The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.

If your gggrandfather joined the 12th Alabama Infantry, he was with General Early in the Shenandoah Valley in the summer of 1864. The following is from another member of the Alabama Brigade (which the 12th Alabama was part of):

"They reached Staunton about noon the on June 27th (1864) to find that General Early had secured new uniforms; however, the badly needed shoes had not yet arrived. Half of his infantry and many of his officers were without shoes. The weather did not affect their feet, but experience had taught them that Northern roads were most unkind to unshod troops. The impatient General called on Richmond to send shoes to Staunton’ but they did not arrive. Undismayed, Early set out with his barefoot men, leaving wagons behind to bring up the needed footgear. While near Staunton, General Early reorganized his little army for the hard campaign he was preparing to initiate.

On June 28, 1864, the men remained quietly in camp until about 1:00 P.M. They then moved through Staunton and took the Winchester Pike. They stopped for the night about seven miles north of the town. The Confederate troops that were embarking on this new campaign were a lean, mean little force of experienced soldiers. They had fought many battles, conducted numerous campaigns and were accustomed to hard, difficult marches, short rations, and variable weather. Their uniforms were new, equipment clean, and for once they were well fed, carrying five days rations in their wagons and two days supplies in their haversacks. Shoes were still a major deficit as evidenced by the trail of blood which followed their passage."

Messages In This Thread

Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.
Re: Uniforming of troops late in war.