ing Jackson, once in the right arm, and twice in the left arm and hand. While Captain Wilkins was being taken to the rear, he devoted his attention to disposing of the important papers which he had on his person. He dared not take them from his pocket to attempt to tear them up, but constantly kept his hand in his pocket, and worked the papers into a ball, and as they were passing along, got them into his bosom, and finally into the pit under his arm, where he carried them all that night. The next morning the guard halted to get their breakfast, and a soldier was trying to kindle a fire to cook some coffee which they had taken from our men. The wood was damp and the fire refused to burn. The soldier swore at it until his patience gave out, when Captain Wilkins asked him if he would not like some kindlings, and handed him the important papers. The soldier took them, and not dreaming of their importance, used them to kindle his fire. STORY XLVII. STORY OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN. THE Washington Correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, is responsible for the following story of General McClellan, while in command of the army of the Potomac: "General McClellan was in the habit of riding around occasionally, in citizen's dress, accompanied by a few of his staff. One day he was walking through one of the encampments, and passing the rear of the tents, he saw a bucket of coffee standing near a fire. He asked what it was, and one of the soldiers said 'coffee.' 'It looks more like slops,' he replied. 'Oh,' said the soldier, 'it is not fit to drink, but we have to put up with it, and our other food is not a bit better.' 'Well, whose fault is it?' he asked. 'Oh, our Quartermaster is drunk most of the time, and when he is not, he is studying how to cheat.' "McClellan passed on, and seeing more evidence of the dirty and slovenly manner in which the Quartermaster conducted his operations in his tent, he accosted him with the remark that the men were complaining of bad treatment from him. The Quartermaster flew into a passion, and swore it was none of his business; and he had better not come sneaking around trying to make mischief. McClellan answered him, telling him he had better be cautions how he talked. Quartermaster replied, 'Who are you, that you assume so much apparent authority?' 'I am George B. McClellan, and you can pack up your traps and leave.' The Quartermaster was struck dumb, and McClellan turned and left him. "That evening the Quartermaster left to the tune of the 'Rogue's March,' played by some of the boys who had got wind of it. He was superseded by a Quartermaster who did not 'get drunk and cheat.' The story was soon circulated around some of the camps, and the officers kept on the lookout for the General, and of course did not have much lying around loose: and the men were ready to risk their lives at the cannon's mouth for the man who did care how they were provided for." MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, the son of a physician of Philadelphia, was born in that city, December 3d, 1826. He entered West Point Academy at the age of sixteen, and graduated at twenty, as brevet Second Lieutenant of Engineers. He served in the Mexican war, with a company of sappers and miners, as Second Lieutenant, was breveted First Lieutenant at Contreras, and Captain after the capture of the City of Mexico. After the war he remained on duty with the sappers and miners, at West Point, until June, 1851. He next served as Engineer at the construction of Fort Delaware. In the spring of 1852 he was assigned to duty under Major R. B. Marcy, in the Expedition for the Exploration of Red River. Thence he was ordered direct to Texas, as Senior Engineer on the staff of General Persifer F. Smith, and was engaged on the coast of Texas, on surveys of Rivers and Harbors. In 1853 he was ordered to the Pacific coast, in command of the Western Division of the Survey of the North Pacific Railroad route. He returned to the East in 1854, on duty connected with the Pacific survey. The following year he received a commission in the 1st Regiment of Cavalry, and was sent to Europe as a member of the Military Commission, to the seat of war, in the Crimea, and in Northern Russia. He resigned in January, 1857, to take the position of Vice-President and Chief Engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad, which he held about three years, and relinquished for the presidency of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad Company, of which he also acted as General Superintendent; and was acting in that capacity when the rebellion broke out. In the month of April, 1861, he was appointed MajorGeneral of the Ohio State forces, mustered into the United States service April 23d of that year, and on the 14th of May, ensuing, was commissioned as MajorGeneral in the United States army, and assigned to the Department of Ohio, including Western Virginia. Since then his course is of public notoriety. STORY XLVIII. LITTLE EDDIE THE DRUMMER BOY OF EAST TENNESSEE. I have a sad tale worth relating, And more so, by my estimating, Because it is true. "Tis about little Eddie, the drummer, Whose mother, with him was a comer 'Twas a few days before we had orders, And march to where Wilson's creek borders. The captain commanded, “inform him, If he'll be on the ground in the morning, A good-looking middle aged woman, With a lad, sharp and sprightly uncommon, Her story was briefly narrated- By murderous Rebels unmated, In East Tennessee She sought in St. Louis a sister,' But she had unluckily missed her Not finding her there. She craved but the boon of a station. Then she, in some honest vocation, Her time would employ. Thus having rehearsed her brief story, The captain looked grum: "Fear not," cried the lad, "it's my glory, And sure I can drum." Said the captain, "Well, well, (to the sergeant,) "The fifer must come, Go tell him our business is urgent, And bring you the drum." By side of the long legged fifer, From far Illinois, He seemed a diminutive cypher, That refugee boy. |