A Commissary of Subsistence's Ledger

A Commissary of Subsistence’s Ledger: Documenting all the Food Issued to a Confederate Brigade from 1862 through 1864

By Craig Schneider

*Detail of watercolor of a Confederate mess preparing rations by John Omenhausser, 46th Virginia Infantry, circa 1862.(1)*

“This is the best that can be done under the existing state of things. The law regulating the rations is most liberal and the ration table is superabundant, but for over two years it has been impossible to meet their requirements and the ration has been gradually declining.”

-Commissary-General of Subsistence L. B. Northrop, December 1864.(2)

The historiography of food in the Confederacy as a whole, and even within the armies, has focused largely on what the South lacked, or on how Southerners made do. Analysis of the Confederate Subsistence Department has primarily centered on how it failed; or to be more generous, on the extraordinary difficulties it experienced. This study does not intend to affirm or challenge this scholarship. It is intended instead to fill a notable gap in that story: what Confederate soldiers in the field were issued, in what quantity, and how the field ration changed throughout the war. In doing so it certainly should help to debunk persistent myths. In truth the Subsistence Department managed to maintain a consistent supply of many crucial foodstuffs. Additionally, the provision of some items such as coffee improved markedly in the last year of the war. However, to the dismay of the soldier in the field, this occurred as the domestic supply of other goods such as meat plummeted to critical levels, leaving the armies to rely largely on what imported foodstuffs could arrive through the blockade of Southern ports.

Background

James William Green, a 37-year-old lawyer from Culpeper, Virginia, was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in Company C, 7th Virginia Infantry in April 1861. He was soon assigned to serve as the Acting Assistant Quartermaster of the regiment, overseeing the issuing of clothing and camp and garrison equipment to the men. Green’s role on the regimental staff would shift later that year as he was reassigned to fill the role of the regiment’s Acting Assistant Commissary of Subsistence and manage the distribution of rations to the various companies of the regiment. In early 1862, Green accepted a promotion to Captain; as his responsibility now was under the auspices of the Subsistence Department as a bonded officer, the “Acting” qualifier was dropped from his title. In late May 1862, with brigade commander General A. P. Hill assuming command of the division and taking much of his staff with him, Colonel James Kemper of the 7th Virginia was given command of the brigade. Green was quickly promoted to Major and assigned to the brigade staff as its new Commissary of Subsistence.

*The leather-bound ledger book Major James W. Green kept while serving as Commissary of Subsistence of Kemper’s (later Terry’s) Brigade from May 1862 to December 1864.*

Working from the brigade’s headquarters, Major Green’s staff consisted of an enlisted man detailed to him as an assistant and clerk (first Marshall B. Bruce and later Winfield S. Payne, both Privates in their 30s from the 7th Virginia) and another as a butcher (Private Martin Oester of the 1st Virginia, a German immigrant in his early 20s and butcher by trade). Major Green oversaw the procurement of bulk rations for the brigade, the sale of food to the brigade’s officers, and the distribution of rations to the enlisted men of the brigade through the various Captains and Lieutenants serving as Assistant and Acting Assistant Commissaries of Subsistence of their respective regiments.

From the time he was promoted to the brigade staff in late May 1862 until the end of December 1864, Major Green and his clerks kept an informal ledger in a single leather-bound blank book. This ledger was used to track vouchers and prepare monthly returns, seemingly to simplify their regular paperwork burden and reduce the possibility of lost documents (which would result in a docking of their pay). As this ledger has inexplicably survived, Green left behind a remarkable record of nearly every article of food the brigade commissary received, issued to the regiments in the command, sold to officers, or was lost, spoiled, condemned, or otherwise transferred back to the Subsistence Department—millions of pounds worth of supplies. Indeed, this simple book contains a documentation of almost every ounce and gill of government-issued food consumed by one Confederate brigade for over two and a half years, and can be considered a model for what Confederate troops in the region at large were being issued during this timeframe.(3)

This article will include a brief discussion of THE CONFEDERATE RATION, an explanation of the contents of THE LEDGER, a partial TRANSCRIPTION and statistical breakdown of the ledger coupled with contextual information on Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade throughout the war, an ANALYSIS, as well as a FOR LIVING HISTORIANS section offering suggestions on how to use this information to improve unit impressions.

THE CONFEDERATE RATION

“Short rations are having a bad effect upon the men, both morally and physically. Desertions to the enemy are becoming more frequent . . .”

-General Robert E. Lee(4)

 With the onset of war, the Confederacy’s newly formed War Department fashioned its subsidiary branches, such as the Subsistence Department, and the Ration, on the existing U.S. Army model. The daily ration was initially identical to that provided to U.S. Army soldiers—meat, bread, peas or rice, coffee, sugar, salt, vinegar, soap, and candles.(5) By the summer of 1861, however, the Subsistence Department noted severe shortages of numerous components of the ration, with Commissary-General Lucius Northrop reporting to President Davis that there were no remaining stocks of coffee, sugar, soap, and candles for the armies in Virginia.(6)

*The Subsistence Department permitted the meat ration to be replaced by potatoes when necessary, though the availability of potatoes was similarly limited by the time the Circular was issued.*

By the spring of 1862, an acknowledgement of dwindling stocks and the impossibility of providing the ideal ration was codified throughout the armies. The meat ration was reduced, with a daily portion of pork or bacon cut from three quarters of a pound to a half pound per man, and fresh beef cut from one and a quarter pound to one pound. The coffee ration was cut in half, with the other half replaced with a coffee substitute such as roasted rye. Molasses was added to the ration table as a substitute for sugar.

The loss of Confederate territory throughout 1862 and 1863 proved to be a harsh blow to the stomachs of Southern soldiers, as farmland remaining under Southern control could no longer support the Army’s already reduced consumption of meat. In January 1864, with meat stocks stretched to their limit, Northrop sent a Circular to his Commissaries of Subsistence suggesting that potatoes or additional flour or corn meal be provided when meat was entirely unavailable. Northrop’s ration table submitted to the War Department reflected further reductions that year. In this table, the bacon ration was noted as being only one third of a pound; flour and corn meal were limited to one pound, the sugar ration was halved and, along with coffee, would only be issued to soldiers on active duty in the trenches. Additionally, the soap ration was halved; finally, the candles ration was eliminated entirely and only available via Special Requisition.(7) To provide some comfort to the troops a new tobacco ration was instituted in April, with three quarters of a pound to be issued to each man every month.(8)

THE LEDGER

Today housed in the collections of the University of Virginia, Major Green’s ledger is striking in its simplicity and practicality. Tasked with providing rations for a brigade of five infantry regiments (1st Virginia, 7th Virginia, 11th Virginia, 17th Virginia [replaced by the 3rd Virginia in November 1862], and 24th Virginia) and for a time one artillery battery (Loudoun Artillery [disbanded in October 1862]), Major Green, assisted only by a clerk and butcher, and equipped with a small handful of office supplies, managed not only to distribute food and other Subsistence stores to over 1,000 men, but maintained financial accountability for said stores between himself and numerous Assistant and Acting Assistant Commissaries of Subsistence in the brigade. The ledger served not as an official report, but more as a record of receipts, issues, vouchers, and cash accounts for Green’s and his clerks’ information when preparing official paperwork.

Upon his promotion to Major and Commissary of Subsistence of Kemper’s Brigade, Green’s initial notes are particularly thorough. Every individual disbursement of Subsistence stores is noted by regiment, with issues further subdivided if that regiment’s A.C.S. was absent and temporarily replaced with an Acting Assistant Commissary of Subsistence. The ledger even contains sections for the rations issued to men on temporary details, with rows dedicated to recording the rations provided to Green’s own personal staff of two enlisted men. In the midst of the march into Maryland, however, Green’s notes for September 1862 are simply scribbled at the bottom of August’s pages. Later notes focus more on what Green was keen to keep at the forefront of his mind at the time, with records of individual issues to each regiment limited and instead replaced with monthly returns for each A.C.S. and A.A.C.S., or even simply a monthly report of food issued to the troops of the brigade as a whole. Nonetheless, what remained consistent for the two and a half years that the ledger was maintained was a meticulous logging each month of each ration component received and issued, by weight and volume.

TRANSCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

The data contained in Major Green’s ledger is undoubtedly a boon to those interested in the life of Confederate soldiers in the field. However, in its raw form, the data is less valuable to the average reader or researcher. Green and his clerks were not keeping the ledger to record what food Confederate soldiers ate for posterity; instead, they were tracking different types of information in a multitude of formats to assist in office work being done while in camp or on the march. At different times the ledger was kept by not only Major Green, but by his clerks Marshall Bruce and Winfield Payne. Occasionally Green was temporarily tasked with handling Subsistence stores for another brigade, the entire division, or a larger command, and his personal notes related to the brigade records were briefly neglected. The units of measure used are inconsistent. For example, dry goods like salt or peas are variously measured in pounds and ounces, fractions of a pound, bushels, quarts, and gills, fractions of a bushel, or simply in “rations.” Corn meal was usually measured in pounds while flour was measured by the barrel of 196 pounds. Little attention was paid to the order in which goods were entered into the ledger—salt beef could be the first item recorded one month and the last another month. As Green’s concern was military formality and his own liability, food that spoiled and was disposed of was considered “issued” just the same as food that was actually issued, simply because it left his hands and was recorded on a voucher.

