Can you explain....?

[SCDigginWithAK]

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

 

[St Albans Raid]

Greetings from Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmont!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder what ACS means too!

 

[NedBaldwin]

'Commissary of Subsistence' is a staff position responsible for food supplies to the troops.
'Acting' would mean that he held the position unofficially or temporarily.

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

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

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Thank yall very much!

 

[Tom Elmore]

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.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Thanks for the explanation Tom, Ned, and Bonny Blue! Y'all helped a lot!

 

[rhettbutler1865]

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...

 

[DixieRifles]

Ahh! I thought there was a permanent position, not temporary, called ACS.