Uniforms Rebels not half-clad?

[tullock]

Distribution was always the CSA's problem, from beginning to end. That and interstate arguments.

Ryan

Numerous surviving clothing records show that 95% of issue uniforms reached the troops. Photographic evidence shows well clad soldiers right up until the end of the war.

 

[captaindrew]

The best photographic evidence that at least in the ANV uniform wise they were well supplied right to the end can be found in this article http://adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/the-confederate-soldier-of-fort-mahone.html warning, it's a bit graphic but an excellent article and clear evidence they were way better supplied than one may think.

 

[DaveBrt]

Many of Longstreet's troops received supplies direct from AOT stores during this period. Many issues were described as 'Bragg jackets' suggesting maybe Columbus Depit styles.

Longstreet's troops received new issue just before leaving Richmond. There are comments about the AOT folks being surprised at the blue uniforms Longstreet's men were wearing when they arrived in Ga.

Ony two weeks after Longstreet left Chattanooga, the Union offensive out of that city broke the very weak supply line between Bragg and Longstreet. From then until Longstreet rejoined the ANV in the Wilderness, its supply line was as I stated -- long and inadequate.

 

[bdtex]

The best photographic evidence that at least in the ANV uniform wise they were well supplied right to the end can be found in this article http://adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/the-confederate-soldier-of-fort-mahone.html warning, it's a bit graphic but an excellent article and clear evidence they were way better supplied than one may think.

That is a great article. Gonna spend more time on it this evening.

 

[DaveBrt]

I certainly agree that the Confederacy was doomed by 1865, however uniform distribution continued unabated. For example in the series of photos taken of recently paroled ANV veterans in the parks and avenues of Richmond, all are seen to be wearing newish English cloth uniforms, with many donning caps (some with waterproof covers).

These had to have run the blockade no later than the end of December. There was no production worth noting after that. Even the mills in Richmond were out of cotton in January.

 

[tullock]

These had to have run the blockade no later than the end of December. There was no production worth noting after that. Even the mills in Richmond were out of cotton in January.

Surprisingly the bulk of the jackets in the Richmond photos appear to be fairly new RD11s, which is at odds with the general timeline of Richmond jackets.

 

[tullock]

Longstreet's troops received new issue just before leaving Richmond. There are comments about the AOT folks being surprised at the blue uniforms Longstreet's men were wearing when they arrived in Ga.

Ony two weeks after Longstreet left Chattanooga, the Union offensive out of that city broke the very weak supply line between Bragg and Longstreet. From then until Longstreet rejoined the ANV in the Wilderness, its supply line was as I stated -- long and inadequate.
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Longstreet's troops received new issue just before leaving Richmond. There are comments about the AOT folks being surprised at the blue uniforms Longstreet's men were wearing when they arrived in Ga.

Ony two weeks after Longstreet left Chattanooga, the Union offensive out of that city broke the very weak supply line between Bragg and Longstreet. From then until Longstreet rejoined the ANV in the Wilderness, its supply line was as I stated -- long and inadequate.

It would seem that large amounts of clothing were received by Longstreet's troops in October. For example Major JC Bryan of Anderson's Brigade received and signed for a large amount of clothing on 11th October. During this month most of Longstreet's regiments received sizeable amounts of fresh clothing. The 10th Georgia was issued 91 jackets, 120 pairs of trousers plus hundreds of shirts, shoes, caps etc. The 11th got 101 jackets, 80 trousers, shirts, drawers, shoes, blankets and caps. The 13th, 17th and 18th Mississippi received 373 jackets, 457 pairs of trousers plus hundreds of shirts, drawers, shoes and caps. In November Cobb's and Phillip's Legions received 'Bragg' jackets ( priced at $12), plus large amounts of other clothing, Cobb also receiving 113 hats. In late November The Texas Brigade was issued clothing. The 4th Texas, for example received 90 jackets, 112 trousers, 42 pairs of shoes plus shirts, drawers, blankets and caps. In December the issues continued with the 44th Alabama receiving 86 jackets, 114 pairs of trousers, 43 pairs of shoes, 92 shirts as well as drawers and blankets. On December 18th and 31st the 51st Georgia was issued the following attire....518 jackets, 623 pairs of trousers, 756 shirts, 733 shirts 1,046 drawers, 336 blankets and 48 caps.
These are just a few examples of the numerous issues to Longstreet's troops in the fall and early winter of 1863. Certainly, large amounts of clothing had been amassed by Brigade QMs before the move to Knoxville, but it seems that fresh clothing was still arriving in December. Studying the hundreds of clothing requisition forms it would seem that the only shortfall being in shoes.
The figures above are for clothing actually received and signed for by Company, Regimental and Brigade officers, proving that the items were actually received by the troops.

 

[James N.]

There were certainly times in which supplies were scarce for the Confederate troops. The Antietam Campaign comes to mind after more than 2 months of almost constant campaigning.

Ryan

Very true, but as pointed out, in that particular campaign the same could be said for the veterans of what had been Pope's and McClellan's armies as well.

 

[Caseshot]

Sherman's army was in rags when they fought their last battle at Bentonville, NC.

 

[JKT]

Well, except for protection against the "clothes don't make the man" or soldier. Footwear likely a bigger problem with weather & long campaigns.

 

[CowCavalry]

I read somewhere that when they filmed "Birth of a Nation", they used surplus Confederate Uniforms for the CS army actors. This was filmed in 1914, point being there was still abundant surplus available some 50 years after the war.