A Screw Loose Somewhere

Humor was rare in the after action reports or letters of the Civil War or of any war for that matter because of the horrific nature of war itself. However, occasionally a little bit of humor work's it's way into a piece of correspondence and the title of this column is not a misstatement. It is a direct quotation from a frustrated Union officer who had more important things to worry about than the absence of a basic office, furniture for his sub-district headquarters and as a consequence of having to pay rent for the room out of "his own pocket" because of the lack of government funds. All of this appears to be the result of bad communications, cross communications or lack of any communications at all. This situation reminds me of the universal expression that is one of many that originated in World War II and is still in use today. SNAFU: Situation normal all fouled up, that's the printable version! In the spring of 1864, Colonel Thomas Moonlight was in command of the 3rd Sub-District of South Kansas with his headquarters, if one could call it that, at Mound City, Kan.

Col. Moonlight was a good officer, with a very good combat record who was well respected by his troops and had little tolerance or patience for administrative or logistic mistakes. In the following letter he describes exactly what he thinks of an administrative and logistical blunder/ The letter is located on Page 468 in Series I, Vol. 34 of the Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Mound City, Kans., May 5, 1864.

[To] Capt. George S. Hampton, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Captain: I agree with you that my position here has never been right to insure a proper supervision over the affairs of the border and as Company F of the 11th, has taken station at Potosi (Southeast of present Pleasanton on the Military Road) I feel that his portion of the border is now properly protected. A company of infantry, or what is the same, dismounted cavalry, is sufficient for this place, sour views coincide exactly. I am free to confess that I came here against my will, but the acquaintance of the citizens has been freely cultivated and I assure you we have all become bosom friends. The conduct of the command here has been exemplary in the extreme and a lasting friendship has sprung up between them and this people. I also flatter myself that affairs of the "border" are rapidly harmonizing and at last the citizens are with us as soldiers and protectors. This has and will be my special aim, for my judgment, it is the only way to success aside. Much as I now regret leaving this place, I am ready, for I deem it essential to the interests of the border.

I think Olathe is my proper station, with Colonel Hoyt at the Trading Post; that is, so long as your headquarters remain at Paola. In the event of a change, Paola should be my headquarters. as I am now writing you privately and freely, I will speak on other matters. When I came down here, it was with the understanding with Lt. Francis that quarters for myself and adjutant would be furnished, as also our office He now telegraphs me that by direction of the "Chief Quartermaster," Insley, he cannot do it. I have seen Insley and he denies ever giving any such instructions, so that there is "a screw loose somewhere,"

I am yet without a table, desk or chair and but little stationary and I know this could easily be avoided by making proper exertions on receipt of my requisitions. I have borne with it until "patience has ceased to be a virtue"! I must before I leave, pay the rent of this room out of my own pocket, for my word is pledged and boarding in hotels and running around as I have been and will have to still is a pecuniarily a poor business with nothing coming in! I will now ask of you one favor, that you will permit me to retain Company B with me wherever I am stationed. The company love and respect me and I admire and esteem them for their soldierly and gallant conduct. In the event of any change keep one company here.

Respectfully and truly yours,

T. Moonlight, Colonel

It is not known if Col. Moonlight ever received his furniture or was reimbursed for paying the rent for a room out of his own pocket. What is known, is that he continued to be a good field commander and he and his regiment, the 11th Ks. Vol. Cavalry, protected the Union right flank with a rapid forced march on October 24th and 25th 1864 during Price's Campaign in Missouri and Kansas.

This successful rapid march resulted in the successful defense of Mound City, prevented the complete destruction of Fort Lincoln on the north bank of the Little Osage River and the reinforcement of Fort Scott. In 1865, Col. Moonlight was awarded a brevet promotion to Brigadier General.

After the Civil War, he returned to his Kansas farm and became involved in politics. He served as the Kansas Secretary of State and also as a state senator. From 1887 to 1889, Retired General Moonlight served as the governor of the Wyoming Territory and later he served as the U.S. Minister to Bolivia. He died at 66 years of age at Leavenworth, Kan., and is buried there in Mount Muncie Cemetery.