Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-16
Pay Of Our Troops.

In the Tennessee Legislature, proposition has been
introduced to increase the pay Of the volunteers from
that State BY contribution from the State Treasury
We feel well assured that no soldery ever underwent
more uncomplaningy the prvatons and perils Of SER
vice. or accepted more conentedy the pitance allowed
IN vay of compensation, than those which follow the
standards of the Confederate States Whatever saerit
cts thew have made they do not REPRESENTATIVES. hard
ship, they encounter they do not murmur There no
call from them for larger pay They have drawn their
swords as patio and they do not ask to be rewarded
as hireuugs. Nevertheless, the question must press
itself on the attention Of those who are not under
arms, whether Justice gratitude and good policy 90 not
demand that they shall take upon themselves more Of
the burdens of this war by giving more freely oil ther
means towards the health comfort and efficiency oil the
troops and those dear to them who are left at home
Whether this should be done By Legislative Congress
soua action is matter for consideration; and as our
own Legislature and the Confederate Congress are soon
To meet IN this city, we trust the matter viii not be over
looked. The views presented the subject by the New
Orleans Data are forcibe variety of causes, it says
have coucurred to satisfy the public mrd that what might
have betn few months ago fair or liberal allowance oy
the Government to lis sodiery, is at the present tme
and for the future totally inadequate to their proper
su.enauce. The enhanced prices Of everything, and
especially articles consumed by the soldier, since tie
war began attest the truth Of the above proposition,
without further comment. 1t may not be generally
known tha. the monthly pay Of Confederate soldier is
OILY eleven dolars At the time this sum was adopted
TIE prices Of articles, mostly required by men thus
Suddenly thrown on their own resources in remote
portions of our country where the demand soon &C.
pleed the scanty supply, might have been sufficient
bat when we reflect that the prices of all articles
of consumption and wear have advanced one, two,
three and four hundred per cent il Is readily per-
ceved how inadequate TO the proper support oil the
soldier Is the small itspcs doled out bimonthy for bis
increased wants In the LiLcon army the pryaes pey
Ia fifteen dollars month, besides bounty OF one hun
deed dollars twenty Of which is advanced at the time OF
llstment besides promises Of land after the war Is
ended. There be no good reason why our Govern'
ment should economise against the gallant spirits who
I'VE sacr iced every comfort and who impei life itself
IA defence of her rights No murmur comes up from the
breasts Of those brave and chvac who have gone
forth to battle that the pay inadequate because they
are mbued with patriotic sentiment which slsvates them
above the feeling Of complaint the love Of ucr but
people TO provide reasonable remuneration for the
soldier, so that the ordinary necessiiits may be,
a, least, seeured 10 him. When we reflect that
in Virginia IL takes half months pay TO pro-
cure pair Of ordinary shoes, which last only
month"; Il is easily that eleven dollars per month
becomes absolutely contemplate as compensation
with the services rendered By the soldier
No one has proper idea without actual experience Of
the innumerable little eIacions soldiers cub cted 10
in the hurry and hustle of the marches they are obliged
10 make at times where it Is difficult to cook or carry
their own food Biscuits obiAnabe With great Ircu
b, at Eve cents piece. For cup Of coffee and BIZ
cult half dollar Is freely given, While every thing else
they may wsnt Ia in proportion. It s 10 hoped that
Congress will not hesitate at its next session to increase
the pay Of the pvaes to at last as much as that given
By the Lreonites Many good end valid reasons there
for viii occa, TO every mind in addition 10 those thus
hastily thrown gu. py Is. Re. the solder know that
the highest cot grateful people an entertain to
alleviate his wants on the tented field