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Want of subsistence for the troops
| During the Civil War the Commissary Department was responsible for the procurement of food stuffs for the army and the Quartermaster Department was responsible for the transportation of same. In the trans-Mississippi there was often a shortage of subsistence (food) or wagons and/or mules to transport the critical rations to the troops. In the spring of 1863 there was a critical shortage of wagons and mules in Fort Scott that prevented the shipment of subsistence to the command of Col. William A. Phillips that was located near Maysville, Ark. This shortage of rations, or subsistence, required the troops to be placed on reduced rations until a sufficient supply could be provided. All of this is described in the following letter that is located in Vol. 22, Part II, Correspondence of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion on Pages 147 and 148. | "Headquarters District of Kansas, |
In the Field, Fort Scott, March 9, 1863.
[To] Colonel William A. Phillips, Commanding Indian Brigade:
Dear Colonel: On my arrival here, I found several dispatches from you, relating to the affairs in Western Arkansas and the Indian Territory [present Okl-ahoma] and also obtained information from Dr. Gillpatrick, corroborating your statements.
I am highly gratified at the results of your efforts to hold your advanced position and also your exertions to provide, as far as in your power, for the unfortunate loyal Indian families that have been dependent upon the Government for sustenance. I shall necessarily have to leave the details of the disposition of the forces under your command to yourself, having full confidence in your judgment and skill to conduct their operations for the best interest of the service.
The main points that I desire you to keep in view are, briefly, these: That the country to the Arkansas River must be occupied at the earliest day practicable, which will be as soon as the grass is sufficiently raised to sustain animals. It is important that this movement be made as soon as possible, in order to prevent the organization and concentration of Rebel forces that have been temporarily disbanded and to facilitate the raising of the two new Indian Regiments [4th and 5th Regiments of Indian Home Guards], the officers of which I have ordered to report to you and are now on their way.
The GREATEST OB-STACLE in the way of an early movement will be "WANT OF SUBSISTENCE", as it will be difficult to get a SUPPLY TRAIN down to the Arkansas River before grass and our transportation here [in Fort Scott] is rather limited at present. I shall, however, do the best I can for you. You should not detain any of the wagons from the supply trains, but have them unloaded and returned promptly. Captain Insley [Quartermaster at Fort Scott in charge of supply trains] will probably be able to send 140 WAGONS in the next [supply] train. You must economize in the matter of rations as much as possible. It is better the command be placed on half rations (except beef) for a short time then that there should be any delay in occupying the country.
In moving your forces south, you must provide for the protecting your flank and rear and the supply trains. A small force should be kept at Maysville and such other points as may be deemed advisable; for this purpose you can use Arkansas troops. I will endeavor to have a force sent to Neosho to relieve the troops there belonging to your command and I shall send a sufficient force of White troops to Fort Smith to occupy that post as soon as they are placed at my disposal. You will encourage and facilitate the organization of loyal men in Western Arkansas. All will be received who offer as infantry and must be organized in accordance with the law and existing orders. A mustering officer will be sent to you as soon as one can be procured. In the meantime, recruits can be enrolled and sworn and then their muster will date back to the time of their enlistment. I will urge the payment of your command with as little delay as possible and endeavor to have them paid up to the last of February, 1863.
Colonel Coffin has made arrangements for taking the refugee Cherokees back [form Kansas] as soon as the country is occupied by troops; has provided seeds, farming implements, etc. I think it advisable that the refugees locate and form for the present season, at least, in colonies and at such places as maybe selected as depots or military posts. This will afford them protection and enable the Indian soldiers to assist in cultivating a crop when not otherwise engaged. I would suggest Tahlequah, Park Hill, Fort Gibson and Lewis Ross' place as among the points suitable for occupancy. It is also desirable that you put some of the salt works in operation at an early day and manufacture sufficient salt for your command and the loyal people.
| Keep me informed frequently of all of your movements and matters generally in the Indian Country and Western Arkansas. I shall leave here [Fort Scott] for Fort Leavenworth on the 12th instant. | Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
JAMES G. BLUNT
Brigadier General,
Commanding."
Now, eventually, later in March of 1863 a sufficient number of wagons and teams of mules were acquired locally by Captain Insley and others were transferred from Fort Leaven-worth to Fort Scott so that the rations could be shipped south to Colonel Phillips command. The troops were taken off reduced rations and of course the war went on!