One Confederate soldier's insights into the material conditions of the ANV in 1862

[JBroomall]

To Whom It May Concern:

Given that the 150th of 1862 is upon us and many folks are tweaking different aspects of their impression, I thought the following might be helpful in fleshing out some general aspects of Confederate clothing/material conditions beyond the more traditional printed primary and secondary sources. Granted, these are the experiences of one soldier and, for that matter a wealthy one from a slaveholding family, but his experiences are revealing and probably representative nonetheless. Ruffin Thomson served in the 18th Mississippi Infantry, McLaw’s Division, throughout 1862 seeing action during the Peninsula Campaign and at Sharpsburg (he transferred to the Confederate Marine Corps in the winter of 1864). In a series of 1862 letters to his father he discusses battle, the hardships of camp life, and makes a significant number of references to clothing issues and the material conditions of soldier life. I am not sure if this type of information is helpful or not but I found it really quite interesting while I conducted research in the archives this week. I hope it helps someone in some capacity and I'm happy to provide further information for interested parties! (For those interested, his personal correspondence and that of his family is housed at the Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.)

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 10 Jan. [1862]

“We were supplied to day with our knapsacks cartrige box +c +c and I am writing this on my knapsack sitting on the ground. This knapsack holds our clothes—a good deal can be packed into one of then. Many of the boys are putting what they can into them + giving away the carpet sack, surplus clothes +c. I think this very foolish, for we can carry our carpet bags as far as the RR extends.”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 10 March [1862]

“If what has been told me of the imminency of a battle proves to be true, I shall only take a pair of Blankets with me & start for the scene of action tomorrow morning. I shall leave my plunder in care of the ‘Miss Depot.’”
“I take only such baggage as will be absolutely necessary. I have concluded to take the following articles= My unlined pair of Blankets, a pr socks, 2 handkerchiefs & an undershirt (thin one). I will put on besides what I had on when I started—a Blanket undershirt +Blanket pr drawers. With these I am satisfied I will be better provided for than most of the Boys and will no doubt be comfortable enough When affairs become more settled I shall be able to get the remainder of my clothing”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 30 March 1862

“My pair of blankets, oil cloth & overcoat have so far been amply sufficient_ for my comfort that is with what is furnished by my bedfellow Miller_ I got tired of Norton very soon & when we moved over here I & Miller joined blankets”
“I got my shoes very wet some days ago & in drying them, I burnt one so that it nearly ruined. Will you have another pair made, all aligator tops, lined with calf or something as suitable_buckle in front_thicker [strike] soles than these, & full scotch bottoms_’so that a mouse can run all round without falling off’_ Send by some reliable person_ In the mean time I’ll do the best I can, or what I can get here.”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 24 May 1862

“I carried a frying pan tied on my musket several days”
“On the march up I threw away all my clothes save what I had on If you have a chance send me some thin underclothing I think our Regt will be furnished a jacket & pr of pants by the Government, You know what I will want, among other things a hat—none are to be had in Richmond”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 8 June 1862

“The first reliable chance you can get please send me a supply of under clothing & over shirts (check)_ muslin undershirts, thin drawers & socks, _ also a pr of shoes . . . I would like to see Press step up some day with a supply of things for me_ If I had him I would not have to endure many things I now suffer”

Ruffin Thomson to [?], letter fragment [1862?]

“I am entirely out of clothing & blankets, and I suppose my regiment is fully 20 miles down the James River.”
“The pants & drawers I had on are so cut up they are useless. I will want till ‘Something turns up.’”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 5 Oct. 1862

“I found the boys pretty scantily supplied with clothing +c Every thing having been left in the rear & I cant tell when I’ll get any. Five hundred suits have been ordered up for our Regt_ I’ll get what I need from these_ Press came to me soon after I got to camp. I’ll have to give him my blanket as he lost his in Maryland”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 6 Nov. 1862

“I bought a heavy warm Yankee overcoat before I left Winchester_ It is a blue dyed black with a long cape. I got it for $25.00”
“Press did not get a single thing in the shape of clothing from the Yankees. I will fix him up comfortable pretty soon as the Govt is supplying Clothing slowly. You must send me a pair of shoes by the first chance”

Ruffin Thomson to Pa, 8 Nov 1862

“We have not got tents yet= + we are on that account exposed a great deal needlessly. I have what is called a ‘Yankee tent,’ which is large enough for two men & [strike] easy to carry. Harris left it for me.”

Thank you very much for your time and attention! Cheers, James Broomall

[Jalaco]

Just out of curiosity, is it known or said elsewhere in the letter exactly where he got the dyed federal overcoat from ( 6, Nov. 1862)? Purchased from a civilian profiteer of sorts or a fellow soldier who had obtained it?

[JBroomall]

He doesn't elaborate beyond: purchased it in Winchester for $25.00, which I found interesting. As you note, it could be from a profiteer or another soldier. Given the price and the overdye it suggests something more formalized as he makes references, in other letters, to "Yankee goods" picked up on the battlefield. I'm particularly curious if anyone else on the forum as seen something of this nature before in a letter. Anyway, I hope that helps!

Cheers, James Broomall

[Jalaco]

No major engagement near Winchester in November 1862 comes quickly to mind, so it makes me wonder if it was from a profiteer who would have had time to dye it and such. But, then again I suppose, he very well could have obtained it from a fellow soldier who captured and dyed it for the same reason; that there was no major battle, and said soldier would have had time to dye it himself. Although given the kettle that would be needed to dye an entire greatcoat, methinks I would lead towards a profiteer.

Anywho, that does help, and interesting series of letters. Thanks for sharing!

[Vuhginyuh]

http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/exhibits/...nal&size=small

[roundshot]

James. I, for one, always find exerpts such as these highly interesting. Thanks very much for posting.

[GrumpyDave]

Who would "Press" be. President Davis? Or, a brigade commander?

[dirtyshirt]

I think Press is a name. I really like how he says he got "tired of Norton." This is great stuff, thank you for posting.

[D.W. Scalf]

Could "Press" possibly be a body servant?

[JBroomall]

Press is indeed a name, and is short for Preston. After tiring of the rigors of army life Ruffin asks his father for a body servant to wash, cook, and clean for him. Again, this is a wealthy family and the father obliges. I have some other scattered notes about this exchange, too, which I found utterly fascinating (just pm if interested in those materials as it gets lengthy). Press is present at Sharpsburg and carries some of Ruffin's gear during the long retreat into Maryland. Ruffin discusses other men in his regiment faring better if they brought slaves. For those interested in this particular topic a new book just came out titled "The Peninsula Campaign and the Necessity of Emancipation" by Glenn Brasher who does a very excellent job documenting the presence and use of slaves in both armies during 1862. As for tiring of Norton, yes, I found it pretty funny and loved his phrase "joined blankets" with Miller. Thanks! Jim Broomall