the town of Liberty, while
Gen. Elxin, now living at Louisville,
KY, closely connected himself with
this state both by residence and service
during and after the war. Il 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 DIR. Bartlett's church, but was
formerly the residence and headquar-
tiers of Gen Winfield Scott. AT the
time of which | speak it was occupied
by Gen. Elin, 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 bv detail of officers sent to Col
ElSiu. who assigned them as inspectors
at different places of purchase over the
country. When Gen. Burnside organ
lied his independent corps of thirty
thousand men he obtained permission
from the war department to detail ms
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 Ekln
officers were obtaining full supply
one day heard heavy step, as OF
boot shod with anger laundering up the
stairs. and then a 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 soonheard
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. ElSin always was the
courtly gentleman, suave and polite
never losing his temper. Gen Burn
side was demanding the reason why ne
was not receiving more horses from Inc
bureau: and the quartermaster was re
spending that he was sending all ina
Furnishes special detail of officers wa
buvinp. Finally, in burst OF passion
Burnside exclaimed: This bureau Is
conducted with either gross incapacltl
or devilish unfairness. Grant is receiv
inc All the horses while l am receiving
none. i shall report this state of affair
To the secretary of war and the quarter
master-general
The only indication Of anger on I'M
part of Elin was his under lip, whlcl
ouivered as he responded calmly IN nj
sauve and measured tones, i hope yo'
viii sir; hope you will l wa
brought to this place from lndianapoh
because of supposed fitness Tor the pos
ton. If | am not conducting TIM
bureau properly it is your duty, sir,
a general officer, to report me hop
YOU will do it.
4 will. sir; rest assured l VIII
Numbered Burnside as he went out
..Tbe next day continued Capt Hay
after pause. y heard light step "
on the stairs, accompanied by cheer
whistle 1t was bright air from I
Travatore. and was followed by mil
tan on the door. When the door opene
Mai Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside eI
80 .Is Col. Elsin in2. he asked il