The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-21
QUARTERMAsTER IGoE.
An Officer from Indiana Who Became
Famous During the War.
Gun

Service in the army" remarked the vet
eran, certainly tended to develop charac-
teristics, and if a soldier possessed pecul-
iarities 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 a certain extent, were privileged
characters. Some of these even achieved
fame, and their doings and sayings were
repeated throughout the army. Among
the most noted Of these in Buells COM
mand was regimental quartermaster from
Indiana. On reporting al Louisville was
ordered to take charge of steamboat
loading with stores and ammunition for
Nashville. Nearly all the captains and pill
OTIS on the Southwestern rivers were be-
lieved to sympathize with the secession
ists and it was presumed that these gen.
bdhts they were running loaded with gov
eminent supplies should be captured at
some convenient landing by rebels 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
had been assigned l was halted at the
gangway stairs by an understood man
whose accent savored of Tfpperary, with
the salutation:
produced the document from head
quarters, which he, read over carefully.
and with a profound bow handed back, le-
You're all right. and can go where We
like. I've been takin' charge of this craft,
There's a devil of a lot of our fellows
aboard, and I'm Quartermaster Igoe.'
This was my introduction TO the quar-
termaster. On the arrival of his regiment
at Louisville he had. or imagined he had,
business with the quartermasrer of the de-
partment, 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 a dignified and indignant gentleman,
who CURLY informed him that he must re-
main outside the railing.
Who in thunder are you?' demanded
Igoe
q / am Colonel Swords, department quar-
termaster.'
''Igoe coolly glanced over him from head
to heel and then asked:
{" Don't the government pay you?
"'Why certainly Of course answered
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 l to tell whether
you are Colonel Swords. or Tom. Dick, or
the devilg With this he turned and in
dignantly marched out.
Soon after he encountered the colonel
in public place and at once aecosted 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 hur-
ried for an immediate departure of the
army Colonel Swords. who was riding out
to the camp. met lgoe riding into the city.
" One moment, quartermaster said the
colonel bringing his horse TO a stand.
" Sir, said Igoe, when you have business
with me you will please cell at my office.
I'm the autumn of 1862 our regiment re-
q cross roads several miles from headquar-
ters at Murfreesboro. Tenn. One evening
we received orders TO return Immediately
to town. and while packing up soldier
| found a box of papers and reported the
| find. Investigation showed them to be
! Quartermaster Igoe's regimental accounts,