The supply of army — a suggestion.
Camp Beage, Valley of the Shenandoah, May 7th, 1862.
To the Editors of the Dispatch:
As we undoubtedly have a short supply of arms for the great struggle in which we are engaged, an experience of ten (10) months in the service has prompted me to offer a plan by which the deficiency may to some extent, be remedied, viz: Let every company of 125 men be furnished with 100 guns, by this means nearly every gun will be in the hands of an effective soldier.
A few weeks ago our company was recruited to 125 men, we now have about 80 men for duty.
Thus it is evident that a large proportion of our guns are rusting in the tents.
In the great battle of Shilch thousands of guns were in the tents of sick soldiers.
Had those guns deen in the hands of effective men, there would have been no grounds for the enemy to have claimed the victory.
Would to God all of the small arms now at Corinth could be in use at the great battle that is to be fought there in a few days.
I offer these remarks for what they are worth, hoping that a plan of this kind will soon be resorted to by the authorities.
Alpha. 