The New York herald., 1862-12-27
Cooking for tho Array.

Cooking for tho Array.
Until Soyer published his famous treatise On
army cooking but little attention had been paid
to subject which has since acquired great i'm
portahce in the eyes Of military men abroad.
The first result Of that we'll timed and philan-
thropic publication was to procure an invitation
for its author, then chef at ths London Reform
Club, to proceed to the Crirnea to demonstrate
practically the recommendations contained in
his pamphlet. Almost every one is familiar
with the remarkable results achieved by this
new reformer. Not only was the rate of NOR
tAlity from disease greatly diminished in the
camps, but saving Of food was effected to the
extent of nearly twenty-five per cent. That is
to say, parts Of the animals slaughtered for the
use Of the army. and which had been previ-
| ously thrown away, were converted into nutri-
tious soups, or, with the aid of a few simple
condiments, into palatabls dishes, thus efecting
the economy specified aud contributing mate
| rally to the comfort and welt being of tho
soldier.
1t is we'll ascertained fact that the rations
provided for our troops are the,best and most
abundant supplied to any army in the world.
Owing, however, to mismanagement of one kind
or other, but more especially to the absence
of any properly organized system Of cooking.
they are, at times, subjected to great and un-
necessary privations. We know nothing more
calculated to enfeeble the morale as we'll as the
physique of the soldier than such q state Of
things, and it Is the less extusable, seeing that
Congress has made snche1mple provision for
his comfort, and that we have for ursguidanos
Soyer's successful experiments in the Crimes.
The subject, we are glad to see, has not alto
gether escaped the attention Of those entrusted
with the care Of the health Of our soldiers; for
we have now before us report, embodying
some valuable suggestions in reference to it,
addressed to the Surgeon General, by DR.. Vol
lum, one of the medical inspectors Of the army.
He states that in the daily discharge of his
duties he has been struck with the wretchedly
bad, irregular and wasteful mSnner of cooking
amongst the men, and, above all, by the ha-
RAISING Interruptions to Q soldiers rest from
the constantly recurring necessity that COM
pels each man or squad of men, after
marches, drills or terms Of guard and picket
duty, to prepare-whether they be soaking
wet OF faint from healthier own food. For
tAtOu III ulo COuviCsiOAo VI suC@CuVIm mOuo uISt
which such a condition Of things must make on
the vitality Of the army by the results of &C
tual observation, he set himself to discover
whether some practical mode could net be
found of mitigating, if not removing, at encs
the evils complained Of
After careful study Of the subject and Of
the difficulties with which it was surrounded, he
hit upon plan which, without interfering ma
tevially with existing regulations or over
whelming the operations of the department to
which il may be attached will, he thinks, effect
a great and beneficial reform in the present
state of things. Its leading features may bs
thus briefly described:-He proposes that
medical officer, with the necessary rank, shall
be detailed by the Surgeon General as the ad-
ministrative head Of the new army cuisine, and
shall have under him the following subordi-
nates--1. An inspector Of cuisine for each corps
throughout the army, with the pay and rank Of .
captain of cavalry, said inspector to be chosen
solely insconsderation OF his past experience in
the culinary art and to be responsible for the in
struction of all his subordinates within tho
command to which he is attached. g An as
sstant surgeon and sub-inspector fer each
brigade to superintsnd the cooking department.
In the case of commands serving separately q
medical officer Of the same rank is to be de-
tailed for duty as sub-inspector. 8. Sergeants
Of cuisine, enlisted with special reference to
their theoretical and practical knowledge, one
of whom is to be under the orders of such sub
Inspector. A. For extra duty il is recommended
that cooks be selected among the enlisted mon,
the proportion Of two to each company, the
men thus employed to be entitled to additional
pay. There are many localities, the Doctor
thinks-and he therein comedies with sugges-
ten Of our own-where the male negrs could,
with great success and convenience, be substi-
tuted for the soldier.
Such are the details Of plan which seems to
us easy Of organization, admirably adapted to
advantage of jointly enlisting in its service tho
two branches OF science which are most con-
servative Of the health and comfsrt Of the SOL
der In providing for our troops warm cloth
ing and abundant rations the government dOea
not scauit itself Of all the duties which IL oweA
to the brave men who are lighting to uphold it.
II is bound, in addition. to give them their fOod
in such form as is best calculated to preserve
their strength and sustain them against
the attacks OF disease. As a matter OF
economical consideration, the plan suggested
BY DR.. vollum will soon repay its expenses. 1t
will diminish those Of the military hospitals
enable many who are now enfeebled from tho
want Of proper nourishment'to to do their fair
turn of military duty and reduce the list Of
absentees from the army. For these reasons we
heartily endorse his recommendations, and trust
that neither red tapeism nor official Indifference
will prevent their speedy adoption.
Fire In Boston, sc.
poerox Dcc og roao