Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-08-31
0narternlaster,s SInres

the large warehouse appropriated By the Quarter
master Generals Department on the Southeast
corner of the Public Square, in company with Col.
V. K. STEVENSON, Qasrtermaster General. We are
glad to report that we found it filed from cellar to
garnet with quarermasters stores all gathered to-
gether, and manufactured, by the energy of Col.
STEVENSON and his able and laborious assistants.
Every story was filed with material and with
workmen and women, employed upon the various
articles of soldiers equipment. We saw tents,
saddles, knapsacs haversacks, full suits of cloth
ing and material most excellent soldiers shoe, of
the most approved pattern, blankets, etc., etc We
were informed that the department had been max.
ing up about 1000 garments per day and could
manufacture 1000 suits if neeessary-that they
had on hand about 1900 pairs of shoes, and
seven or eight thousand blankets, and
from twelve to fifteen thousand cults of
clothing besides q large supply of other articles
1t occurred to u.s. in examining this abundant sup>
ply Of articles, and in rejecting upon the ability
thus exhibited by the department to produce an
indefinite supply, when needed, that very much
Of the anxiety felt by the community and the patri-
otto people of State with regard to the comfort
Of cur volunteers, springing, it does from kind
consideration for the gallant boys, and creditabIe
both to their heads and hearts is nevertheless with
out sufficient foundation excepting in cases where
volunteers have worn out been compelled to cast
away, their clothing the march, for want of sufi-
cient transportation and when they are not entitled
b. law to draw other supplies Immediately. There
are many cases of this kind, as we learn, among
volunteers in Western Virginia, and in such
cases it behoves their friends to send them sup
plies. We inquired in the Department as to the
ability to supply the entire army of Tennessee
with clothing, and not doubt was expressed of
its entire ability. Several thousand pairs of shoes
are contracted for, in addition to those on hand.
The only article about which there seems to be
any doubt is that of blankets. There are in the De-
partment several thousand blankets but not enough
to supply the volunteers from our State But the De-
partment has n hand large quantity of blanket
cloth, which will answer in an emergency. We do
wish, by these remarks TO discourage our fellow
oiizens from doing all the kind Offices in their pow
eI for the volunteers, but merely to assure them
that everything is being done that our State can do
for their comfort. Many Of them will need during
a winter campaign al that their friends can do and
the Government too, especially if the winter is rig
orous. 81
1t may be that all Of them will require the cloth
ing allowed them by law, as well as further sup
plies, especially when they are compelled 10 I'M
dertake a march through country, such Is
Western Virginia, where transportation is slow and
difficult and they very often are forced to sac
rifce some of their clothing. Due care should he
taken that they have every thing they need wheth-
er it is furnished them by the Government or the
people. Not one of them should be permitted to
suffer, while they are protecting our homes and
fighting for our rights and liberties. This point
must be fully guarded and our citizens, we are sat
isfed are willing to undergo any amount of sacri-
fee in order 10 guard it. The Confederate Gov
ernment has not the facilities of an old Government
to provide supplies, especially since our ports are
blockaded and the products of the world kept
back from US 1t will therefore devolve, in large
measure, upon the patriotism and self sac riice Of
the people to provide for our army in the field. IN
any contingency, much must be done by the people
They will do II without grudging ard in cheerful
and conteDted sphit. But while they are doing
this it will be gratifying to them to know that their
Government is doing and has done all that the ut
most energy, business capacity, and thrift, sus>
tanned by the entail spirit of their officers could
do, to provide for them tie equipments necessary
to their comfort during the approaching winter.
In connection with this subject We haye learned
from a highly reliable gentleman, who was recently
at Richmond, that President DAVIS doubts the entire
ability of the Confederate Government, during the
approaching winter, to supply Quartermaster'
condiments to the army and would prefer that each
Stste should undertake to furnish its own voun-
teers, the Confederate Government being response
BILE for the expenses. The various departments at
Richmond are not yet thoroughly organized, and
even if organized, would not have the same IA
cilities for gathering together the scattered
materials in the country. Is is certain that
our own Quartermasters Department is excellently
organ I'D, and by experience and system haa so adj
vanced its business that it supply every equip
ment needed by our troops. Shall we sacrifice this
great advantage, gained by energy, experience and
hard labor, and launch into untried experiment,
leaving 1t uncertain whether troops, the children
of the Stale can be comfortably equipped! Shall
we in other words turn these valuable stores,
collected together with great pains and labor, to
the Confederate Government, when they were pro-
cured for our own troops, and when the Confederate
Government is ready to reimburse the State in any
event. Shall we abolish department that we
have found so useful and efficient, when it is con-
fessedly doubtful whether the change will answer
as well and will secure the comfort of those brave
fellows, in whose welfare every Tenneasean feels
parents anxiety.
We throw out these inquiries for the benefit of
our Military Board. 1t seems to US that they are
questions which should be deeply and maturely !
before hasty actions
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