Quartermaster Storehouse

Quartermaster Storehouse. . Above is a drawing of what Fort Abercrombie's quartermaster storehouse may have looked like. It was constructed sometime between 1866 and 1868. The quartermaster storehouse held things such as tools, clothing, footwear, kitchen utensils, and other non-food supplies.

The quartermaster storehouse, along with the commissary storehouse, sat next to a road that ran along the north side of the fort. Supplies were brought to the fort on this road. You are standing next to the old roadbed. If you look to your right, you can see where the road went through the west gate and headed on to Fort Totten. If you look to your left, you can see where the road went through the east gate and descended to the ferryboat crossing over the Red River.

In the sketch to the left, you can see the label pointing to the quartermaster storehouse. You are standing where the tip of the label is pointing.

Calvary Quartermaster Sergeant

This cavalry quartermaster sergeant wears the typical short uniform jacket used by mounted troops in the 1860s. Notice the red sash that hangs on his left hip. This sash would be worn by senior noncommissioned officers as a symbol of their rank. He carries a curved saber and has a carbine sling running from his left shoulder to his right hip.

The quartermaster department did several important jobs at a frontier army fort including: , . Distribution of non-food supplies. , . Supplying fuel for heating and cooking. , . Operating and maintaining supply wagons. , . Providing feed and forage for horses, mules and oxen. , . Overseeing the construction and upkeep of fort buildings.