DaveBrt
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2010
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
C. L. Webster's Entrepot is a Quartermaster's story. From a question about British knapsacks has come a major work on the purchase, importation, issue and use of Quartermaster and Ordanance material in the Confederacy. Included are the QM and Ordanance contents of each blockaderunner for which such information can be determined (a major task, requiring dozens of sources).
One particularly useful aspect for me was the identification and brief bios of many of the QM officers at the ports, arsennels and depots. I've seen many of the names, but did not understand who was which, doing what.
Unfortunately, Webster did not finish the job -- he intentionally left out the story of the Commissary and bulk supplies. He mentions that about 1/3 of the ships for which he has determined cargos were carrying only bulk goods (lead, saltpetre, salt, etc), but he does not cover that story. He also does not cover the non-QM/non-Ordnance goods brought in on private speculation.
So, the story of supplying the Southern armies with foreign goods has taken a major step forward, but is not complete. The book, however, is full of information and insights into what a Southern soldier wore/carried during the war.
The book is paperback, about 10 X 7" and has 320 pages of text (including appendixes) and 45 pages of notes. Though a bit expensive (about $40), it deserves wide circulation.
One particularly useful aspect for me was the identification and brief bios of many of the QM officers at the ports, arsennels and depots. I've seen many of the names, but did not understand who was which, doing what.
Unfortunately, Webster did not finish the job -- he intentionally left out the story of the Commissary and bulk supplies. He mentions that about 1/3 of the ships for which he has determined cargos were carrying only bulk goods (lead, saltpetre, salt, etc), but he does not cover that story. He also does not cover the non-QM/non-Ordnance goods brought in on private speculation.
So, the story of supplying the Southern armies with foreign goods has taken a major step forward, but is not complete. The book, however, is full of information and insights into what a Southern soldier wore/carried during the war.
The book is paperback, about 10 X 7" and has 320 pages of text (including appendixes) and 45 pages of notes. Though a bit expensive (about $40), it deserves wide circulation.
Bringing the