Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-07-24
From the Washington Union.
TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS.


TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS. -
Some complaints have been made about the
hardness of our military arrangements. We
undertake to say that there is no just founda-,
ton for them. On the contrary, the utmost
energy has been displayed in making the re-
cessary preparations. No appropriation were
made by Congress for Carrying ON the war
until about the middle of .May--aHd then 1t
was impossible for the Waf Department to
foresee the whole extent and character'of the
arrangements which might be necessary for
''carrying the war into Africa AS soon,
however, as the great events onthe Rio Grande
began to develop the plan of operations, the
qnartefraaster's department devoted all its en-
efeies to the procuring of transportations for
the.troops.
We have called at the quartermaster.s office
to day to obtain information. and Gen. Jesup
was polite enough to layPpenhis past arrange
ments before us. We are satisfied from his
specifications that he has spared no pains In
obtaining. the necessary boats from all dir c.
tions. We shall not enumerate all the varl-
Gus sources of supply to-whichhe has address
sed himself. We will oon6ne ourselves to
the following details:
Among the letters which he has received is
one from Col. Thomas F. Hunt, from New
Orleans. July 4. He 'reports that he had
purchased steamers Undine, for S 900; Troy.
Sc, 900; J. E. Roberts, $4,000, the 18th June;
the Brownvile, for $4,000, the 18th June;
steam schooner James Gage, fer $4,000. on
the 10th; .Hatchee Eagle. the 1st July, for S5.-
900. All has been despatched to the Rio
Grande except the last-she detained for re-
pairs deemed necessary. Undine and James
Cage haveb een.coppered, and otherwise repair
ed. The Cage is good seaboat, and suited for
Tightening vessels at sea, &c. The Und ine'
sent temporarily to La Buca. Has chartered
steamers Big Hatchee, the Warren, the Elk
change, and the w. A. Mercer which have al.
so departed. for Brazos Santiago.
Eatract Of letter. from Capt. John Sanders, the
officer appointed by General Taylor 10 pur-
chase or charter boats, dated July 2, 1916, at
PiHsburg:
"Advises had purchased five light draught
steamers for the Rio Grande, as follows:
WhiteJiAe, the Corvette, Rough-and- Ready,
Colonel Cross, and the Major Brown-total cost
100000. These are all splendid boats of their
class"
Ertract Of a letter to General Jesup:
GALVESTON, June 90, 1876.
T GENERAL: I left New Orleans in the Alaba-
ma the evening of the 10Th; she had supplies
for Robins Ferry. These were landed a. Gal
weston, and transportation at once provided
for them up the Trinity. Fortunately the Wa.
tiers are high, and it is probable they will get
up. The price of freight was high but the
best bargain the means of the place admitted
was made by Lieutenant kingsbury. with my
appreciation. No time was to be lost. A few
days later, and the river would have been i'm
practicable.
| We anchored off Brazos the evening of the
oath; wind was strong the next morning, and
the sea high, still the Monmouth came out to
us. But she conld received only the mail,
which was transferred with much difficulty and
some peril. Towards night our anchor gave
way, and we stood off. The next morning
early we were back again, but the sea was
higher than ever. The day before about 90
sail were at anchor outside, "a large number
within, where the Harvey was sunk They
had all stood off, excepting two squore-rigged,
having volunteers on hoard, which had left
IN. Orleans two days before US. The wind
5 continuing violent until the evening of the
9th, We came in here TO recruit our water, the
6 volunteers, (about 300.) with more than fifty
passengers. having reduced our supply too
low. Some Of the companies had also got out
of provisions. We hope to start again TO- NOR
row evening with better luck. The Alabama
is first rate boat None other could have
stood the gales she has out lived. This month
has been unusually stormy, it is said.
Very respectfully, am, general, your ODE
dent servant, HENRY WHITING.
General THos. S. JEsUP,
Quartermaster General U. S. Army,
Washington city, D. G.