124                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

           Our things, when they were sent back, were piled up and no care taken of them at all, and when we came into camp all were anxious to get their things and put up the tents; but in hunting around they accidentally fell upon a lot of sanitary stores that were unguarded, and thinking they were sutler goods waded in and demolished the contents, which consisted of spirits, drawers, potatoes, fish, liquors, etc. Consequently, the next morning a search was made, and those found having any of the articles were taken up to headquarters and put under arrest. It seems hard that the boys have got to suffer for the negligence of the officers; but they might as well eat up such things as to leave them for the officers, for there is generally where such things go.

           While we were gone, all our bedding was carried off by other regiments, and a cotton gin and some other buildings being handy, the next morning the boys determined to have some boards to sleep on, and commenced to break for the scene of operations, delegations being on hand from the three Ohio regiments (the Thirtieth Illinois being supplied before we came,) and it was not long before the boards and shingles began to fly thick and fast, and persons were coming back with arm loads. While this was going on some person slipped into the gin and set it on fire, which soon reduced it to ashes. This brought out General Logan, who commenced pouring out his wrath on the "Flying Brigade," and it was not long before orders were issued compelling all who had got shingles and boards at these buildings to take them up to our regimental headquarters. Company E was well represented, myself being one of the number, for we are never slow in such undertakings. That being done, each had to give in his name, when we were all sent up to Logan's headquarters, taking our boards and shingles with us, whooping and yelling like mad. But we had hardly got up there when we were ordered to pile them up separately, and go to our quarters; but shortly after we were told to go up and get our lumber, when lo! it was found that the boards were measured, the shingles counted, and each man's pile taken account of. There was a good deal of sport made of it, and every company had to share it.

           Since then General Logan ordered General Leggett to assess the amount of property destroyed, and tax the officers and men of his Brigade with it, and have it put upon the next muster rolls, so it can be deducted from their pay, but to exempt all regiments whom he knew not to be guilty. Accordingly the assessment was made, which was put at $2,000, and is to come off the three Ohio regiments, the Suckers all being exempt

.            It is now the principal gossip of the regiments, and if they are to pay for the destruction of property done by some unknown person, it will be apt to raise a "muss," and cause them to destroy much more than they otherwise would have done; and it is believed by most of those who were there at the time, that it was burned by the old secesh himself, for he was there and was heard to say, when they commenced tearing down the old gin, "that the boards on that building wouldn't do them much good," and immediately started towards it; and in fifteen minutes time it was in flames. I mention this just for the purpose of showing what injustice is practised upon the soldiers in the army. The leaders can order the levee to be cut and millions of property may be destroyed by

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