The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-06-19

The State of Pennsy lyania bad few DAYS
previous established clothing department at
the Girard House, and their very heavy pur.
chases had restricted my choice Of goods to a
very small compass. Accompanied by Cap.
| Woods, made selections OF numerous samples
of coating. flannel for blouses and shirts, pafta-
! looms stuff. Sc, and on arrival of Col Wclcott
/ in PHILADELPHIA. submitted all to him. There
were present at the time Col. Thomas Assist
ing @. NJ. Gen. o. S. A., Capt Geo Gibson,
| U. s. A, then acting as Inspector Of Clothing,
and apt, Woods; and when the samples were
examined, with reference 10 quality and quan
ttv which they represented, sample o,
! black pilot cloth was selected for oyercoa ST
and sample OF gray doeskin similar in ina.
terial to satinet, was selected foa psntaloons so
| far as the quantity would 90 towards making
them; but failing TO get q part OF the lot which
lay in New York, and for which telegraphed
for nearly one halfI was obliged TO take satinst
as nearly match as | could find it.
A selection Of flannel for blouse and shirts
was also made, in all of which l believe every
one present concurred. -r.-
While Col. Wolcott was with me, called in
several clothiers and got their estimates for
manufacturing the various articles wanted, and
ascertained as nearly as could be, the time it
would take to complete the uniforms. think
the estimated cost Of the proposed outfit was
sixteen to seventeen dollars per man. This
was think, officially reported to you.
On leaving for New York, after a short stay
with me Col Wolcott instructed me to procure
clothing as expeditiously as possible. Ny first
effort was to get the clothing manu- actured but,
on application at several Of the largest clothing
establshm ants in Philadelphia found they
had engagements for the State OF Pennsylvania
or other parties, and the best could do was to
make one contract for part ofthe blouse and
the flannel shirts. the overcoats and pantaloons
| could not get made on contract. ! was ad =.
vised by several clothiers TO get rooms, hire a
cutter, and give ont the clothes to be made
which as last resort did, getting one of the
oldest and bost cutters in the city to boss the
Jd1 inspect the works.
tried to procure a haliin which to attend
this work, but, in failing IN this, cleared the
three upper rooms in the wool store Of Stitt
& Brewn, (or which finn am a member )neas-
ured and inspected the goods in the upper
room, procured cutting tables and had the
goods cut in the lower rooms and given out to
be made up, and on retaru Of the clothing,
paid for the making at eur Office, with mon
ey Of the firm; as you are aware had no funds
furnished me- and Mt that time no written an
thority to pledge the State ior purchase might
make.
Such Disappointment as not being able to
fnd suitable trimmings, met me on every hand,
but by incessant effort soon had the men com
fortably clothed; but, from lack the best ma
ter ial and the very great hurry in which al was
done, not IN as good suits as could have wish
cd by any means, but believc in the best that,
uuder all the circumstances, could have heen
procured for them. This two regiment were
clothed at an earl er date than any two regi
ments o f the Pennsylvania volunteers.
About the 18th of May submitted at The
Quartermastors Departmental full account Of
the purchases and articles manufactured Tor the
State up to that time. with vouchers for all the
items by which il will se ssen that purchased
and got made for the Tat and 81 Regineuts'
abott 1920 suits, each man having the following
articles:
One black felt hat AMI ornaments;
One black pilot cloth overcoat;
One blue flannel blouse;
Two red flannel shirts;
One pair OF pantaloons;
One pair ofdrawers (since then another PARRY
VIZ pHft WOui sOOhNf
One pair brogan shoes;
at cost of about $l2 76 per man. With the
exception ofa part OF the panaloons, which
took from necessity, was satisfied that the bal
ance oi the articles would outlast the three
months enlistment, and much of the clothing
a summers campaign, and In the meantime the
factories, then standing idle, could produce the
proper articles for giving the men full uniform
OF durable goods, they did not recsive uniforms
on reaching Washington, as was expected from
the General Government.
In evey instance, selected the best goods in
the market that could b, founi in sufficient
quality, to give ANYTHING like uniformity to the
clothes, which thought very essential
Nearly all the men have had the benefit of this
clo'hing fer month of rainy a0eather and
believe your Ex,eliency, and the people Of the
State0f Ohio, will much prefer the preservation
Of the health OF the voluuteers, even in poor
clothing, to rsking it until soch time as "regula
ton goods can be manu- actured."
Believing that Colonies McCook and Wolcott,
aud such other officers Of the two Regiments a.
made attempts to find in market any military
goods which they needed, will verify what |
have said, Isubmit the same to your conilera
ton. a
Respectfully, yours,
ee.. JAMES NJ. BROWN.