Whiskey Cures Everything

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The last sentence of this page says it all. This was published in "Reminiscences of Chicago During the Civil War," The Lakeside Press, Chicago, and is an extract from the unpublished memoir of Union General Alexander C. McClurg. He was then Captain of Company H, 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment. His regiment is on its way to Perryville, Ky to meet Bragg for the October 8, 1862 battle. There is a severe drought in the area.

 

[JOHN42768]

It probably would sterilize the shoes and help from getting blisters infected

 

[UCVRelics]

Great Piece. Ive been issued many US Army combats boots and I would never pour my whiskey on them.. I would stuff them with wet rags and let the dry in order to stretch them out.

 

[Patrick H]

Whiskey: The cause and the solution for so many of life's ills.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

It probably would sterilize the shoes and help from getting blisters infected

Somehow they must have figured that out - although Joseph Lister didn't introduce the use of antiseptics until 1867. The soap was likely lye soap, most prevalent during the CW, and it could be made in a soft form, which also might have prevented infection. Must have burned though.