John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[191] A large number of troops were concentrated there. Enormous quantities of supplies were forwarded through that place to the troops in the field, or were stored there for future use. Most of the quartermasters and commissaries were green volunteers, the government was short of money, and hence a large number of unpaid vouchers were soon set afloat. The greatest confusion prevailed in the accounts, and this made it necessary to give the commission supreme authority to audit, adjust, and settle all claims which might be presented. The work was complicated by the fact that the army in the field had impressed supplies from non-combatants whose loyalty was questioned. It had also been compelled to occupy the city levees and vacant lots for camping and embarking troops, and for storing and forwarding supplies. Sixteen hundred and ninety-six claims, aggregating $599,219.36, were examined and adjusted, and Dana delivered the report of the commission into the hands of the Secretary of War early in August. The service was a valuable one, and gave entire satisfaction to the government. It was besides personally interesting and instructive to Dana, not only because it familiarized him with an important branch of the military administration, but because it brought him into contact with many of the leading citizens and army officers of the Northwestern States.

The capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, followed by the occupation of Island No.10, the battle of Shiloh, and the Corinth campaign, had given the Federal forces complete control of middle and west Tennessee. The army was well to the front, threatening central Mississippi and the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Memphis, the principal commercial mart of the region, was occupied as an advanced base of operations, and during the lull in the campaign which followed the advent of winter and the transfer of Halleck to Washington as General-in-Chief,