8th Kansas Info

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

Now I understand why Cartman wanted to take Topeka, he knew Kansas was a hard fighting state and no mir band box. Seriously great unit description, I might be inclined to join you all, if Comer does not want me.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: "Old Soldier"

The 8th Kansas had many colorful characters in it. One of its most beloved was a dog...



From Keep the Flag to the Front a modern history of the 8th Kansas based on first hand accounts from the soldiers themselved. It was written by Bill McFarland and is available through the Company A, 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Group on their webpage here... http://www.8thkansas.org/about.html4.html - Used with permission

Co. A will eat that dog if it wanders into our camp..lol

http://books.google.com/books?id=dfgsAAAAYAAJ&vq=dog&pg=PP4#v=snippet&q=dog&f=false

[PetePaolillo]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

History of the eighth Kansas Infantry from the

[PvtShot]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible to post the 8th's uniform preferences/guidelines to this thread or on the SCAR website? I can't log on to the WIG site from work. :(

Thanks a bunch, I really hope to make this one!

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible to post the 8th's uniform preferences/guidelines to this thread or on the SCAR website? I can't log on to the WIG site from work. :(

Thanks a bunch, I really hope to make this one!

We can take care of that. Until it is up...I will copy it here:
GUIDING IMPRESSION: 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the prescribed Fatigue Uniform per the U.S. Army Regulations of 1861. All items are expected to be of period construction and made from period correct natural materials. The items listed below are in order of preference.

This is a campaign event and our guiding impression is of Soldiers who had been on active campaign for four months and just survived a crushing defeat (55% of their Regiment were killed, wounded or captured) at Chickamauga in the past week.

First person accounts from Soldiers of the 8th Kansas remarked that the rebel pickets they faced at Chattanooga during the siege were better dressed than they were. New clothing and equipment items should be avoided if possible.


Thanks to Pete Berezuk for all his research and help in developing these guidelines.


Uniform Items

Coat: 1. Lined or Unlined Dark Blue Flannel Fatigue Blouse of any 1858 to 1863 arsenal or contract pattern required

2. Enlisted Infantry Frock Coats permitted. Private Purchase coats are discouraged and ‘State’ or ‘Infantry’ Jackets of any pattern will not be permitted.

Headgear: 1. Issue Forage Caps and Dress Hats are preferred.

2. Civilian slouch hats in black are permitted.

Footwear: 1. Federal issue Jefferson Bootees preferred.

2. Civilian pattern brogans or boots permitted, but discouraged.

Trousers: Sky Blue Federal Foot Pattern Trousers of an 1861 to 1863 arsenal or contract variant required. Private Purchase trousers are discouraged.

Shirt: 1. Federal Issue pattern of domet flannel preferred

2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Drawers: 1. Federal Issue pattern of canton flannel preferred

2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Socks: 1. Federal Issue patterns of cotton or wool preferred

2. Hand knit civilian patterns permitted.

Ordnance Equipment

Weapon: 1. 1853 Enfield rifle-musket

2. 1861 Springfield rifle-musket

3. 1855 Springfield rifle-musket

No other long arms will be permitted.

Bayonet: Correct pattern for your weapon with a functional locking ring required.

Waist Belt: 1857 pattern waist belt with US belt plate required. Belts maybe of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.

Bayonet Scabbard: Two-rivet Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred. All sewn Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbards permitted.

Cap Pouch: Shield Front cap pouch preferred, All sewn 1850 Pattern cap pouches permitted.

Cartridge Box: 1. 1861 pattern .58 Cal cartridge box preferred,

2. 1857 pattern .69 Cal and .58 Cal cartridge boxes permitted.

US cartridge box and Eagle sling plates required. Box slings may be of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.


Personal Items

Canteen: Federal issue canteen (smoothside or bullseye) with cotton or linen sling and twine attachment preferred. New York Depot canteens with leather slings and chain attachments discouraged.

Haversack: Federal pattern painted cloth haversack required.

Knapsacks: Blanket Rolls preferred, 1855 pattern double bag knapsacks permitted.

Blanket: Federal Issue blanket in Grey or Brown preferred.

Ground Cloth: Federal Issue Gum Blanket preferred. Period Oil Cloths permitted.

Shelter Half: Federal Issue Shelter Halves with hand sewn grommets are encouraged but not required.

Mess Furniture: Tin Plate or Canteen Half, Cup and Utensils required. This is a campaign event so groups are encouraged to utilize a ‘Mess’ structure to provide for themselves with light frying pans, camp kettles and coffee pots.

