USA > New York > New York City > The Union defence committee of the city of New York. Minutes, reports, and correspondence; with an historical introduction > Part 12
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4-" Sharp's B. L. rifles" are noted as being charged at $45, while they were only worth $37.50.
It is not easy to ascertain upon what principles this question of the value of rifles has been settled.
Sharp's rifles are sold by the manufacturer at prices ranging from $30 to $75, according to size of bore and finish of workman- ship. An opportunity is afforded, however, for a safe decision on one point involved in this question. The precise article under re- view-a veritable rifle recovered from the Quaker City-is now in the possession of the Committee, and stands at my elbow while I write, and its exact marked value is $45. The armory of this Com- mittee has been found quite useful of late to the Government. It has supplied the War Department with Sharp's rifles at $30, and others at 835. The Committee have not yet met with any of this article, the price of which was $37.50.
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5-" Hall's carbines," charged at $8, are estimated in this com- ment at 83, with this note added : "Hall's carbines have been sold out of the service at $3 each, and a bargain at that." It is not clearly made to appear whether the bargain was with the seller or buyer, but it is pretty well known that Hall's carbines have been twice sold out of service, and twice the same carbines have been repurchased by officers of the Government. It does not devolve upon the Union Defence Committee to defend either the sale or pur- chase of arms by the United States, but I have recently read in a Congressional report the testimony of Major Hagner, an officer of high reputation in the army, in which he gives the opinion that this precise article (Hall's carbine), which had been sold (out of service) was now, with a slight alteration, worth in the service $10 to $12. Further, while I write I have lying before me the copy of a bill for nine hundred and twenty Hall's carbines, sold by this Committee at the cost price of $9 each, to Major Hagner on the 7th of August last. This bill certified by that officer to be "correct and just," has been paid at the Treasury Department.
6-" Iron mounted musketoons," charged at $9, are subjected to the following remarks : " Iron mounted musketoons" must be a new arm, not known in the present day, and in all probability not worth its weight in old iron."
I do not feel called on to express an opinion in regard to the comment above quoted, but will content myself by referring to the following item in the Bill of Arms purchased of the Committee by Major Hagner, before mentioned : "Fifty-seven musketoons at $12 -$684."
I have never heard the character of that officer impugned ; his integrity is unquestioned in the army, and his acquaintance with every description and quality of arms in use in the present day un- disputed. If, however, Major Hagner should need any justification in this instance, he will find it by referring to the U. S. Ordnance Manual, where the arm in question is duly recognized, and more especially in the revised edition of the Army Regulations, edition 1861, page 395, where this arm is treated of under three separate heads, namely, the Artillery musketoon, the Cavalry musketoon, and the Sapper's musketoon, the latter being "iron mounted," and the cost of the manufacture being stated at $10.37. The latter was the kind put on board the Quaker City, as I am informed and believe.
7-" Two hundred and fifty cutlasses " are charged at $3 each, and this is the comment thereon, accompanied by a double note of
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interrogation, ? ?: "The cutlasses were perhaps sheet-iron blades, picked out of scrap shops."
Instead of discussing what "perhaps " might have been the case, I prefer and will state it and treat it according to the facts. The cut- lasses were steel blades, with heavy brass hilts and scabbards; they were intended, as was the principal armament on board this steamer, to serve a double purpose, in being useful at sea or on land-were cutlasses for the sailor, or cavalry sabres for the soldier, and were purchased of the most extensive business house in New York deal- ing in arms.
8-The following is a general comment affecting the entire bill : " Boxes out of all proportion to material delivered." I have taken the trouble to test this criticism, and I find it to be untenable. Taking the practice of the Army Ordnance as a guide, I am satisfied that no box or case has been charged for, that was not necessary for the due preservation of the property, nor is there a single instance of overcharge which I have been able to detect. This is a question not to be disposed of in such an off-hand manner. Fifteen thousand dollars' worth of valuable property, especially liable to injury from exposure, such as ships' guns, rifles, cutlasses and boarding pikes, might not necessarily involve an expenditure of five dollars for protection, but the officer who should venture to place on board a ship of war fitted for a sea voyage a hundred superior breech-loading rifles, with all their delicate implements, with- out properly securing them from injury in appropriate cases, would simply be giving evidence of his total unfitness for his station.
