Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-11
Controversy Over Rank

dOteS or the civil war. puDllShed Dy ID.
Appleton & Co., and found on page 2O2,
as follows:
Controversy Over Rank.
''After the fall of Vicksburg I pro-
ceeded to Mound City. ILL.,, to superintend
affairs on the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers. and to increase the size of the
Mississippi squadron, which had dimin-
ished in numbers since the commencement
of the siege.
quite a controversy was prevailing
with regard to rank between the officers
of the line and staff. and Capt. PennOck.
chief of the staff. had his hands full In
trying to. reconcile the numerous Difficult
ties and MISUNDERSTANDING. In fact, 1
found that had arrived just In time to
prevent a regular row at the station.
THE surgeon of the fleet. DR.. p, was
one Of the cleverest of men personally
and professionally, and afforded a fresh
illustration of the saying that the most
valuable goods are generally put up In
was Of social disposition and a favorite
with everybody, but woe to anybody that
ran counter to him on the subject OF rank.
or invaded what he considered his rights.
He would get out his brace of derringers.
and whoever had affronted him must
make the amende honorable or fight.
Il had fitted up a large steamboat. cap
tured from the enemy. as hospital snip
to follow the squadron on the eve or pat
tie and take on board the wounded. The
Red Rover was fitted with every comfort,
and poor Jack. when sick or wounded,
was cared for in a style never before
dreamed of in the navy. All these ar
rangements were made under the super.
vision of the fleet surgeon. VINO had !uii
charge of the vessel when completed, but
at the same time she had commanding
officer, an old steamboat man who main
tanned discipline among the crew.
Il had been intimate with DR.. p. from
the time was youngster. ana ne TOOK
ADVANTAGE of this intimacy to come to
me at all hours with complaints. and
n I dld not succeed in pacifying him IN
one way I usually did In another One
day the doctor came to me and SAID:
Admiral these fellows around here
whom I rank all to pieces are running
their rigs on me about my command
anil laughing at me because l can't wear
a pennant. Now, sir. want you to give
me a flag to wear. l am next IN RANK
to you and I think. 1t hard to Zoe r1dl-
culed by these youngsters.
why, DOCTOR l replied. that would
be an unheard-of thing to give the fleet
surgeon a flag; as it is, you are enjoying
unusual authority. being actually IN com,
Rover Is directed to obey all your COM
mands notwithstanding the regulations of
the navy provide that medical officers
shall exercise no military authority. III
l give you flag the line ofhcers Will
"'Oh. no, admiral said the doctor:
II you grant my request no one will
| think anything of 1t. 1t will increase
my prestige You know this is a pc
culiar kind of service. Give me flag
and nv happiness will be complete.
"'Weh. doctor. 1 said, I will think
about it.
Now. there's another matter. ad-
| miral.' said the doctor. I think the Red
Rover ought to have gun to protect
| herself in case Of attack
But I rejoined. hospital vessels are
held sacred in all civilized countries. and
no one will trouble you; besides. the
Mississippi Is open It's whole LENGTH and
there are no guerrillas along the banks.
".Yes, SIR replied the doctor. but !
might want to fire a signal gun. and
might as we'll carry a thirty-pounder. 20
| that I can be ready to fight and make
| signals, too.
".Well. / will consider the matter !
said and the little doctor went off de-
Surgeon Gets a Flag.
| I'm three days I had a flag of yellow
bunting with an anchor in the center for
the hospital ship. to be carried at the
middle pole. and a thirty-pounder rife
| for the bow
| The doctor was delighted when he
went on deck one morning and found
the Stars and Stripes f1oated from the
| stern and the Jack ornamented the bow.
I He Immediately put on his full dress
| coat and called on me to thank me. lit
| tie dreaming that his thirty FOUNDER rifle
was made Of wood.
| THE doctor commenced Immediately to
claim increased rank, and for the next
two weeks there was a constant con-
troyersy between him and the command.
| ing officers Of the gunboats.
although these difficulties were not
brought officially before me, 1 heard OF
| them and was thinking of some way tC
| remedy them. when an amusing circum-
stance occurred which brought the fleet
surgeon down from his high horse.
lone day the doctor dined with me
| and as he loved his glass OF wine he was
feeling very dtgnifed when he got up tc
| 90 on board his vessel, for the regula-
| tins required that no one should be alb
| sent from hts command after sunset. Al
the fleet surgeon passed over the side
the sentry presented arms. the officer
OF the deck touched his hat an(
the doctor Strengthened up with the con
| seriousness that he was now a person o.
increased importances AS he walked III
the levee he met sailor who had evi
IDENTIFY been INDUCING In the flowing bowl
for he pitched about like a ship in a gal,
OF wind and took up the whole Of tn,
roadway, finally running a-foul of tn,
little doctor. which brought them boil
up all standing as the nautical phras'
Is.
Encounter With Chief Cook.