1862 February 16 Raleigh

[from the diary of Charles Hay, Co. H, 23rd Ohio]

Raleigh, Sunday, Feb’y 16th, 1862.
This is so much like other days, because
our duties are not materially different from
other days; that soldiers are often unable to
tell the day of the week, and quite frequently
a Sunday has passed without our being aware
of the fact. Many of last summer’s marches
were performed on Sunday, and though I
believe proper respect should be paid to the
Sabbath, yet it is almost impossible to do
so in the army. For instance, we are as
much exposed on Sundays as well as other
days, consequently the same strict watch must
be kept, and guards must be detailed for that
purpose. The same caution must be exercised,
the same preparations made, and in nearly
every respect the same routine of duties must
be performed on all days nearly alike, so that a
distinction is hard to make. Today some of our
men are employed in hauling wood for the company,
and very likely this labor could not be avoided
at this time, or postponed until the next day,
for reasons unnecessary to mention.

and while I am speaking of Sunday, I will say
something of Chaplains. I do not wish to be
considered personal, but, so far as my observation
and information has extended, I have formed
the opinion that Chaplains, like sutlers, are
perfect nuisances, particularly in a Volunteer army,
actively engaged in the field, and that the sooner
the institution is totally abolished, so much better
will it be for the people and the Government.
The pay & emoluments of a Chaplain is that of a Captain
of cavalry, amounting to over $140 per month,
a snug little sum, and more than our Government
is able to lavish on any one, at the time of
financial embarrassments like the present. This
amount is sufficient to awaken the avarice of
many, consequently, there will be considerable
strife to obtain so easy and lucrative a position,
and most likely some incompetent, and, possibly,
not over=pious Candidate is the lucky one, but
little attention being paid to qualifications or
fitness; a smooth address and a white neck=cloth being
powerful influences, where the appointing power “fills the
letter,” caring little for “the spirit of the law”.
I have mentioned sutlers, and have con=
=sidered them in no enviable light, and I
think reasons sufficient can be adduced to
substantiate the assertion that they are, as a
general thing, contemptible nuisances and cheats,
who, taking advantage of the necessities and
wants of soldiers, dispose of articles to them
for three times their real value, and seldom,
if ever, do these blood=thirsty leeches offer or
keep for sale a simply common article,
but a condemned and inferior one.
They could easily be dispensed with, for
they are of very little benefit, and, on
the whole, are of more injury than good.
The thing who keeps on hand for sale articles
of a very inferior quality and for which an
exhorbitant price is demanded, and if the
buyer demurs, the seller, fearing no competition,
is insolent and unaccommodating, is nothing
more than a common swindler & robber,
who will not compare favorably with
Floyd and Cameron, of War Department
notoriety.


MSS 13925