No doubt the story is apocryphal, but it endures because it seems to ring so true: In the midst of battle - perhaps in middle Virginia, or in lower Maryland, or southern Pennsylvania - the Federal Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were locked in a fierce artillery duel.
Cannon on both sides had unlimbered and were belching fire as fast as their gunners could load and aim, yank lanyards, sponge bores, and reload. One Union battery was particularly busy, its young Captain shouting frantic orders to fire and fire again, foregoing adequate sighting between rounds.
From out of the powder smoke rode an officer on a pale horse - a gaunt, grizzled man with a full beard, clad in a dust-covered tunic, a silver star on his shoulder straps, and a faded sash of scarlet around his waist: the uniform of a brigadier general of artillery. Oblivious to his coming the Captain called for even more rapid discharges of his guns - until the general dismounted, strode to his side, laid a gloved hand on his shoulder, and spun him about. General Henry Jackson Hunt, commander of artillery of the Army of the Potomac jabbed an accusing finger at the nearest gun and shouted above the din:
"Young man, are you aware that every shot you fire costs the government two dollars and sixty-seven cents?" …