The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-10
QUARTERMASTER IGO.
An Officer from Michigan who Be-
came Famous DuIing the War.


From the sun.
service in the army" remarked the
veteran. certainly tended to develop
characteristics, and ir a soldier pos
aessed peculialities they were bound
to come out Every regiment had
among its members one or more who
became known to everybody, who were
distinguished by nickname, and. to
certain extent, We're privileged char
acters. Some of these even achieved
fame, and their doings and sayings
were repeated throughout the army
Among the most noted of these in
Buelrs command was a regimental
quartcrmaster from Michigan. on re-
porting at Louisville | was ordered to
take charge of a steamboat loading
with stores and ammunition for Nash
Vile. Nearly all the captains and pilots
on the Southwestern rivers were be-
lievcd to sympathizc with the seces-
Siunists, and it. was presumed that
these gentlemen would not give way to
grief if the boats they We're running,
loaded with government supplies,
should be captured at some convenient
landing 10y rebels Hence the prccau-
tiun of running the boats under the di-
rcction if a Union officer with a guard
ON their decks
"On going aboard the boat to which
I had been assigned | was halted at
IL" gangWay stairs by an understood
man whose hair was several degrees
beyond auburn and whose accent saw
orod of Tfpperary, with the salutation
"'Who in thunder are you?'
Il produced the document from head
Qaartcrs, which he read over carefully,
an with a profound bow handed back,
l,markng:
you're all right, and can go where
y" like. I've been takin' charge Of this
craft, because Sh" needed 4 head, but
| resign. There's a devil Of lot of
our fellows aboard. and I'm quarter
master IGo.'
This was my introduction to the
quartclmastcr ON the arrival of his
regiment Mt Louisville he had, or i'm.
agin"d he had. business with the quar-
trlnaster of the department, and al
once proceeded to the large building
occupied by that officer Hrushine
aside an int'rposing orderly and push
ing open gate, he marched on through
the sacred incloSure until stopped by a
dignitied and indignant gentleman, who
curtly informed him that he must re.
main outside the railing.
"'Who in thund-r are youw demand.
ed Igo.
"I am Colonel Swords. department,
uuartcrmaster.'
"Igo coolly glanced over him from
head to heel and then asked:
Don't the government pay you?'
"'Why, certainly, of course answer
cd the surprised West Pointer.
Then, why in thunder don't yo,
wear brass buttons and things on you
shoulders so fellow would know yul
are the high-cock-a-lorum? How am
to tell whether you are Colonel Swords
or Tom, Dick, or the devil?' Wit
this he turned and Indignantly march
ed out.
Soon after he encountered the col
onel in public place and at once ac
Costed him about business. He wa
Immediately checked with the remark
Sir, when you have business Will
me you will please call at my Office
Later when everything was bein
hurried for an immediate departure a
the army, Colonel Swords, who wa
ridi9g out to the camp, met Igo ridinI
into the city.
One moment, quartermaster,' sal
the colonel bringing his horse to
stand.
Sir said Igo, when you hav
business with me you will please ca
al my Office
In the autumn of go our regimen
relieved detachment of troops poste
at crossroads several miles fror