‘Yes, heartily confound all these political generals and colonels,’ said Shields. ‘If those meddling carpet warriors would only mind their own business, and leave us to manage ours in the field, instead of incessantly pulling the ropes, we should have another story to tell. This fellow Spriggs and others like him are pitched into colonelcies and even higher commands by their friends the politicians, while the real soldiers go begging for a place, or, rather than do nothing, serve their country unostentatiously in the ranks.’
‘He has good stuff in his regiment, too,’ said the brigadier. ‘The “Trailing Terrors,” or whatever ridiculous name he calls them by, are stark fighters when they get a chance, or are properly led.’
‘Which they never will be, so long as Spriggs is in command of them,’ answered Shields testily. ‘I’ve made the most urgent representations about the fellow, and no notice has been taken. I daren’t relieve him of his command on my own responsibility, though I am supposed to be at the head of this army.’ He laughed rather bitterly.
‘Such a fellow is a disgrace to us all,’ remarked the brigadier emphatically. ‘A bully, a fire-eater, and a’——
‘A dirty coward,’ finished Shields for him. ‘You may as well say it at once. I agree with you. He is a disgrace to us—he and a few more like him—a discredit to the whole North. The actions of the ruffianly crew of whom he is a most admirable example do more to inflame the South against us than anything else. Confound them!’ he fumed; ‘it is beyond their comprehension that even war may be waged in a gentlemanly fashion.’
‘You’ve got to start with a gentleman, though, you must remember,’ laughed the brigadier.
‘I know,’ said Shields discontentedly. ‘Oh, hang him! I wish I were well rid of him. He is reported missing since last night, and it may be that some obliging rebel has done what I have not the power to do—relieved him of his command by a timely and well-aimed bullet.’
‘Not while there was a tree between him and Johnny Reb,’ chuckled the brigadier. ‘I am afraid you must not look forward to any such easy solution of your difficulties with him.’
‘Pah!’ ejaculated General Shields in deep disgust. ‘I’——
The sentence was never finished, for at that moment the door was flung open, and Orderly-sergeant Cox, advancing into the hut and saluting, announced: