Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-15

lency The propriely OF some adequate provision
Tor supplying The non-commsscncd officers and
privales Of the Regiment with clothing, after the
present supply shall be exhausted. II is unneces-
sary for US 10 inform your EIcellency Of The great
suffering which The volunteers now serving in
Mexico have undergone, Tor want of proper cloth
ing Their tate shows US what must be that OF
The men composing the Virginia regiment unless
steps are taken in lime 10 avert the evils that al
tend service in a distant and hostile country,
where supplies Of clolhins canGot be procured
II is true that the United States Government has
made such provision as, under the circumstan-
ces il was practicable for it To make. II has al
lowed 10 The volunteers conmutalion for the
clothing 10 which soldiers are entitled the volun-
ieers being required 10 provide their own cloth
ing; but your Exceency will readily perceive
that il will be impossible for them To supply them
selves, in a foreign and hostile cuuutry; although
they may receive pay enough for that purpose, il
The supplies were al hand, and could be procured
al reasonable prices thing that is not The case in
Mexico
The volunteers are dependent upon the suffers
Tor any article OF clothing they may need, and
from the Information we have received, only the
most inferior articles are furnished by them, and
those nj the mot exhorbilant prices; in iacl,
some little experience on other occasions have
given Us an opportunity Of knowing the utter i'm
nossibily oil volunteer soldiers being able 10
supply himself with anything like sufficient
amount OF clothing out OF The Communication paid
him, when he is left 10 The extoriions OF those
who hover around camp Tor the purpose OF
bouncing upon The poor soldiers pitlance The mo
nent he receives il.
The Virginia Regiment has been supplied, or
will be supplied, before It's departure, with as
comfortable clothing for six months as the cir
81 ht niece
The war is speedily closed, The men in a very few
months will require summer clothing, which they
have not now; and there are many casualties at
lending campaign that might deprive some oil
The men OF the clothing with which they 90 pro-
yided, and leave them in state OF utter destitu-
lion, that il would be impossible 10 remedy
With full knowledge of The difficulties and pri-
yaions that are before us, we cannot depart with.
out doing all in our POWER 10 have such prov-
sion made Tor the men entrusted 10 our command,
as may be necessary Tor their comfort and health,
so lar as these may be secured in camp.
We are aware OF your Excellency's earnest de-
sire 10 send into The field regiment that shall be
credilabe TO Virginia, and we cordially acknow-
ledge your Jealous efforts 10 make il such. II is,
therefore, with pleasure that We appeal 10 You TO
call The attention Of the Legislature 10 this sub.
iect. and ask that il lake the mailer in hand, and
adop, such measures as its wisdom may prompt.
We have made out an estimate of the clothing
which will be required by The men during the
next Summer and Winter From thai estimate
we have discarded every hing intended for dis
play, and We ask nothing for ourselves or The
commissioned officers oil The regiment.
1t will require an appropriation ot thirty lhou-
sand dollars 10 carry oul The plan proposed BY Us,
which is TO have The clothing OF The men made by
contract and sent through The Quartermaster's
Department, to such point as may DC necessary,
and issued 10 The men in the quantities named in
the estimate, which is herewith submitted and
that donation OF il be made TO them; or, that il
NAV be sold TO Them al costs and charges. There
are many considerations which recommend This
plan: il will enable The men 10 obtain certain
supply OF comfortable clothing at reasonable
prices; the regiment would present uniform ap-
pearance; its distinctive character would be pro
served; It's Efficiency increased; and The assurance
that their comfort was cared Tor at home, would
keep alive in The hearts Vi The men that love OF
their native Stale, which would stimulate Them 10
deeds that might place her among the foremost Of
her sisters, who have gathered laures upon the
fields of Mexico
We mean 10 cast no impulations upon The Go
vernnent OF The United States; We acknowledge
that il has done al that il was practicable 10 do
in this matter. Having no conlIol over The uni
form OF he volunteers, il could tut pay them CON-
mutation for their clothing, which is sufficient Tor
the purpose, provided il could beilaid ou 10 advan-
tage.
But we think we will not ask in vain, when We
call upon Virginia 10 extend her fostering care
10 her sons who go from her bosom 10 The field oil
battle, IL die, if need be, Tor The honor OF their
eIorious mother; and wc fool assured thai Ia Vir-
einia, her name, and tic honor OF her sons, are
dearcr than money
Very respectfully,
Your obedirnl servants,
(Signed) JNO. f. HAMTRAMCK,
Col. Comd'g g.
THOS. B. RANDOLPH,
Lieut.. Col.
"A. EARLY, Major.
Tohis Excellency WIN. SMITH,