Can you explain....?

Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Location
South Carolina
Hello, I was wondering if y'all could explain what an Acting Commissary of Subsistence or A.C.S. was? One of my Confederate ancestors had this rank and I can't really find anything about the rank, what it means, what they were to do, etc.
Thanks for reading,
SCDigginWithAK
 
In agreement with Ned, the dept was responsible for purchasing, issuing and accounting for rations of all kinds to the men in the army.

There is more info in the National Archives, subsection Guide to Federal Records, subsection Records of the Office of the Commissary General of Subsistence. This includes administrative history and records.

--BBF
 
The "A." likely denoted Assistant. There was a Chief Commissary in an army, and there were also commissary officers at the corps, division, brigade, and regiment levels. At the regiment level, they were known as Assistant Commissaries (ACS) and typically held the rank of Captain. Officers who filled the latter position temporarily were technically Acting Assistant Commissaries (AACS). Regimental commissary officers were abolished in the Army of Northern Virginia in fall 1863, but commissary sergeants remained. Commissary officers were of course responsible for feeding the men and animals; there were commissary trains at the brigade level on up, which on the march were under the purview of the Quartermasters, so there was close cooperation between Commissary and Quartermaster personnel. Guards, teamsters and clerks were also detailed to commissary duties.
 
In agreement with Ned, the dept was responsible for purchasing, issuing and accounting for rations of all kinds to the men in the army.

There is more info in the National Archives, subsection Guide to Federal Records, subsection Records of the Office of the Commissary General of Subsistence. This includes administrative history and records.

--BBF
Nice one Bonny Blue! I didn't know either...
 

Learn About Us
About CivilWarTalk
Contact the Webmaster
Meet the Staff
Link to CivilWarTalk
Join Our Community
Register
Browse Forums
View Today's Discussions
Search the Forum
Get Help
FAQ
Student Guide
Forum Rules & Etiquette
Copyright / DMCA

     Contact Us CivilwarTalk on Facebook CivilWarTalk on YouTube CivilWarTalk on Twitter RSS Feed

Bringing the American Civil War and More to Life.
© 1999 - , CIVILWARTALK, LLC - Site Version 10.0

SlaveryTalk.com - SecessionTalk.com - CivilWarTalk.com - ReconstructionTalk.com
Back
Top