MARCH 15, 1864:
Supply and distribution of military issue had
been an ugly sticking point throughout the Civil War.
Particularly in the early days of the war, shortages and profiteering had heavily impacted the availability of soldiers’ gear on both sides of the line. Throughout 1861, 1862, and on into early 1863, many fighting men ended up barefoot, North and South, since after several battles and interminably long marches their footgear would fall to pieces --- and could be replaced only catch-as-catch can.
The Union was aggressive in addressing its shortages (and its profiteers). After the resignation of Secretary of War Simon Cameron, his successor Edwin Stanton frequently slept in his office chair since he was at work often ‘round the clock dealing with suppliers.
By the Spring of 1863, every Union man had a foot locker bulging full of spare clothes and gear back at headquarters. Replacement gear was easily obtained for the asking. In the field the men were forced, of course, to make do with whatever they could carry.
On this day, Charles Lepley, of the 103rd Pennsylvania, Company E, notes in his diary:
Several inches of snow fell last night but now at 12 [o’clock] it has almost disappeared by the influence of the Sun. Yesterday I Drawed 1 pr Pantaloons & 1 pr shoes.
Particularly in the early days of the war, shortages and profiteering had heavily impacted the availability of soldiers’ gear on both sides of the line. Throughout 1861, 1862, and on into early 1863, many fighting men ended up barefoot, North and South, since after several battles and interminably long marches their footgear would fall to pieces --- and could be replaced only catch-as-catch can.
The Union was aggressive in addressing its shortages (and its profiteers). After the resignation of Secretary of War Simon Cameron, his successor Edwin Stanton frequently slept in his office chair since he was at work often ‘round the clock dealing with suppliers.
By the Spring of 1863, every Union man had a foot locker bulging full of spare clothes and gear back at headquarters. Replacement gear was easily obtained for the asking. In the field the men were forced, of course, to make do with whatever they could carry.
On this day, Charles Lepley, of the 103rd Pennsylvania, Company E, notes in his diary:
Several inches of snow fell last night but now at 12 [o’clock] it has almost disappeared by the influence of the Sun. Yesterday I Drawed 1 pr Pantaloons & 1 pr shoes.
Lepley’s Confederate counterparts could never
draw from their Quartermasters quite so easily as did Lepley. As a rule, and unlike Yankees, Rebels used
their gear until it was no longer salvageable.
However, after having had too many men fight barefoot, ragged, and ill-equipped at Antietam and Gettysburg, the Confederate Army Quartermaster Corps had become far more strict about keeping the men well supplied. The typical barefoot Confederate of 1864 was usually a farm boy who enjoyed walking without shoes (though he would wear them in battle).
Increasingly severe shortages suffered by Rebel civilians were exacerbated by the Confederate government’s policy of directing the first and best of all materials to the army.
A General Order issued just before the Battle of Chickamauga mandated that all men sent into battle must be properly supplied, dressed, and shod. Richmond made certain that Rebel troops in 1864 were not, as the popular media of today would have it, a mob of armed ragamuffins.
However, after having had too many men fight barefoot, ragged, and ill-equipped at Antietam and Gettysburg, the Confederate Army Quartermaster Corps had become far more strict about keeping the men well supplied. The typical barefoot Confederate of 1864 was usually a farm boy who enjoyed walking without shoes (though he would wear them in battle).
Increasingly severe shortages suffered by Rebel civilians were exacerbated by the Confederate government’s policy of directing the first and best of all materials to the army.
A General Order issued just before the Battle of Chickamauga mandated that all men sent into battle must be properly supplied, dressed, and shod. Richmond made certain that Rebel troops in 1864 were not, as the popular media of today would have it, a mob of armed ragamuffins.
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