Penknives, watches, jewelry, etc. must be of period style. "Comfort items," such as camp hats, balaclavas, scarves, mittens, gloves permitted. No MODERN EYEWEAR. Period personal hygiene items permitted. Prescription medications/contact lens care items should be concealed in period containers. Smoking items permitted, except for modern cigarettes.

This is a ‘Flat Haversack’ Event. No additional food items are permitted except for those with medical conditions requiring special dietary constraints.

Officers and NCO’s

This is a campaign event and research indicates that the 8th Kansas was very informal with the uniform of the Officer’s and NCO’s at this point in 1863. It is preferred that NCO’s wear issue uniforms only. NCO’s are permitted to wear rank chevrons and trouser stripes, but they are not required. Officers will be permitted wide latitude in their dress from private purchase clothing all the way to enlisted issue clothing. Officers are encouraged to wear subdued rank or no rank at all. Cavalry sabers are also acceptable for Officers for this event based on historical research.


Thanks,
Jim Butler

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible to post the 8th's uniform preferences/guidelines to this thread or on the SCAR website? I can't log on to the WIG site from work. :(

Thanks a bunch, I really hope to make this one!

We can take care of that. Until it is up...I will copy it here:
GUIDING IMPRESSION: 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the prescribed Fatigue Uniform per the U.S. Army Regulations of 1861. All items are expected to be of period construction and made from period correct natural materials. The items listed below are in order of preference.

This is a campaign event and our guiding impression is of Soldiers who had been on active campaign for four months and just survived a crushing defeat (55% of their Regiment were killed, wounded or captured) at Chickamauga in the past week.

First person accounts from Soldiers of the 8th Kansas remarked that the rebel pickets they faced at Chattanooga during the siege were better dressed than they were. New clothing and equipment items should be avoided if possible.


Thanks to Pete Berezuk for all his research and help in developing these guidelines.


Uniform Items

Coat: 1. Lined or Unlined Dark Blue Flannel Fatigue Blouse of any 1858 to 1863 arsenal or contract pattern required

2. Enlisted Infantry Frock Coats permitted. Private Purchase coats are discouraged and ‘State’ or ‘Infantry’ Jackets of any pattern will not be permitted.

Headgear: 1. Issue Forage Caps and Dress Hats are preferred.

2. Civilian slouch hats in black are permitted.

Footwear: 1. Federal issue Jefferson Bootees preferred.

2. Civilian pattern brogans or boots permitted, but discouraged.

Trousers: Sky Blue Federal Foot Pattern Trousers of an 1861 to 1863 arsenal or contract variant required. Private Purchase trousers are discouraged.

Shirt: 1. Federal Issue pattern of domet flannel preferred

2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Drawers: 1. Federal Issue pattern of canton flannel preferred

2. period civilian patterns permitted.

Socks: 1. Federal Issue patterns of cotton or wool preferred

2. Hand knit civilian patterns permitted.

Ordnance Equipment

Weapon: 1. 1853 Enfield rifle-musket

2. 1861 Springfield rifle-musket

3. 1855 Springfield rifle-musket

No other long arms will be permitted.

Bayonet: Correct pattern for your weapon with a functional locking ring required.

Waist Belt: 1857 pattern waist belt with US belt plate required. Belts maybe of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.

Bayonet Scabbard: Two-rivet Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbard preferred. All sewn Gaylord pattern bayonet scabbards permitted.

Cap Pouch: Shield Front cap pouch preferred, All sewn 1850 Pattern cap pouches permitted.

Cartridge Box: 1. 1861 pattern .58 Cal cartridge box preferred,

2. 1857 pattern .69 Cal and .58 Cal cartridge boxes permitted.

US cartridge box and Eagle sling plates required. Box slings may be of bridle, waxed or blackened buff leather.


Personal Items

Canteen: Federal issue canteen (smoothside or bullseye) with cotton or linen sling and twine attachment preferred. New York Depot canteens with leather slings and chain attachments discouraged.

Haversack: Federal pattern painted cloth haversack required.

Knapsacks: Blanket Rolls preferred, 1855 pattern double bag knapsacks permitted.

Blanket: Federal Issue blanket in Grey or Brown preferred.

Ground Cloth: Federal Issue Gum Blanket preferred. Period Oil Cloths permitted.

Shelter Half: Federal Issue Shelter Halves with hand sewn grommets are encouraged but not required.