This partial transcription includes complete transcriptions of several months in which individual ration issues to each regiment in Kempers’ Brigade were recorded with the most detail, exactly as written by Green and his clerk. For each of the two and a half years of entries, however, an effort has been made to add consistency to the information presented.

For every month, the total amount of Subsistence Stores issued to the brigade have been separated into categories as per the ration table:

Meat Ration
Bread Ration
Peas or Rice Ration
Coffee Ration
Sugar Ration
Salt Ration
Vinegar Ration
Soap Ration
Candles Ration
Tobacco Ration (when applicable)
Additional Rations (when applicable)

Weights and measures have been put into pounds and ounces and gallons and quarts. Goods that were lost or spoiled have been removed from the total amounts issued. Similarly, captured supplies that were turned over to the Subsistence Department rather than issued to the men in the brigade have been filtered from the totals.

Understanding that the amount of food noted is more meaningful when coupled with information on the strength of the brigade to which it was issued, an attempt has been made to estimate the number of men present in Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade throughout the war. In some cases, this can be done accurately; the Army of Northern Virginia’s monthly inspection reports for much of 1864 provide a detailed accounting of the number of men present in each regiment. In other instances, it is nearly impossible to determine a reasonable average of the number of men present during a given month; the strength of Kemper’s Brigade varied by upwards of 1,000 men in September 1862, and in July 1863 the Brigade suffered terrible casualties followed by a quick replenishing of the ranks.

Similarly, the amount of food issued has been further broken down into a total number of full rations according to the formal Confederate ration table adopted in early 1862 when possible. This information allows one to see approximately how much of the specified ration each soldier was being issued over a given month, be it 110% of the meat rations due during a month or 5% of the sugar rations that should have been received, as well as noting 1864 reductions by equal comparison. It is important to note that while the standard 1862 ration table used to generate these percentages already reflects the initial ration reductions implemented by the Confederate government, providing the items specified on that table was the goal of the Subsistence Department through the majority of the war, and during the time Major Green kept his ledger.

*John Omenhausser of the 46th Virginia Infantry included one of the sutlers that were regular visitors to the camps around Richmond in the spring of 1862 in one of his watercolors from that time.(10)*

This study does not claim to provide a perfectly precise accounting of all the food issued to Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade; certainly, Green and his clerks made minor errors, or bushels of salt varied slightly in weight. Nor do the ration totals and percentages derived from Green’s ledger purport to be fully accurate; the estimation of the average number of men present over the course of a month is acknowledged. The percentages should be noted more for the differences between individual ration items and the differences over time. The statistics do, however, give greater insight into the overall condition of the food supply in the Army at given times, and allow one to better understand what Confederate officer and enlisted messes were cooking in camp and on the march throughout the war.

1862 Transcribed ledger entries

Green was assigned the role of Commissary of Subsistence of Kemper’s Brigade late in May, in the middle of an active campaign. The few ration issues he oversaw that month would include the food the men of the brigade carried in their haversacks at the Battle of Seven Pines. While the total amounts listed here are obviously not the monthly total for May 1862, they are notable for showing the enormous quantities of goods that just a single five-day ration issue to a brigade required.

Examining the way in which rations were distributed over the course of the month, it is clear that some items such as meat and flour were included with every ration issue (usually done every five to ten days). Other items such as vinegar, soap, and hard bread were typically issued in large bulk quantities, possibly only once per month. As such, no estimate of the percentage of the full ration issued for May is included as it would likely be inaccurate.

The complete transcription of the May 1862 issues is included with the June section, as the May receipts were included on the June pages of the ledger.
Meat Ration
Bacon – 5,408 pounds (10,816 rations)

Bread Ration
Flour – 7,651 pounds (6,801 rations)
Hard Bread – 3,840 pounds (3,840 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration
Peas – 845 pounds (5,633 rations)

Coffee Ration
Not provided

Sugar Ration
Not provided

Salt Ration
Salt – 220 pounds (7,040 rations)

Vinegar Ration
Vinegar – 42 gallons, 3 quarts (4,275 rations)

Soap Ration
Soap – 74 pounds 4 ounces (1,856 rations)

Candles Ration
Not provided

Additional Rations
Dried Apples – 618 pounds
June saw Kemper’s Brigade camped near Darbytown outside of Richmond. Major Green was able to supply nearly the full meat ration, primarily in bacon, as well as the majority of the bread ration, mostly in flour. Unsurprisingly, supplies of coffee, sugar, and soap were particularly low as Commissary-General Northrop had already noted the difficulty in procuring them nearly a year prior.

The men of Kemper’s Brigade certainly did not rely wholly on issued foodstuffs in June. Their proximity to Richmond (and proximity to home for many men in the brigade) made acquiring commercial goods somewhat easier. This did not come cheap, however—Sergeant William Smith of Co. F, 17th Virginia noted on June 10 that the sutler was selling coffee for $1.50 per pound and sugar for $1 per pound.(9)

Brigade Strength – approximately 1,850

Meat Ration – 90%

Bacon – 22,526 pounds (45,052 rations)

Fresh Beef – 4,949 pounds (4,949 rations)

Bread Ration – 84%

Flour – 37,510 pounds 8 ounces (33,342 rations)

Hard Bread – 13,189 pounds (13,189 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 49%

Peas – 3,618 pounds (24,120 rations)

Rice – 290 pounds 12 ounces (2,907 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 14%

Sugar – 721 pounds 4 ounces (6,010 rations)

Molasses – 36 gallons 3 quarts (1,838 rations)

Salt Ration – 63%

Salt – 1,094 pounds (35,008 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 35%

Vinegar – 193 gallons 2 quarts (19,350 rations)

Soap Ration – 5%

Soap – 105 pounds 3 ounces (2,638 rations)

Candles Ration – 43%

Candles – 240 pounds 3 ounces (24,019 rations)

Additional Rations

Dried Apples – 195 pounds 12 ounces (approximately 1 3/4 ounces per man)

Whiskey – (160 rations to Loudoun Artillery)
“After the enemy had taken shelter under the protection of his gunboats at Westover, the Confederate commissariat attempted to reach the large amount of supplies held by the farmers along the James River. Numerous wagons were sent under escort to secure these supplies. Our Company D, going on one of these trips, was attacked by Union gunboats. . . . A few men were wounded, and a I received a shot on the side of the foot, but not much of a hurt.” -Corporal David E. Johnston, 7th Virginia(11)

Kemper’s Brigade began July 1862 by returning to camp near Darbytown, having been battered at Frayser’s Farm and marching through the Seven Days campaign. Throughout the month, the Subsistence Department managed to provide a full meat ration which more closely matched the pre-ration reduction levels of earlier in the year. While coffee was still not provided and other items were lacking, a notable quantity of whiskey was issued to the men. In 1862, Commissaries appeared to have made liberal use of the exception to supply their men with whiskey in “cases of extraordinary fatigue and exposure.”

Brigade Strength – approximately 1,500

Meat Ration – >120%
Bacon – 16,501 pounds (33,002 rations)
Fresh Beef – 17,472 pounds (17,472 rations)
Pork – 2,584 pounds (5,168 rations)
Salt Beef – 204 pounds (204 rations)
Salt Fish – 2 barrels (indeterminate number of rations)

Bread Ration – 114%
Flour – 47,527 pounds (42,246 rations)
Hard Bread – 10,754 pounds (10,754 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 67%
Peas – 2,988 pounds 8 ounces (19,923 rations)
Rice – 1,108 pounds (11,080 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 22%
Sugar – 794 pounds 2 ounces (6,618 rations)
Molasses – 72 gallons (3,600 rations)

Salt Ration – 110%
Salt – 1,599 pounds 4 ounces (51,176 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 46%
Vinegar – 211 gallons 3 quarts (21,175 rations)

Soap Ration – 7%
Soap – 125 pounds 4 ounces (3,131 rations)

Candles Ration – 0%
Not provided

Additional Rations
Dried Apples – 1,047 pounds 4 ounces (approximately 11 ounces per man)
Whiskey – 224 gallons 1/2 quart (approximately 19 ounces per man)
“Our regiment arrived on the field of battle tired and hungry, no rations having been issued for several days. The men had only green corn from the adjacent fields to live on.” -Private Edgar Warfield, 17th Virginia.(12)

Kemper’s Brigade saw hard marching in August 1862, culminating in the second battle at Manassas. Indeed, as Private Warfield noted, the ledger shows that the most recent transfer of rations by Major Green to the 17th Virginia’s Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, Captain V. M. Brown, had been on August 15 and consisted mostly of fresh beef which had certainly been consumed long before. The remainder of the ration issue of the 15th included only some bacon, flour, hard bread, and salt. The meat, bread, and salt rations were provided in full or nearly so (with the meat ration supplemented by a small amount of captured beef that Green issued to the brigade) while other ration items ran short, as would be expected during an active campaign.

