New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-19
The County Recruiting Once.


The County Recruiting Office is situated on
Broadway opposite the Park. A large dag waves from
pole tina. leans over the Sidewalk and tall run
the risk Of having their hats swept of by the stars and
stripes as they float in tho free wind, suggesting that
soldiers are wanted. short fight of stairs leads to
narrow roou which run. the entire depth of the build
ing. The len sido IL 1anked with tables at which
score Of clerks scribble from morning until evening.
At the entrance are three sharpyed policemen,
who watch the pickpockets. in constant attendance;
half dozen soldiers Of The invalid corps who guard the
rccruits after they oyc sworn in, runners With their
men waiting sor their tsyp. aud here aud there "o'
man whose husband or son has enlisted. curtain
falls the right eide Of ,he room. Behind It the
volunteers stripped and examined by the surgeons
In the Of this thronged and busy apartment sits
Supervisor Blunt and his corps of clerks and other
assistants with plain table IN 'front.'. At one end OF
the table is pllt,orn on which the recruit steps when
be receives hs hsunty and L. lowered Into comfortable
bescr emit away from the sharrcrs rnnnsrs aud pick
pockets, who pursue him for his bounty.
In compliance with invitation from the chief OF
this department sat down behind the barroade ard
witnessed for upward Of hour the process Of paying
bountics giving ont authorization papers, and doing
other business belonging to this office.
The first man who forward 10 receive his bounty
was negro. He bad q downcast look and seemed 70
be laborng under restraint. The moment no received
his three hundred dollars lie tmidy hudcd IL over 10
white man, merchant. who came with him from Chat
ham -Four Corners Mr.. Blunt told the black man that
the money belonged " him be negro) and he could do
what he pleased with H. Stimulated by this assurance
ho took back his money and gave the white hall VI
H. receiving due bill In return for 1t. Said due-bi
was left In the hands Of Mr. Blunt for safe keeping
lean pale hungry looking next presented some
papers, and when tho Super, sor asked him how much
10 paid tho recruit he replied evasiyely. las much
he agreed to pay him."
Another runner whose face was m index Of integ.
rity aud who Wei Endorsed. presented five sets
Of papers and received g. 500 lie said he paid the
sum Of $500 to each recruit. Other presented
their claims. Their papers were Endorsed by Gen.
spiuon Three old soldiers re5nlisted; they received
their money and no eager hands were reached out TO
take it from then A farmer from Martinsturg Lewis
County New-Yoik received his bounty,
and gave IL to very handsome and fash
ionably dressed woman. his wife. good-looking
man wished the Supervisor In charge to step out and
speak 10 him. The Supervisor told him that he could
speak Ia him where no The stranger looked es
though the comb Of his dignity had been cut and Was
about taking angry leave when he thought better of it,
End then leaned the table whisper In the Of the
Supervisor when the latter exclaimed with emphasis,
Do not lean the table, had some valuable papers
stolen in that way yesterday" Instantly the stranger
turned upon his heel and left the with spasm OF
disgust.
In every instance the bounty money was paid to the
recruit with word Of advice from Mr.. Blunt to take
good care Of IT, or 10 dispose Of il for tic benefit "
those who looked TO him FOR support When squad OF
about dozen men had reccl ed their money thcy
marched under guard fro the inv aid corps to quar-
icrs provided for them Each recruit received three
SlUO bills greonbacks No man was permitted to So
inside the bar with the recruit after he had
received his money. Those recruits who had bills
which they desired TO ray or friends to whom thAy
wished 10 send their funds. afforded every
requisite facility for doing Among the recipients Of
tho bounty arc men who unfamiliar with our
language and laws and who easily cheated out of
their money inexperienced and verdant, and
fall an easy prey to sharpers.
Mr. Blunt excrts the utmost OF his endeavors TO pro-
tec tho rights II the recruits aud his efforts arc APP
precated by many whose money would otherwise have
been stolen or squandered. He has shown vast deal
Of executive skill in the management Of the department
under HIS control and has given general satisfaction 10
oil the honest and patriotic engaged with him in
promoting enlistments. The work IL progressing rap
idly under his superintendent.