The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-24
A Day at the Comnaissary.
l4om the Chattanooga. Correspondent OF the
q New York World. e

lVl6iteo the port OF 9brIogeport usy VI
two since, and remainsd several hours with
CoL M'Dougal, of the l23d n. Z who is
in command. witnessing . crowd OF fe-
males around the Commissary, inquired
the cause. "They are applicants forrehst
replied Col. M'DougsIt - - -
I approached the wrstched creatures, and
though familiar with the misery anu dssti-
tuition of cities, must confess 1 never be-
fore witnessed parallel to the scene that
pe,ented itself. l conntsd II females, OF
whom three possessed money to make pur-
chases; the remainder were all pensioners
on the bounty of the Govsrnment-allse seek.
ers for aims at the hands Of the detested
Yankees who had been represented as the
embodiment of all that was parsimonious
Of course the whole throng must first ap-
ply to the Provost Marshal, and when the
proper hour arrived, theyewere ushered into
his tent, one by one, TO relate. the causes
that had reduced them to their present con-
dition They were all new applicants, the
old ones getting supplies at regular inter
yals without the aid of the Provost Mar,
shal, -
The FIRST whose fortune it was to DO call
Provost Marshal-Are you widows
Mrs. Ricard-No, sir. 49,, 80. --
P. M.-Where is your husbands
Mrs. R-With Bragg, in the Sd Tennes-
see cavalry. -
p. M.-Your husband is in the rebel ar
nay, when did he joinit9
Mrs. R.-Two years siuce. 81 .
r. M.-Did he volunteer?
Mrs. R,-Yss, to keep from being con
ssripted a rs.
P.M-Butthe rebel consoription law
was not ther in force. ~ "a ve
Mrs. R.-But they told him that 1t would
soon be, and he had better volunteer
P. M,-Was he not strong secsssiontst
from the start? e.
Mrs. R-Yss; he thought you wanted
to deprive u. of our rights, and take all our
slaves. z
MEOW many slaves did he owa?
/ Mrs. R.-None. =
P.M-Had he plantation
Mrs. R,-No, Sir. -- -r-
M.-What property had he2
Mrs. R.-Nothipg; he lived by his days
work. &Aa
H. w NY, euoAy "ss LIZ ~ WI
cerning the slaves?
Mrs, R Because he was afraid that the
North would put the niggers on an equality
with US. ,~E~> -, 49,
P M-Your husband is in the rebel ar
my, and yos ask US to supply you with
bread, Why do you do this 2
Mrs. Ricard threw aside the fy OF the
tent and Just outside stood five small
children, who had but single article OF
clothing--a light homespuu cotton wrap
per-on each, though the wind was blow
ing chilly cold from the north "They have
not had mouthful since yesterday morn
ing" said Mrs. R., "snd not halt enough for
six months,
The appeal wa. irresistible; the provost
then told her he would administer the oath,
and get her relief. On being asked to sub
scribe her name, she replied that she could
not write, and accordingly resort was had
to the mark.
continued With the officer till the
whole number was disposed Of, and noted the
following statistics relative to the forty four
who were applicants for aims.
Number who could not write 80
Number who wrote very badly .
Number who wrote very well
Widows before the war =
Widows by the war -
Women with husbands in the rebel army ~
Women with husbands in our army %
The conversation. related as occurring be.
tween the provost marshal and Mrs. Rieard
may be taken 90 fair sample of that With
nearly all, and it is unnecessary to repeat
further; but it will DO interesting to and q
single exception to the general rule. 1t
was Of lady evidently we'll educated, az
he cbirography would have done credit to
any one, and her language was entirely tree
from that peculisrity of dialect which
marked the other applicants, but which
will no: attempt to follow, as it is familiar
to all your readers. By request, have
suppressed the applicants name.
P. M.-You are an applicant for rslieff
Lady-Yss, sir.
P. M-Whsre is your husbands
LIE is dead sir.
M.-When did he dief
LIN 1859.
P. M-Havs you plantation?
L.-Yes sir: 400 acres.
P. .M-Whore are your slavesy
LIVE had but four; one OF them Is
dscrspit old woman, and is now with me-
The remainder were carried off by Braggs
army, to keep them from falling into the
hands of the Union troops.
M-Were they carried away by your
conssnt2 -, .'ri 80
L--They were not,
P. M.-Have you any objection to taking
the oath of sllegisnce2 -r 90
LII have not: have always eonsistsnt'
ly opposed secession. did so in the pres
snce of Bragg's army, even more loudly
than oppose it now.
Signs Of the Times. Il