Year: 1863




tses-Marins Transportation and
In all it's branches the Quartermaster's De-
hauling; but in none more 80, nor 80 much, as
in the items Of marine transportation and tho
purchase and sale of horses In the hiring, by
officials connected with the army, of marine
transportation, some of the vastest and most
thoroughly infamous frauds of the war have
been committed In some cases vessels have
been chartered and kept in the service for
years at daily rates amounting every month to
mrch more than their total value. Steamers


ana sailing vessels have thus been paid for
ten. fifteen and stwenty times over, the officer


who makes the charter having in nearly all


such cases, a 'next friend" who is owner of one


third or one-fourth OF the speculation. In no


single Instance that we have heard OF has the


Quartermaster. General taken any step to brand


with official reprobation these proceedings


This whole subject should be thoroughly
sifted before Congressional Investigating
committee, when 1t will be found that robbie
ries Of thepublic treasury. Of a magnitude IN
exampled elsewhere, have been perpetrated in
this branch of the service.


But it is ia the purchase and sale of horses
and other draught animals for the use of the
army that the most open profigacy has been
exhibited Government is now paying an ave-
rage of Sl3s per head for horses; and Of this
amount, unless all concurrent reports be erro-
neous, the selle has not unfrequently to pay
very handsome discount to the ''next friends
Of the officers who are employed to examine
and purchase such cattle. With friendly pur-
supplying horses is an extremely lucrative
one, while with officers of different turn of
mind the present prices paid for horses aud
mules by the government are notoriously in
sufficient to do more than secure, with economy
and good judgment. serviceable and endur-
ing quality OF stock.


But, while government thus pays through the
nose for all the draft cattle it gequires, the
mode in which it disposes Of such of its horses
ss are temporarily or altogether disabled for
the severe labors of military service demands
attention. We have now before us the returns
Of single sale made on behalf of the govern
ment one day last month. The lot sold comprised
eighty horses and nine mules brought up from
North Carolina. and placed in the market at an
average cost for transportation and keep Of
$2l per head. Of these sixty-sx were sold at
an average of So s3 per head, giving total OF
S52l rs, while the mere cost Of bringing them
to the auction block was Sl,3s6. But one
sold at $50, while the remaining thirteen were
disposed of at rates varying between $40 and
$50, with a very decided inclination towards
the lower sum. Four Of the horses were sold
at fifty cents each-much less than a fifteenth
knacker's Four more were sold at dollar
each: three at two dollars each four at Eve
dollars, and 80 on through the list.


Of the horses thus sold, we have evidence
that many were to the full in as good condition
as those which are daily purchased by the gov
ernment at prices averaging s13S each. Many
were far superior to the average run Of horses ID
the Quartermaster's Department, only needing
few weeks of idleness and good feeding in
the country to make them worth from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per
head. Who can doubt but that those horses
will soon be led back to the government sta
bles to be purchased-the knowing ones" who
were present as purchasers at the sale next ap-
pearing as sellers, and receiving the full govern
ment price for cattle which but o few weeks
ago they bought from the United States at
some price ranging between fifty cents and
nine dollars. This matter is very disgrace
ful one, but not worse than hundreds of others
which are occurring daily in our midst. Some
enterprsing Congressman should start an in
vestigating committee on the subject, and give
the whole matter Of the purchase and sale of
horses by the agents Of Uncle Sam thorough
overhauling.