Brigade Strength – approximately 1,500

Meat Ration – 107%

Bacon – 13,156 pounds 8 ounces (26,313 rations)

Beef – 21,850 pounds (21,850 rations)

Captured Beef – 1,500 pounds (1,500 rations)

Bread Ration – 98%

Flour – 36,012 pounds (32,011 rations)

Hard Bread – 13,613 pounds (13,613 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 28%

Rice – 670 pounds (6,700 rations)

Peas – 929 pounds (6,193 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 12%

Sugar – 431 pounds 12 ounces (3,598 rations)

Molasses – 36 gallons 1 quart (1,813 rations)

Salt Ration – 89%

Salt – 1,296 pounds (41,472 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 7%

Vinegar – 33 gallons 2 1/2 quarts (3,363 rations)

Soap Ration – 0%

Not provided

Candles Ration – 1%

Candles – 5 pounds (500 rations)

Additional Rations

Whiskey – 93 gallons 1 quart (approximately 8 ounces per man)
“The first effort on the part of our commissary to furnish us rations on our arrival in Maryland was made on September 6. It fell to my lot to receive one skein of black thread and two smoked herrings.” -Private Edgar Warfield, 17th Virginia(13)

Green’s entries for the month of September 1862 are indicative of the difficulties of the campaign into Maryland. In his initial notes for September, hastily jotted onto the bottom of the page he had ruled out for August, Green only tallied total issues to each regiment throughout the month rather than making individual vouchers. The Subsistence Department provided bulk rations to Kemper’s Brigade only four times that month, on the 2nd, 9th, 10th, and 26th, each issue consisting primarily of just beef, flour, and salt. Green attempted to supplement the limited rations through numerous purchases made of private citizens during the campaign, with the ledger showing he acquired bacon, sugar, and, as noted by Edgar Warfield of the 17th Virginia, a few barrels of fish for issue.

While it is impossible to determine what percentage of a full ration the men of Kemper’s Brigade were issued in the month of September, as the brigade’s strength varied from a high of 1,362 near the beginning of the month to a low of about 450 men present for duty around the time of the battle of Sharpsburg, the returns for this period are nonetheless notable for their unique nature.

Meat Ration

Fresh Beef – 27,801 pounds (27,801 rations)

Bacon – 1,476 pounds (2,952 rations)

Lard – 24 pounds (48 rations)

Fish – 3 barrels (indeterminate number of rations)

Bread Ration

Flour – 38,076 pounds (33,845 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration

Not provided

Coffee Ration

Coffee – 98 pounds 1 ounce (3,269 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration

Sugar – 156 pounds 3 ounces (1,302 rations)

Molasses – 22 gallons (1,100 rations)

Salt Ration

Salt – 1,545 pounds (49,440 rations)

Vinegar Ration

Not provided

Soap Ration

Soap – 152 pounds 1 ounce (3,802 rations)

Candles Ration

Not provided

Additional Rations

Whiskey – 22 gallons 3 quarts
“We are getting our regular rations now, boiled beef and pones of wheaten bread.” -Private John Dooley, 1st Virginia(14)

Kemper’s Brigade spent a portion of October 1862 recuperating from the campaign into Maryland, and the battles at South Mountain and Sharpsburg, at camps near Martinsburg and Winchester, Virginia. Early in the month, as part of General Lee’s reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia’s artillery, the Loudoun Artillery was disbanded and the remaining members transferred to the Fauquier Artillery. The brigade would join the Army of Northern Virginia on its march southward toward the Rapidan during the month. The rations issued by Major Green appear particularly limited, consisting of only meat, flour, and salt. The meat ration at least seems to have been in abundant supply, consisting entirely of fresh beef and pork, considering that the brigade was certainly understrength at the time. An estimated percentage of the full ration issued for October is not included as the strength of the brigade throughout the month is uncertain.

Meat Ration

Fresh Beef – 45,614 pounds (45,614 rations)

Fresh Pork – 4,041 pounds (8,082 rations)

Bread Ration

Flour – 45,068 pounds 10 ounces (40,061 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration

Not provided

Coffee Ration

Not provided

Sugar Ration

Not provided

Salt Ration

Salt – 1,368 pounds 12 ounces (43,800 rations)

Vinegar Ration

Not provided

Soap Ration

Not provided

Candles Ration

Not provided
Kemper’s Brigade spent most of November 1862 camped near Culpeper, Virginia. With Colonel Corse of the 17th Virginia being promoted and given command of his own brigade, the 17th was transferred out of Kemper’s Brigade and replaced with the 3rd Virginia. Similar to October’s ration situation, only the meat, bread, and salt rations were provided. Despite the strength of the brigade being somewhat lower than it had been at its peak earlier in the year, Major Green issued a larger quantity of meat over the course of the month than he had ever done before. This was likely due to the availability of cattle for slaughter before winter, as well as to compensate for the lack of other ration stocks.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,600

Meat Ration – 128%

Fresh Beef – 56,400 pounds (56,400 rations)

Bacon – 1,552 pounds (3,104 rations)

Mess Pork – 722 pounds (1,444 rations)

Mutton – 250 pounds (250 rations)

Bread Ration – 105%

Flour – 35,788 pounds (31,802 rations)

Hard Bread – 18,684 pounds (18,684 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 0%

Not provided

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 0%

Not provided

Salt Ration – 118%

Salt – 1,770 pounds 12 ounces (56,664 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 0%

Not provided

Soap Ration – 0%

Not provided

Candles Ration – 0%

Not provided
“Our rations are of beef and bread and are generally enough, especially if we may get some extras now and then from home or the sutler’s tent.” -Private John Dooley, 1st Virginia(15)

Kemper’s Brigade moved toward Fredericksburg to counter the Army of the Potomac in December 1862. However, most of the unit was held in reserve and suffered few casualties during the battle. Although some foodstuffs that had been in short supply over the previous several months made a limited reappearance, as Private Dooley noted Major Green was still primarily issuing quantities of fresh beef and flour somewhat in excess of the official ration allowance.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,700

Meat Ration – 121%

Fresh Beef – 42,294 pounds (42,294 rations)

Bacon – 6,142 pounds (12,284 rations)

Mess Pork – 4,685 pounds (9,370 rations)

Bread Ration – 107%

Flour – 48,288 pounds (42,923 rations)

Hard Bread – 13,210 pounds (13,210 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 7%

Rice – 358 pounds (3,580 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 14%

Sugar – 770 pounds (6,417 rations)

Molasses – 15 gallons (750 rations)

Salt Ration – 117%

Salt – 1,924 pounds (61,568 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 0%

Not provided

Soap Ration – 7%

Soap – 139 pounds (3,475 rations)

Candles Ration – 0%

Not provided

1863 Transcribed ledger entries

“During the winter we have several visits from our folks in Richmond, who supply us with good things in general and whiskey in particular to boot. Mr. and Mrs. Kunningham give the whole Reg. a dinner.” -Private John Dooley, 1st Virginia(16)

As the Army of Northern Virginia went into winter quarters, Kemper’s Brigade was sent into camp in Caroline County. Many members of the brigade enjoyed the benefits of being close to home, particularly the opportunity to have their rations supplemented. Major Green continued to issue large quantities of beef and flour, was able to provide nearly half of the sugar ration for the first time, and doled out small quantities of other items that had recently been deficient.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,700

Meat Ration – 122%

Fresh Beef – 46,833 pounds 4 ounces (46,833 rations)

Bacon – 4,795 pounds 8 ounces (9,591 rations)

Mess Pork – 3,947 pounds 8 ounces (7,895 rations)

Bread Ration – 110%

Flour – 65,504 pounds (58,226 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 0%

Not provided

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 48%

Sugar – 2,630 pounds 8 ounces (21,921 rations)

Molasses – 70 gallons (3,500 rations)

Salt Ration – 109%

Salt – 1,795 pounds (57,440 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 7%

Vinegar – 37 gallons (3,700 rations)

Soap Ration – <2%

Soap – 35 pounds 8 ounces (888 rations)

Candles Ration – 3%

Candles – 16 pounds (1,600 rations)
“The chief commissary of this army has informed me that our beeves will hardly carry us through the present month. In fact, those which we are now using are very poor on account of the difficulty of procuring good grazing.” -General Robert E. Lee, January 1863(17)

Kemper’s Brigade remained in their winter quarters in Caroline County throughout much of the month of February 1863. As Lee had been warned the previous month, the supply of fresh beef fell sharply as winter dragged on, with February’s supply less than half that of January’s. The meat ration was supplemented somewhat with a variety of pork products; however, this was not enough to approach the quantities of meat being supplied during the previous few months. Major Green issued corn meal for the first time, supplementing the brigade’s large bread ration in February. Additionally, Green received an exceptionally large supply of sugar, which he issued out to the men rather than save. A quantity of whiskey was issued to the brigade as well.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,700

Meat Ration – 91%

Fresh Beef – 20,505 pound 8 ounces (20,506 rations)

Bacon – 7,295 pounds 8 ounces (14,591 rations)

Pork – 2,981 pounds (5,962 rations)

Mess Pork – 1,076 pounds 4 ounces (2,153 rations)

Bread Ration – 123%

Flour – 49,815 pound 2 ounces (44,280 rations)

Hard Bread – 12,087 pounds (12,087 rations)

Corn Meal – 2,430 pounds 12 ounces (2,161 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 0%

Not provided

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 177%

Sugar – 10,122 pounds 8 ounces (84,354 rations)

Salt Ration – 106%

Salt – 1,579 pounds (50,528 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 10%

Vinegar – 46 gallons, 2 quarts (4,650 rations)

Soap Ration – 4%

Soap – 75 pounds (1,875 rations)

Candles Ration – 6%

Candles – 30 pounds (3,000 rations)

