New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-21
A LETTER
FROM PROP. }. W. JACKSON OF UNION COLLEGE
INK NEEDS OF rHE VOLUNTEERS.

IRON PROP. }. W. JACKSON oT UNION COLLEGE, on
INK STEDs OF TIE VOLUNTEERS.
wAsnsGros d. c., July 9. 1861.
y. l. Ol-sisd oq Re'i SeSy sJhs Saahay c0""'''f'H'
DgaR SIR: In my interview with you this morn
ing you requested me TO prsent statement OF my
views ON lie matter in question, the Subsistence, Sc,
OF the American army, in writing. i am induced 70
comply with your request 70 far M 70 give resume
of my observations and inquiries by the consideration
that find no one with whom l converse 80 deeply
Impressed IA myself with the fact that some of the
apprchet ded evils have already appeared and are do
Ing their work.
During the past fortni2h have been alnos excln-
siyey engaged in ascertaning the ELECTS Of climate.
God aud Tedmen generally upon the Volunteer troops
near Washington and with No peeonecived notions
on the subject, theory TO snstain have gradually
been forced yield to the conviction that the men are
sufaring a much greater deterioration in health and
spirit and consequently eficeue., than ought egt-
nately result from unavoidable causet-a change oil
climate, water, etc.
In booking for the extraordinary whose exist
epce 10 thus indicated they will be found 10 consist
chiefly
l. ia the character OF the recruits themselves very
lnrge majority Of whom come from class vino hve
comfortably NJ home, being In this respect decidedly
superior 10 ordinary army recruits who have enlisted
from sense OF duty. but who in general, strik-
ingy deficient In those qualities which enable men TO
sdapt themselves TO new aud untricd circumstances
and TO derive comparative comfort from inadequate
means.
Q In the food furnished by the Government, the
great OF salt meats, especially fat pork and ba
con- excellent indeed OF its kind and 10 profusoD, but
adapted only TO the low temperatures of cold climate
and not all to the conditions under which there
now EXIT and are about to act.
Under this head IL ia proper to remark that the
various regiments have not all Jared alike. But when
the Quartenaster Is not nan OF far more than ord
nary observation-disclosures no. TO be cast down or put
down-tbe rations have been nearly N follows: In
the article Of meat-poik, bacon, ham, and corned
beef with fresh beef ocoasionnlytw or, at most
three times q week-bread, or hard biscuit, nee OF
beans, coffee end sugar salt, and vinegar No butter
uolasses or black tea. No fresh even dessicated
vegetables supply the unmisskabe cravings Of ma
tuie la this climate a. this season.
g. In the ignorance OF their duty, and consequent
neglect Of 1t, of the company officers majority OF
WHOM appear 10 have very little regard for the CON-
fort and we-being Of their men.
In neglect OF personal eleanliness, and Of neaness
arr ventilation In the tents
D. In the radically bad manner In which the food IL
cooked converting the raw material however good Of
iis Kind into an unpalatsble, indigestibe mess
have witnessed all these causes IN operation and
have watched with the deepest interest, their effects;
and the result, am able to say that know that
this best Of all mater for army that the world has
ever seen has already begun 10 be subjected TO tho
process Whose inevitable end Is Generalization.
To verify the above statements, is only necessary
10 sepd competent, unprejudced men, 10 the various
regiments on both .ides of the river, silently, 70 OBJ
serve the routine of camp life for single day. to OBJ
serve not TO ask questions. For the officers generally
are Influenced by an esprit du corps which almost ex
clusively deters them from making statements that
may be supposed dshonorable TO their commands, and
there are obvious objections 70 seeking information
directly from the pnyates. H.aL
To look upon tho other side OF The picture, and 10
see men probably in the best physical condition Of
which their circumstances admit, IL is only necessary
10 vss the camp Of the Rhode leland Regiment, where
by the bcraliy of the State, and especially of its
noble young Governor, the recruits, without being
pamperedn possess all the comforts which citizen
soldiers have right 10 expect.
In concluding this brei summary, Il may be proper
10 say thas came to Washington solely for the pur-
pose Of spending few weeks with my son, Col. w.
A. jackson Of the 18th Regiment Eew-York State
Volunteers and not with the most remote intention Of
proseeu ting any inquiry on any subject whatever;
least of alt on that which has thus incidentally
pied my attention.
With great respect, yours truly.