History of Sutlers Store

A Brief History of the US Army Sutlers Store

The Sutler on a military post was a civilian who had a license to operate a general store on the post. Although prices were regulated by the government, it remained a highly profitable enterprise. Most Sutlers Stores contained an Officers' Club and the enlisted men's bar. The bar also served sarsaparilla for the more genteel ladies. This was the forerunner of the modern day PX and these stores began to operate just prior to the Civil War.

Some of these Sutlers Stores were of a more permanent nature as seen here above and some even had temporary guest lodgings on the second floor or in a lean to out back.

Most of them were temporary structures or tents as seen here with the Army of the Potomac curing the Civil War. You’ll note the soldiers elbowed up to the bar at the end of the tent.

There was an assortment of goods available (as seen in this reproduction) both for the soldier and the local population and some Sutlers even sold to the Indians.

There was dried and canned meat, flour, sugar, coffee as well as cheese, penny candy and sarsaparilla also canned fruits and vegetables and lots of kitchen utensils for the Mess hall as well as the NCO and officer’s wives. The Troop Supply Sergeant or the Regimental Quartermaster Officer would pay the Sutler with War Department vouchers for items the units purchased. Oftentimes the individual troops were stationed far away from the Regimental HQS post so these items once purchased had to be transported with the troop mule drawn wagon(s) as seen in the next photograph.

Typical Regimental Supply wagon taking supplies from the Sutlers Store to the forward cavalry posts on the Western Plains.

Sutlers Store Prices from days gone by

Sutlers Store in the field during the Civil War.

Sam Reinert
CPT MP USAR (Ret)
Founder
545th Military Police Company Association
626 1/2 South 9th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA
(765) 962 4627 phone & FAX
http://545thmpassn.com/

The 545th MP Association Sutlers Store Catalog created and maintaned by the association

Web Master SSG Victor Alvarez (Ret) email: newyorkrican264@gmail.com


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	A Brief History of the US Army Sutlers Store The Sutler on a military post was a civilian who had a license to operate a general store on the post. Although prices were regulated by the government, it remained a highly profitable enterprise. Most Sutlers Stores contained an Officers' Club and the enlisted men's bar. The bar also served sarsaparilla for the more genteel ladies. This was the forerunner of the modern day PX and these stores began to operate just prior to the Civil War. Some of these Sutlers Stores were of a more permanent nature as seen here above and some even had temporary guest lodgings on the second floor or in a lean to out back. Most of them were temporary structures or tents as seen here with the Army of the Potomac curing the Civil War. You’ll note the soldiers elbowed up to the bar at the end of the tent. There was an assortment of goods available (as seen in this reproduction) both for the soldier and the local population and some Sutlers even sold to the Indians. There was dried and canned meat, flour, sugar, coffee as well as cheese, penny candy and sarsaparilla also canned fruits and vegetables and lots of kitchen utensils for the Mess hall as well as the NCO and officer’s wives. The Troop Supply Sergeant or the Regimental Quartermaster Officer would pay the Sutler with War Department vouchers for items the units purchased. Oftentimes the individual troops were stationed far away from the Regimental HQS post so these items once purchased had to be transported with the troop mule drawn wagon(s) as seen in the next photograph. Typical Regimental Supply wagon taking supplies from the Sutlers Store to the forward cavalry posts on the Western Plains. Sutlers Store Prices from days gone by Sutlers Store in the field during the Civil War. Sam Reinert CPT MP USAR (Ret) Founder 545th Military Police Company Association 626 1/2 South 9th Street Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA (765) 962 4627 phone & FAX http://545thmpassn.com/ The 545th MP Association Sutlers Store Catalog created and maintaned by the association Web Master SSG Victor Alvarez (Ret) email: newyorkrican264@gmail.com