[232] that my clerk was charged with selling some of the articles, and I reported him to headquarters. He wept and attempted to explain the deficiency, and to my surprise, next day, he received an order directing him to report to Brigade Quartermaster J. C. Bryan, as his clerk. I parted with him without regret, and was greatly annoyed by his refusing to receive my requisitions as they were made out, and which I had Captain Brown, quartermaster of the Third Alabama to overlook and pronounce correct. After they were sent to me, I would return them without the crossing of a ‘t,’ or the dotting of an ‘i,’ in the original form, and they were always accepted. In February an order was received to send my cook to the brigade quartermaster's camp, and, jumping upon ‘Pintail,’ I galloped to General Rodes' headquarters at Grace church, and walking rapidly down the aisle to the altar, handed the order to the general and asked him politely, but excitedly, what the order meant. He read it and said he never saw it before, and inquired of Major Whiting and other staff-officers what they knew about it. Major Whiting replied that it was issued at the request of Major Bryan, who said the negro was a regular teamster. This I positively denied, and stated that he had never been reported as such by me, and was my cook, and that the brigade quartermaster wished to avail himself of his services, not as a teamster, but as his personal cook. The general then said, ‘the matter is between you and Major Bryan, I will have nothing to do with it.’ I thanked him for his decision and rode rapidly back to my tent, and told Jim to remain as cook, much to his delight.
The brigade quartermaster and his clerk subjected me to a great many little annoyances, but I gave satisfaction to the Colonel commanding my regiment, and to the officers and men. Many long rides were taken to Hanover Junction, to Fredericksburg, and to other points after hay and oats for the horses, as well as for articles shipped for the use of the men, mainly clothing and shoes, with which they were illy supplied.
In company with Major Gordon of the 6th Alabama, and brother of Gen. John B. Gordon, and Capt. J. W. McNeely, of my company, I frequently made visits to the charming young ladies living near our camp. The Misses Lawrence, Parrish, Withers and others were all of them musical ladies and gracious and hospitable.
The latter part of April we broke camp, and on the 1st of May General Hooker crossed the Rappahannock between Fredericksburg,
