In modern renenactment units the Quartermaster function typically provides services that were usually assigned to two departments during the Civil War period. These services include the both the normal Quartermaster function and that of the Commissary Department. Few reenactment units are sufficiently staffed to create separate departments. Furthermore, since the typical reenactment does not entail the long term subsistence of large numbers of troops, and Commissary staff would often have little to do, combining these functions seems appropriate. Thus the duties of both Quartermaster and Commissary NCOs are discussed here.

Regular regiments (of the old army) of both infantry and artillery were authorized to have one regimental Quartermaster sergeant appointed by the regimental commander, usually upon the recommendation of the regimental Quartermaster. Regular regiments of infantry in the new army (infantry regiments above 10) were authorized to have three battalion Quartermaster and three battalion Commissary sergeants appointed. Artillery units in the new army were permitted two regimental Quartermaster, one regimental Commissary, and one Quartermaster sergeant for each company.

Volunteer regiments of infantry and artillery were authorized to have one Quartermaster and one Commissary sergeant appointed in the same manner. Cavalry units were authorized one regimental Quartermaster sergeant, one regimental Commissary sergeant, and a Quartermaster and a Commissary sergeant per company. In all cases the regimental Quartermaster and Commissary sergeants rank just below the regimental Sergeant Major. However, they are not authorized to command line troops unless assigned to them for detail related to their duties.

Wagon trains are assigned to the care of the Quartermaster Department. Although the senior Quartermaster officer is in charge of the train, a chief of wagons or wagonmaster is normally appointed. The Wagonmaster has the rank and pay of a sergeant of cavalry. Wagon drivers, who normally ride the mules rather than sit in wagon boxes, are given the title of waggoner. A waggoner has the rank and pay of a corporal of cavalry. Teamsetrs may also drive military wagons. Teamsters are civilians hired by the army. Depending on the need for goods, scarcity of transport, and the immediacy of danger, a teamster may make considerably more that his military counterpart.

Quartermaster and Commissary sergeants are directly under the command of their respective officers. All orders should be transmitted to them directly through that officer. Upon receiving orders from any other officer, such orders should be discussed with the QM or Comm. Officer. The QM or Comm. Officer should assume responsibility for approval of the orders or in disobeying them.

QM and Comm. sergeants must be men of great integrity as it is their responsibility to take charge of the government property entrusted to their care and to issue stores as approved by the appropriate officer. Since QM and Commissary sergeants must keep accurate records of their transactions, they must be skilled at reading and writing.

The regimental sergeant is also responsible for directing the details assigned to his department. He is the foreman of all workmen, teamsters, and laborers employed by the regiment. He receives all orders directed to these parties and should be provided with adequate assistants to aid him in carrying out orders.

Most of the work of the QM and Commissary departments is carried out by work details drawn from the companies in the regiment. All work details assigned to the QM of Commissary departments should be in the charge of a non-commissioned officer who can assist the regimental sergeant in carrying out orders.

Each evening between retreat and tattoo the QM or Commissary sergeant should report to his officer regarding how he has performed his duties that day. At this time he receives orders and instructions for the following day.

All government property must be accounted for. Clothing, garrison and camp equipage requires especial care. Thus it should be properly invoiced and marked. Unaccounted losses must be paid for from the Quartermaster funds of the regiment. Articles that are worn out and unserviceable must be kept until properly inspected and condemned. Property that is lost or destroyed should be recorded and affidavits or certificates should be obtained documenting the circumstances. Property that is transferred should be invoiced and proper receipts obtained.

Paperwork should be done promptly.

The provision of fuel and forage are important responsibilities of the Quartermaster. The provision of forage is one of the most important duties of the cavalry Quartermaster. Proper records and receipts for the issue of fuel and forage should be kept. In circumstances where it is necessary to get forage from the surrounding countryside, the person in charge of foraging parties should issue a receipt to the person from whom the forage is obtained. This receipt will enable the Quartermaster to make any payments due.

The old regiments of infantry and artillery are not allowed Commissary sergeants in their organization and these duties are performed either by the Quartermaster sergeant or a sergeant detailed to extra duty for that purpose. The Commissary/QM sergeant has control of the Commissary storehouse and both receives, issues, and superintends issues to the companies. The Commissary supervises the feeding, care, and slaughtering of cattle.

The Commissary sergeant should be strictly honest and should make frequent inspections the misappropriation of provisions. Careful records of the provisions received, issued, and on hand should be kept. Provisions that are temporarily stored in the commissary by the companies should be properly accounted for. Accounts should be squared up monthly.

Provisions are issued to companies for ten days in garrisons or permanent camps. On the march provisions are issued for 5 days or less. Ration return forms should be completed by company and consolidated for the regiment.

Subsistence stores should be stored separately under conditions that aid in their preservation. Subsistence stores should be inspected frequently for signs of spoilage. Salt meats in pickle are not safe from spoilage unless there is undissolved salt in the barrel. The barrels should be rolled over monthly and should never be exposed to a hot sun.

When hard bread is placed in boxes, it should be placed in boxes of fully seasoned wood to impart no odor or taste to the contents. A box 26 x 17 x 11 inches is an average box for pilot bread under normal circumstances. Hard bread, after thorough cooling, should be packed tightly and in uniform weight in boxes. This bread can be re-dried in boxes without removing the bread by exposing the box for a period of 40 hours at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

As the Army wagon is 22 x 42 x 114 inches in inside measurement, boxes for bacon should be 20 x 20 x 28 inches in measurement should be made for field transportation. These boxes will contain 225 pounds of bacon.

Provisions should be distributed according to regulation. Each Commissary should be furnished with proper scales and weights for apportioning supplies. Commissaries in the field have duties that differ little from those in garrison. The primary difference is that, in the field, the Commissary has more limited means to care for provisions and rarely has more on hand than is absolutely necessary.

The Commissary must turn over his stores to the Quartermaster for transportation. However, the Commissary should keep accurate records of the provisions he turns over and to keep accurate returns, invoices, and receipts. Both Quartermaster and Commissary should sign these forms.