Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-01-30
cretive IN business pursuits and trans

VA SsAA~A
actions.
The climate of Alaska was consid
ered SO severe by Gen. Halleck com
manding the military division of the
Pacific, that meat rations to the sold
iers was changed to pork and bacon
In every issue of ten days there wa:
pork seven days, bacon two days
fresh meat one day--if it could bf
found. AS the General had beer
previous to the war, resident of SaI
Francisco, the presumption was thai
he must know something about the
climate. Subsequent events demon
strated his knowledge was limited te
guess work. One of the company's
at the garrison purchased a net fol-
fishing, and fish was issued exclusive
ly as il took all the bacon and pork te
pay for the net. It must have been
a very costly net for it took a long
time to pay for it. Details were sent
to old Sitka a celebrated fishing
ground. At first the hauls were large
the salmon were salted and packed
in pork barrels, but when the ''boys
in blue" found out that no advantage
was to be derived by themselves OF
the company, they demurred to the
pastime of taking to the water so Of
ten and agreed to catch no fish, and
therefore returned without any. This
was of course designated monstrous
proceeding, and Russian pilot was
engaged to bring them where fish
was plenty The boys threw the pilot
overheard and no SIS could tempt
any Russian to have anything to do
with American soldiers after that.
There was lull in the fish trade
for some time, the net was damaged,
cut in several places, and soon as re-
paired it was cut again. In the Rus
sian army the officers we're celebrated
for the many ways they had in feec-
ing the soldiers, that custom must
have been left behind when evacuat-
ing Alaska, and taken up by some
commanders in systematic manner
Ration serving was reduced to a sci
ence. It is generally assumed by the
average American citizen, that the
American soldier is a we'll fed animal,
with nothing to do. This is mis-
take entirely. The ration issued is
universal at every military post, the
allowance the same Whence
comes it then that at some posts the
soldiers live we'll, and at others in a
state of semi-starvation, forcing them
to buy bread from the Sl3 a month.
There was at Sitka at time of which [
write, an officer who was Post Treas
urer, he was nick-named Bread
Checks, on account of selling bread
tickets to the soldiers. Those tickets
were made from playing cards, seal
impression, and his signature. Twen-
ty Of those were issued to the soldiers
for ST. in greenbacks, and twenty four
for 81 in coin cash down, no credit,
the soldier paid his money and took
his choice. It is not difficult to infer
that if the soldiers received the Gov
ernment allowance, there would be no
necessity for this; but they did not re-
ceive it. The custom prevailing was
in drawing rations for ten days, to
leave three days rations in the commits
sary, nominally for the company
fund, but in reality into somebody's
pocket. The company fund was orig
inally established to take hold OF sur
plus rations, and dispose of the same
for the benefit of the company, and to
purchase vegetables or such produce
as might be deemed necessary There
can be no doubt as to the intention
of the fund, but in nine cases out OF
ten, it is diverted from the purpose
for which it was designed. The ra-
tions are drawn by the 1st Sergeant,
and are in his charge. In the sale OF
the savings, if he is honest, he will
make proper return to the company
commander, and if the latter be SO,
the fund will go to the benefit of the
soldiers who are entitled to it. I
doubt il there be any two companies
in the army who live alike. At posts
where the soldiers have gardens to
raise vegetables, they live well and
are comfortable Funds are accumu-
lated spsedily-sufficient in amount
to purchase good servicabie library,
an excellent dining room outfit, or
expended in such other useful ways
as the company commander may des-
ignats.
On the other hand when soldiers
are stationed where they have no gar
den, or where the company command
er is careless or Indifferent, leaving all
to the 1st Sergeant, and he species
OF s:grab-all.' the mode of living is
Wretched indeed. and discomfort and
desertinn nreyail. I remamhar a case