Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-22
such time. as they appear to stand in need

such times as they appear to stand in need
Of it.
It will be observed by his later letter that
he only refers to the whisky disappearing
in 16 days, and says nothing about the soap.
The inference is the men misunderstood MS
order, and used the soap sparingly.
At last, Colonel Broadhead himself seems
to have grown weary of scant supplies OF
liquor. In q letter of July 21, 17SO, to
Hon. Timothy Pickering, of the Board OF
War, he applies for many supplies. In IN
forming him of the condition of affairs on
the frontier, he inserts this innocent clause:
An officer is sent from my regiment to re-
ceive such store as may have been Prov1oeGI
obliged to you for ordering up further
quantity Of Rum and Spirits.
It was some time before he was successful
in getting the order for this further supply
quantity, but when he did he quickly wrote
this letter to the official who had charge OF
Government stores:
Dr. Sir: o.
have Just received fresh instructions
Council OF our state to the Commissioners OF
Westmoreland County. The Com
missioner is now instructed to furnish the
garrisohs with Fifty barrels of flour, 500
bushels of Indian corn, and 100 gallons OF
whiskey monthly. enclose the instruc-
'A'' a" Daniel ami Broadhead.
Dfrected--Col. Arch'd Lochry.
A Gil to Celebrate On.
Perhaps the crowning use to which
whisky among the troops at Fort Pitt was
ever put was when the news was received
here at the close of the Revolutionary War.
Immediately upon the receipt of that stir
ring intelligence the following was issued:
FORT PITT, Nov. 6, 1871.
Parole-General. Countersign-Joy.
. General Irvine has the pleasure to con:
Eratulate the troops upon the great and
troops under his command, surrendered.
prisoners of war, on October 10 last, to the
the immediate command of His Excellency,
General Washin'to The prisoners amount
to upwards of 5000 regular troops, near 1900
Tories and as many negroes, besides num-
Thirteen pieces of artillery will be fred
this day at 10 o'clock in the fort, at which
time the troops will be under arms, with
their colors displayed. The commissaries
will issue O gill of whisky. extraordinary, to
the non on-commissioned officers and privates
upon this joyful occasion. -.-
But the free use of liquor among the
early troops naturally caused trouble occa-
sionally. Brigadier General Lacey, of
Philadelphia, received this story Of an st-
tempt to get whisky at the point of bayo-
nets:
Small Whisky Riot.
Newtown, Bucks Co, Oct. II, 17sl.
sir:-On the 18th inst, the day OF your de
parture and the discharge of the militia at
Camp Newtown, Capt. Buskirk and his En-
sign Stiner, OF Col. McVeagh's Batt'n, of.
Philada. Co., came at the head of their COM
pany with fixed bayonets and their drum
ating the Rogues' March to my quarters,
and demanded for the three officers of the
company each a canteen full of Spirits, as
they said, to carry them home. gave them
for answer. that liquor had been issued to
the whole Battalion agreeable to your orders
and produced Quarter Master Davis vouch-
er, for the same who being present con-
their full proportion which they appeared
to be somewhat satisfied with, but in n time
they broke out and swore they would have
their Canteens filled, and if 1 would not de-
liver it, they would go to the magazine and
take 1t by force.
1 forbid them at their peril to touch the
magazine and prepared myself to defend it
at all risques: thus matters stood when Col.
McVeage who was sent for appeared, and
who to pacify them was under the necessity
of giving money out of his Pocket to pur-
plt int against them necessary to bs taken
notice OF by Court Martial.
Your very hbl. servt.
VIM. Crispin, c. G. 8. p. N.
Colonel Crispin got into more trouble
through the liquor controlled by him. This
letter was read to the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania:
PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 1779.
GENTLEMEN-Inclosed is an account of my
allowance of Rum during our Absence from
the city having not drawn any Liquor in
that time-indeed it was impracticable for
me to do 1.-THE nature OF my duty was such
never remained at one place long enough
to draw. being obliged to attend at every
post where stationed. therefore left it to
Settle with Mr.. Crispin at some future day.
Accordingly have applied to him many
times, his reason always was he was not in
cash. Sometime past he settled with me for
my Rations of Vegetables, &C., during the
time when he made no objections to the
Rum money. Upon application to him this
day for a final settlement he told me he did
not know he had any right to pay me with
out an order from Councill. am therefore
under the necessity Of troubling your
Honors about this matter, and request you
will please to grant an order for payment
which will oblige, Gentlemen,
Yrs ms Obed.,
Humble Servant,
Lodk. Sprogell, NJ. N. off.
Prices Over q Century Ago.