The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-12-08
ouARrERMAsrER leo.
An Officer from Michigan Who Became
Famous During the War.

Service in the army" remarked the
veteran, certainly tended to develop
characteristics, and if soldier pos
sessed peculiarities 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, were 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
Buell's command was regimental
quartermaster from Michigan. On re-
porting at Louisville l was ordered to
take charge of 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 If 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 union
officer with guard on their decks.
"On going aboard the boat to which l
bad been assigned was halted at the
gangway stairs by an undersized man
whose hair was several degrees beyond
auburn and whose accent savored Of
Tipperary, with the salutation:
"'Who in thunder are you"
81 produced the documents from
headquarters, which he read over care
fully, and with profound bow handed
back, remarking:
"'You're all right, and can go where
ye like. I've been takin' charge of this
craft, because she needed a head, but
I resign. There's devil of lot of our
fellows aboard, and I'm Quartermaster
Igo.'
"This was my introduction to the
quartermaster. 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 gate, he marched on through the
sacred Enclosure until stopped by dig
nified and indignant gentleman, who
curtly informed him that he must re-
main outside the railing.
"'Who in thunder are your demand
ed Igo.
81 am Col. Swords, departmentquar'
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 fellow would know You
are the high-cock-a-lorum? How am
to tell whether you are Col. Swords, ol
Tom, Dick, or the devil?' With this ht
turned and Indignantly marched out.
"Soon after he encountered th'
colonel in public place and at once
accosted him about business. He was
Immediately checked with the remark
"'Sir, when you have business witt
me you will please call at my office
Later, when everything was beint
hurried for an immediate departure o
the army, Col. Swords, who was riding
out to the camp, met Igo riding into th'
city.
Zone moment, quartermaster,' saiC
the colonel, bringing his horse to
stand.
"'Sir,' said Igo, when you have bust
ness with me you will please call at m.
office
I'm the autumn of '62 our regimen
relieved detachment of troops poste'
a; a crossroads several miles from
headquarters at Murfreesboro, Tenn