The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-06-04
IN THE FAR SOUTH.
rh. rost nnksrr Al union Hs,a, S. g.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Standing op-
posite the Ordnance Depot was n longl low shed,
Giaring with whtewash and grotesque in APP
poarance, tsstecp dispTopOTtionate roof making
il by all odds the most unshapely Of the many
unshapely buildings which composed the
mushroom city OF Hilton Head, and suggesting
At glance the common caTicatuTe OF very
small man hidden under n very large hat.
But nuts Of the sweetest kernel have not
always the smoothest shells, aud We have the
authority Of Holy Writ FOR saying that the Joy
Gus bees choose the gloomy carcass OF lion as a
depository for their honey" Therefore nobody
need he surprised 40 our statement that from
this rude piece Of architecture there emanated
an article that did much 10 appeasc the appe-
titles OF the soldiers whom fate had east upon
the inhospitable shores of South Carolina.
This queer misshapeR shed was the Post
Bakery. Without it and the eOuveniences
which it contained we would have been doomed
TO bareback, instead OF luxuriating in the ex-
celent soft bread which il furnished.
We often passed by the bakery, catching
glimpses beyond its doors Of a scene of busy
men, in tucked-up sleeves and paper caps Of
chalky visages and wearing clothes Of a yellow
ish white, fitting about like ghosts in grave
yard but we dared not enter.
That baker could he found in working
hours sOciable enough and willing to instruct
humble seekers after knowledge, like myself,
into the mysteries Of his craft we believe 10 be
just as Tnuch Of an impOssibiity rs 10 would be
10 find sociable boilermakcr or a sociable
Lighthouse keeper We class these vocations
in the catalog of morose pursuits, leaving out
the undertaken. as useful, but 10 be pitied.
As far as the bakers are concerned we must
correct our opinion. They are jolly, yeast
drinking set of fellows, with hearts as light as
their sponge and as warm as their ovens. All
this, aud more too, we learned at a subsequent
visit.
While taking our constitutional daily tramp
for the benefit OF orr health, and 10 profit our
mind, we sauntered toward the Post Bakery.
Its doors. rs usual, were wide open, and seemed
TO say "Cume in and welcome The half
closed wiudow-shutters gave us an hosptable
wink. and hesitatingly we passed the whitened
portals.
A large brown pile Of smoking bread packed
endwise in a corner waited one Of the most
familiar influences through our stomach. and
we Immediately felt at home. minute after
ward aud we were drinking yeast and rising
in the head bakers confidence. lie showed us
over the establishment, explaining all things
10 us with exemplary patience. babe us drink
moro yeast, dipped out Of barrel with a bright
tin cup, and when our visit was ended we were
wiser by a whole batch than when we entered.
To Capt NJ. X. Morgan, Chief COmmissary Of
the Department of the South, we were in
debted for the advantages which the bakery
conferred at least for possessing them as early
as we did after the occupation OF the post. His
foresight had prompted him 10 purchase the
bricks required for the construction Of the ovens
suitable for at least 900 men, and these were
brought down with the original expedition.
Owing to the difficulty Of discharging the
cargoes Of the transports before the long pier
was completed, there was delay in getting the
bricks ashore, and the bakery was not ready
for work until January, 1862. All the troops
which were stationed at Hilton Head will re-
member with satisfaction the pleasant change
from bareback 10 soft, wholesome bread.
The Post Bakery was an army Institution, TO
which the Commissary Department gave only
a semi-ollicia Endorsement. Certain rules were
prescribed for its management. The -four was
not issued by the CommissaTy directly 10 the
bakers, but through the various regiments COM
posing the command. For every pound Of -four
turned in a pound OF bread was issued. As a
pound of flour is not used in making a pound
OF bread, there was an accumulation Of four.
This was credited TO the post, and from which
civilians aud stores were supplied at a reason
able cost. and a fund was started called the
post fund.
Some idea Of the magnitude Of the business
done by this bakery may be gained by the fact
that the fund had increased TO the handsome
sum Of =, 900 up 10 the end Of July, 1862, when
Capt. Wm. L. Martin resigned the office OF Post
Treasurer. This fund was divided from time 20
time among the different regiments comprising
the command, and afterward distributed to tue
several companies Of the regiments.
Should this article meet the eyes Of Artifcers
Laurin Il. Drake and u. S. Giles, Of Co. ], LIST
n Y. Eng, who were on detail at the Post
Bakery. the writer wishes again to thank them
for many tOothsome pies and things which did
not abound in the Commissary Department.
JAMES III. HAROLD, Lieutenant, Co. !, lst y. Y.
Eng, Dunellin, ". J.