what was issued at Lexington April 6th, and what we had been able to
buy.

The commissary department of the First Brigade was now in working order,
and ready to issue rations, April 13th, but our regimental commissary
was tardy again, as at Lexington, and our officers slumbered. We had
plenty of "hard crackers," but these had become a drug with us,
consequently we were tempted to buy what was brought into camp, for
which we paid exorbitant prices. The Kentuckians here were aware of our
coming, and seemed determined to make the most of us. Some of our
officers, whose business it was to attend to these matters, did not
consider that the soldier in the ranks might be obliged to study
economy, and consequently desire the prompt issue of rations, and some
little degree of care and ingenuity in their preparation; thereby saving
them the expense of paying out here and there so much for these
luxuries. They did not seem to consider the responsibility resting upon
them. Perhaps they did not care. The thing was just here. In each
company were from fifty to seventy-five men, whose case was made better
or worse, according as their officers were watchful or slumbering. If
they had been awake, rations would have been drawn with promptness, and
properly cooked; and the consequence would have been that having enough
to eat from their own kitchen, the men would have bought the less
outside; thereby saving in the aggregate, a large sum which in many
instances was needed at home.

Chickens, weighing two and three pounds, were sold here a year ago for
one dollar per dozen. This year they sell for two dollars per dozen.
Poultry brought into camp in small quantities, sold readily at prices
varying from twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents apiece.
This included the chicken of two pound and the turkey of eighteen
pounds. Small quantities of eggs were brought into camp, and sold at
prices varying from fifteen to forty cents per dozen. They were in
demand and commanded any price. Pies were brought on in great abundance;
they were made of peaches and apples, and sold for twenty-five cents
apiece. Some, having a little mercy on the soldier, sold for ten and
fifteen cents. Peaches are very plenty in this part of Kentucky, and are
preserved and dried in large quantities.

The morning of April 15th finding nothing to eat but hard crackers and
pork, and no coffee cooking, I determined to act as commissary for one
day at least. I called