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large quantities of flour and meal to the front； that only the bacon
and small parts of the ration had to be brought forward from our
depot at Rolla。 When things were well systematized； I went forward
myself to expedite the delivery of supplies； and joined the army at
Cross Hollows； just south of Pea Ridge。
Finding everything working well at Cross Hollows； I returned to
Springfield in a few days to continue the labor of collecting
supplies。 On my way back I put the mills at Cassville in good order
to grind the grain in that vicinity； and perfected there a plan for
the general supply from the neighboring district of both the men and
animals of the army； so that there should； be no chance of a failure
of the campaign from bad roads or disaster to my trains。 Springfield
thus became the centre of the entire supply section。
Just after my return to Springfield the battle of Pea Ridge was
fought。 The success of the Union troops in this battle was
considerable； and while not of sufficient magnitude to affect the
general cause materially； it was decisive as to that particular
campaign； and resulted in driving all organized Confederate forces
out of the State of Missouri。 After Pea Ridge was won； certain
efforts were made to deprive Curtis of the credit due him for the
victory； but； no matter what merit belonged to individual commanders；
I was always convinced that Curtis was deserving of the highest
commendation； not only for the skill displayed on the field； but for
a zeal and daring in campaign which was not often exhibited at that
early period of the war。 Especially should this credit be awarded
him； when we consider the difficulties under which he labored； how he
was hampered in having to depend on a sparsely settled country for
the subsistence of his troops。 In the reports of the battle that
came to Springfield； much glory was claimed for some other general
officers； but as I had control of the telegraph line from Springfield
east； I detained all despatches until General Curtis had sent in his
official report。 He thus had the opportunity of communicating with
his superior in advance of some of his vain subordinates； who would
have laid claim to the credit of the battle had I not thwarted them
by this summary means。
Not long afterward came the culmination of a little difference that
had arisen between General Curtis and me； brought about； I have since
sometimes thought； by an assistant quartermaster from Iowa； whom I
had on duty with me at Springfield。 He coveted my place； and finally
succeeded in getting it。 He had been an unsuccessful banker in Iowa；
and early in the war obtained an appointment as assistant
quartermaster of volunteers with the rank of captain。 As chief
quartermaster of the army in Missouri； there would be opportunities
for the recuperation of his fortunes which would not offer to one in
a subordinate place； so to gain this position he doubtless intrigued
for it while under my eye； and Curtis was induced to give it to him
as soon as I was relieved。 His career as my successor； as well as in
other capacities in which he was permitted to act during the war； was
to say the least not savory。 The war over he turned up in Chicago as
president of a bank； which he wrecked； and he finally landed in the
penitentiary for stealing a large sum of money from the United States
Treasury at Washington while employed there as a clerk。 The chances
that this man's rascality would be discovered were much less when
chief of the departments of transportation and supply of an army than
they afterward proved to be in the Treasury。 I had in my possession
at all times large sums of money for the needs of the army； and among
other purposes for which these funds were to be disbursed was the
purchase of horses and mules。 Certain officers and men more devoted
to gain than to the performance of duty （a few such are always to be
found in armies） quickly learned this； and determined to profit by
it。 Consequently they began a regular system of stealing horses from
the people of the country and proffering them to me for purchase。 It
took but a little time to discover this roguery； and when I became
satisfied of their knavery I brought it to a sudden close by seizing
the horses as captured property； branding them U。 S。； and refusing to
pay for them。 General Curtis； misled by the misrepresentations that
had been made； and without fully knowing the circumstances； or
realizing to what a base and demoralizing state of things this course
was inevitably tending； practically ordered me to make the Payments；
and I refused。 The immediate result of this disobedience was a
court…martial to try me； and knowing that my usefulness in that army
was gone； no matter what the outcome of the trial might be； I asked
General Halleck to relieve me from duty with General Curtis and order
me to St。 Louis。 This was promptly done； and as my connection with
the Army of Southwest Missouri was thus severed before the court
could be convened； my case never came to trial。 The man referred to
as being the cause of this condition of affairs was appointed by
General Curtis to succeed me。 I turned over to the former all the
funds and property for which I was responsible； also the branded
horses and mules stolen from the people of the country； requiring
receipts for everything。 I heard afterward that some of the blooded
stock of southwest Missouri made its way to Iowa in an unaccountable
manner； but whether the administration of my successor was
responsible for it or not I am unable to say。
On my arrival at St。 Louis I felt somewhat forlorn and disheartened
at the turn affairs had taken。 I did not know where I should be
assigned； nor what I should be required to do； but these
uncertainties were dispelled in a few days by General Halleck； who；
being much pressed by the Governors of some of the Western States to
disburse money in their sections； sent me out into the Northwest with
a sort of roving commission to purchase horses for the use of the
army。 I went to Madison and Racine； Wis。； at which places I bought
two hundred horses； which were shipped to St。 Louis。 At Chicago I
bought two hundred more； and as the prices paid at the latter point
showed that Illinois was the cheapest marketit at that time
producing a surplus over home demandsI determined to make Chicago
the centre of my operations。
While occupied in this way at Chicago the battle of Shiloh took
place； and the desire for active service with troops became uppermost
in my thoughts； so I returned to St。 Louis to see if I could not get
into the field。 General Halleck having gone down to the Shiloh
battle…field； I reported to his Assistant Adjutant…General； Colonel
John C。 Kelton； and told him of my anxiety to take a hand in active
field…service； adding that I did not wish to join my regiment； which
was still organizing and recruiting at Jefferson Barracks； for I felt
confident I could be more useful elsewhere。 Kelton knew that the
purchasing duty was but temporary； and that on its completion；
probably at no distant date； I should have to join my company at the
barracks； so； realizing the inactivity to which that situation of
affairs would subject me； he decided to assume the responsibility of
sending me to report to General Halleck at Shiloh； and gave me an
order to that effect。
This I consider the turning…point in my military career； and shall
always feel grateful to Colonel Kelton for his kindly act which so
greatly influenced my future。 My desire to join the army at Shiloh
had now taken possession of me； and I was bent on getting there by
the first means available。 Learning that a hospital…boat under
charge of Dr。 Hough was preparing to start for Pittsburg Landing； I
obtained the Doctor's consent to take passage on it； and on the
evening of April 15； I left St。 Louis for the scene of military
operations in northeastern Mississippi。
At Pittsburg Landing I reported to General Halleck； who； after some
slight delay； assigned me to duty as an assistant to Colonel George
Thom； of the topographical engineers。 Colonel Thom put me at the
work of getting the trains up from the landing； which involved the
repair of roads for that purpose by corduroying the marshy places。
This was rough； hard work； without much chance of reward； but it； was
near the field of active operations； and I determined to do the best
I could at it till opportunity for something better might arise。
General Halleck did not know much about taking care of himself in the
field。 His camp arrangements were wholly inadequate； and in
consequence he and all the officers about him were subjected to much
unnecessary discomfort and annoyance。 Someone suggested to him to
appoint me quartermaster for his headquarters； with a view to
systematizing the establishment and remedying the defects complained
of； and I was consequently