The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-28

The Quartsrmast@r.s Department az New or,.,n
Gen Josup-Liea'. Col. Hunt-Msjor Tompk,n.
the Secretary of War.
New ORLEANS, July 10, lsis
10 The Editor Of the Union:
SIR In one OF a series of letters which, for ryslv
months past have been addressing to the "Cancorj,
ntelgencer" took occasion to glance at the operaon
# the quarermasers Departmental this city, without m
ending to give a complete view OF It's transactions or 70
raw comparisons between the parties who had al d
erent periods, been IN charge OF IT. My object wa
simply, by COMPRISING the operations OF few monthsm
70 statistical statement, 10 give the public idea Of hs
OF country, OF the Importance OF this CITY
n time of war, as place OF depot purchase and trans;
mission of military stores, and OF the energy and abn
with which the great responsibilities OF the station
had been met by the " officers of this most mpor
tant arm OF the service resident corresponds,
of yours, louisiana" seems, however, 10 take ey
ception to my letter. on the ground that passes over
the services of Lieutenant Colonel Hunt, the predeces
sor OF the present quartermasier, and that 1t over
looks the Quartermaster General himself Had my obet
been TO write the history OF the war, had the limits nj
letter permitted, 1t would have been grateful duty
advert to the services OF both these officers. But in the
community that writing for, the value of Col
Hunt is well known And what letter could do iusirs
to the long and brilliant career of Major General lesui
The first have often both praised and defended a pub
lie newspaper OF this city; and, chose TO throw aside
my incognlto, Gen. Jesup would recognise in the writer
one who, in times past has exeued his voice ami
his pen IN his support; who has always upheld
him of the first military men of the age and
who insisted three years ago, and still believes, that
the chief direction of the Mexican should have
been conided to him. With sentiments such as these
your correspondent cannot torture my omission 10 speat
of Gen Jesup and Col. Hunt, in brief letter to conn
try paper attack upon them, into an act
injustice. In compmenhng Major Tompkins, the present
popular officer in charge, detracted from one else
My language was, in fact, retrospective "The Sece
tary of War has been slngularly fortunate and discrm
mating" did not say in appointing Major Tompkins
but Sin the selection OF officers for this important arm o
the service" What officers Why, Col. Hunt and MaO
Tompkins, the only two that have been in charge of bs
station. Now, this rs sweeping compllmentbr indeed
| l. TAl Il,,,f -
ly knew he included yet your correspondent take
exception to my letter because he is expressly named
Why not Simply because was not writing the history Of
has administration OF the office, but merely giving an en-
tome of few months operations under his successor
Louisiana" not from his official Position can do
more Justice TO Col Hunt than have done to Mai Tomp
kins. unconnected with either, and have no Official
relation with any branch of the public service bv an
pointmen contract, or in any manner whatever But
Louisiana" excerpts to my omission of Gen Jesup and
Col Hunt, why not arralgn me for passing over with
single compliment their official Chief the Secretary d
War After all is said, much of the merit claimed ior
these three officers, Messrs. Jesup Hunt and Tompkns
belongs to him. must be shared by him. Yet no friend
of the Secretary would construe expressly SAYING
so, into attack. The history of the War Department
during the last three years belongs the history of the
country No leter-wrter do it Justice and no mat
ter how persons may have differed heretofore there is m
one opinion since the Secretarys mastery exposition in
reply TO Gen Scotland that is, that an ADLER man never
presided the department. No public officer ever
rose higher more rapidly in public estimation BY
the exercise OF patience. under attack perseverance
against difficulties, great abilities and ndoniabe energy
Vet with these impressions stamped upon mind once
hostile the Secretary, and being even anxious for an
opportunity TO do hun justice did not deem brief no.
,ice of Maj Tompkins fitting opportunity. | repeat,
that drew no comparisons between Col Hunt and Maj
Tompkins. was writing for the information of the
public not for the qualification of individuals But has
LOUISIANA" initiated in this respect In seeking 10
compliment Col Hunt, his official superior, does he not
do Injustice to Maj Tompkns' He certainly nsinuates
that Maj T. has little to do but to follow the plans of
his predecessor, and to finish what he began. IhSI
denV When the war broke out, Col Hunt in charge
here Unexpectedly called on for supplies and articles Of
every description the utmost activity required and
well did he meet the emergency He, too, was fortunate
in having able assistants; and one of them cannot pass
atoms been connected with the Quartemasers Depart
ment for many years, and whose practical knowledge
and untirng activity relieved Col Hunt greatly in the
rous and Onerous duties that devolved upon him. espe
calIy in providing materials not included in the regular
routine OF small army in time OF peace In the early
stages of the war, in the manufacturing OF vehicles and
the providing of transportation this energetic officer
ably seconded Col Hunt; and Others might be named
who contributed to the popularity he so Justly enjoys
Major Tompkins acknowledges with pride the assistance
he derives from the able corps attached to his Office but
it is certainly unjust not to say ungenerous, in special
friend of Col Hunt such Louisiana is known TO be,
to attribute the successful measures of Major TOmpkns
to the plans and suggestions of Col Hunt Major Temp
kns ordered to this city in the midst of dreadful cpl
demic when business in all its branches parayzed
and when it extremely difficult to keep his office
gained He had the entire confidence of his distinguish
ed chief Gen Jesup,) and his principle of action
promptitude and economy. He began by filling up every
source of superuous expenditure and check mating The
He established foundry and machine shop, and depot
of coal and of provisions, thus being always prepared to
meet the demands of the army, but without monopozns
those articles they came to MARKET and 80 making
them scarce and high No man ever more completely
bafled the SPECTATORS, and enabled the community
to purchase at fair prices, without coming in compe-
capital if welded here by nudicons corrupt hands,
might raise depress prices at pleasure. When the
expenses of the come to be footed up, and con-
predict, that Major Tompkns has carried out the dem
ocratc notions of retenchment and economy to the Ut
most compatible with the exgences of the period
And the present evidence of this is-wha is more de-
sirable to him than all the panegyrcs of the pressihe
appreciation and support of his able, popular and dn'
guished chief. NOIA BENE
From he Louis lille Democrat