Press enter after choosing selection

Uncle Sam's Volunteers

Uncle Sam's Volunteers image
Parent Issue
Day
31
Month
October
Year
1846
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Some ofthem are not very careful about keeping accounts. A Lóuismna captain was writtcn to by the s?cond auditor of the Trcasurv, that he was charged on the bonks of the department some 81,500 for clqthing for lus men, and other sums for camp equipage, &c , all which he was to charge, &c. The fpllowing is his answer, which appears in the N. O. Delta : - Chronotype. . New Orleaxs, Sept. 17, 184C. Sie : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt oftwo f.) vors from you, one dated 31st Juiy, the other 8th Aug. I can only answer by a yarn. A coujitryrnau of mhio um? once indulging fn the very intelectual oceupation of sucking fresh eggá raw, and reading a newspa.er. By some mischance he contrived to bolt a live chicken. The ioor bird chirrupped as it went down his thront, ar.d he very politely observed - "Be the poweis, my Iriend, youspoke too late." I can only say, Sir, that your favors have reieb me too late. l'hev liave heen chasing rr.e ihrough the Mexican Post Ofiices ; that is, lo cxpes niy.elf more clearly, when I received them." they (the letiers) were down in Mexico nnd I was up here and when 1 didn't roceive them, they were up here aiid I was tht-re. The fact is that most of my men have ten paid oiT, and are now ca'tcred toihe four qüartèré of the globe. They were mostly .-ailors, as 1 was myeif. From them (if therebe charges) n.-tiiing can be expected. Tbc camp and garrison equipage has bf-en turncd over to the proper ofiicers.wiih the excpption of suudry avesmashed and placed hors du cembat in chopping down thosw amiablc chnpporaïs on the banks of the Rio Grande, I expect, alst, the camp-kettles and pans - mariy of which were useel up in roasting, boiling, tewing and frying our pork and boans, bacon and fiesh beef, not to speak of the sloic vcnison, which some were 111- nalured cnough to cail Mexican beef, (may the Lord forgivc them.) For myown responsibility in the matter, ] regret, more on Uncle Sam's account tl.an on my own, that 1 am not worth a continental dimc. I have been not only paid, but I believe overpaid by aboul 840. My conscience compelled meto remonstrate with t!ie Paymasters. but they assured tne that they made no mistakes, (Bank Tellers sometimes say the same.) I considered their feeling.and indulge them. However, I made a good u?o of tho monevj 1 gave it W the dek and Cinpaid soldi&rs.Most of the other Captains are in the same fit toith rnyselT fbarring the overpa.y) nbout rosponsibility, and rcfer to my epistle as an answer. Ifyou have any farther communication iór me, please direct to Maj. Gen. John M. Lewis, N. O. I seldom goto the Post Oiïïce, been use I have nobody to corceipond with, and yctl am ntitthe man who never had fatlier nor mother, but wa3 "won in a ra!lle.!'Vcry respcctfully, G. IL TOBIN,Capt. Com. D. Washington Regiment, Ln. Voluntecrs. Joux M. McCai.la, fe'ccond Auditor.P. S. I don't know whether to sigu mysülf Captain, ex-Captain, or laxe Captain. I ïoas a captain.