The purpose of building Fort Osage, and therefore establishing a military presence, was to establish and maintain political and economic stability is the region. Maintaining the peace in the territory had special overtones at this particular time. The United States was the only nation that recognized the Louisiana Purchase as valid. Immediately after signing the treaty and receiving payment, France sent troops to Santo Domingo to await orders to invade the territory and take it back by force. Spain refused to recognize the United States claim and contended that due to a previous treaty between France and Spain the treaty was illegal. England ignored any treaty with France and refused to abandon their long-standing goal of continental domination. A soldier's life at Fort Osage was not a glamorous existence. The battle was not with the Native Americans but rather with boredom, cold, and the heat and humidity. There were originally 81 enlisted men and 4 officers in the First Infantry Company under the command of Captain Ely B. Clemson. His second in command Lt. Lorimier left the garrison before the end of the year in 1808 and was replaced by Lt. John Brownson. The First Infantry remained at the Fort until March of 1813. By 1812 the number had dropped to 50 enlisted and four officers. The regulars enlisted for a minimum of five years and received $3-$4 per month. Daily rations for each private included 1.25 lbs. of beef or .75 lbs. of pork, 18 ounces of bread or flour, and one gill of rum whiskey, or brandy. The army also regularly issued candles, soap, vinegar, and salt. The soldiers had the option of engaging in "extra duty" to augment their rations and income. By working for Sibley, they could earn 10 cents per day for common labor and 16 cents for skilled trades alone. With these funds they could also earn an extra gill of rum. Furnishings for the enlisted personnel were simple. Each man had a Cassette (small wooden box) in which to store his clothing, uniforms, and personal items. Regulation allowed the men in each barracks to build or trade for a wooden table, benches, or shelves. Although the War Department specified that all furnishing were to be painted white, the supply of paint sent to the outpost varied in color that included red, green, blue, and black. The officer's Barracks, by contrast, was furnished in a manner that was in keeping with their social-economic status. Congress declared that the officers should be allowed to live as gentlemen as much as possible. At Fort Osage, the officer's quarters got the best in the factory system and consisted of four rooms on two floors with oak floorboards painted red and plastered walls. Documents indicate that Captain Clemson's wife and mother lived at the fort. Sentries were on duty 24 hours a day in the main blockhouse. To supplement their diets, the soldiers always had a garden. Punishment, most of it in form of flogging, was abolished spring of 1812. At its flag mast, Fort Osage flew the "Star Spangled Banner" flag-the only official flag with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. The soldiers raised the flag every morning at roll call and lowered it just before sundown.