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Of course he did. But I've never read anywhere that he skirmished or was seen skirmishing against them. I've read that Grant sat himself down and waged a private's war like all the other privates (and officers). So, has anyone ever read that Lee skirmished with the best of them?
From what I've heard, virtually no one was immune, but I'm guessing that generals probably had better access to soap and fresh underwear (not to mention orderlies and laundry facilities).
A great many accounts relate soldiers gleefully splashing in a creek while they relieved themselves of might be imagined as odious auras, but I don't think I've ever read of an account of a general doing the same. (Maybe I don't want to -- the mental picture forbids.)
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Of course he did. But I've never read anywhere that he skirmished or was seen skirmishing against them. I've read that Grant sat himself down and waged a private's war like all the other privates (and officers). So, has anyone ever read that Lee skirmished with the best of them?
Hell, if the Lost Cause stories are to be believed Lee never even had occasion to use the latrine.
That is stretching it Matt. No one can figure that Lee never had to step behind a tree and whiz now and then. Maybe not?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I will have to dwell on that thought for about three minutes, Handler. One. Two. Three. Lee never whizzed behind a tree. Nuff said.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
But I am haunted by the vision of the frog-belly white, slightly paunchy and crepey Bobby Lee bathing in the river. I'd rather retain the picture that he never whizzed behind a tree.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Oh my--what a mental image! However, I did look up what I have within the Official Records and such; to which there are recollections of several, concerning lice. However, no officer -- other than POWs, talked about lice.
Further, I would think personal hygiene would be something you didn't talk about in polite company and or in the presence of officers-- especially high ranking ones.
However, with modern infestations of lice; going to school with someone who had lice; they seemingly jumped onto the next victim's body or anything warm. That said, with the materials soldiers had to wear--warm was their constant temperature, until they were in the late Fall or Winter.
Prisons were the worst--the stories are too much and too graphic to post here (in my opinion).
With the higher ranking Generals, I would think if they did have lice; they would make short work of it. As, they had their staff to take messages from possible lice infested orderlies, couriers, etc. If they jumped on the staff, they could jump on the generals. But, generals did have the luxuries other than food and supplies. Creeks, buckets and sand, lye soap, boiling water for clothes.
IF memory serves me well; General Lee had a hen that lived in his tent. If he got lice, it was likely the chicken that had lice and or other bugs on it during it's grazing and could hop onto bedding, clothes, etc.
And, in regard to nature's call -- I am sure the General used his chamber pot or designated areas.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
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Did General Lee have lice? 
never even had occasion to use the latrine.
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