I do not propose to pursue this inquiry any further; the re- maining items are unimportant, and cannot be successfully ques- tioned. " It appears to me quite apparent that arms and munitions of war, intended for army use, are not as familiar to the other branch of the public service as might have been expected from its well-known intelligence.
Permit me now to remind you of the anomalous condition in which the Committee find themselves in regard to this well-meant effort on their part to serve the Government. They expended for the object in view about fifteen thousand dollars, having therewith armed and put into the service one of the most effective war steamers employed on the Southern sea-coast. That this expenditure in due season became known to the Navy Department would seem to be apparent from the fact of the receipt by the Committee of the fol- lowing official document :
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(Copy.)
"ORDNANCE OFFICE, NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, June 5, 1861.
"SIR: I am about to render my accounts to the Bureau of Ordnance for the past month, including the arms, ammunition, etc., received from the Union Defence Committee, and having to attach the cost of all articles received for the use of the Government, I would respectfully request your Committee to furnish me with an invoice of the articles delivered to this yard.
"Very respectfully, your ob't servant,
" GUERT GANZEVOORT, " Com'd'r in Charge Ordnance.
" Forwarded by Sam'l L. Breeze, Comm'dt."
The invoice asked for was furnished to the ordnance officer. On presenting the voucher for the expenditure to the Navy Depart- ment for reimbursement the following answer was received : "The Secretary had no recollection of making requisitions or authorizing the purchasing of these articles." The claim was thereupon referred to the Ordnance Bureau, where it remains, doubtless accompanied by the strictures which it has been the purpose of this communica- tion to answer.
The response of the Secretary of the Navy was undoubtedly given in good faith ; the Navy Department could scarcely have made either requisitions or purchases for the sea-coast defence on the 25th of April last. Fortunately for the public safety, there were those actively engaged in its behalf who did not wait for requisi- tions.
About three months since, this steamer, then having become a national vessel of war, returned to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repair and outfit. A week after her arrival, information came acci- dentally to the Committee that in breaking out the armament found on board, a quantity of arms, ammunition, etc., had been put on shore, and was lying exposed to loss and injury, which it was thought (by the informant) belonged to the Union Defence Committee. After repeated unsuccessful efforts, the agent of the Committee ob- tained and placed in their armory the larger portion of the arma- ment in question. A portion of it had been injured by bad usage and exposure to weather, but upon the whole the recovery of this property was considered fortunate.
A careful account was taken and certified by competent persons, with the following result:
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Cost of armament placed on board Quaker City, April, 1861 $15,013 75 Value of articles recovered from the open grounds and landing places of Brook- lyn Navy Yard, a portion only being in proper order, 5th October, 1861. 10,220 00
Balance to debit of United States $4,793 75
The original charter of the Quaker City by the Union Defence Committee was for thirty days. Subsequently this period was ex- tended to two months, and at that time was assumed by the Gov- ernment, when she was finally purchased by the United States and became one of the most efficient vessels of the blockading squadron.
It may not be out of place in this connection to remind you of a portion of the services rendered by that vessel while employed under charter with this Committee, and with the armament thus furnished.
Under the first charter of thirty days she made the following captures :
May 14. Ship North Carolina.
" 20. Bark Pioneer, from Liverpool.
" 25. Bark Winifred, from Rio, with coffee.
Under the second charter, with the same armament, she cap- tured :
May 30. Schooner Lynchburg, from Rio.
June 4. Bark General Greene, from Cuba.
" 26. Bark Sallie Mager, from Rio.
Subsequently, under Government authority, the Quaker City captured :
July 1. Schooner Sallie Mears, from Trinidad.
" 10. Brig Amy Warwick, from Rio.
