On the return of Gen. Fremont’s army from the Southwest, Sigel commanded the division that came by Lebanon to Rolla. A few miles this side of Lebanon the army encamped overnight on the farm of a man who was in sympathy with the rebellion, and his fence-rails were all burned for fire wood, and his farm stripped of whatever was useful and necessary to subsist the troops and horses of the train. In the morning the farmer came with a large bill of damages, and asked for payment. The Quartermaster came to Gen. Sigel to know what should be done about it. Col. Warmoth was present, and the General asked him whether the man was a loyal citizen. The Colonel replied that he was a conditional Union man at first, but that he had afterward sympathized with the rebellion. Turning to the Quartermaster General, Sigel then replied, “Mr. Quartermaster, then you sympathize with the Government.” It is hardly necessary to add that the secesh farmer did not obtain what he came for.
Smyrna Times, Smyrna, DE