The Quartermaster Department is one of the oldest branches in the United States Army. The Department was established by the Continental Congress in June, 1775. Major General Thomas Mifflin was appointed the first Quartermaster General of the army. Brigadier General Thomas Sidney Jessup (for whom Ft. Jessup near Many, La. is named) is considered the "Father of the Quartermaster Corps". General Jessup served as Quartermaster General from 1818 to 1860 and developed the system of record keeping, procurement, and transport that were in effect in the Civil War. Several of his policies continued in effect into the 20th century.

General Jessup's death in 1860 was followed by the appointment of Joseph E. Johnston as Quartermaster General. General Johnston's tenure was short lived, lasting only ten months. He resigned in 1861 to accept a commission as a Brigadier General in the Confederate army. General Johnston had little effect on the overall operation of the Quartermaster Department.

Following Johnston's resignation, Major General Montgomery Meigs was appointed Quartermaster General. General Meigs remained in this post until 1882. Under Meigs the Quartermaster Department was expanded considerably with the need to keep over 500,000 men supplied in far flung posts. During the Civil War the Department successfully changed from a small operation geared to supplying 16,000 regular troops to a massive operation that moved millions of tons of supplies. Extensive use was made of railroad and water transport, and the depot system of supply was developed. During this period the Quartermaster Department assumed responsibility for the burial of the dead.

In 1912 the United States Congress consolidated the Quartermaster Department with the Subsistence and Pay Departments. This consolidation created the modern Quartermaster Corps.