It is quite an important fact to state further that one ship and cargo captured under the earlier charters was tried and condemned under decree of Admiralty Court; and that decree, involving more than a hundred thousand dollars, may be fairly claimed as subject to the rights of the Union Defence Committee.
I have met with no evidence to show that any other steamer employed on the Atlantic coast has during the same period per- formed more efficient or more economical service to the loyal in- terest of the United States than the Quaker City.
What view the Navy Department, under the advice of the 10
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Ordnance Bureau, may adopt in regard to the reimbursement of this balance I do not presume to conjecture. But I am quite sure the Union Defence Committee have done neither more nor less than their duty to the country in the case under notice ; and I know they have found abundant cause for thankfulness that they had the oppor- tunity and the means for rendering essential aid to the National Government at a period and under circumstances when it was scarcely able to protect itself.
I shall be happy to furnish any further information in my pos- session in regard to this or any other transaction of the Committee which it may be your pleasure to ask for.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, P. M. WETMORE, Secretary Ex. Committee Union Defence Committee.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL.
NEW YORK, May 20, 1861.
The Special Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Union Defence Committee for that purpose, beg leave respectfully to present a draft report, to be presented to His Honor the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of New York.
William M. Evarts, Chairman, Edwards Pierrepont, Isaac Bell, J. J. Astor, Jr., A. C. Richards.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the City of New York :
The Union Defence Committee of the City of New York have the honor to report to the Mayor and Common Council of the city of New York that in the administration of the trust reposed in this Committee in and by the ordinance of the Common Council ap- proved by the Mayor on the 23d of April, 1861, in the disburse- ment of the sum of $1,000,000, appropriated in and by said ordi- nance, they have expended for the uses and purposes prescribed by the terms of said ordinance the amounts hereinafter stated.
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Under the direction of the sub-committee on application for provisions and supplies, for provisions and water-proof blankets the sum of $4,100.
Under the direction of the sub-committee on purchases of arms and ammunition, for these articles $155, 479.
Under the direction of the sub-committee on aid to regiments, they have made appropriations under four principal heads as follows :
1. For the subsistence of the soldiers while the process of organ- ization and formation of regiments for acceptance by the State or by the General Government was going on ;
2. For clothing to the most destitute volunteers ;
3. For expenses of recruiting stations ;
4. For uniforms, generally fatigue uniforms, and equipments and accoutrements.
These appropriations have been in aid of fifty-four different regi- ments, complete and incomplete, and in the whole amount to the sum of $2:2,975.78, on account of which requisitions upon the Compiroller to the amount of $224, 893.68 have been issued, leav- ing a balance of such appropriations not yet drawn of $48,082.10.
The aggregate amount of the disbursements of the appropria- tion of the city actually made by the Committee under all the fore- going heads of expenditure is $384,472.68, not including the unex- pended sum of $48,802.10 appropriated by the Committee.
Under the other branch of expenditures contemplated by the ordinance, that of "aid and support of the families of such officers and men as may require the same," the Committee, up to the evening of May 18th, have disbursed the sum of $34,300, applied to the use of 3,026 families dependent upon volunteers connected with forty-three different regiments, complete and incomplete.
The number of families now receiving aid from the Committee is such as to require an expenditure at the present rates of supply of about $38,000 per week ; and in the opinion of the Committee, ad- ditions will shortly be made, in all probability, to the number of beneficiaries, which will increase the weekly expenditure under this head to about $50,000.
In respect to the future requirements of the Committee, for the continuance of their action in aid of " the necessary equipment and outfit of the military force of the city of New York," the Committee have come to the following conclusions :
1. That it is not expedient for this Committee or for the corporate authorities of the city, or for the citizens at large, to give any further aid in any form in favor of any regiment or other
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organization of troops which is not to enlist for the period of three years or the war, or which the Government of the United States is not ready to receive into its service immediately on the completion of such organization.
