What are the differences between the Provost Marshal and the Quartermaster? In a letter to his mother dated August 4, 1864, Charles Moulton of the 34th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and previously a Provost Marshal clerk, tells of his new position as a clerk in the Quartermaster Department. Here are some highlights of his missive: Dear Mother: After having completed my daily duties in a new and strange field of labor I seat myself to acquaint you with the facts of the case. Ten months ago I entered the Prov. Marshals Office and at the expiration of that period my existence as a P.M. Clerk has suddenly terminated. Capt. Pratt was relieved as Prov. Marshal on Tuesday by Capt. Yontz of the 1st Md. P.H.B. Vols. and for the first time all the clerks were obliged to leave also, as the Capt. brought his own clerks with him from Sandy Hook, Md. where he was P.M. previously. .... I like my new position here first rate. My chief duties are in filling up blank abstracts, requisitions, vouchers and all sorts of Q.M. papers and records. It is a very neat job and I have a chance to display my printing faculties in headings on the sheets, etc. .... I am in the Chief Clerks room upstairs and there is another clerk with me, also a soldier, belonging to an Ohio Regt. The office is fronted with shade trees, making it cool and comfortable these warm days. And another important feature -- we have a carpet on the floor. I hardly knew how to behave -- it seems like a parlor after coming out of a dirty old Prov. Marshals habitat, where everybody is running in from morning till night and all night besides, giving no rest to any of the clerks.... Excerpt from the book entitled, Fort Lyon to Harpers Ferry: On the Border of North and South with Rambling Jour - compiled and edited by Lee C. Drickamer and Karen D. Drickamer. ~ahc
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 19:26:57 +0000
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