Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-11-28

,.-. IN than 10 soma ~particular post on %, without en-
sov,;,o ON a, Es,sv ts rsgimsat TO shieh th,y belong.
This il done because they may happen for the time 70 be
detached from their ~rsginens, or becausei it is more con-
v,uieu. or agreeable 70 thsm TO call for their mail matter
rather than trust it to tho r~sginsntal messenger. They
Unexpectedly change their location, and their mail mat
TAR cannot DO forwarded to thsm, because the regiment
TO which they belong d not known. 1t Is true that they
NAV leave orders to forward their mail to some particu-
lar ofaee, and any mail In the Office a. the time order the
is rs-,iSsd viii DO promptly forwarded, bulin . large ems
it IS simply impossible TO preserve and attend to sucn Of
dsrs.
Again, We are informed that thousands o~'lesters In
tended for the army are detsi1ed and sent to the dead ls'-
ter efRee because the postage is not prepaid, and 1t would
.A.n tb,. tha iusprsssion prevails to q considerable e1-
tsnt that tie Law does not req lire the prepayment oil
hostage On letters addressed to persons in the army
,bi. ia A mistake. The Law allows soldiers TO frank the
le,tsrs urisxn by them aud such letters will be forward
ed Without the prepayment. of postAgs-!he postage be-
ing eoIleeed at The Office of delivery. Soldiers writing
10 each Othsr generally avail themselves Of this privilege
and if The person addressed should be unable to Call s'
lbs ohies Of delivery himself, or should fail to supply the
rerimsntAl messenger With money to pay the postage
The latter q detained and sent to the dead letter Office
Wa are in'oraed that mIny letters are lost to the army
from this cause also.
ARain, When he army suddenly retires from . posi
ion. lie mail ~eoulinus to be sent there, until informA
don d ito change Of P~csitlon = given then il 10 eishs'
Aurvisa back hy tie PostAAsSsr TO soma plAcs OF safety,
Or Il Is retained and forwarded 70 the army vhea its des'
t~inatiOn IL AscertAined. Ia this way much Of the deten'
lion and delay complained Of arises. We are informed
that very large malls sent to Winchester for the army
sere rsturueA Tuesday evening to the Richmond Office,
and ~thAtlArgs mails cent 70 calpsPer Court House are no"
living at Gordonsville unopened. 10 all such cases gen.
srL orders should be issued by the Postmaster General
70 have the army mails retursed at once to the kich'
mond ofica, to be forwarded without delay to the army.
We are Lso informed that the Postmaster General has
made the most strenuous Efforts 10 furnish the mail
promptly to the army. He has sent special agents armed
9Th plenary power to es:Ablish or enlarge post-ofhces
for the accommodation Of the rmy-msu have been
detailed from the army to assist postmAsters, and every
ef1rt has been made TO remove every obstacle in the
uay Of the prOmp. Transmission and delivery OF the
AIia Bat shoss acquainted With the intrieAcies OF the
~pOst.oAhse sys.em will we'll Understand the difficulties u
the uAy Of jmgroviIisg Offices on . large scale, or Of
enlarEinE old onss to meet the demands Of Q large
army. Men experienced in the post-Cs,e business can
rarely be lound, and Inexperienced men, sreh s. toe De-
plrtmsnt is compelled to employ for the PurOOse, neees'
ssrly nSairs cOnsidsrAbI, training before they can pro-
psrly discharge he duties OF the oficA From these
causes the pOs-ohc< tscm which the army mail has
been delivered have been Unable promptly and efficient
" 20 meet the hsa'y demands upon thea. Even the
Richmond III &c, With all its Advantages, for 3 long time
vas unable to meet the demands upon 1t, While the ar
NV vas in the neigbbOrhood Of Richmond.
We have taken the trouble to write this article solely
.ith the view TO al,y the discomfort in the army, BY
giving the assurAre sc that the government is not unnind
.ul or ind f,rent to their wants bat that It is using every
r, source within its power to supply them With the mail
as promptly and punctualy IS possible. And We have en-
deAvored to point out some of the causes of the irresu
l,rity aud failures complained o., with the hope that
such caues uIl be removed, and the efficiency and re-
salanty OF the mail thereby be promoted.