The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-07-23
PROUD OF HIS RECORD.
Gen. Van vilet, Oldest Living on.
 Ger in the Army.
During the Closing Year of tho War He Spent Many Millions of Dollars Without Losing
 One Cent.
Especial Washington Letter.

Especial Washington Letter.] One of the most familiar figures on the streets of the national capital is that of Maj. Gen. Stewart Van Nliet, re- tired. He is short and stout, growing very stout, and his beard and hair have long been silvered by the touch of time. Although the oldest living officer in .he army, he is sturdy, strong and intel lectualy vigorous. Moreover, he is one of the most entertaining conversation alists in our social life.
 As the general entered Chamberlain's club one evening recently an army of- ficer remarked: ''rhere goes man who spent more money during the last three years of the civil war than any other man connected with the government. He disbursed fabulous sums, and yet made no mistakes" This remark vas peated 10 Gen. Van Vliet, with the in- quiry: "How much money did you dis purse, all told?"
 "That would be hard to say" re- sponde.l the veteran. 'I never thought that it would be neither interesting or necessary to foot up grand total. It was more than Sl00,000,0cO, and proba- bly $2O0,0O0,oo0. It certainly was big pile of money, come to think of it."
 'IIow was it expended?"
 "Well, you see had been chief quar- termaster of the Army of the Potomac, and Gen. Ingalls, succeeded me There was considerable money disbursed by me in that office; but when went to New York city and was given entire chaIg of all transportation on the Atlantic coast east of the Allegheny mountai:s. S. l had a big job, and it took more mon:y than had ever dreamed of handling 70 properly carry on the business of my department. I not only had to look after ocean transportation, but all rail- way transportation of troops, ordnance material, quartermasters' stores ard clothing, and all the supplies for the commissaries. I was obliged to make provision for every change of base and every expedition of the armies of the east; and they were always on the move."
 Did you have authority over the lines of transportation
 Certainly. l virtually controlled every railroad line east of the AL leghenies, and I controlled all of the shipping on the Atlantic coast, ex- cepting the regular transatlantic steamer lines. It was in my power and discretion to take possession of every ocean-going craft, no matter how large or how small Al! 1 had to do was .o take possession in the name of the grv- ernment. and the ship owners could but submit. Of course. when their business was injured, it was the duty of the gov ernment to indemnify them."
 "Did you use many vessels?"
 "Did 1? We'll should say so. l had regular trip steamers. I had lines of ocean-going vessels making regular trips to the blockading squadrons, to nll the fleets, and all of the naval and military stations along the coast. The SC vessels were organized and made regular trips to the various stations, as far as New Orleans, and each one had a specific duty to perform. I had 200 or 300 vcs- sells thus regularly engaged on :he ocean; butinndditiont to those boats Ihad hundreds and hundreds of steamers of all sorts on the rivers, sounds, bays and in land waterways. These were transports, dispatch boats, freight and supply boats some of them among the fastest craft atloat. and others under sail and under tow"
 How many ships were under y:nr command?"
 Bless me ii I know exactly; but there were more than 10000 of them; more than Were commanded by all the ad- in times of peace. The sailing vessels