'The Kronprinz Ferdinand (4th) Kurassier Regiment then recruited in Upper Austria and there were many rich sons of peasant farmers in the regiment, who received monthly allowances from their relatives, often up to 10 Gulden. After my first month as the regimental Adjutant, I began to receive enquiries from the squadron administrative Wachtmeisters (senior cavalry NCOs) as to why no weighty letters had arrived for their men. My enquiries of the Rechnungsfuhrer (regimental accountant) were answered with "none received". As the enquiries from the squadrons were repeated, I went to question the Rechnungsfuhrer again. On the spur of the moment, I went round to the Accountant Office at noon, while the Furiere (quartermaster sergeant) was not around and found the Rechnungsfuhrer in the act of opening a letter, with several simlar ones lying opened on his desk and next to them the banknotes removed from them.

His surprise at my appearance clearly showed what he was up to, but he tried to have me believe they were the first letters which had been received. I couldn't believe this to be the true story, but in order not to cause offence with an accusation, I confided first in the Chaplain, who sent me straight to the Auditor, who then took the matter over to prepare the evidence for the Colonel. The Rechnungsfuhrer was subjected to an investigation and so many examples of fraud were discovered in his Accounts Records, that when the military judicial process was complete, he was sentenced to 10 years hard labour in the fortress at Munacs (now on the edge of the Carpathian mountains in Western Ukraine), but was lucky to escape en route.'

From: M. von Thielen, 'Erinnerungen aus dem Kriegserleben eines 82 jahrigen Veteranen der oesterreichischen Armee' (1863), p. 11 (covering 1805)

Notes

The Things People Say or Well, They Would Say That, Wouldn't They
1808 Court Case: Brothel Payments
Don't Send It Through The Post! Kronprinz Ferdinand (4th) Kurassier Regiment Letters
Dr. David Chandler and Jack Sibley