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[372]
throwing all the trains into confusion.
“You ought to have been out of here hours ago!”
he continued.
“I have a great mind to hang you to the nearest tree.
You are not fit to be a quartermaster.”
In this manner General Meade rated the innocent captain for a few moments, and then rode away.
When he had gone, General Ingalls dropped back from the staff a moment, with a laugh at the interview, and, on learning the captain's case, told him to remain where he was until he received an order from him. Thereupon Ludington withdrew to a house that stood not far away from the road, and, taking a seat on the veranda, entered into conversation with two young ladies who resided there.
Soon after he had thus comfortably disposed himself, who should appear upon the highway but Sheridan, who was in command of all the cavalry with the army.
On discovering the train at a standstill, he rode up and asked:--
“What train is this?”
“The supply train of Wilson's cavalry Division,” was the reply of a teamster.
“ Who's in charge of it?”
“Captain Ludington.”
“Where is he?”
“There he sits yonder, talking to those ladies.”
“Give him my compliments and tell him I want to see him,” said Sheridan, much wrought up at the situation, apparently thinking that the train was being delayed that its quartermaster might spend further time “in gentle dalliance” with the ladies.
As soon as the captain approached, the general charged forward impetuously, as if he would ride the captain down, and, with one of those “terrible oaths” for which he was famous, demanded to know what he was there for, why he was not out at daylight, and on after his division.
As Ludington attempted to explain, Sheridan cut him off by opening his battery of abuse again, threatening to have him shot for his incompetency and delay, and ordering him to take the road at once with his train.
Hav-
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