Confederate Imported Leather

[Iron Scout]

Folks,

I wanted to take the opportunity to share some information as it relates to the cargo of the steamer, the Justitia, that will hopefully stimulate some discussion. The Justitia sailed from England sometime after the invoice dated November 11, 1862. This invoice will serve as a case study for an upcoming (hopefully) CMH's article.

Per John T. Bourne's Bermuda journal, the Justitia's complete cargo did arrive in the Southern states as the noted runners made successive trips, one runner being the famed Cornubia. It is interesting to note that Caleb Huse's purchases of ready-made accoutrements seems to be heavier for the earlier war period rather than the later period ie. 1864-65. This may reflect the fact that the CS arsenal system had developed in efficiency but simply lacked the raw materials for production.

As a point of clarification, a 'middling' is an English term for the premium cut of leather off a hide, directly behind the neck, across the back and partly down the front shoulders. Just imagine a rectangle placed on a hide behind the neck.

Bulk Leather per the Isaac Campbell & Co. Invoice:

600 prs Brown Bridle Middlings
100 prs Stirrup Middlings
222 Brown Harness Backs
102 Skirt Backs
36 dz Collar Basils
70 Hides for Collar Wales
60 Bag Hides for Valises
60 prs Waxed Pouch Backs
30 Waxed Backs for Ball Bags
20 Trunk Hides
60 prs Waxed Middlings
20 dz _ Basils
60 Butts for Seats
300 Pouch MIddlings
300 Belt middlings
250 Waist Belt Middlings
500 Knapsack Sling Middlings
150 Middlings for Frogs
150 Middlings for Gun Slings
25 Brown Hides for Pockets
20 Black Grain Hides for Pouch Covers
80 Black Grain Hides for Pouch Covers
200 Middlings for Ball Bags
642 lbs Mixed Cut Leather for Knapsack Trimming

Neill Rose
PLHA

[Iron Scout]

Gents,

Here's a few more from my notes. They are somewhat simplified but show that Caleb Huse had a real working knowledge of leather and what was needed by the Southern arsenals for production

1) I&C Invoice Dated April 10, 1863
Bought of William Essex & Sons, Curriers:

-Harness Backs
-Black Bridle Backs
-Brown Bridle Backs
-Brown Stirrup Backs
-Skirt Backs
-Grain Basils
-Collar Basils
-Hogskins
-Buckskins

2) Large List of Quotes from Various Contractors to Colin McRae dated October 24, 1864:
Frederick Barner (?) & Co.

-Curried Buff Leather
-Black Harness Sides
-Black Harness Backs
-Brown Bridle Middlings
-Black Bridle Middlings
-Brown Harness Backs
-Hogskins
-Buff Leather Middlings for Accoutrements

3) I&C Invoice Dated December 20, 1861 per the 'Economist':

79 Skirt Backs for Saddle Flaps
214 Brown Harness Backs
60 Hides for Valises
36 dozen Harness Basils
70 Hides for Collar Whales
60 Butts
408 prs Brown Bridle Middlings
80 prs Stirrup Butts

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA

[tmattimore]

This shows the shortage of tannery's in the south as being understood early on. According to cencus figures 75% of the the tanners in the U.S. lived north of the Mason Dixion and of those to the south most of those were concentrated in Tenn., Kentucky and Virginia. Areas where tanneries were overrun or interfered with early on. Moreover figures showing capitol investment indicate that 90% of the heavy modern machinery for tanning and currying was concentrated in New England and N.Y..

[1stMaine]

Tom,

Darn... you beat me to this point. Seriously, the lack of available leather tanning facilities is felt early on. It's not only through the importation of the finished hides, but also in the appearance in some areas of painted cloth accoutrements. The Confederacy had HUGE amounts of cattle available, but getting them moved to where they were needed was hampered by the lack of adequate rail transport, and in some cases even of road networks. Didn't matter if you butchered them in Florida and processed the meat there. If you couldn't get it to the depots, and from there to the armies and/or populace, then it was still useless.

Same thing with hides. The problem would be further acerbated by the demand from the nitre bureau for urine in order to produce powder. Urine was also used in tanning, so there again, logistics rears it's ugly head and the question is then: Even if there were sufficient tanneries, would there be a means to get the hides there, and would there be sufficient raw materials to actually tan the hides?

Respects,

[Iron Scout]

Tom & Tim,

Great posts and points. I have found it interesting that Huse seemed to be ordering specific types of leather for specific purposes too. Couple that with the fact that the Justitia's cargo held 7k yards of painted knapsack cloth along with 10k sets of knapsack hardware, it starts to make the mind wonder...


Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA

[tmattimore]

Just curious have you come across other items like needles, thread, draw knives creasers etc. I think they were availing themselves of the English tanning industry which had large facilities for currying the leather for specific purposes.

[DBURT]

Tom,
The south was importing sewing thread. The firm of J&P Coates of Paisley in Scotland sent in," 4,000 Dozen spool thread,sizes eight to forty,at $1.25 for every dozen"
And " 1 Case of Needles" was shipped on the "Bermuda" in 1862 (see Guns for Cotton by T Boaz)
Dave Burt ACWS, UK.

[Iron Scout]

Tom,

Yes, there are orders for needles, thread, etc. In the Justitia invoice there are 24 sets of "Saddlers Tools, complete" listed as being purchased. These included numerous needles, thread(s), head knives, pricking irons, mallets, skiving knives, etc. The list alone for the contents takes up about two pages. Great stuff, when I'm able to I'll endevor to transcribe some of them in the future.

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA