The daily union., 1846-10-24

W
am, respectfully, yours, &c,
10 - w. l.. MARCY.
General N. TowsoE,
Paymaster General.
PAYMasTER GEsERAL's OFFICE,
October 90, 1886.
SR: In compliance with your instructions To me
TO report whether the statement relating to the
payment Of Colonel Humphrey Marshals regiment
OF Kentucky volunteers, going the rounds Of the
public prints, is correct, have the honor to state,
that the article to which, presume you refer, is
copied from the Kentucky Observer into the Nation
al lntelgencer, Of the 20Ih ins and is follows:
From the Kentucky Observer Of Oct Ia
FRoM Cot. MARsHALL's REGIMESr.-By the
southern mail Of Saturday we received letter from
our friend James s. Jackson, esq, giving later in
telIgence from Col. Humphrey Marshall's regiment
than has been heretofore received. The writer pre-
sents sad picture of the conditionof the regiment
not only regards the health OF the men, but also
respects their personal comforts, beng the greater
part OF them in a very destitute condition and with
out the means to supply their necessities in conse-
quence Of the failure Of the government 10 provide
for the payment Of their dues. So utterly regard
less Of the condition Of the regiment have they been
whose business il is that their wants are prop
ery cared for and that they to suffer for nothing that
Mr.. Jackson states that at the moment OF writing
SIS 900 at least due to Marshalls regiment
alone. Besides all this, the destination Of the reg-
ment has been suddenly changed, and instead OF, as
originally intended, being permitted TO continue their
march TO San Antonio de Bexar, there TO join the
command under Gen. Wool after a two month";
journey through Arkansas and Texas, under the
burning rays Of a summers sun, they are halted at
Victoria IN the midst Of the sicky season and IN a
very unhealthy location, and there ordered to re-
main until they shall have received orders from
Gen. Taylor, 10 whose command II appears, they
are now destined. The consequence is, as might
bay that bun Ir,da tad
be The sick hst-some make the number even great
er than thls-in very days after they are halted,
and with the sickness on the increase.
When the bin comes TO be footed up, the nation
will be zed at the extent 10 which the lives OF
our citizens have been literally sacrificed and the
treasure of the nation wasted which might have
been saved by more judicious and wise policy on
the part of our rulers
The following is an extract from the letter above
referred to- 1t is dated At Port Lavacca on the 23d
Of September:
..D,sesse has increased in our camp alarmingly
since our arrival here. Yesterday the surgeon re-
ported l60 new cases in hospital Many of our
boys look chapfallen at this sudden reverse of our
condition, but the commander and the surgeons
seem to recognise the change as one they had ex.
peced and to feel no great degree of fear for the
suit. | hope by the next letter write TO give you
an account of improving health in the regiment.
You ought TO see the boys. Their condition is a
reproach TO the government. They are barefooted,
and some of them literally without breeches, many
without hats and coats, but they stand up proud
as ifthey were dressed in imperial purple. The
government is in debt to this regiment this day $751;
00t,-lt has received no pay whatever, and though
paymasters pass aud repas7, it hath seen no signs
of payment Young men Of education and intellI-
gence, used to the Injuries Of private life are by
this neglect absolutely turned naked in toid coun-
try, and exposed TO the climate and suffering from
the weather, without any care for their condition on
the part of the government they serve. They would
raise pretty quickly, but that they respect too
highly the feelings of their own officers to place
them in an awkward position by drawing down on
them the displeasure Of the War Department"
Agreeably to law and regulations, troops in the
service of the United States are to be paid every two
months, if practicable. Colonel Marshal's regi-
ment was mustered into service the 9th Of June,
and would not be mustered for payment ntil the
last day of August following, at which time 1t would
have two months and twenty-five days. pay due.
Officers may, if they desire, and it be convenient to
the department, be paid monthly; but no other pay
ment could be made 10 the companies than the one
due on the 3lst of August, until after the muster,
which is to take place the last day of the present
month. Colonel Marshalls is a mounted regiment
the most expensive description of troops; and the
writer (Mr. Jacksons) account would, if stated
when he wrote, have stood thus:
For pay from the 9Th of June, 1916, to the 3lst OF
August, two months aad twenty-five days, al
50 per month. .......!............S .S2l St
For use and risk OF horse for same time. 80 6C
Travelling allowance for eighty miles, at
81 40 for every twenty miles. ........... 5 &C
Twelve months clothing, at the rate of United
States dragons. ................... a. 6s
80, los IS
Deduct amount paid for clothing, as per wri-
ters receipt. $50. .................. Al bs
Balance due at the date of his letter. ...... 81 OF
a. - L., ,k.tt 49,
only ohargeable with twenty-three days delay il
paying this balance. ! regret that any inconve
| nience should have been experienced on accoun
of this delay; but unless the President is author
lied to appoint paymaster for each regimen
Of volunteers, to accompany it, instead of on
for every two regiments, 1t will be impossible to pre-
vent itSa and even in Chat case payment could no
| be made on march without delaying. suficien
time for muster and payment--a thing very rarely
done. .r... N
must, in justice to the present officers Of the de
partment say, that Notwithstanding the unavoidabl
delay that always attends newly appointed paymas
ters joining the army, procuring funds, &c, that o,
| no former occasion have large bodies Of troop
called into service been as promptly paid as the vol
unteers now serving.
| The writer gives lamentable occount of the des
| tiuton of the regiment. He says, "they are bare
| footed-some of them literally without breeches
many without hats and coats--absolutely turne,
naked in wild country without any care for thei
condition on the part Of the government they serve.
II appears from the receipts of the rank and file o
Col. Marshall's regiment in this Office, includn,
that of the writer, that the government paid to each
before marching the cost of l2 months clothing tina
being the full amount authorized by law. If the,
we're "nskedn within three months after, the fault
surely, was not that Of the government; for it ha
actualy paid them for entire years clothing befor
| performing any service. s. H
wv. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
/ ". T0WS0N, p. M. g.
1 ....a. A CARD.
rINIE undersigned having had two recent biliou