Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 35.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

War-time Graft.

The wounded in our party had been assigned to hospital quarters where, for the time being, we had much better fare. Scurvy, dysentery and fever were rife in the camp, many dying from those diseases, the number increasing as the summer wore on. Frequently it happened that those who had friends at the North would have money and clothes sent them. The money was always taken from them and entered in a book, which they were allowed to trade out at the sutler's.

However greenbacks would occasionally get in in various ways. With the money in hand they could drive a better trade. The man who could shake a dollar bill in a sutler's face received distinguished consideration, and he was certain not to blab. It was surmised that there were others, probably high in authority, who were interested in the business, and the money was pure profit to the sutler.