Additional Rations

Whiskey – 116 gallons, 1 quart, 2 gills (approximately 8 3/4 ounces per man)
Kemper’s Brigade was ordered to reestablish camp further to the south and spent most of the month of March 1863 near Petersburg. The meat ration continued to shrink noticeably as beef supplies plummeted to a level that could not be replaced with available pork stocks, while corn meal supplanted flour as the primary bread ration issued. Major Green again issued extra rations of sugar, as large quantities were still available.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,700

Meat Ration – 70%

Pork – 11,944 pounds (23,888 rations)

Bacon – 3,296 pounds 8 ounces (6,593 rations)

Fresh Beef – 6,452 pound (6,452 rations)

Lard – 79 pounds (158 rations)

Bread Ration – 109%

Corn Meal – 34,760 pounds 8 ounces (30,898 rations)

Flour – 27,865 pounds (24,769 rations)

Hard Bread – 2,002 pounds (2,002 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 88%

Peas – 5,840 pounds 2 ounces (38,934 rations)

Rice – 759 pounds 3 ounces (7,592 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 163%

Sugar – 10,319 pounds 11 ounces (85,997 rations)

Salt Ration – 94%

Salt – 1,551 pounds 6 ounces (49,644 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 6%

Vinegar – 31 gallons 2 quarts (3,150 rations)

Soap Ration – 0%

Not provided

Candles Ration – 0%

Not provided

Additional Rations

Whiskey – 137 gallons (approximately 10 1/3 ounces per man)
“While in North Carolina, rations were plentiful, sweet potatoes and rice especially, also black-eyed peas, cornbread and bacon, all of which were greatly enjoyed, for rations had been pretty short in Virginia.” -Captain W. H. Morgan, 11th Virginia(18)

With reserves of foodstuffs getting precariously thin, Pickett’s Division was sent to North Carolina in late March in large part to secure supplies. Kemper’s Brigade spent most of April participating in the siege of Suffolk and engaging in a number of small skirmishes. Indeed, the expedition succeeded in gathering much needed foodstuffs, and Major Green was able to issue a full or greater than full meat ration, extra bread rations, and the most peas he had ever been able to provide in a month.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,700

Meat Ration – 115%

Bacon – 27,908 pounds (55,816 rations)

Fresh Pork – 1,050 pounds 2 ounces (2,100 rations)

Salt Pork – 317 pounds 2 ounces (634 rations)

Lard – 35 pounds 2 ounces (70 rations)

Bread Ration – 129%

Flour – 38,202 pounds (33,957 rations)

Hard Bread – 23,011 pounds (23,011 rations)

Corn Meal – 9,981 pounds 2 ounces (8,872 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 70%

Peas – 4,669 pounds (31,127 rations)

Rice – 461 pounds (4,610 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%

Not provided

Sugar Ration – 11%

Sugar – 575 pounds 3 ounces (5,751 rations)

Salt Ration – 77%

Salt – 1,224 pounds 14 ounces (39,196 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 6%

Vinegar – 32 gallons (3,200 rations)

Soap Ration – 0%

Not provided

Candles Ration – 0%

Not provided

Additional Rations

Potatoes – 1,843 pounds (approximately 1 pound 1 ounce per man)

Whiskey – 96 gallons 1 quart 4 gills (approximately 7 1/4 ounces per man)
Kemper’s Brigade returned to Virginia in May 1863, spending most of the month in camp near Taylorsville in Hanover County. Rations were as adequate as they had ever been in the year since Major Green had taken over as Commissary of Subsistence of the brigade, with a complete meat ration, extra bread rations, nearly complete peas and rice rations, almost a full sugar ration, and the largest soap ration yet seen. In what was certainly seen by many as an unfortunate development, however, a late April General Order reminding commanding officers that whiskey was only to be issued “in cases of extraordinary fatigue and exposure,” was put in place, effectively putting an end to the regular whiskey issue.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,650

Meat Ration – 107%
Bacon – 23,098 pounds 4 ounces (46,197 rations)
Salt Beef – 4,399 pounds 8 ounces (4,400 rations)
Fresh Beef – 4,313 pounds (4,313 rations)
Salt Pork – 11 pounds (22 rations)

Bread Ration – 130%
Flour – 64,649 pounds (57,466 rations)
Hard Bread – 9,138 pounds (9,138 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 82%
Peas – 4,669 pounds 2 ounces (31,128 rations)
Rice – 1,089 pounds 7 ounces (10,894 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 85%
Sugar – 5,220 pounds 6 ounces (43,503 rations)

Salt Ration – 110%
Salt – 1,765 pounds (56,480 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 2%
Vinegar – 12 gallons (1,200 rations)

Soap Ration – 26%
Soap – 525 pounds 4 ounces (13,131 rations)

Candles Ration – 7%
Candles – 38 pounds (3,800 rations)

Additional Rations
Whiskey – 1 quart, 4 gills (all sold to officers)

The monthly Return of Provisions Received and Issued by the Commissary of Subsistence of Wright’s Brigade of Georgia infantry, Major H. S. Hughes, have survived for the months of May and June 1863. As part of Hill’s Corps, Wright’s men were camped near Fredericksburg, 40 miles north of Kemper’s Brigade, throughout the month of May. Not only were the specific ration components issued by Major Hughes nearly identical to those issued by Major Green, their proportions were very similar as well. At the time, Wright’s Brigade numbered about 150 officers and men fewer than Kemper’s Brigade.

Meat Ration
Bacon – 18,620 pounds (37,240 rations)
Salt Beef – 8,990 pounds (8,990 rations)
Fresh Beef – 8,436 (8,436 rations, delivered in May and retained for issue in June)

Bread Ration
Flour – 68,048 pounds (60,487 rations)
Hard Bread – 4,531 pounds (4,531 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration
Peas – 2,827 pounds 8 ounces (18,850 rations)
Rice – 1,214 pounds 13 ounces (12,148 rations)

Coffee Ration
Not provided

Sugar Ration
Sugar – 5,697 pounds 1 ounce (48,476 rations)

Salt Ration
Salt – 1,663 pounds (53,216 rations)

Vinegar Ration
Vinegar – 15 gallons (1,500 rations)

Soap Ration
Soap – 540 pounds 8 ounces (13,513 rations)

Candles Ration
Candles – 10 pounds (1,000 rations)
“In addition to the supplies that we have been able to gather in Fauquier & Loudoun Counties, in the Shenandoah Valley, and west of the Alleghany, we have collected sufficient north of the Potomac for the support of Ewell’s corps to the 30th instant, and 1,700 barrels of flour are on hand in Maryland for the rest of the army.” -General Robert E. Lee(20)

Kemper’s Brigade left their camp to join the main body of the Army of Northern Virginia in early June, with the campaign into Pennsylvania beginning June 16. The month saw hard marching for the brigade. Unfortunately, a page containing a portion of June and July’s notes was torn from the ledger. The information related to the meat and bread ration remains and is noted below. As expected during a march, the meat ration was provided entirely in preserved rather than fresh meats. Extra bread rations were also issued at a rate similar to that provided the previous few months.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,650

Meat Ration – 101%
Bacon – 24,635 pounds (49,270 rations)
Salt Beef – 586 pounds (586 rations)
Smoked Beef – 199 pounds 10 ounces (200 rations)

Bread Ration – 136%
Flour – 69,414 pounds (61,701 rations)
Corn Meal – 4,419 pounds 12 ounces (3,929 rations)
Hard Bread – 1,836 pounds (1,836 rations)

As the Wright’s Brigade’s ration return for May was so similar to that of Kemper’s Brigade, Major Hughes’ issues for June are included here to provide a more complete picture for the month.

Peas or Rice Ration
Peas – 796 pounds (5,306 rations)

Coffee Ration
Not provided

Sugar Ration
Sugar – 680 pounds (5,667 rations)
Molasses – 38 gallons 2 quarts 4 gills (1,931 rations)

Salt Ration
Salt – 1,658 pounds (53,056 rations)

Vinegar Ration
Vinegar – 42 gallons 2 quarts (4,250 rations, delivered in June, retained for issue in July)

Soap Ration
Soap – 389 pounds (9,725 rations)

Candles Ration
Not provided
Kemper’s Brigade suffered terrible casualties during their famous assault on July 3rd at Gettysburg, losing more than 700 men. General Kemper himself along with all but one of his regimental commanders were casualties, with Colonel Joseph Mayo of the 3rd Virginia assuming command of the brigade. Major Green was one of the few members of the staff who left Gettysburg unscathed. The brigade began the retreat on July 4 and remained on the march until arriving in Culpeper on July 25. The ledger does not contain July’s meat and bread rations, but the portion noted is included below. As the brigade strength varied greatly over the course of the month, estimated percentages of the full ration provided are not included.

The monthly Abstract of Provisions for the 8th Georgia, written by the regiment’s Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, Captain George C. Norton, survives for July 1863. The 8th Georgia served in a different division of the same corps as Kemper’s Brigade. Captain Norton’s return parallels the surviving portion of Major Green’s notes, and provides further insight into the meat and bread rations issued that month. Not unexpectedly, and corroborating various accounts from the campaign, fresh beef was widely issued. Captain Norton even notes that it was issued at one and a quarter pounds per man as opposed to the usual one pound. Flour composed the bread ration.

Both the 8th Georgia and Kemper’s Brigade were provided with a whiskey ration—July 1863 was certainly a case of “extraordinary fatigue and exposure.” As Norton’s return was completed by date of issue, it indicates that the 8th Georgia (and possibly Kemper’s Brigade as well) received most of their whiskey the day before the battle at Gettysburg, with the remaining portion issued the day after the battle.

Meat Ration
Fresh Beef (7,207 rations issued to 8th Georgia)
Bacon (579 rations issued to 8th Georgia)

Bread Ration
Flour (7,786 rations issued to 8th Georgia)

Peas or Rice Ration
Rice – 42 pounds (420 rations)

Coffee Ration
Coffee – 124 pounds 7 ounces (4,148 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration
Sugar – 122 pounds 8 ounces (1,021 rations)
Molasses – 51 gallons 1 quart 7 gills (2,573 rations)

Salt Ration
Salt – 1,426 pounds 11 ounces (45,654 rations)

Vinegar Ration
Vinegar- 24 gallons (2,400 rations)

Soap Ration
Soap – 118 pounds 4 ounces (2,956 rations)

Additional Rations
Whiskey – 84 gallons
Tea – 1 pound (all sold to officers)
Kemper’s Brigade, under the command of Colonel Mayo, spent the month of August 1863 camped along the Rapidan River. The ranks of the brigade were somewhat replenished both by recruits and wounded men returning, though not to their former levels. As had been the case throughout the year to this point, Major Green issued as much meat and bread as was available to make up for continually lacking stocks of other components of the ration.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,150

Meat Ration – 133%
Fresh Beef – 29,187 pounds (29,187 rations)
Bacon – 9,196 pounds 8 ounces (18,393 rations)

Bread Ration – 123%
Flour – 26,579 pounds 10 ounces (23,626 rations)
Corn Meal – 22,615 pounds 4 ounces (20,102 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 65%
Peas – 1,975 pounds 11 ounces (13,171 rations)
Rice – 1,013 pounds 11 ounces (10,137 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 9%
Sugar – 355 pounds 13 ounces (2,965 rations)
Molasses – 1 gallon 2 quarts 5 gills (83 rations)

Salt Ration – 161%
Salt – 1,798 pounds 2 ounces (57,540 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 11%
Vinegar – 38 gallons, 3 quarts, 1 gill (3,878 rations)

Soap Ration – 34%
Soap – 487 pounds 8 ounces (12,188 rations)

Candles Ration – 6%
Candles – 20 pounds 4 ounces (2,025 rations)

Additional Rations
Ground Corn (presumably grits or hominy) – 2,991 pounds (approximately 2 1/2 pounds per man)
The brigade marched to near Richmond in early September, camping for a time in Wise’s Brigade’s old huts from the previous winter. Late in the month the brigade marched to their old camp near Taylorsville where they would reestablish their winter quarters. As was typical when available, Major Green continued to issue additional rations of meat and bread in lieu of other items which he could not provide in full.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,200

Meat Ration – 131%
Bacon – 16,570 pounds 8 ounces (33,141 rations)
Fresh Beef – 12,482 pounds 4 ounces (12,482 rations)
Salt Pork – 788 pounds 14 ounces (1,568 rations)

Bread Ration – 132%
Flour – 52,163 pounds 8 ounces (46,368 rations)
Corn Meal – 1,425 pounds (1,267 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 55%
Peas – 1,937 pounds 11 ounces (12,918 rations)
Rice – 700 pounds 15 ounces (7,009 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 65%
Sugar – 2,752 pounds (22,933 rations)
Molasses – 12 gallons 2 quarts (625 rations)

Salt Ration – 159%
Salt – 1,783 pounds 9 ounces (57,074 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 28%
Vinegar – 102 gallons 1 quart 2 gills (10,231 rations)

Soap Ration – 32%
Soap – 457 pounds 14 ounces (11,447 rations)

Candles Ration – 8%
Candles – 27 pounds 12 ounces (2,775 rations)

Additional Rations
Ground Corn (presumably grits or hominy) – 9 pounds (all sold to officers)
Whiskey – 29 gallons (all sold to officers)
Colonel William R. Terry of the 24th Virginia took over command of Kemper’s Brigade, though the brigade would still be referred to as Kemper’s Brigade on official paperwork for a time. Major Green spent a portion of October serving as the Commissary of Subsistence of General Hunton’s Brigade, with Captain G.E. Dennis, the Assistant Commissary of Subsistence from the 24th Virginia, temporarily taking over Green’s duties in Kemper’s Brigade.

Major Green’s ledger entries for October 1863 indicate that Subsistence stores under his purview were provided to both Kemper’s and Hunton’s Brigade, as well as “Issued to Troops” without specific identification as to whom. It is further unclear if either Kemper’s or Hunton’s Brigades received additional stores from other Commissaries of Subsistence while Major Green was in the service of the other. As such, the rations below are only provided in total number.

Meat Ration –
Bacon – 12,260 pounds (24,520 rations)
Fresh Beef – 313 pounds (313 rations)

Bread Ration –
Flour – 78,960 pounds 8 ounces (69,947 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration –
Rice – 4,412 pounds 8 ounces (44,125 rations)
Peas – 1,230 pounds 5 ounces (8,202 rations)

Coffee Ration –
Coffee – 178 pounds (5,933 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration –
Sugar – 4,896 pounds 10 ounces (40,805 rations)
Molasses – 11 gallons 2 quarts (575 rations)

Salt Ration –
Salt – 5,784 pounds 5 ounces (185,098 rations)

Vinegar Ration –
Vinegar – 37 gallons 1 quart 5 gills (3,747 rations)

Soap Ration –
Soap – 543 pounds 4 ounces (54,325 rations)

Candles Ration –
Candles – 21 pounds 8 ounces (2,150 rations)
Major Green returned to duty in Kemper’s Brigade and oversaw the issues of Subsistence stores in the brigade’s winter quarters near Taylorsville once again.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,300

Meat Ration – 97%
Bacon – 15,498 pounds 2 ounces (30,997 rations)
Fresh Beef – 6,902 pounds (6,902 rations)

Bread Ration – 130%
Flour – 49,107 pounds 5 ounces (43,651 rations)
Corn Meal – 7,900 pounds (7,022 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 119%
Peas – 5,006 pounds 4 ounces (33,375 rations)
Rice – 1,294 pounds 14 ounces (12,949 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Salt Ration – 138%
1,684 pounds 14 ounces (53,916 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 10%
Vinegar – 37 gallons, 1 quart, 5 gills (3,747 rations)

Soap Ration – 43%
663 pounds 1 ounce (16,577 rations)

Candles Ration – 33%
Candles – 130 pounds 8 ounces (13,050 rations)
The brigade remained in winter quarters near Taylorsville throughout the month of December 1863. The Subsistence Department continued to prioritize the issue of meat and bread, as well as the usual excess of salt, while other ration items were unavailable.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,350

Meat Ration – 115%
Fresh Beef – 37,152 pounds (37,152 rations)
Bacon – 4,254 pounds 11 ounces (8,509 rations)
Pork – 1,200 pounds (2,400 rations)

Bread Ration – 130%
Flour – 60,985 pounds 10 ounces (54,209 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 78%
Peas – 2,966 pounds 4 ounces (19,775 rations)
Rice – 1,293 pounds 2 ounces (12,931 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Salt Ration – 188%
Salt – 2,462 pounds 8 ounces (78,800 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Soap Ration – 0%
Not provided

Candles Ration – 12%
Candles – 50 pounds (5,000 rations)

1864 Transcribed ledger entries

“Hdqrs. Army of Northern Virginia,
January 22, 1864
General Order, No. 7
The commanding general considers it due to the army to state that the temporary reduction of rations has been caused by circumstances beyond the control of those charged with its support. Its welfare and comfort are the objects of his constant and earnest solicitude, and no effort has been spared to provide for its wants. It is hoped that the exertions now being made will render the necessity but of short duration, but the history of the army has shown that the country can require no sacrifice too great for its patriotic devotion.
Soldiers! You tread with no unequal steps the road by which your fathers marched through suffering, privation and blood to independence. Continue to emulate in the future, as you have in the past, their valor in arms, their patient endurance of hardships, their high resolves to be free, which no trial could shape, no bribes seduce, no danger appal, and be assured that the just God who crowned their efforts with success, will in His own good time send down His blessings upon yours.
R.E. Lee, General”(24)

By January 1864 the Subsistence’s Department’s meat supplies in Virginia had been nearly entirely consumed and Commissary-General Northrop informed General Lee that he was no longer able to procure sufficient stocks in the Confederacy. As it had become apparent that providing the Army of Northern Virginia a full meat ration, even at the already reduced rate of a half-pound of pork or one pound of beef, would be impossible, Lee informed his disappointed troops and quickly dispatched a portion of his army to procure supplies. Kemper’s Brigade once again found itself on rail cars bound for North Carolina. The brigade arrived mid-month and camped near Goldsboro for the next two weeks while an offensive on the North Carolina coast was prepared. During this time Major Green was able to take advantage of local supplies and provide the brigade with a full meat ration that much of the rest of the army was lacking.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,350

Meat Ration – 97%
Salt Pork – 7,979 pounds 5 ounces (15,959 rations)
Bacon – 5,874 pounds 5 ounces (11,749 rations)
Fresh Beef – 8,977 pounds (8,977 rations)
Salt Beef – 3,725 pounds (3,725 rations)
Offal – 167 pounds (indeterminate number of rations)

Bread Ration – 130%
Flour – 36,263 pounds 6 ounces (32,234 rations)
Corn Meal – 24,843 pounds 4 ounces (22,083 rations)
Hard Bread – 102 pounds (102 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 76%
Rice – 3,193 pounds 13 ounces (31,938 rations)

Coffee Ration – 4%
Coffee – 44 pounds 13 ounces (1,494 rations)

Sugar Ration – 2%
Sugar – 89 pounds 11 ounces (747 rations)

Salt Ration – 134%
Salt - 1,755 pounds 10 ounces (56,180 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 19%
Vinegar – 79 gallons 1 quart 3 gills (7,934 rations)

Soap Ration – 43%
Soap – 716 pounds 14 ounces (17,922 rations)

Candles Ration – 3%
Candles – 44 pounds (1,100 rations)
“A delightful little trip.” -Edward C. Barnes, 11th Virginia(25)

Kemper’s Brigade participated in the failed assault on New Bern early in February and spent the remainder of the month in camp near Goldsboro and Kinston. Major Green’s issues to the brigade consisted mostly of local pork and corn meal throughout the month.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,300

Meat Ration – 96%
Pork – 14,757 pounds (29,514 rations)
Bacon – 1,929 pounds 10 ounces (3,859 rations)
Salt Beef – 2,728 pounds (2,728 rations)

Bread Ration – 124%
Corn Meal – 28,220 pounds 4 ounces (25,067 rations)
Flour – 20,061 pounds (17,832 rations)
Hard Bread – 3,808 pounds (3,808 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 63%
Rice – 2,370 pounds (23,700 rations)

Coffee Ration – 0%
Not provided

Sugar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Salt Ration – 113%
Salt – 1,328 pounds (42,496 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Soap Ration – 2%
Soap – 28 pounds (700 rations)

Candles Ration – 0%
Not provided
“We lived mostly on oysters and crabs, and most of us would have been satisfied to remain at this point for the rest of the war.” -Sergeant Charles. T. Loehr, 1st Virginia(26)

Kemper’s Brigade was sent by rail to Wilmington and then by ship to the defenses at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The brigade spent a particularly pleasant month of March 1864 garrisoning Fort Caswell and Fort Campbell, or camped near the beach, feasting on seafood and watching blockade runners arrive. Major Green was temporarily assigned to oversee the distribution of Subsistence stores throughout all of General Robert Hoke’s command, with Captain Dennis of the 24th Virginia again taking over his duties to the brigade, so the notes in his ledger for the month are incomplete. What he issued directly to Kemper’s Brigade is noted here, but it certainly does not represent the entirety of what the brigade consumed.

Meat Ration
Pork – 240 pounds (480 rations)

Bread Ration
Flour – 769 pounds (684 rations)
Corn Meal – 59 pounds (52 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration
Rice – 145 pounds (1,450 rations)

Salt Ration
Salt – 96 pounds (3,072 rations)

Soap Ration
Soap – 145 pounds (3,625 rations)
“It was quite amusing to see our men turning their war-bags (as they called the haversacks) inside out, dropping the old corn dodgers and pieces of rancid bacon in the streets, to make room for cakes, preserves, pies, and things . . .” -Sergeant Charles T. Loehr, 1st Virginia(27)

Kemper’s Brigade participated in the assault on Plymouth, North Carolina, resulting in the surrender of the U.S. Army garrison and the capture of an enormous quantity of supplies. Major Green’s ledger shows an impressive effort to keep track of what the men of Kemper’s Brigade captured and either consumed or turned over to the Subsistence Department, to the point of adding a second voucher of captured stores the men had taken upon their discovery. The returns for April are certainly not representative of Confederate government Subsistence stores and are not quantified by percentage of the full ration issued, but are interesting nonetheless. Among the Confederate supplies issued, almost all prior to the capture of Plymouth, are significant quantities of bacon, corn meal, flour, peas, and salt.

Meat Ration
Bacon – 15,561 pounds 3 ounces (31,122 rations)
Captured Bacon – 326 pounds (652 rations)
Captured Pork – 5,950 pounds (11,900 rations)
Salt Pork (mostly captured) – 3,733 pounds (7,466 rations)
Captured Beef – 3,601 pounds (3,601 rations)

Bread Ration
Corn Meal – 32,255 pounds (28,671 rations)
Flour – 18,306 pounds (16,272 rations)
Captured Flour – 2,031 pounds 12 ounces (1,806 rations)
Hard Bread (mostly captured) – 18,143 pounds (18,143 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration
Peas – 4,631 pounds (30,873 rations)
Rice (mostly captured) – 209 pounds 10 ounces (2,096 rations)

Salt Ration
Salt – 1,236 pounds 9 ounces (39,570 rations)
Captured Salt – 121 pounds 5 ounces (3,882 rations)

Soap Ration
Soap (mostly captured) – 171 pounds 12 ounces (4,294 rations)

Additional Rations
Captured Beans – 342 pounds 10 ounces
“Had flour hoe cake, no meat & no Coffee for breakfast. Hard times in Dixie and (probably) worse are coming.” -Chief Musician Henri Jean Mugler, 13th Virginia(28)

The rather enjoyable stay in North Carolina ended with the Virginians rushing back to their home state as the spring campaign commenced. The brigade would fight at Drewry’s Bluff and Milford Station, finally arriving at Cold Harbor by the end of the month after several weeks of hard campaigning. The food supply was certainly much different upon returning to the seat of war, with Major Green unable to supply nearly a full ration of any item on the ration table save for bread, which was issued mostly in the form of hard bread and corn meal.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,200

Meat Ration – 84%
Bacon – 15,049 pounds 2 ounces (30,098 rations)
Salt Pork – 497 pounds 8 ounces (995 rations)

Bread Ration – 106%
Hard Bread – 20,367 pounds (20,367 rations)
Corn Meal – 19,145 pounds 8 ounces (17,018 rations)
Flour – 2,236 pounds (1,988 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 16%
Peas – 885 pounds 15 ounces (5,906 rations)

Coffee Ration – 2%
Coffee – 23 pounds 12 ounces (792 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 2%
Molasses – 9 gallons 1 quart 6 gills (472 rations)
Sugar – 47 pounds 8 ounces (396 rations)

Salt Ration – 56%
Salt – 648 pounds 10 ounces (20,756 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 0%
Not provided

Soap Ration – 0%
Not provided

Candles Ration – 0%
Not provided
“We drew an abundance of the best tobacco, and this being scarce and dear with our Northern friends, we could drive a bargain easy enough.” -Private Frank H. Foote, 48th Mississippi Infantry(29)

Colonel Terry was finally promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and officially given command of the brigade. As the Overland Campaign continued throughout June, Terry’s Brigade would fight at Cold Harbor and Clay’s House, ending up in the trenches at Bermuda Hundred where the men settled in and began improving the works. For the first time in two years, Major Green was able to issue a significant coffee ration (albeit at only three pounds per 100 rations without a coffee substitute filler), as enough supplies of the valuable commodity had been run through the blockade to provide for Lee’s army for a number of months. Similarly, the men received their first tobacco ration, with the amount provided significantly in excess of the regulation allotment. The brigade even received a small quantity of fresh vegetables in June, though many other ration items were still lacking.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,050

Meat Ration – 106%
Bacon – 16,672 pounds (33,334 rations)

Bread Ration – 138%
Corn Meal – 35,432 pounds 8 ounces (31,496 rations)
Flour – 13,561 pounds 14 ounces (12,055 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 88%
Peas – 2,978 pounds 2 ounces (19,854 rations)
Rice – 789 pounds 10 ounces (7,896 rations)

Coffee Ration – 132%
Coffee – 1,251 pounds (41,700 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 73%
Sugar – 2,760 pounds 9 ounces (23,005 rations)

Salt Ration – 123%
Salt – 1,212 pounds (38,784 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 25%
Vinegar – 77 gallons 1 quart (7,725 rations)

Soap Ration – 31%
Soap – 392 pounds (9,800 rations)

Candles Ration – 15%
Candles – 47 pounds (4,700 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 167%
Tobacco – 1,328 pounds (approximately 1 1/4 pound per man)

Additional Rations
Onions – 466 pounds (approximately 7 ounces per man)
“We don’t get anything to eat but bread and meat and coffee and peas; just one thing all the time.” -Private Samuel Lockhart, 27th North Carolina(30)

Summer continued with Terry’s Brigade still in the Bermuda Hundred trenches. While the men enjoyed full rations of some items, other items were insufficient. The quantity of meat issued during the month dropped notably as the Confederate Subsistence Department struggled to find enough domestic supplies to support the armies. To make matters worse, the extra bread rations that were supposed to replace missing meat were not forthcoming.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,100

Meat Ration – 81%
Bacon – 12,927 pounds 4 ounces (25,855 rations)
Fresh Beef – 1,600 pounds (1,600 rations)

Bread Ration – 106%
Corn Meal – 28,451 pounds (25,290 rations)
Flour – 12,156 pounds (10,805 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 113%
Rice – 3,198 pounds 2 ounces (31,981 rations)
Peas – 1,003 pounds 15 ounces (6,693 rations)

Coffee Ration – 109%
Coffee – 1,113 pounds 11 ounces (37,123 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 39%
Sugar – 1,461 pounds 13 ounces (12,182 rations)
Molasses – 21 gallons 2 quarts (1,075 rations)

Salt Ration – 112%
Salt – 1,195 pounds 15 ounces (38,270 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 17%
Vinegar – 57 gallons, 3 quarts, 5 gills (5,791 rations)

Soap Ration – 0%
Not provided

Candles Ration – 7%
Candles – 23 pounds (2,300 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 150%
Tobacco – 1,260 pounds (approximately 18 ounces per man)
“‘Say, Johnnie, are you hungry?’” - Sergeant Major David E. Johnston, 7th Virginia(31)

Confederate Subsistence stores reached critical levels in August 1864, and Terry’s Brigade suffered through a particularly hungry month. Major Green could issue only one third of a pound of bacon and less than a half pint of flour to each man per day, with every ration component also lacking save for salt and tobacco. Sergeant Major David Johnston of the 7th Virginia recalled that the enemy soldiers opposite them, with whom they regularly fraternized with on the picket line, pitied their situation so much that they simply handed over food.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,350

Meat Ration – 69%
Bacon – 12,154 pounds 10 ounces (24,309 rations)
Fresh Beef – 4,663 pounds (4,663 rations)

Bread Ration – 31%
Flour – 11,883 pounds (10,562 rations)
Corn Meal – 2,856 pounds (2,539 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 72%
Peas – 4,495 pounds (29,967 rations)
Rice – 33 pounds 14 ounces (339 rations)

Coffee Ration – 55%
Coffee – 694 pounds 3 ounces (23,140 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 21%
Sugar – 1,078 pounds 6 ounces (8,986 rations)

Salt Ration – 97%
Salt – 1,273 pounds 15 ounces (40,766 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 6%
Vinegar – 26 gallons 3 quarts 6 ounces (2,680 rations)

Soap Ration – 30%
Soap – 498 pounds 10 ounces (12,466 rations)

Candles Ration – 5%
Candles – 20 pounds (2,000 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 133%
Tobacco – 1,323 pounds (approximately 1 pound per man)
“I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that we are without fifteen days’ supply of meat in this city for the subsistence of General Lee’s army and other troops, employés, &c, dependent upon us; nor have we an accumulation in any of the States upon which to draw in the future.” -Major S. B. French, Commissary of Subsistence, Richmond(32)

Terry’s Brigade remained in the trenches at Bermuda Hundred throughout September 1864. While the meat and bread rations issued increased from the previous month, there was no excess of bread or vegetables available to make up for short meat rations as the Subsistence Department suggested. Major Green again provided the tobacco ration in excess of the allotment at one pound per man.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,350

Meat Ration – 82%
Fresh Beef – 13,983 pounds (13,983 rations)
Bacon – 6,707 pounds 10 ounces (13,415 rations)
Salt Pork – 2,813 pounds 4 ounces (5,627 rations)

Bread Ration – 96%
Flour – 43,609 pounds (38,764 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 72%
Peas – 4,376 pounds 12 ounces (29,178 rations)

Coffee Ration – 32%
Coffee – 390 pounds (13,000 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 10%
Sugar – 467 pounds 11 ounces (3,897 rations)

Salt Ration – 125%
Salt – 1,587 pounds 5 ounces (50,794 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 22%
Vinegar – 88 gallons 2 quarts 5 gills (8,867 rations)

Soap Ration – 23%
Soap – 369 pounds 13 ounces (9,245 rations)

Candles Ration – 3%
Candles – 12 pounds (1,200 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 133%
Tobacco – 1,352 pounds (approximately 1 pound per man)
There was little improvement in the rations in the Bermuda Hundred trenches in October 1864, with Major Green issuing only slightly more than one third of a pound of pork or three quarters of a pound of beef each day. A sufficient quantity of rice and peas was issued and the tobacco ration continued to be issued in excess.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,450

Meat Ration – 82%
Fresh Beef – 18,888 pounds (18,888 rations)
Pork – 6,511 pounds 4 ounces (13,023 rations)
Bacon – 1,466 pounds 10 ounces (2,933 rations)
Salt Beef – 1,800 pounds (1,800 rations)
Tallow – 100 pounds (200 rations)

Bread Ration – 91%
Flour – 44,791 pounds (39,814 rations)
Hard Bread – 1,305 pounds (1,305 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 97%
Rice – 4,013 pounds 2 ounces (40,131 rations)
Peas – 527 pounds 6 ounces (3,516 rations)

Coffee Ration – 78%
Coffee – 1,054 pounds 14 ounces (35,163 rations)

Sugar Ration – 9%
Sugar – 510 pounds 10 ounces (4,255 rations)

Salt Ration – 114%
Salt – 1,602 pounds 7 ounces (51,278 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 20%
Vinegar – 88 gallons 1 quart 7 gills (8,847 rations)

Soap Ration – 13%
Soap – 229 pounds 9 ounces (5,739 rations)

Candles Ration – 3%
Candles – 15 pounds (1,500 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 125%
Tobacco – 1,352 pounds (approximately 15 ounces per man)
Terry’s Brigade saw a somewhat notable improvement in the quantity of rations issued in November 1864. In large part this was due to an increase in the amount of bacon that Major Green was able to issue. In all likelihood, a significant portion of this was imported “Nassau Bacon.” The Subsistence Department reported having received three million pounds of meat run through the blockade in the last half of the year. While only enough to support the armies for a short time, it nonetheless provided some temporarily relief to hungry Southern soldiers.(33) Additionally, the Subsistence Department appears to have been issuing every available meat stock, to include small quantities of fresh pork, mutton, fish, and tallow. The tobacco ration was increased again, with Major Green interestingly differentiating between the chewing and smoking tobacco he issued.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,450

Meat Ration – 94%
Bacon – 16,789 pounds 11 ounces (33,579 rations)
Fresh Beef – 5,873 pounds (5,873 rations)
Pork – 332 pounds 12 ounces (666 rations)
Mutton – 577 pounds (577 rations)
Tallow – 111 pounds (222 rations)
Fish – 60 pounds (indeterminate number of rations)

Bread Ration – 118%
Flour – 32,487 pounds (28,877 rations)
Corn Meal – 25,061 pounds (22,276 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 124%
Rice – 5,405 pounds 14 ounces (54,059 rations)

Coffee Ration – 46%
Coffee – 595 pounds 9 ounces (19,852 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 10%
Sugar – 154 pounds 8 ounces (1,288 rations)
Molasses – 57 gallons 1 quart 6 gills (2,872 rations)

Salt Ration – 121%
Salt – 1,650 pounds 4 ounces (52,808 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 8%
Vinegar – 33 gallons 3 quarts (3,375 rations)

Soap Ration – 20%
Soap – 345 pounds (8,625 rations)

Candles Ration – 6%
Candles – 26 pounds (2,600 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 154%
Chewing Tobacco – 908 pounds 8 ounces (approximately 10 ounces per man)
Smoking Tobacco – 760 pounds 8 ounces (approximately 8 1/2 ounces per man)

Additional Rations
Potatoes – 1,054 pounds (approximately 12 ounces per man)
“The commissary sometimes issues us cooked beef, prepared and canned in London. The soldiers call it ‘The London Times,’ and are very fond of it. It makes excellent hash and is superior to any other meat-ration that is issued.” -General J. H. Lane(34)

Terry’s Brigade began the last winter of the war still in the trenches at Bermuda Hundred. The Subsistence Department provided every kind of foodstuff that could be had in effort to issue a full ration, including fresh vegetables, though the quantity of meat still fell significantly short. Major Green noted having issued “Preserved Meat” to the brigade in December, likely imported canned meat that is noted in several accounts from throughout the army that month.

Brigade strength – approximately 1,450

Meat Ration – 70%+
Bacon – 6,726 pounds 10 2/3 ounces (13,543 rations)
Pork – 5,103 pounds (10,206 rations)
Fresh Beef – 3,496 pounds (3,496 pounds)
Salt Beef – 2,500 pounds (2,500 rations)
Preserved Meat – 1,700 pounds (indeterminate number of rations)
Tallow – 28 pounds (56 rations)

Bread Ration – 113%
Flour – 51,906 pounds (45,419 rations)
Hard Bread – 5,027 (5,027 rations)
Corn Meal – 232 pounds (206 rations)

Peas or Rice Ration – 96%
Rice – 4,334 pounds 1 1/2 ounces (43,341 rations)

Coffee Ration – 94%
Coffee – 1,270 pounds 9 ounces (42,352 rations, without coffee substitute)

Sugar Ration – 54%
Sugar – 2,903 pounds 11 1/4 ounces (24,197 rations)

Salt Ration – 114%
1,601 pounds 9.28 ounces (51,251 rations)

Vinegar Ration – 8%
Vinegar – 34 gallons 2 quarts 4 gills (3,463 rations)

Soap Ration – 26%
Soap – 468 pounds 6 1/2 ounces (11,710 rations)

Candles Ration – 7%
Candles – 31 pounds (3,100 rations)

Tobacco Ration – 167%
Chewing Tobacco – 909 pounds (approximately 10 ounces per man)
Smoking Tobacco – 896 pounds (approximately 10 ounces per man)

Additional Rations
Potatoes – 1,863 pounds (approximately 20 ounces per man)
Mixed Vegetables – 548 pounds 12 ounces (approximately 6 ounces per man)

ANALYSIS

“. . . the men cannot continue healthy and vigorous if confined to this sparse diet for any length of time. Unless there is a change, I fear the army cannot be kept together.”

