The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-04-23
RATIONS AT CAMP MORTON.
Commisssry of Subsistence Pope Says Those
Issued for the Prisoners We're Abundant

To the Editor OK the Indianapolis Journals
President Lincoln commissioned me in
May. 1853. commissary of subsistence which
reached me in the rear of Vicksburg. The
order accompanying was to report to
General Rosecrans. In the latter part of
July following / was assigned as commits
sary of subsistence of JEFF C. Daviss divis-
ion during the Chattanooga campaign,
after the reorganization of the army.
During the siege Of Chattanooga / was
oommlssary of subsistence of the First
Division of the Fourth Army Corps.
l continued with the Army of the Cumber-
land until February, 1864. lSee my monthly
returns on file In Washington.l In the At
lanta campaign had the First Division of
the Twenty third Army Corps. After the
capture of Atlanta was ordered by the
Secretary of War, in 1864, to Indianapolis
to relieve Capt. Thomas Foster, commissary
of subsistence. in charge of the district of
Indiana. / was disbursing, purchasing
and issuing c0mmissary for the district of
Indiana to the close of the war and some
months thereafter (see monthly returns on
file In Washington, and resigned Dec. 81.
1866.
My purchases were made through public
advertisement every sixty days. The sup
plies bought were not surpassed In quality
anywhere. Bacon, ham, pork and all salt
meats came from Ferguson q Mansur. the
Mills undianapolis The issues of -four
reached one hundred barrels day, which
was made up into one-pOund lOaves OF soft
bread. unsurpassed In quality by any
private family or public bakery. Samples
of the baking were sent to my Office daily.
The bakery was within the inclosure here
the prisoners were confined, and was under
charge of the State authorities, and to
General Stone, W ho was directly in charge.
there was paid by me from $4,000 to $4,000
m n
savings on flour alone. This money was
expended for supplies not furnished by the
government, and these supplies thus pur-
chased were issued to the rebel prisoners
as we'll as to the Union forces, including
the guards. My issues in February were
1901 rations. The rebel prisoners re-
ceived better supplies than our own SOL
diers, owing to the fact that almost daily
their friends" were bearers of large
hampers of provisions, etc. not embraced
in our purchases or furnished by the gov
eminent. and these baskets of supplies
were delivered to them. The only COM
plants ever reaching my ears came from
our own soldiers in not receiving outside
supplies" In comparison.
DIR. Wyeth bears heavily upon the draw
ing of supplies from "swilP tubs. All have
to say In reference to this Is, they had food
In abundance and there was no necessity at
any time to 60 to ''swill barrels" if their
food was good taken from ''swIlP' tubs.
how much better would it have been if
cared for and not thrown into the "swilp
tubs. Full rations of salt-meat or fresh
beef, bread, beans. rice, hominy. coffee, tea.
sugar, salt, vinegar, molasses, etc.. were is
sued daily. The best quality of fresh beef
was issued every other day. and il is WELL
known fact that the poor, emanciated"
rebel prisoners left Camp Morton fat and
in good condition. l was in this camp
many times, and can testify to what saw;
there was no complaint of want of food.
These quarters were occupied by the
Eleventh Indiana Volunteers in 1861. and
other Union soldiers until displaced by
prisoners of war. There were immense
sugar cauldrons into W hich the best quality
of fresh beef by quarters was cut up and
placed. making soup by the 1000 gallons.
Potatoes by the carload were purchased
and issued. Starvation fudgei
We were not to blame on account their
Indebtedness, emaciation and sick condition.
l saw the prisoners at Fort Donelson; of
course they were muddy; mud, and slush.
and snow, and ice abounded. They were
not as properly clad or cared for there by
their own comrades as they were at Camp
Morton. There is no question about that.
But to charge inhumanity upon our people
is an infamous outrage. But, alas there
are unrepentant rebels now living to whom
our starry flag is an insult. and we may ex-
pect these damnable charges from them.
IT'S well to forgive the repented past;
God giving us grace, we may;
But never while loyalty true shall last
Can we love the unrepentant Gray.
JOSEPH p. POPE,
Late Captain and e. s. Volunteers.
lilo %