Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-22
WHAT THE ARMY EATS

The exact number Of Union troops in and
about w Washington is not known to the public
and Is not proper subject for speculation. 1t
is safe to say, however, that either the number
Is very large, or the soldiers have prodigious
sppettes, which, happily, leave no room to
doubt Of their excellent bodily health. The
furnishing Of food for the enormous stomach
Of the Army is not enc Of the least perplexing
problems OF the campaign. Provisions are
plenty enough, but it il not always easy to
get the best quality-and nothing else is
now considered fit for our Army-though,
IN the hurry and confusion which pre-
vailed at the outset Of the war, large lots of
rotton beef and other worthless subsistence
stores were palmed of on the soldiers. Since
the u. s. Government has taken sole charge
Of the feeding department, there has been no
cause Of complaint. Of course this city, on
account Of its situation, railroad and water
connections, and commercial advantages, is the
principal depot for receiving and forwarding
supplies to Washington. The most ponderous
item Of the supplies weekly contracted for, in
spected, and sent to the hungry mouths on the
Potomac, is meat, in kind and proportion
about as follows: 1000 bbls. mess pork, l, 700
bbls extra mess beef, "a tons bacon sides, do
of smoked hams, and "a duly priced delicacy)
LIS bbls. picked beef tongues-sll of the first
quality. OF succulent and nutritious miscel-
Isnies there are 500 bushels Of white beans
(strongly suggestive of q certain Yankee dish)
1,250 bushels Of split peas (pslatabls in soup,)
GO, 900 pounds Of rice, and so 900 pounds Of
white flint corn hominy. The fortifying quail
tiles Of coffee are recognised In the purchase
Of 20 900 pounds Of prime Rio, and l20, 900
pounds Of the same roasted and ground. The
drink that cheers but not inebriates' is pro-
vided for by 500 pounds Of tea, green, Oolong
and SouchOng in equal proportions Tosweeten
both Of these beverages l80,0 pounds Of dry
light yellow sugar are considered not too lib
saceharine matter Is furnished In the shape of
the rice, and toothsome and healthy In other
relations. The soldier is RECALLED with only
one species Of preserved fruit, which, taken
with little water, Is said to possess extraor-
dinary fattening properties. We sllude to
dried apples, Of which 10000 pounds are
weekly forwarded. The formidable list con-
cludes with 400, 900 pounds Of first quality pilot
bread. Some Of these mountainous stores are
sent by railroad, but most Of them by sailing
vessels. From one to 1--WE schoonsrs, deeply
laden, leave this port for Washington daily.
Such As are not needed for immediate use are
packed in the vast warehouses at the capital,
against the contingencies Of short supply and
high prices st some future time. There is
large accumulation of salt meats; for fresh
meat to the extent Of 100 or 200 beeyes is daily
served out to the army. Dry bread also ac-
eunulatss rapidly, for over 160, 900 loaves are
daily baked and distributed. The Nation looks
on fondly while the army eats, grudging moth
ing, but sfectionately hoping that good di-
gestion may walt on appetite. IN 7. Jour-
nal of EoMmsrcs