The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-02-17

lOnally 1reSn peel, was the toOd for the
soldier, and it is astonishing how good
a meal could be made from so small
variety, often ne more than hardtack and
coffee.
Coffee was large and good ration,
and so it should be, for, with the accom-
papying sugar, it was the greatest de-
pendence of the soldier. He soon learned
to always have present in his haver sack,
hardtack, coffee and generally piece of
pork.
On the field, during lull in the fierce
engagement, commissary supplies would
be ordered up to the front, and it became
a subject of jest that the appearance of
the supply train was sure sign that the
danger was over for the time, though ex-
perience proved that this, like other
signs, sometimes failed.
From the story of the issuing of ra-
tions to my regiment in '62, we pass to
the campaign under Sheridan '64, as he,
with his veteran army, marched up and
down the Shenandoah Valley; the sol
dier of two years before having become
equal TO the best; and, in all that makes
true soldier, he was never surpassed.
This Shenandoah Valley was the para
disc of the soldier, for there he literally
lived on the fat of the land. In pursu-
ance of determination to make this val
ley worthless as granary for Lees
army ar order came to the Commissary
of the old First Vermont Brigade, of the
Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, to
gather in the wheat and take it to a mill
near by. Mechanics, machinists and
millers were found in plenty in the bri-
gade, and the damaged mill was soon
put in working order, and wheat was
rapidly converted into -four.
| Fly tents were spread upon the ground
in the midst of the command, and on
them was piled high the fresh -four,
which was divided, without stint, among
| the boys. Flour was luxury unknown
to them for many a day, and eagerly was
| it sought for.
Another order soon came to gather in
the sheep, and, presto, great droves
came to the butcher for slaughter. Per-
haps some reader of this may remember
large grove near Fishers Hill, almost
every tree of which swung from its
branches the well dressed quarters of the
savory mutton. This was the first and
only ration of mutton, l believe, that
was ever issued through the Commissary
department to the boys in blue.
The boys frequently had their lamb,
their veal, their turkey, their chickens
and eggs, and sometimes company
cow" bnt they did not come through
the Commissary Department.
While the valley was an ideal place for
successful army, as ours was under
Sheridan, yet it had it's disadvantages
for department officers whose duties
called them from Harper's Ferry to the
front, far away. For the Shenandoah
Valley was hunt for Aosby and his
crew, and many an officer and man,
caught away from the protection of the
troops, was killed in cold blood, among
whom was Commissary Buchanan and
his two orderlies, murdered near Win
chester and left in the woods To stop
this irregular warfare Sheridan ordered
the captured guerrillas, who were known
to be parties to these outrages, to be
swung from the nearest tree, with pla-
cards attached warning their surviving
comrades of like fate if stop was not
put to the numbering of captured Union
soldiers.
The Confederate forces, regular or ir-
regular, regarded commissary stores as
of too great value to allow of their escape,
if opportunity was offered for their cap
tuIe, and our supply trains were par
ticularly exposed in going from Harper's
Ferry to the front Mosby's band knew
every foot of the road. and sudden at
tacks from hidden retreats frequently
scattered the guards and the whole train
would fall an easy and valuable prize.
Yet he was often foiled in his effol Is to
capture trains, or officers and men going
to and fro, and many thrilling tales arc
told of pursuit, the fight and narrow es-
cape by members Of the Commissary and
Quartermaster' Departments while they
remained in Mosby's domain.
There was another ration, not men
toned under the proper head, which
was of liquid nature, and called, In
army parlance, ''commissary." This
was sometimes issued to the men in the
ranks in quantities large enough to cheer
but too small to inebriate.
But the question of inebrlety was only
a question of management, for many q
soldier declined its use and good ma
turedly passed it to his companion, whc
had no scruples and soon showed its ex
hilarating influence. Another way o.
circumventing the orders limiting the
supply was for man to present from hi
Captain or Lieutenant an order, either
real or forged for ''commissary," as al
officer had the right, on written order
to purchase what he wished, when there
was a supply.
And cases have been known where thu
order from the officer was not wholly tt
crafty the desire of his men. What
ever may be thought of the use and pro
priety of this ration, there is no question
about it's quality being unsurpassed, a.
Uncle Sam did not issue adulterateC
whisky. The reveling in the captured
commissary stores, especially of the kinC
just mentioned, has been claimed to havt
been the cause of Early's victoEy beinl
turned into defeat at Fishers Hill. l
so, the critic nust admit that, for once
the possession of this class of commits
sary stores worked to our advantage.
North BenningUOh.
Adelbert Warren of Grand Forks
AJo,tb nalrota nresidant of the haul