The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-30
A VISIT TO PERRYYILLE.-We


stepped out of the Philadelphia train in
company with some friends on Thursday
morning last, and spent few hours in stroll
ing about the various encampnents of men,
horses and mules.
The first object we came upon, worthy Of
note was the horse cGmF--wc suppose it
must be termed, that word being II Ia mode in
these military times. We were very politely
shown through the horse department. by
Mr.. Arad Alexander of Mortified, Mass.
who is chief manager of all The horses
having.about 1000 at present under his
charge, a large number having been, the
present week, drawn from the Perryvillc
depot, for the use Of the cavalry and artillery
companies Of Hartford and Cecil, which have
been fitted out for active service.
The horses are very neatly and comforta-
bly, housed in long sheds, open at the sides,
with boxes and troughs for feeding; by this
economical arrangement, saving much pro-
vcnder, which, when fed loosely on the
ground, as is the case in the green mule
department, is unavoidably wasted. Mr..
Alexander has his horses very methodically
arranged, animals Of the same color being
placed together thus classifying them
according to color. A squad of men is
appointed to take charge of the animals of
certain color, and by this judicious arrange
ment, when one gets loose, his locality is at
once known, and the keepers cannot evade
the responsibility Of neglect of duty. The
horses are in fine keeping, and mostly
beautiful animals. To persons fond of view.
ing fine horses, peep at those under Mr.
Alexander charge at Pcrryvile, will richly
| repay the trouble. The cost t. head was
| Sl20 90.
Quitting the horse-camp, we next pro-
ceeded to the large mule pen below Mr..
| Stump's mansion, where some 1000 green
mules were penned These animals are fed
by tumbling bales of hay and straw about
on the ground inside their enclosure, and
einptying grain out in the same manner
Large quantities, of course, are wasted by
this slovcnly mode of feeding. a bunch of
mules collect round the bales of hay, and ~
general exchange of kicks is kept up by the
pugnacious animals during the meal the
DULLES : being in possession of the heap
the weaker cattle, to Il greater or less extent,
are compelled to play the "grab game"
and snatch a bite between kicks. The ami
mails, however, were in good flesh and looked
remarkably well. There are about 5000
mules broken and unbroken, in the various
camps About l 400 Regulars are encamped
on this part of the Stump farm, who, at the
time of our VISIT were drilling in squads
This farm is about one of the best locations
for the use Government has appropriated it
to, of any that could have been selected in
the country. Mr.. Stump receives 81, 900 T.
year, we were informed, as rent from Gov
eminent, and the manure, which is piled up
already in immense heaps. will be worth
many more thousands of dollars to him.
Barracks are being erected for the better
accommodation of tie soldiers. These
wooden quarters will greatly add to their
comfort, and the constant coughing which
proceeded from the ranks was sufficient indi-
cation that further protection from the in
clemency OF the the season was much needed.
Mr.. A. }. Scott, of Elkton, is chief" boss =
i'll the carpenters department, and very
arduous duty he has to perform, but he
seems fully competent to the task.
The neXt-and perhaps not the least
plcasant-featurc of our visit was to drop
into the mess room of the principal clerks
and employees of Capt. Sawtelle, who have
resolved themselves into a club numbering
II members-Captain Sawtelle has his head
quarters, at Mr.. Stump's Mansion-whcrc
we were Hospitality dincd on Government
fare, which We are free to confess is as good
and as bountilul as any hungry man could
wish to enjoy. The Government ration is
much more than they can consume, and the
members Of the club informed us that they
had quite a surplus to dispose of, which
formed a kind of etc. fund.
From the dining room Of the club we were
next conducted by Mr.. Townsend, chieI
Commssary of the station, to the store
house, which is one of the old depot build.
ings, where we were shown the life impart-
| ing quantities Oh inc army, anu WltHOul WHICH
but few shors hours were required to ami
late the most v2iSat army that was evcl
collected in batNeSrray. Here barrels o
flour, barrels of coffee, barrels of molasscs
barrels of sugar, barrels of rice, and hare
biscuit, boxes of bacon and quarters Of ia
beef were heapcd and piled all around.
When Mr. Townsend first took possession
of the post he ordered so pounds Of beef pei
week, now 1000 pounds are required to pro-
vision, for the same length Of time with frcsl
meat, the employees of Government at thi'
post. The bread heretofore has been baket
in Havrc de- Grace. but new oven has jus
been finished, capable of supplying the pos
with fresh bread new commissary build
ing, so feet by 4s is being erected to supply
the present wrctched store house. From
the neat and methodcal arrangcmts whicl
have been effected by Mr.. Townsend in hi
present inadequate and inconvenient quar-
tiers, 1t Is evident that the Government has
most efficient officer in the eommissar,
department at Pcrryyile and the new anC
commodious building that is being erected
for the Commissary's use will much conve
niencc and assist in facilitating operations
i'll this department.
| Wo arc mucb iudnhtpl tn tbn mnmbers n