Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-12-16
oUARTERMAsTER Ieo.
An Omccr from Michigan Who became
Famous During the War.

"Service in the army" remarked the
veteran, certainly tended to develop
characteristics, and ii soldier pos
sessed peculinrites they were bound
to come out. Every regiment had
among its members one or more who
became known to everybody, who were
distinguished by a nickname, and, to
a certain extent, were privileged char
aeters. Some of these even achieved
fame, and their doings and sayings
were repeated throughout the army.
Among the most noted of these in
Buell's command was a regimental
quartermaster from Michigan. On re-
porting at Louisville / was ordered to
take charge Of n steamboat loading with
stores and ammunition for Nashville.
Nearly all the captains and pilots on the
southwestern rivers were believed to
sympathize with the secessionists,
and it was presumed that these
gentlemen would not give way to
grief il the boats they were run
ming, loaded with government sup
plies, should be captured at some
convenient landing by confederates.
Hence the precaution of running the
boats under the direction of a union
officer with a guard on their decks.
son going aboard the boat to which l
had been assigned was halted at the
gangway stairs by an understood man
whose hair was several degrees beyond
auburn and whose accent savored of
Tipperary, with the salutation:
"'Who in thunder are your
81 produced the documents from
headquarters, which he read over care
fully, and with profound bow handed
back, remarMng:
"'You're all right, and can go where
yc like. I've been takin' charge of this
craft, because she needed head, but
l resign. There's a devil of lot of our
fellows aboard, and I'm Quartermaster
Igo.'
"This was my introduction to the
quartermnster. On the arrival of his
regiment at Louisville he had, or i'm
agined he had, business with the quar-
termaster of the department, and at
once proceeded to the large building
occupied by that officer. Brushing aside
an interposing orderly and pushing
open a gate, he marched on through the
sacred inclosure until stopped by dig
nifed and indignant gentleman, who
CURLY informed him that he must re-
main outside the railing.
"Who in thunder are you?' demand
ed Igo.
"I am Col. Swords, department quar-
termaster'
"Igo coolly glanced over him from
head to heel and then asked:
Don't the government pay you"
"Why, certainly, of course an
swered the surprised West Pointer.
"'Then, why in thunder don't you
wear brass buttons and things on your
shoulders so a fellow would know you
are the high-cock-a-lorum? How am
to tell whether you are Col. Swords, or
Tom, Dick, or the devil?' With this he
turned and Indignantly marched out.
"Soon after he encountered the
colonel in a public place and at once
accosted him about business. He was
Immediately checked with the remark;
"'Sir, when you have business with
me you will please call at my office.
Later when everything was being
hurried for an immediate departure OF
the army, Col. Swords, who was riding
out to the camp, met Igo riding into the
city.
"'One moment, quartermaster,' sale
the colonel, bringing his horse to G
stand.
"'Sir,' said Igo, when you have bust
ness with me you will please call at my
office
"In the autumn of '62 our regimen
relieved detachment of troops postet
as a crossroads several miles from
headquarters at Murfreesboro, Tenn