Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-15
COLONEL BIRGE AND GUAR
 TER MASTER BROMLEY


 During the Civil War, the Thirteenth Regiment, which was largely oficered by Norwich men, Henry w. Birge being Colonel, was conspicuously noted for it's fine appearance and neat equip ment, and is recorded as a favorite with Gen. Butler.
 It had in Colonel Birge, an accom- plished officer, whose handling of d regiment was considered in the Gulf Department to be unsurpassed.
 Ordered at first to New Orleans, it's entrance into that city, May 5th, 1862, when it was assigned the post of honor, produced d marken sensation, and it was declared to be 'the finest looking regiment that ever entered New Orleans
 After performing garrison duty in that city for some time, the regiment was ordered to join the Reserve Brig ade under Gen. Weitzel. under whom it had a leading position in the battle of ,ieorgia Landing and by him was com l.nented for it's bearing, in this its maiden fight.
 During the winter of '62-'63, it was engaged in the routine life incl dent to it's station The humorous B. Bromley, beguiled the tedium of camp life by his wit and at the same time won an enviable reputation by catering to the wants of the men. Colonel Sprague, in his history of the regiment, gives the following, as characteristic of the mani
 The principal difficulty at this time was in getting wood. Our quarter master, never long at a loss for ex- pedients, finally proceeded to the de- pot of the Carrollton Railroad and con- menced loading his team. The super l intendent is said to have come up and to have had the following dialogue with Bromley
 What are you going to do with | that wood"
 Cook rations Go on with your loading, Corporal?' "Who are you?" Bromley, quartermaster Of the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers Allow me, sir, in turn to inquire whom I have the distinguished honor to ad- dress?"
 i I'm superintendent of this railroad i "All right. Go on with your load ing, Corporal -. l "The wood belongs to the railroad!' "So I supposed!"
 But I forbid you to take it!" Put your protest in writing. in red ink Tie it with a piece of red tape I'll approve it and forward it. You see, we've got to have wood to cook 1 with Can't eat beans and pork raw ! I'd prefer 'em raw! But the men are so unreasonable they want 'em cook ed!"
 But that wood is necessary for the use of the railroad!"
 Its necessary for the use of thu Thirteenth Connecticut! 'T should like to know how loco. motive is going to run without wood!'
 five often wondered how a regimen could be run without wood!"
 General Butler orders me to TUT this railroad!'
 Colonel Birge orders me to run thu Thirteenth Connecticut!
 "Wh's Colonel Birse?'' 'sWho's Colonel Birge? Why, tn, d-deuse! Don't you know Colone Birge? If there's one man above an other that everybody knows. it's Col onel Birge!"
 will Colonel Birge pay for tn wood?" | COlOnGl pdy 4OL I1LO WOOu Why mol It's reflection on you sagacity to ask such a question:"
 "Who will pay for it ?'
 "The Quartermasters Department If there's one thing I admire abov another in the Quartermaster's De partment it's because they'll alway pay for wood! Now, my friend of tn railroad persuasion, if you'n come anC see me, T'll give you receipts and hell you fix up the proper papers to presen to the Quartermaster's Department
 How long will it be before I ge pay?'
 Tt will be some future day-the flu unrest kind of a day. I'm afraid?
 The superintendent posted oe to se Col. Birge. Bromley preceded him however. and cautioned sentinels t admit no citizen without a pass Halt" said every sentinel; and tn superintendent gave up the errand il despair.
 The instructions which Bromley gav to Corporal Strange, member of hi staff, as he termed him, were quit signifcant:-
 Strange, we're going on an ex petition. I want my staff to be ol the lookout for turkeys, geese, pigs an sheep. Don't be the agressor in an contest! Stand strictly on the de fensive, but if you're attacked b, any of these animals, show fight; an don't forget to bring off the enemy dead'"
 During the following Spring, th