By Matthew Pizzolato
A sutler's tent during the Battle of Petersburg |
Sutlers provided a
valuable service for the soldiers during the War, but there were regarded as
more of a necessary evil. The line of
tents where the sutlers set up shop was often referred to as Robber's Row.
They made goods
available that weren't provided by the Army.
They were authorized to sell goods on credit but weren't allowed to
issue credit that exceeded one-third of a man's monthly pay without the
permission of a commanding officer. Pay
for a Union private during the war was exactly $13.00 per month.
Whenever the paymaster
showed up, the sutler set up a table next to his and a large portion of the
payroll went directly to the sutler.
The goods that the sutlers
provided included grocery items like eggs, fruit, butter, cheese, and fresh or
canned meat. They also provided dry
goods such as playing cards, stationary, needles and thread, toothbrushes, straight
razors and everyday items that couldn't be done without.
The sale of liquor
was forbidden but creative sutlers dropped sliced peaches into their whiskey
bottles and would sell "pickled peaches."
Prices were set by
the Inspector General Department, but most of the enlisted men couldn't afford
the nicer items. As a way of increasing
profits, a lot of sutlers issued change in scrip or tokens that were only redeemable
at their establishments.
Sutler's Row at the
reenactments of today is an entirely different animal. By necessity, they cater to both the reenactors
and the spectators. There are modern day
foods available as well as toys for the folks who bring their children out to
watch.
The majority of what
they sell are period items ranging from any type of clothing to any type of firearm
and everything in between.
The sutlers are the
equivalent of "going to town" during a reenactment. It's one of the ways we pass the time before
or after a battle.
Matthew Pizzolato's short stories have been published online and in print. He writes Western fiction that can be found in his story collection, The Wanted Man and the novella Outlaw as well as his newest release, Two of a Kind.
Matthew is the editor and webmaster of The Western Online, a magazine dedicated to everything Western and can be contacted via his personal website or on Twitter @mattpizzolato.
Matthew is the editor and webmaster of The Western Online, a magazine dedicated to everything Western and can be contacted via his personal website or on Twitter @mattpizzolato.
Matt, this is just fascinating. I had no idea. I love learning about these Civil War facts in your re-enacting posts.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Thanks, Cheryl. I'm glad you enjoy them.
DeleteThanks, Matt. You're CW re-enactment series is fascinating. :)
ReplyDeleteYou bet, Jacquie. It's good to know folks enjoy the posts.
DeleteVery interesting, Matt. Pickled peaches! I love that ploy.
ReplyDeleteKeith
Thank you, Keith. That is an interesting ploy.
DeleteThanks for an informative post - always useful stuff in this here blog!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, J.E.S.
DeleteRobber's Row, HA! I knew sutlers had the soldiers by the... er, ahem. Good thing your friends and folks coming to reenactments aren't robbed blind the same way. ;-)
ReplyDelete