The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-10-31
Whisky in the Army.
STARTLING FACTS AND VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS.
CAMP near the Rapidan, Va,
October 4, 1868.

CAMP near the Rapidan, Va.,
October 4, 1868.
Dear Republicar.-An army is a big thing,
and it takes great many estahles and not a
few drinkah!es to carry it along. Have you
any idea how many barrels Of I" commissary "
THAT'S gentle flphemisn for whisky it
takes per week to run the machine ? don I
know exactly. but do know that it would
be better to Uncle Sam than 100000 volun-
eers 70 his army, il he would shut off entire
ly and absolutely the supply of intoxicating
liquors. from, officer and men, from surgeons.
hospi;a :, and everything and every body con-
nectsd with the army. On what ground is
the present vast supply of whisky furnished !?
Is it that an occasional ration may be issued
to the soldiers when returning from picket
or after an exhausting march Why there
hasn't been whisky latoa issued to q
single regiment TO my knowledge for many
month, and am certainl, within the truth
when | say that not ten a Year are issued to
the troops on an average. 1t is as good as a
total abstinence society to be private in the
army. Cause why The use OF liquor has
so increased among the officers that none is
now left over to be issued to the nen
Three gallons a week are about the present
usual allowance Of brlgaGier general. and
inferior officers in proportion. a major
general who is liberal and reasonably hospit-
able is expected to spend at least his pay il
various liquors. Every TIM every general
or staff officer calls on a comrade, the bottle
is expected to be produced. Every time an
officer is promoted, he is expected TO" wet
his commission" Every occasion of sword
or horse presentation is improved for big
drunk all round. It is not considered vet
quite reputable for an officer to be helpesyly
or orally drunk, when actually engaged on
some special duty, such as officer of the
picket or Judge advocate of court martial,
but at other times it is nothing against him,
and even if caught in such a case it is
rather his misfortune than his fault. Poor
fellow.
In short the army is getting;bad den,or-
allied as to habits of temperance, and hum
dreGis Of Young men who came out with fair
characters and most correct habits will 60
home. if they 60 at all, poor bloated inebr-
a,es, snG led into their evil habits, am sorry
TO say too often, by the bad example Of those
who are older and of higher rank than they.
We 10 longer wonder. as we used to do at
,he beginning OF the war, that battles are lost
and EXPEDITIONS fail. tn account Of the drunk
crness Of those who are in command, but
'he :a:flor we thank God, in grateful wonder,
when any undertaking gets successfully
through, unruined by such drawbac
Oh ii the President and war department,
would bat havc the nerve to issue prohib;-
;;Cu d ii. Intoxicating drinks in the army
or any pre,cnse whatever. ]. would need
mere neral courage than to issue an emanci-
pgtion proclamation ard ths Suspension Of
this Alcoholic haheas corpus -ouid te deal
tougher Job and attended with more odiurl
than the suspension Of the legal process q.
th.t name but then it is also a more neces
sary act and likely to be m1re beneficial, tc
the county. It can b. done. Liquor is k~p'
from tn yriva,es of he army on the whole
with almost p'riect success. 1t does more
niury among the Officers than it could dc
among the men. Oh. Father Abraham. il
YOU vii set your honest foot down on this
point. and save the officers of your Unior
army, |, Dunn Browne, will ia e it upoa me
humble individual that am less than the
least Of your military servant Is. to wa-ran
you victory over the enemy, invariably
Whenever th, odas against US are not Yer!
great indeed and 50 will your petitioner
against the deadly rum barrel, as misdirect
iAg the gun barrel, ever pray.-Dur'
BroUae IL Repnbii"1n.