January 5, 1864---"Shame on every skulking fellow . . ."

JANUARY 5, 1864:   

Unknowingly echoing (somewhat) the ideas in General Patrick Cleburne’s private letter to General Joseph Johnston,  the Confederate Union of Milledgeville, Georgia issues a call for “Negro nurses, negro teamsters” to assume support services in the Confederate Army, and pronounces, “Shame on every skulking fellow who is loafing at home or absent from his duty.” Other than Substitutions, recently called to service, the reality is that few absent “fellows” are either skulking or loafing. Most deserters who avoid the firing squad or the stockade are just struggling to keep themselves and their families alive in these bitter days. The large majority of men at home are elderly, ill or infirm.