The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-07-21

the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph contains in.
formation which can be read with profit
by those who are disposed to think
"Uncle Sam" hard-hearted old fellow
ATLANTA, Csc, July II, 1865.
Some curious features of national De.
culiarities have been developed by the
United States Government since the
war closed Especially is this the case
IN the commissary department
A few weeks ago the authorities at
Washington were informed that thou
sands of people in this portion of the
State were suffering greatly for want of
food. By army operations during the
past year in this vicinity thousands
we're lefs completely destitute of every
means of present subsistence or to pro
duce any for the future. A vail and cry
for bread came from almost every hab-
itation. The widow and the orphan; the
old and feeble, all alike were destitute.
and their one cry was for bread. Quick
ly the order was given for the destitute
to be fed, and since then. for months
past, an unabating stream of hungry
and eager people have thronged TO the
commissary store, and daily from morn
ing to night, the Government issues of
its bounty 20 the motlev crowd.
You can well imagine how onerous
the burthen is on the officer who has
the distributing to do. For many
weeks past it has devolved on Captain
Seaton, the indomitable commissary at
this post This duty, together with
mat OF issuing to the troops in the gar
rison, keeps him and his ubiquitous
roam horse on the jump continually. It is
fortunate for the people that Capt Sea
ton IS the cihcer appointed to this duty.
Tor ne has patient ear for every tale of
sorrow and distress, and a generous
open hand for every needy and worthy
object that applies to him. Where 3
man is so faithful aud humane. it is
only Just tribute to him to remember
his name friendly, and let the people
know Who it is that so faithfully sup
plies their wants.
To get an idea Of the immensity of the
feeding establishments in this CITY. |
will give you some items. During the
month OF June, there were issued to
about fifteen thousand recipients
ninety-fye thousand pounds of bread
stun, and the same amount of meats.
together with the proper proportion of
salt coffee, sugar, soap, candles, and
other articles. Since the first of July.
the increase Of recipients has been yery
large. A large number of refugees
who are returning to their homes on
government transportation. also receive
their subsistence here aud this addi-
ton has assisted very much to increase
the amount Of issue Captain Seaton
estimates the issue up to this date.
nearly the amount issued the last
month BY my ownEclose observation
the issue IS daily twice as large as it was
last month at the same dates
There are employed in the issuipe
house about ten clerks, who are kenf
on the run all day, and often at NIGH.
about twenty niggers, who assuredlv do
not ind the work of this commissarv
department as easy business "A worl-
ing in q corn-field, especially when thew
are caught stealing--a piece of waevery
which you know the institution" i
very found Of Perpetrating.
A large number of Confederate sol
diers, lately discharged from Northern
prisons, continue to arrive here dailv
and they too, are furnished with rations
Taking as an entire affair the bust
meas Of this commissary post il Il the
biggest thing have met with in long
time / am certain thst. IL whst e
done so patiently by Capt 4Seaton and
his Woodworking assistants had been
required Of like number of our Con.
feds, few months sgo, there il not a
building in the South large or strong
enough to hsve held the disbursing
parties, for they would have
enough to have leveled the walls and
blown the roof away. Discipline, and
some other little peculiarities Of human
nature, make the difference Twas too
stubborn 9 Southern soldier, however,
TO make any i1sidious remarks now,
however much my nav may have suffer
ed in the hungry times gone by, snd
which discomfort was caused by neg
lectful and selfish commissaries
But before close cannot help but
remark that it must be a matter of
gratitude as vel as surprise, for our
people to see q government which was
lately fighting rs with FIRE and sword
and she'll now generously feeding our
poor and distressed. In the immense
crowds which throng the distributing
house / notice the mothers, and faith
ers. and widows, and orphans of our
soldiers, who fought nobly-and how
ssdly-too often TO the death Of our
loved South Again, the Confederate
aoldieT, with one leg o. one arm. the
crippled, manned, and broken. and the
worn aud destitate men, who fought
bravely their enemies then, their bene-
saotoFsnow, have their sacks filed and
There Is nucb in ibis that takes
away the bitter sting and sorrow OF the
past There is more than humanity IN
il on the part Of the provides, and the
generous conduct win 70 farther 70
heal the wounds Of the nation. than all
the diplomacy snd political policy Of
tricksters and Office seekers during
centuries 70 come.
As the expressions Of a soldier who
has fought the battles Of the confed-
erscy during iss ephemersl existence,
your readers and mJ friesds viii receive
these particulars IN the spirit theI have
beer conceived snd uttered a spirit
which means that 70 becorae 3 faithful
eiti1sn Of the country, % which We
owe true and proper allegiance IS this
mement Is oar greai and la~fus dnty.
CovkS NorRnL