He was "hired" by the Quartermaster Dept to work as or with the teamsters. Quartermaster Dept was responsible for all transport vehicles, animals, and maintainace of same, including creating work crews. QM could hire outside, and/or obtain existing troops from within that might have some level of knowledge into a given needed trade. These were classified as "extra-duty" soldiers. Detached from their regular unit for either a given set time or as needed. This was usually a temporary assignment and could could be sent back and forth from the ranks as the need arose.

The .25 cents pay is extra pay per day for the extra duty assignment, which was paid out of the QM's account. Normally added in to the soldiers regular pay. The Qm kept records and filed monthly and quarterly returns (to account for the funds expended)of all persons hired.

Teamsters were typically those that handled and drove horses that pulled the baggage and supply wagons. Basicly a wagon driver. The "forge" reference may or may not be a fixed location. This is usually those detailed to maintain the horses/mules that are part of the wagon train, by re-shoeing when needed. Being detailed to the forge doesnt always mean nor imply he was working as a Blacksmith, but was working at the blacksmiths shop.

Teamsters was one of those things that there was always a need for... Those that were trusted and responsible, the Qm commonly would try to retain and keep around... So not unusual to find some folks that spent much of the war being so detailed...

Frederick