A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
There is among army officers a constant jealousy and strife for
promotion and rank, watching and looking after each other, fearful lest some
one may be assuming some rank or taking some privileges that do not belong to
him. I have been giving my men passes out of camp, and these passes have been
honored at headquarters. In consequence of that a spirit of envy and jealousy
entered the breasts of the infantry officers; it made them feel sore and uneasy,
so they consulted together and decided that that could no longer be allowed.
They informed me that I was exceeding my authority in passing men out of camp.
Being in a minority and not caring to exhibit any stubbornness so trifling a
matter I magnanimously waived my authority to issue the passes, but it was a
big come down for the chief of artillery. When I wish to leave I simply look in
at headquarters and say to the captain.“I propose going out.” If there is
anything in the pitcher he always says, “You had better come in, and
take something before going.” The captain is as generous as he is brave, and
brave men are always generous.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass.
Volunteer Infantry, p. 96
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