The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-12-28
Correspondence of The Cecil Whigl
LETTER FROM PERRYVILLE.
PERRYvILLE, Dec. Goth, 81


Mr.. EDITOR Your very interesting
columns do not appear to be edited by many
communications from our very important
post. This is, rs you and your readers well
know, decidedly the most important part of
Cecil county, as well as IL very important
branch of the Quartermaster' Department
Of the L. S. Army. The Department is
conducted by Capt. c. &. Sawtelle, Assist
ant Quartermastcr, who is acknowledged by
the Quartermaster-G General to be the most
efficient officer in the Department. Hence
it is that he is commanding here.
If your readers did but know it, the rea-
son General Mcclellan has not ordered a
forward movement is because affairs are not
exactly complete at Perryvillc, for the trans
portation of the great Union army. The
task laid before Capt. Sawtelle, on his arrival
at this point, was to organize into teams
suitable for Government service, eleven
thousand mules, and about twenty-five hum
drcd wagons, besides the care of from five
to ten thousand horses, and their speedy
preparation for Cavalry and Artillery ser
vice; and in the performance of which he
would have to employ about twenty to TWEEN
tyhve hundred men. The men have been
employed, and each man assigned his posi-
ton, from teamster to assistant wagon mas
ter, thence to wagon master, and 80 on to
Quartermaster' Agent, which position is
next in authority to the Quartermaster
himself. All these positions have been
filled, and with Justice to the parties.
Agent, Mr.. Jones, of Elmira, New York,
understand, has the most responsible posi-
ton. And it would craze the brain of an
ordinary man to see the routine through
which this gentleman passes every day
His orders are only superseded by Captain
Sawtellc, or Captain Symmes Gardner, L.
5. Army, who is at present, ! believe,
. assisting Captain Sawtelle in his laborious
duties.
The stock has all been carefully inspected
in stocks, by Mr.. B. Montague, OF New
York, who is said to be one of the best stock
inspectors i'll the United States. Let any
man imagine carefully looking over about
sixteen thousand head of animals, each
separately, and he will soon see that Mr..
Montagues task has been one of great
Importance to the Government. The wagons
have all been carefully inspected by Leonard
Sheets, of Philadelphia. About seven
thousand animals have already been broken
to harness, being attached to the wagons in
the first place by Samuel Emmons, of Phil
adclphia, assisted by about twenty-five
negroes, who having harnesscd them, attach
them to the wagons, and they are assigned
to their respective wagon masters. The
general supervisor of all this is Captain
Sawtclle, who gives every Department his
personal attention.
Quite number of brigade aud wagon
masters have been appointed from your
county: among whom is Mr.. Langstroth, of
North East, who, have heard it said,
supervised the best wagon train at the post.
He has, understand, moved South with his
train, to join the army, by orders.
The Forage Department is conducted by
Mr.. VIM. H. Whitaker, also of your county,
assisted by Mr.. Jones, the Agent, who gives
all the orders on this Department. The
Quartcrmaster Stores, and Camp and
Garrison Equipage are under the charge Of
Mr.. III. G. Whitaker, who issues on orders
by Captain Sawtcllc.
Upon inquiry, find that the value of the
Government property here amounts to- sew
eral millions of dollars and, imagine, as
there was such an amount of property here,
the Government deemed it necessary to
detail Il proper guard for the post. Consc-
qucntly the Eleventh and Fourteenth Regi-
ments of U. S. Regulars were detailed here
for that especial service. The Fourteenth
is accompanied by a splendid brass band.
which can often be heard. The troops are
commanded by Lieut.. Col. Shriver, of the
Eleventh. But rccollect, all Immediately
under the orders of Captain Sawtelle;
making in all about $500 men, besides the
mules and other Government property.
| would advise persons who have not
visited Pcrryvile, to come here. If they
are DESTROYS of seeing regimcntal dress
parade, accompanied by splendid band,
let them come about 3 to 4 clock in the
afternoon. Indeed, any one could be highly
entertained during a whole day.
The troops arc all in very comfortable
quarters. warmed by coal stoves.
The Government has possession of the
farm of Mr.. John Stump, which is "a splendid
and the value of which will be
enhanced not less than onehalf what it now
is. The headquarters are at Mr.. Stump's
former residence, where any one having
business will be very gentlemanly waited
upon by either the Quartermaster or his
clerks. But really, would not guarantee
entire protection to the "Scccsh y of your
county, as | notice very commodious
guard house near the encampment of the
Eleventh Infantry, accompanied by sweat
boxes and stocks.
have no doubt, Mr. Editor, but that you
or any of your good Union friends would be
very highly entertained at Perryville at any
time you may see proper to visit the town
entertained by the "Union Club
"a club with whom had the pleasure of
dining on several occasions, and by whom |
have been most Hospitality treated.
Very truly yours, lcHABoD.'