-General Robert E. Lee(35)

It seems almost common knowledge that the Confederate ration was always short during the war. Indeed, Major Green’s ledger confirms this. More importantly, the record of issues to Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade shows exactly how that ration fell short and how the ration changed throughout the war, and what shortages were deemed critical.

Analyzing each ration component individually, one can see the priorities of the Subsistence Department. Providing rations of meat, bread, and salt were always the primary focus of the army’s commissary officers, even in excess in lieu of items like peas or rice, coffee, sugar, and vinegar which were usually in short supply. The meat ration not only provided one of the most significant caloric components of the daily ration, but the fat derived from cooking it (along with the salt ration) was necessary to prepare the usual flour or corn meal ration—the other largest nutritional component of the ration—into palatable biscuits or pone. As noted in his papers, any shortage of the meat ration was a cause of great anxiety for General Lee, and the instigation for soldiers’ correspondence to focus on their hunger. Shortages of meat supplies twice caused Kemper’s Brigade to be sent to North Carolina to procure more.

Most interestingly, late in the war, at a time most commonly associated with insufficient rations, the Confederate Subsistence Department had actually managed to secure relatively stable supplies of many ration components that had been deficient throughout the war: peas, rice, coffee, and even soap. A tobacco ration was even added, and issued in superfluous quantities beyond the regulation allotment. The continued shortage of meat, however, is what drove many Confederate soldiers to desperation and desertion. Seemingly no amount of coffee or tobacco could make up for having to subsist on one third of a pound of bacon per day.

Examining trends in the quantities of foodstuffs issued to Kemper’s Brigade over time, it is easy to correlate decreases in the meat ration with well-known periods of hunger in the Confederate ranks: in winter and early spring after supplies of beef had been consumed, and from mid-summer 1864 to the close of the war. One can see that the Subsistence Department made attempts to alleviate the situation by dipping into reserves of whatever other dry goods they had—peas, rice, and sometimes sugar were delivered in conspicuously greater quantities than usual at times when soldiers in the field did not get a full meat ration. The very few issues of fresh vegetables that Major Green made were usually at such times of insufficient meat rations as well. Similarly, it is difficult to disassociate the new tobacco ration in 1864 from the period of short meat rations in which it was created and implemented, as well as the importation of and regular issuing of coffee in 1864, which had been almost nonexistent the two previous years.

In opposition to the stereotypical image of the hungry Confederate soldier, there were no extended periods of time when the men of Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade went without meat or bread. Certainly, there were times when they had only meat, bread and salt—even lots of meat, bread, and salt—but little else. The instances of a complete lack of rations typically came in the form of missing peas, rice, sugar, vinegar, and coffee.

Major Green’s ledger clearly shows seasonal variations in the Confederate ration. This is not a reflection of any romantic notion of what Confederate soldiers could forage, but rather what goods the Subsistence Department could contract for at the least expense throughout the year, or, if necessary, purchase on the open market at the lowest cost.(36)

The meat rations provided to Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade throughout the war came in many forms: from fresh and salted pork, to fresh and salted beef, mutton, fish, lard, and more. Bacon and fresh beef, however, composed the vast majority of the meat ration. Each predominated the ration at different times per year; bacon was largely issued in spring and summer months, while fresh beef was provided in the fall and winter (save for the notable exception of when the Army of Northern Virginia purchased large amounts of local beef in Maryland and Pennsylvania in July 1863). Other types of meat, particularly salt pork, saw greater use in late winter and early spring, as supplies of beef ran out and bacon was not yet on hand, forcing the Subsistence Department to empty their warehouses of the preserved pork product being held in reserve.

The bread ration had similar seasonal, though less distinct, variations. While flour provided the majority of the Confederate bread ration, corn meal had an increased presence in late winter and early spring. Hard bread was part of the Confederate ration proportionally far less than it was in the U.S. Army ration, with what small stocks of it the Subsistence Department could contract for reserved for use during active campaigns and when supplies of flour and corn meal were low.

By weight and frequency of issue, Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade saw more peas than they did rice. Not unexpectedly, however, the availability of each was largely seasonal. While each was issued throughout the year, rice was clearly the predominant fall and winter ration.

FOR LIVING HISTORIANS

Based upon the analysis above, living historians can utilize two baseline daily Confederate Army Rations for the majority of the war, and further develop the recreated ration by applying the monthly accounts from Major Green’s ledger and additional research. For example, it would be appropriate to include whiskey in some 1862 and early 1863 scenarios. Coffee and tobacco should be added to most 1864 scenarios.

Any living history program should attempt to match the rations being issued to the unit being portrayed, at the time being portrayed, as closely as possible. In many instances, particularly in recreating Confederate rations, an accurate accounting of the food provided is difficult to find. Often period accounts highlight what was missing more than what was present. Other times the presence of a ration component that was not often issued, or the use of captured stores (which made up a negligible portion of the food consumed by Kemper’s/Terry’s Brigade throughout the war) is emphasized. Confederate soldiers simply did not write about the salt ration that they got in full virtually every day of the war.

Major Green’s ledger is a nearly week by week accounting of the rations issued to one typical Confederate infantry brigade for more than two and a half years of war. Beyond this, additional research into specific units notwithstanding, the ledger can be used to extrapolate a standard and representative Confederate ration, as well as account for seasonal variations in the availability of goods.

Footnotes

Omenhausser, John. Watercolor, circa 1862. Richard and Shirley Brooks Collection. Image courtesy of Ross Kimmel. For additional information on the Omenhausser images see Kimmel, Ross and Michael Musick, I Am Busy Drawing Pictures: The Civil War Art and Letters of Private John Jacob Omenhausser, CSA (Annapolis, Maryland State Archives, 2014).
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series IV, Volume III, Section II (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1900), 930.
Commissary Records of the 7th Virginia Infantry, Compiled by James William Green, Accession # 7057-a, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA.
The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume XXXIII, 1114.
Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States (New Orleans: Henry P. Lathrop, 1861), 184-185.
Felt, Jeremy P. “Lucius B. Northrop and the Confederacy’s Subsistence Department.” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 69, no. 2 (April 1961): 181-193.
The War of the Rebellion, Series IV, Volume III, Section II, 930.
General Orders from the Adjutant and Inspector-General’s Office, Confederate States Army, from January 1, 1864 to July 1, 1864, Inclusive (Columbia, S.C.: Evans & Cogswell, 1864), 81-84.
Never More to Bound at the Bugle Sound: Diary of William Randolph Smith (Manassas, Va.: United Daughters of the Confederacy, 1986), June 10, 1862 entry.
Omenhausser, John. Watercolor, circa 1862. Richard and Shirley Brooks Collection. Image courtesy of Ross Kimmel.
Johnston, David E. The Story of a Confederate Boy in the Civil War (Portland, Oregon: Glass & Prudhomme Company, 1914), 118-119.
Warfield, Edgar. A Confederate Soldier’s Memoirs (Richmond: Masonic Home Press, Inc., 1936), 106.
Warfield, 109.
Durkin, Joseph, ed. John Dooley: Confederate Soldier, His War Journal (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 1945), 56.
Durkin, 71.
Ibid, 82.
The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume LI, Part II, 669.
Morgan, W. H. Personal Reminiscences of the War of 1861-65 (Lynchburg, Va.: J. P Bell Company, Inc., 1911), 158.
Compiled service record, H. S. Hughes, Major; Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, Record Group 109; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.
Dowdey, Clifford, ed. The Wartime Papers of R. E. Lee (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1961), 530.
Compiled service record, H. S. Hughes, Major.
Compiled service record, Edward J. Magruder, Lieutenant Colonel. A discussion of both the 8th Georgia’s and Wright’s Brigade’s returns during the Gettysburg page was originally published on James M. Schruefer’s “Blue and Gray Marching” website, which is no longer maintained.
The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume XXXIII, 1117.
Dowdy, 647-660.
Barnes, Edward C., letter to mother, February 9, 1864. Barnes Family Papers. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Loehr, Charles T. War History of the First Virginia Infantry Regiment (Richmond: William Ellis Jones, Book and Job Printer, 1884), 42.
Ibid, 44.
Mugler, Henri Jean diary, May 2, 1864, West Virginia University.
Foote, Frank H. “The Death Grapple at Petersburg: Last Days of Harris’ Mississippi Brigade, Part 1.” The Clarion (Jackson, MS): September 10, 1884.
Lockhart, Samuel, July 18, 1864 letter, Hugh Conway Browning Papers, Duke University.
Johnston, 276.
The War of the Rebellion, Series IV, Volume III, Section 2, 653.
Wilson, Harold. Confederate Industry: Manufacturers and Quartermasters in the Civil War (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2002), 344.
“Glimpses of Army Life in 1864, Extracts from Letters Written by Brigadier-General J. H. Lane.” Southern Historical Society Papers (1890): 420.
The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume XXXIII, 1114.
Regulations for the Subsistence Department of the Confederate States of America (Richmond: War Department, 1862), 5-6.