The colonel's temper is as variable as an April day — now
all smiles and sunshine, but by-and-by a cloud takes all away. He becomes
impatient with a long-winded story, told by some business applicant — and storms
whenever any one asks him if the Secretary is in.
To-day, for the first time, I detected a smile on the lip of
Col. Myers, the Quartermaster-General, as he passed through the office. A moment
after, Gen. Walker, of Georgia, came in, and addressed the colonel thus:
"Is the Secretary in?"
Col. (with a stare). I don't know.
Gen. W. (returning the stare). Could you not
ascertain for me? I have important business with him; and am here by
appointment.
Col. B. You can ascertain for yourself. I am not his
doorkeeper. There is his door.
Gen. W. (after a moment's reflection). I asked you a civil
question in a courteous manner, and have not deserved this harshness, and will
not submit to it.
Col. B. It is not courteous to presume I am acting in
the capacity of a messenger or door-keeper.
Just then the Secretary appeared at the door, having heard
the loud language, and Gen. W. immediately entered his office.
Afterward the colonel fumed and fretted like an angry
volcano. He disliked Col. Myers, and believed Ire had sent the general in under
prompting to annoy him about the Secretary, whom he (Myers) really hated.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 61
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