#118-CIVIL WAR SALE: NEW HAMPSHIRE SUTLER 'CHECK' TO DEDUCT PURCHASE AMOUNT FROM SOLDIER'S PAY

One of the facets of the Civil War that I found very interesting as I researched and wrote about the war were two non-combat aspects--Sanitary fairs and the Sanitary Commission and the concepts of sutlers who traveled with a specific regiment. You will find numerous Sanitary Fair and Commissions in this sale, and also other sutler documents similar to this one.

And since the sutler and soldiers were never very far apart from one another, the sutler didn't mind extending credit. The soldier could purchase items whether he had the cash or not and the sutler would in turn fill out this type of voucher and give it to the regimental paymaster. The soldier could get his items--virtually all necessities as there was no room for anything that could be called an extravagance--and some time later he would see the amount deducted from his pay.

The sutlers provided an invaluable resource for soldiers who were far from home and far from any store for a very long time . They might purchase a pair of socks, a bar of soap or writing paper, envelope and stamp, or a coffee pot or small pan--anything!