Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-02

the exact amount, which, under the con-
tract system, would fall into the hands
of contractors. But, even surprising the
contract to be bid off at too low aratc,
to enable the contractor TO make clear
profit surprising thecontractor to be ac-
tuated alone, i'll the supply of ratlons to
the troops, by the purcst patriotism,
without the prospect OF making money,
still the Commissariat, would be preiera
bic, because contractor, having no pos
sible prospect of making money, would
be constantly embarrassed with the APP
prchension OF losing mouey-and in C.
very purchase he would see before him
the wretched altern alive of selecting
the cheapest, and consequently the
worst provisions, or being Involved i'll
bankruptcy and ruin.
The choice of these evils can readily
be imagined. II is a choice as most Off
GERS VINO have had separate commands,
can testify, that has imposed upon our
troops the cheapest and coarsesi provi-
sions and which have on many &C
casions, been so much damaged as To
sicken and kill hundreds OF our men.
Upon this subject beg leave TO call
the attention of your honorable commit
lee To the official reports and returns of
the army, stationed at French Mills, i'll
the autumn and winter of 1918, To Febru-
AIRY 1914; by which it will be seen that out
oil about men - were sick at once,
and that from the lSth November To the
LIST February, there were - deaths and
| feel warranted by the reports OF
Doctors Ross, Lowell and Woodbury., as
well as by own observation, in saying
that ior the most part the diseases and
deaths at that place proceeded from the
damaged provisions which the troops
were compelled 10 eat, or to eat nothing
The suffering Of the troops, from ST.
mllar case, at many other places, during
tile war, were not much less severe than
at French Mills insomuch, that have
not doubt that we have lost more
men by disease, contracted principally III
the use of bad provisions, than we have
lost blythe fire of the enemy. Besides,
military system which comprehends in
dividuaIs not subject 10 military law, and
under the positive control of the COM
manding officer of an army, is radically
defective, and calculated to paralize mi
litary body. An army Immediately de-
pendent upon any other, except the sim
lie military head, is a monster and al
though It's native prowess may often force
it, with all lis deformities, 10 victory yet,
to make victory more sure, the immedi-
ate military head should command the
whole strength aud resources immediate
lycoRnected with the army under him.
The supply of rations Is vitality lmpor-
tant to the very existence OF AN army il
is infinitely more SO than the supply of
clothing, OF pay, or even OF arms and am
munltIon.
An army could, by sudden changes of
,fuelf for
months without the latter, but the most
patriotic band couldnot be kept together
for more than a few days without rations
Should any officer of the Ordnance De-
partment attempt to palm upon the army
damaged powder, or even damaged flints,
surely no man could doubt the prOpriety
OF prompt military punishment for such
an oilnecG; and yet, under the present
system, damaged rations have been fore
ed upon the troops and many Of them
thereby sickenedand killed, without any
remedy being provided against contract
Ors, save only the miserable farce OF all ac-
tioiIHpOh the case.
Its true, that, under the contract sys-
TEN, damaged provisions may be refused
and destroyed, and the General may or
der the Quarter Master, upon the failure
of the contractor, to purchase the proper
supplies.
These regulations,ook very well indeed
upon paper. They seem to afford reas-
enable security against the evils which
they were intended to obvlate. But what
are they i'll practice!
The General requires the contractor
to furnish twenty days complete rations
for ten thousand men, at given point
upon the frontier. The contractor reports
the supply deposited at the place and
time appointed. The army arrives near
the enemy every officer and every man
is necessarily occupied in preparing for
action. the mean time, il is found, ia
reviewing the provisions, thata great por-
ton of them are damaged. The inspec-
ton takes place, and the provisions
are condemned, and tile army left deSti
tute.
Tie General will probably be compel
led either to make d premature effort To-
bring ON an action, be beaten, or make
dlsgraceful retreat, or he must endcavor
to subslst his army ON damaged ratiOns.
The troops are dlspirited, sickeued, and
many of them desert-and vet the con
tractor IS screened from military punish
ment. lie abandOns his contract when
ever he finds it TO be unprOductive of
gain. The Quarter arter is then com
PEELED TO leave his regular duties, aud with
ont due time, or any previous arrange
menls, to avail himself ofihe best markets;
and IN country where little can be got
at any price, he is Obliged TO purchase
such supplies as the country will at once
afford, and is often Compelled to rive a.
l.. 4. q. Al.