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__________________ 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
Ole, I read of night blindness, written in a book by a veteran Confederate officer, who served at Gettysburg. I'm also slightly familar with night blindness, as I've had a few encounters with woods on a cold dark night. And I've been in a darkened woods lighted by a full moon, where a flashlight was unneccessary.
Robert Stiles, 1836-1905
Four Years under Marse Robert.
New York; Washington: The Neale Publishing Company, 1904.
"Perhaps the most peculiar and striking fact or feature of the physical condition of General Lee's army during the latter half of the war was night blindness--the men affected being unable to see after sunset, or a little later."
"I do not know what proportion of the men were so affected, but it is safe to say that thousands were. Many of them were as good and true men as any in the service; indeed, I have seen men led by the hand all night in order to go into battle with the command in the morning."
"The doctors tell us that these symptoms were to be accounted for as among the expressions of an anaemic and scorbutic condition, which condition resulted from lack of proper and sufficient nutrition. It would be interesting to know
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to what extent, if at all, the Federal armies were so affected. There may have been investigations and reports embodying this and other points of interest with regard to the matter, but, if so, I have never seen them. Indeed, my purpose is merely to record the fact, which I believe to be for the most part unknown even to the intelligent public of this generation."
[Stiles was a Confederate artillery officer at Gettysburg]
Sounds logical, Whitworth. Just wonder why others haven't picked up on it. Perhaps someone with medical knowledge could jump in and give an opinion. I wonder what the Confederates weren't eating that might have led to this condition?
Perhaps the clue is in, "the latter half of the war," and "Lee's Army." I can imagine that the AoNV didn't get veggies that they couldn't scrounge, so maybe we're talking about something as simple as a shortage of carrots and apricots?
During that latter half, that part of Virginia that wasn't occupied by either army was pretty well overworked. What was coming up the rails was less food than ordnance.
Thanks for the links. I'd feel better about them if others had mentioned it. Perhaps, because there were so few night movements, it wasn't considered important?
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
Pretty much the entire Confederacy is having food troubles of some sort. You only need to look at the prices for basic foodstuffs which are rising not only in Confederate dollars but also in greenbacks (less affected by inflation). Foote makes constant reference to the 'scarecrows' that are Lee's army....Army of Northern Virginia is one of the toughest armies you'll ever read about, but its not on the list of best fed.
Gents, from my studies I've determined the AoT CS suffered feast or famine w/ very little in between. One of the advantages of serving under competant command... During the Atlanta campaign they ate pretty well. Chattanooga there were mountains of supply about ten miles behind... it wasn't getting to the men who needed it Due to an inept if not absolutely incompetant supply sys. Again under hood when he cut loose from his supply lines to invade TN.
It's interesting to find similar patterns w/ the ANV, which only seemed to really go hardcore short of food a couple times. the Antietem & Gettysburg campaigns as well at times in Petersburg. A more capable QM w/ shorter & more consistant supply lines from the depots.
The legend of the ragged rebel apply to certain time periods, not all four years at all. When looked at like that one has to wonder.
__________________ Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
Reading Confederate Veteran Magazine, p. 66, June, 1909 I came across the following:
Quote:
On May 27, 1863 our regiment was put in General Quarles's Tennessee Brigade. He (Lieutenant P.R. Brewer) led the company in the night engagement on the right of the army on the 28th of May, but his most conspicuous act was when he led the company into the attack upon the Federals at Jonesboro, Ga., on August 31, 1864....
This quote refers to Lieutenant P.R. Brewer of the 1st Louisana Infantry.
So, there was a night engagement on May 27, 1863 in which Quarles' brigade was involved? The author may mean 1864 instead.
Around Northern Virginia, around Fairfax Court House, Chantilly, Manassas, Fairfax Station (railroad)-- Mosby raided regularly at night as well as during the day.
Famous raid by Captain Mosby, was the capture of Brig. General Edwin Stoughton a little after 2 AM. Mosby spanked Brig. General Stoughton awake. [REFERENCE: Mosby's Rangers.com-has pictures also]
I'm sure there have been other engagements and battles at night. Especially, if it was light due to a full moon and clear weather.
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