GR 600 /c'/Tf Duke University Libraries Report of Speci Conf Pam #289 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 11, 1865.— Resolu- tions adopted, and report ordered to be printed. [By Mr. Miller, from Select Committee.] REPORT Of Special Committee on the Pay and Clothing of the Army. The undersigned, special committee, to whom were referred sundry- resolutions and memorials of the House of Representatives, in refer- ence to the delay in the payment, and the insufficient supply of clothing to the officers and soldiers of the army, beg leave respect- fully to submit the follow'ing report : That your committee have given these matters that earnest consi- deration and investigation, alike demanded by the wishes of this House, and the justice due to the brave soldiers and otHcers of the army. They first sought an interview with the Quartermaster Ge- neral, who is immediately charged with the duty of the payment of the troops and the supply of their clothing. That officer referred us to a communication addressed by him to a committee of the Senate, and to the co^nmittee of ways and means of this House, from whom we obtained a copy, now filed with this report, and dated 12th No- vember 1S64. We subsequently received from the same officer, Brig. Gen. A. R. Lawton, Quartermaster General, a second commu- nication, dated 12th December 1864, also herewith filed ; to both of which we especially call the attention of the House. It appears from these conmiunications, as well as from personal interviews, that the delay in the payment of the soldiers has occurred from several causes : First — From the operation of the currency act of congress, ap- proved 17th February 1864. The immediate effect of that law was to require a change from the currency tlien used by the government, to the new currency authorized under it, by the Ist April 1864, in great part, and wholly by the 1st July following. It beciinu' neces- sary that all the disbursing officers should return unexpended baliiiices in their hands to the treasury, to the credit of the several appropria- tions, by the 1st April, and by new and further requisitions, obtain the new issue for the supply of their wants. The effect of the law of 17th February 1864 upon the outstanding issue is well known, resulting in most of the creditors of the government, soldiers as well as others, refusing to receive tjjieir dues until the new currency could be had. This necessary change occasioned much delay, further in- creased by the time necessary in the mere making and signing the notes of the new issue. When it is recollected how large are the transactions of the government ; that every department charged with the disbursements of money, as well as the Quartermaster's Depart- ment, had to undergo this same process of change from an old to a new currency, and that there was necessarily a closing up of old accounts and opening of new ones, involving immense amounts, it is not difficult to see how greatly payments must be retarded to public creditors. This halting of payments for some months, necessity of new requisitions, and preparation of a new currency, rendered diffi- cult by the limited facilities in the Confederacy for such work, seemed, in the opinion of the committee, to account for much of the delay that has occurred. Further enquiry, however, shows that the above were not the only causes of delay. The report of the Quartermaster General of the 12th November 1S64 exhibits the fact that requisitions had been made by him on the Treasury Department, which were unsatisfied and unpaid, amounting on the 1st November 1864, to $118,945,744 24, and which (as appears from a subsequent letter from that officer to the committee, dated ]2th January 186-5, and hereto annexed), was further increased up to 29th December follow- ing, to the sum of $ 128,360,584 87. The committee respectfully called the attention of the Secretary of the Treasury to this fact, and received from him the annexed letter, dated on the 22d December 1864. It will be seen, that in addition to the causes of delay already noticed, to which he refers, that letter further shows that the means supplied by the existing legislation of Congress are not adequate to the wants of his Depart- ment and of the country, and that further legislation is necessary. This communication of the Secretary of the Treasury is earnestly recommended to the consideration of the House, and the resolution first oflfered below, for its adoption. The delay which all these causes have produced in the payment of the troops, whilst it is pain- fully regretted by all who appreciate their invaluable services, ought and should be promptly redressed by the action of Congress, and the officers charged with the same. The committee further append two statements from the Quarter- master General, showing payments made the two principal armies in the field, viz: 1st, marked (A), to Lt. Col. A. J. Smith, to pay army of Tennessee, from 20th April to 9th November 1864, - _ - . $14,416,083 24 2d, marked "letter dated 14th January, Quarter- master General," to Capt. C. W. Morrow, to pay Army of Northern Virginia, from 10th June 1864 to January 6th, 1865, - - 10,968,522 GO These sums were drawn upon requisitions to pay the Army of Northern Virginia to SOth June 1864, and the Army of Tennessee to the 31st August 1864. • 3 Clothing of the Army. On this subject your committee ask the attention of the House to the following letters and statements of the Quartermaster General, viz: 1. A letter from Quartermaster General, dated 12th December 1864, already referred to. 2. Statement of cloth furnished officers in several armies and de- partments, accompanying above letter, and marked "officers' cloth." 3. Letter Quartermaster General, dated 27th January 1865. 