The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-24

ARMlkS-THE CRIMEAN SUFFERIN6S OF THB FOR
MER THE USUAL LOT OF OUR OWN TROOPs-FR0N-
TIER SERVICE THE HARDEST IN THE WORLD--CUL-
PABLE INDIFFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT TO THE CONFRONT AND SAFETY OF ITS
sOLDInRs-A CATALOGUE RAISONNBE OF MILITARY
GRIEVANCES.
When the sunerings and privatons endured by the
british troops the Crimca known in England the
excited in all classes OF the community general
feeling Of sympathy and ndgnaton-sympathy for the
sunerngs, and indignation against those in power who
were believed TO have caused them. The newspapers
were filled with letters from professional correspondents
and new recruits detailing their hardshps and these let
tiers we're commented upon in editorial articles denunci
atory Of the government to whose negligence and i'm
providence it alleged these privations were due.
1t occurred TO many persons in this country particularly
no officers OF the army that the evils complained of were
nothing than might have been reasonably expected
by troops engaged in an active campaign, and much
Of the outcry was attributed the restless mpaticnco
with which officers and men, long accustomed to the COM
ors Of peace and good quarters At hom, In tho colo
.ies the first privaons Of active service. Butwas
mot SO regarded England. There charged to tho
defective organization Of the army and the mai admins
<ration Of the War Department. and these charges seemed
TO heghten the sympathy which felt for the sufferers.
Nor was it barren sympathy It exhibited itself In
acts The expression OF public opinion stimulated the
to the most vigorous exertons to relieve its
troo s. and remove Ear practicable, NIL cause OF
con pant-and private individuals contributed largely to
che same end. Abundant supplies soon forwarded
10 the camp Wooden huts were transported three
housand miles to take the place of tents Even articles
az luxury such as are usually unknown to troops en-
gagged in active service furnished by the lberaly
f priyatc nd societies. and ladies left their
homes and foreign and distant shore to minister
TO the sick and wounded.
The cries of complaint which originated In the camp
and were so loudly echoed in England, extended to
country. Our newspapers tcemed with violent de-
,uncans Of the British astocracy who were charged
with cng the cause Of all the suerngs and bad MANAGE
mcnt complained Of and much sympathy was expressed
for the troops who said to be the victims If this
expression of sympathy did not spring from disposition
to vfy and abuse the British government but was the
honest expression of public feeling highly credita
blo 10 our people But il sympathy, like charity should
begin at homc but think that in this instance
u Vas msappied. II might with more propricty have
2een bestowed troops. Our army is so very
snai and so widely scattered extensive frontier,
veneraly beyond the bounds Of civilization, that but
little is known Of it its services. And it is--most
sspdeseryedy--so unpopular with certain class Of
politicians, that but little hope exists that any
shiug can be done for the ameloration OF its condi
Supu II Is known that the Army Appropriation Bill Is
passed by Congress every year, alter much wranglng,
and but few beyond walls of the Capitol know that
lis syclcd to its usual amount by appropriations entirely
foreign TO the military estabishment-which arc in no
way connected with the support Of the army vague
impression prevails that the troops always well fed
clothed and housed and that they lead life of deness
d ease The Secretary of War writes sharp letter OF
reproo and elimination to distinguished General on the
srontcr telling him. among other things that the appro-
praon for quarters fails pass through Congress,
and it is therefore taken for granted by all who read the
setter that the troops supplied with good quarters
vew officers of the army are seen about Washing
&on and other cities living like =genlamen and is.
10 Inferred that they have little TO do, and are am
ply paid few rejecting that these officers, after
wears Of hard service the frontier, passing few
nouths Of Of absence and that the money cxpend-
I'D Is supplied by parents or Is accumulated by years
the closest stinng-he small savings Of years passed
among savagcs dcrayng the expenses Of few months in
civilization. -
Few of our lawmakers take the trouble to Ascertain
,hat they might very easily asccrtan-that the majority
of army officers receive less than the common clerk
in respectable commercial house, or the messengers OK
,tbe houses of Congress. No believe that tho
,people Of this country desire that injustice should
be done to the army. If its true condition were
generally known, not even tho declaration Oh lew
marrow minded politicians could, year after year, de-
feat the bills which arc introduced into Congress for its
ybetter organization and government. There is not
hardship or prvaon endured by the troops before Sebas
sopol save such result from sanquinary battles, which
have not been endured and now endured in more
srrrayated form, by troops in Oregon or Cali
.forna New Mexico, Kansas Nebraska Texas or Flo
,x,ds What were Of the complaints heard IN tho
rimeaP That during several months OF most inclement
heather the troops were obliged 70 live In tant some
times surrounded by mud and water Large podies OF
our troops have had other shelter than tents not only
FOR months but consecutive years. and this when they
IL, r~ In n
Give campaign but stationed at the regular posts
ruosts which have been established for years. 10
say that they lived for years in tents conveys but an
idea of the hardshps and dscomfors endured
Much Of the comfort discomfort Of camp life depends
On tho climate soil and productions OF tho country in
which the encampmcnt is located Unfortunately for our
TROOPS particularly those the Rio Grande their lines
saye not fallen pleasant places, but in country utter
,iy barren and destitute Of everything that render
camp life endurablc For eight nine months OF the
year the heat intolcrablc ay 4th the thermometer
ma degrees in the shade The remaining three or four
months are varied by violent and sudden changes from
burning heat to biting cold. Few who have not expc
fenced them would believe how sudden and extreme
these changes At hour the temperature s 30 high
ha the ghtest clothing oppressive, and at the next
40 low that no amount OF covering will keep the body
warm The soil produces few trees for the shelter or
herbs for the food Of Is easily converted into i'm
papable POWDER and in thick clouds OF dust Is driven in
every direction binding ALL for hero is no escape from it,
One tent scarcely large enough for the accommodation Of
-four allowed the occupation Of fifteen During the
heat Of the day the air in these tents Is hot and suo
eating that human being can breathe in comfort
Il absolutely necessary find other shelter from
the burning sun But tho barren country about tho
military posts produces trees Of sufficient size to be
used In building sheds. The Obliged TO go thirty
and forty miles in search Of poes Of from two TO Ave
inches in diameter and for these they must pay they
are not allowed by government With these poles the
men construct for themselves rude Sheds and they are
fortunate IT, in few days after they completed,
violent northcr does scatter the sheds 10 the winds
and blow the tents to rags.
h is believed that more than Crmcan discomfort wa,
endured by the troops at San Antonio during the past
winter, with this striking dicrence in the Crmca was