2. That beyond furnishing such aid as may fairly fall within their duty in the administration of the funds intrusted to their charge toward putting in the field the fourteen regiments to be selected by the Committee under the order issued by the Secretary of War, on the day of May instant, this Committee should take no part in assisting further organizations of troops in this city until a further call for troops shall be made by the General Government, which shall give some new occasion for the action of the Com- mittee.
If the action of the Committee in respect of the organization and movement of troops be limited as above suggested, the further ex- penditures of the Committee under this head, as near as they can estimate, will require about the sum of $200,000.
In regard to that branch of expenditures contemplated by the ordinance which relates to aid to the families of volunteers, the Committee beg leave respectfully to present for the consideration of the Common Council the following suggestions.
At the time that this ordinance was passed the only call for troops for the service of the General Government which had been made was that of the President's proclamation of the 15th of April, which provided for only three months' service. The sudden emergency which led to the issue of this proclamation required that its call should be instantly obeyed, and the spirit and alacrity with which the people of the loyal States, as well as the public authorities of these States, responded to this call, showed that the public necessity was well understood. It was apparent that to be of any benefit to the Government in this moment of need, the troops that should be supplied for three months' ser- vice would need to be put upon their march instantly, and that existing organizations of troops for the most part, with such supplements of volunteers as could be rapidly furnished, would alone be available for the emergency. It was obvious, therefore, that many soldiers, having families dependent upon their earnings for support, would be obliged to throw down their employments at the call of the country, without time or opportunity to make any arrangements for those dependent upon them, and all this for a military service of the brief duration of three months. It became, therefore, and was so recognized, a plain duty of the city authorities
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and patriotic citizens by private contributions to justify this instant sacrifice of the interests of their families by the citizen soldiery by an immediate and efficient provision for their present support. This, in the opinion of the Committee, was the motive upon which the appropriation of the City Government .in aid of the families of volunteers and the contributions of citizens to the same object were prompted, and which led to their uniting the duty of disbursing the same with the other principal duties of facilitating the organization and movement of troops assigned to this Committee by the generous confidence of their fellow citizens.
It is not, perhaps, for this Committee to say how far, or in what shape, this principle of public or private aid to the families of volunteers who shall become a part of the more permanent mili- tary forces of the State or Federal Government, under the late pro- clamation of the President calling for a three years' enlistment, should be maintained or applied. It is apparent that the circum- stances of a less sudden enlistment and of the more permanent employment of this latter levy, distinguished the case of these . volunteers from that of the first instantaneous rally of volunteers under the proclamation of April 15. The Committee, however, are of opinion that if a general and permanent system of aid to families of volunteers is to be maintained and applied to the more permanent organization of forces from appropriations to be made from the city treasury, the disbursement of such funds, involving the distribution of something like $2, 500,000 per annum of public moneys, through a possible period of several years, would be a subject unsuitable for continued administration by this Committee.
If, however, this Committee should continue to administer the disbursement of the aid to the families of volunteers, a further ap- propriation for that purpose would be required- from the City Government, as the balance of the $1,000,000 appropriated by the ordinance of April 23, not already expended, or not required under the above estimate for putting the fourteen regiments in the field, would be exhausted in a few weeks, at the rate of supply to families afforded by the Committee.
In estimating any probable sum that may be required for further aid to the families of needy volunteers, the Committee are decidedly of the opinion, and beg leave respectfully to represent to the Hon. the Mayor and Common Council, that the principle should be adopted of extending such aid in no case beyond the period of three months after the volunteer's enlistment.
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REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES TO WASHINGTON
Report of James S. Wadsworth]
PHILA., April 25 [1861], 11 P. M.
