| When you have it in contemplation to make any
enterprise on
the enemy, the commissary must be ordered to get together all the beer and brandy that he
can lay his hands on, that the army may not want these articles, at least for the first
days. As soon as the army enters an enemy's country, all the brewers and distillers who
are in the neighborhood must immediately be put in requisition: the distillers, in
particular, must be instantly set to work, that the soldier may not lose his dram, which
he can very badly spare. Protection must be afforded to the sutlers, especially in a
country whose inhabitants are fled, and where provisions cannot be had for money. At such
a time we are justified in not being over nice with respect to the peasantry.
The sutlers and women must be sent out in search of vegetables and cattle. The price of
provisions is however, a matter that requires much attention, as the soldier ought to be
allowed to purchase at a reasonable price, and at the same time the sutler should derive
an honest profit.
It may here be added, that the soldier receives gratis during a
campaign two pounds of bread per day, and two pounds of flesh per week. It is an
indulgence which the poor fellows richly deserve, especially in Bohemia, where the country
is but little better than a desert.
Convoys for the army should ever be followed by herds of cattle, for the support and
nourishment of the soldier.
|