4. Statement marked "issues of clothing to armies in the field," accompanying the above. The statement of cloth furnished officers in the field and at posts shows there has recently been furnished for that purpose, for all officers, 31,940 yards of cloth. The complaints indicated by the resolutions, &c., calling attention to this matter, are that officers in the field do not get their fair proportion of this cloth, whilst those on duty at posts and on post duty get more than their fair share. It will be seen from the statement, that of this quantity of 31,940 yards, there has been 14-15ths furnished the former, and l-15th the latter. For the purpose of finding out, if possible, how just this distribution was, enquiry was made of the Adjutant General to know the relative numbers of these two classes of officers. To this was received a reply stating his inability to furnish the numbers of each, for reasons given in his letter dated January 4th, 1865, which is filed with this report. Whilst it is probable that unequal distribution of army cloth is made as between these two classes, it is undoubtedly true that from the large number of officers in proportion to the men, the supply of cloth has been inadequate to the wants of all, and consequently many are not supplied, and complaints necessarily fol- low. The only remedy is a greater quantity, which the Quarter- master General says can be had, if means were furnished for their purchase in Nassau. To prevent partiality and injustice in a short supply, is almost impossible. Stricter watchfulness and care on the part of superior officers over their subordinates charged with this duty, might and would no doubt remedy this evil to some extent, but it is difficult to provide for it by any further legislation. In regard to the clothing furnished the soldiers and non-commis- sioned officers, the committee especially refer to the letters of the Quartermaster General of December 12th, 1864, and January 27th, 1865, and the statement referred to in, and accompanying the latter. It appears there has been issued to the armies in the field, during the last six months, to December 31st, and also including to 21st Janu- ary 1865, to Gen. Lee's army the following articles of clothing : Jackets, - - - 215,592 Pants, - - - 356,729 Shoes, pairs, - - - 359,937 Blankets, ... 131,477 Hats and caps, - - 116,637 Flannel shirts, - - 22,503 Cotton shirts, - - 285,944 Drawers, . _ . 341,682 Socks, - - - 271,285 Overcoats, - - - 6,655 Of this quantity, the State of North Carolina furnished her soldiers as follows: Jackets, . . - 21,301 Pants, - - - 32,104 Shoes, - - - 9,263 Blankets, - _ _ 1,696 Hats and caps, - - 12,751 Cotton shirts, - - - 23,354 Drawers, . - _ 22,519 Socks, _ . - 15,059 Overcoats, - . - 200 No other States are included in the above numbers, although Georgia has issued during the past year the following amounts : Jackets, . _ - 26,745 Pants, _ _ - 28,808 Shoes, pairs, - - - 37,657 Blankets, - - - 7,504 Shirts, - - - 24,952 Drawers, _ _ _ 24,168 Socks, - - - 23,024 It is further remarked that these issues have been strictly confined to the field, and are exclusive of issues to men in hospitals, on fur- lough, on detailed service at posts, to paroled and exchanged men, and retired men, and all post issues whatever. Under the act of congress approved 8th October 1862, and the regulations of the Confederate States Army, the clothing required to be furnished each soldier in service, in the third year of his service, is as follows : One cap and cover, one jacket, two pair pants, three shirts, two pair drawers, four pair shoes, four pair socks, one blanket. If the calculation be made upon the data above given, it will be found that the supply has been sufficient for a very large army in the field. For instance, in jackets, an army of 430,000 men ; in pants, an army of 390,000 ; in shoes, an army of 190,000 — and varying in all the articles enumerated. It will be recollected also, this does not include any supplies furnished by States, except North Carolina, nor by private contributions, or private purchases made by soldiers, or furnished them from their homes. It is thought these sources of supply are very considerable, but the committee have not been able to procure any data of their amount. It may well be asked why then so much complaint from our soldiers, and not only complaints, but why is it that we are made so painfully conscious of their truth by our own observation and information ? The Quartermaster General attributes much of the evil to result from soldiers' iijiprovidence in taking care of their clothing, and in bar- tering it off to civilians, traders and others. The loss of clothing by a soldier in an active campaign is necessarily large, but no doubt it could be much lessened by a more careful supervision over them in this particular by their commanding officers. Personal observation satisfies the committee that large quantities of government clothing are possessed by persons in civil life, and by dealei^s in such articles. A walk through the business streets of Richmond will satisfy any one of this fact. Stringent orders have been issued by the War De- partment for the prevention of this practice, by which the soldiers sufter so much; and it is hoped that with the necessary strict disci- pline which ought to be enforced by the officers, it can be remedied in a great degree. It cannot by legislation, so far as the soldiers is concerned. But the soldier is the least guilty party. The extor- tioner and speculator, who take advantage of the soldiers' wants and weaknesses, deserves the highest punishment. By the second reso- lution offered at the end of this report, it is proposed a stringent law shall be passed to punish such offenders. The committee, whilst they have been gratified with the large amount of clothing which has been furnished from the Quarter- master's Department in chief, have not been able to so well satisfy themselves that the subordinate officers of the Quartermaster's De- partment, whose business it is to distribute clothing in the field, show the same energy, promptness and care in their duties. Their means of information on this score were very limited ; but they would re- commend a committee be appointed to visit the camps and fields, with power to examine persons and papers, during the vacation. In conclusion, they offer the following resolutions for the adoption of the House : 1 . Resolved, That so much of this report as refers to the pay of the officers and soldiers, be referred to the committee of ways and means, with earnest instructions that they will immediately take efficient action, and report such legislation as is necessary to promptly pay all arrearages due the soldiers, and as will insure their future prompt payment. 2. Resolved, That so much of this report as refers to the evil of soldiers bartering and selling their clothing, be referred to the com- mittee on the judiciary, with instructions to report a bill for the punishment of all not in the military service, for purchasing or trad- ing for government clothing from soldiers and others, and making the possession of such articles prima facie evidence of such offence. 8. That this committee be discharged from the further considera- tion of the subject. S. A. MILLER, a'n. pH8.5