DEAR SIR,
Upon reflection, I decided that I could better execute my com- mission by going to Annapolis by Havre de Grace in advance of my ship. I have just had an interview with General Patterson. He did not know where any of our troops were, what was the condition of the Annapolis & Washington R.R., or what was being done about it. I have since seen Mr. Felton, the superintendent of the Balti- more Road. He informs me that the Massachusetts Sappers and Miners are at work on the road, have about eight miles finished, and twelve to complete, on which there are no very heavy repairs. On my telegraphic advice this morning, he sent me a gang of regular track hands. He thinks my tools and materials furnished .by Mr. Sloan will be much needed. He thinks there are about eight thousand troops in Annapolis, plenty of raw provisions, but confusion and some suffering. General Patterson is to send on a quartermaster from the regular army with me in the morning. I saw the orders to withdraw the troops from Cockeysville, "to prevent unnecessary excitement and irritation in Baltimore," drawn by Cameron at the request of the President. I blushed for my country and our President as I read them.
All the efficiency, energy, and capacity here is found outside the military organizations. Thompson, President Pennsylvania Central, and Felton, have accomplished almost all that has been done. They and other private citizens here and elsewhere have saved the Capital.
As the capital is now safe and the Government seems to be without a plan for the future, I think the many expenses of our Committee in chartering steamers should be reduced. It is inex- pedient to send forward large reinforcements until the organization of the army is completed, or at least made better than it is at present. Has any one authority to send home such steamers as are not needed at Annapolis ?
I will write you as often as I find time, and you can read to the Committee whatever you think worthy of their attention.
Truly, yours,
JAS. S. WADSWORTH.
SIMEON DRAPER.
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Report of Charles H. Haswell [ Special Agent]
WASHINGTON, Friday, April 29 [1861], 12 M.
SIR,
The cause of my not giving you replies to your detailed queries, accrues from the circumstance of General Scott not furnishing me with the necessary information, and as I could not hazard any upon my own inferences, I decided to await until I could effect this pur- pose of my mission, and having failed to receive such information of General Scott, I waited upon Mr. Seward this A. M. and set forth. my case, whereupon he went forthwith with me to General Scott, and received from him (the reply) that he was indisposed to com- municate with a civil commission upon such matters.
I met this position of his, and received from him the courteous acknowledgment that all that was done was efficient and satis- factory, and that until otherwise decided by the Government I was not to arrest your forwarding of troops and supplies to Annapolis.
In reply to your queries then, I have to advise :
1st. All that had left New York up to Sunday evening, are here, or between here and Annapolis.
2d. Supplies are wanted, but the details of these are not yet furnished me.
3d. Annapolis, decidedly.
4th. No advice received by me.
5th. Meat and vegetables.
6th. More force, but not with a dispatch affecting the efficiency of their equipment.
7th. It is advised of your labors and purposes; this question is answered above.
8th. No advice given me as yet.
9th. Annapolis is safe, so far as advised at this time.
I have reported to the Secretary of War regarding the railroad- engines, etc., and a person is detailed to put the road (hence to Annapolis) in thorough order.
The Postmaster-General concurs in the necessity of this route being kept effectively open.
The circumstance, that the President and his cabinet have put the entire direction of the military operations of the Government under the control of General Scott, circumscribes me in giving you the details I would like to. I am to meet him, however, at dinner this p.M. at Mr. Seward's, and I will advise of any further infor- mation I may have.
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3 p.M. Mr. Schuyler has arrived, and I have communicated with him.
I advised you yesterday of General Scott's preference to the Potomac as a source of transit for troops and ammunition, over Annapolis. I have just learned of one of his aids of a change of his opinion in this, as he fears the erection of a battery at White House Point, and other points.
I shall communicate with the Quartermaster-General, regard- ing the details of provisions required, and advise you.
12 M. I am gratified at being at length enabled to communicate to you the full success of having established the basis of my mission, which is communicated to you in the following copy of a letter I have succeeded in obtaining from General Scott, viz. :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, WASHINGTON, April 26, 1861.
" The General in Chief recognizes Charles H. Haswell, Esq., as the agent of a patriotic Committee of Citizens of New York, whose object is to aid the United States Government in procuring and forwarding army supplies of all kinds.
The Chiefs of the several Staff Bureaux are desired to make known to Mr. Haswell in what manner he can fulfill his mission to this city in reference to the several departments.
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