Virginia Captain,
springing to his feet; "compel a man who has two new blouses, and who
belongs to a regiment that came out with blouses and never had
dress-coats, to put a dress-coat in his knapsack besides, when his
clothing account is almost exhausted, and the campaign only half
through. Is that the order you mean? By George, you must think that old
Pigey is only going to live and do business after three o'clock in the
afternoon, if you think that he will insist upon that order. Our
Brigadier did right to disobey it. Old Rosey would have put any officer
in irons, who----"

"But, Captain," resumed the Adjutant, "unfortunately we are not in
Western Virginia, and not under old Rosey, as you call him, but in the
Army of the Potomac, where Red Tape clogs progress more than Virginia
mud ever did, and where position is attained, not so much by the merit
of the officer, as by the hold he may be able to get upon the favoritism
of the War Department."

"Is it possible," continued the Captain, thrusting his hands into the
lowest depths of his breeches pockets, and casting upon the Adjutant a
half inquiring, half reflecting look, "that this Regiment, which the
General himself admits is one of the best disciplined in his Division,
and which has been one of the most harmonious and orderly, is to be
imposed upon in this way by a whimsical superior officer, who, whatever
his reputation for science may be, has shown himself over and over again
to have no sense! I tell you, our men can't stand it. Just look at my
own Company, for instance, nearly all married men, families dependent
upon them for support, and now when they have each two lined blouses, as
good as new, and their clothing account about square, they are to take
seven dollars and a half of their hard earned pay--more than half a
month's wages--and buy a coat that can be of no service, and that must
be thrown away the first march. I do not believe that the Government
designs that our Volunteer Regiments should be compelled to take both
blouses and dress coats. The General had better enter into partnership
with some shoddy contractor, if he intends giving orders of this kind.
I tell you, the men will not take them."

"Come, Captain, no 'murmuring or muttering' against the powers that be,"
said the Adjutant. "The men will either take them, in case the order is
made, or go to the Rip-raps. I am inclined to think that the Field
Officers will not see the men imposed upon. And