Mess Furniture: Tin Plate or Canteen Half, Cup and Utensils required. This is a campaign event so groups are encouraged to utilize a ‘Mess’ structure to provide for themselves with light frying pans, camp kettles and coffee pots.

Penknives, watches, jewelry, etc. must be of period style. "Comfort items," such as camp hats, balaclavas, scarves, mittens, gloves permitted. No MODERN EYEWEAR. Period personal hygiene items permitted. Prescription medications/contact lens care items should be concealed in period containers. Smoking items permitted, except for modern cigarettes.

This is a ‘Flat Haversack’ Event. No additional food items are permitted except for those with medical conditions requiring special dietary constraints.

Officers and NCO’s

This is a campaign event and research indicates that the 8th Kansas was very informal with the uniform of the Officer’s and NCO’s at this point in 1863. It is preferred that NCO’s wear issue uniforms only. NCO’s are permitted to wear rank chevrons and trouser stripes, but they are not required. Officers will be permitted wide latitude in their dress from private purchase clothing all the way to enlisted issue clothing. Officers are encouraged to wear subdued rank or no rank at all. Cavalry sabers are also acceptable for Officers for this event based on historical research.


Thanks,
Jim Butler

[PvtShot]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

Thank you Jim, and Pete (for the PM)!

Will be looking forward to really soiling my gear nice and good for this one!

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland...

In June of 1863, the 8th Kansas was ordered from Provost duty in Nashville to join the Army of the Cumberland in the field...

The next morning the 700 men of the Eighth Kansas left Nashville to join the Third Brigade, First Division, Twentieth Army Corps at Murfreesboro. As the regiment marched out of Nashville, with their band playing "John Brown's Body," the sidewalks were crowded with people who had come to bid farewell to the regiment. A local paper observed of the Eighth, "As they marched through the city they received unmistakeable evidence of the good will and confidence of the people, in the heary cheers and benisons with which they were greeted. Their departure is a matter of very general regret."

From Keep the Flag to the Front a modern history of the 8th Kansas based on first hand accounts from the soldiers themselved. It was written by Bill McFarland and is available through the Company A, 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Group on their webpage here... http://www.8thkansas.org/about.html4.html - Used with permission

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland...

Pete,
I got my copy of the Book, and will be looking forward to devouring it in short order. Meantime, I have been looking at info about the 8th Kansas Company A'. Here is a brief about their first CO. Col John Conover. Might interest some.

Kansas City, Missouri: its history and its people 1808-1908, Volume 3 By Carrie Westlake Whitney

Colonel John Conover acquired his education in the public schools of Camden, New Jersey, and at the age of sixteen years was employed as a clerk in a hardware store, where he remained for nearly four years. In October, 1856, he left Camden for the west, going to Chicago and Quincy, Illinois, and to Keokuk, Iowa, where he obtained employment on a United States dredge boat deepening the Des Moines river, as assistant engineer. The following spring he went to St. Louis, thence up the Missouri river and landed March 18, 1857, at Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was employed two months by E. L. Berthoud, as assistant city engineer. Soon afterward he engaged in taking up land claims in Kansas. In the fall of 1857 he returned to Leavenworth and was employed as salesman for Reisinger & Fenlon, hardware merchants, until the outbreak of the Civil war.
On the 22d of July, 1861, he entered the army as second lieutenant of a company organized by Leavenworth citizens for thirty days' service, serving a? Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and mustered out with the company August 22, 1861. Then he with other officers recruited another company for three years' service and was mustered in August 28, as second lieutenant of Company A, Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry; in October detailed on recruiting service to raise another company; forty men were recruited and he was mustered in as first lieutenant December 12, 1861; March 15, 1862, more than eighty-three men enlisted and he was mustered in as captain; August 23, 1864, was mustered in as major; October 21, 1864, mustered in as lieutenant colonel; and November 21, 1864, was commissioned colonel, but not mustered in as the regiment, did not have the requisite number—eight hundred and thirty men. On the 13th of March, 1865, he was breveted colonel by the president of the United States "for gallant and meritorious service during the war." When the regiment was organized it was intended for service in the state and along the border. The companies were distributed, some at Fort Riley, at Fort, Laramie, at Fort Leavenworth and five companies were in Tennessee. Colonel Conover, then a line officer, was stationed at Fort Leavenworth until February. 1863, and participated in several expeditions in Missouri against Quantrell'a guerrillas and others of the kind, and during August, 1862, participated in skirmishes with Coffee's, CockrilPs and QuantrelPs guerrillas. In February, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, and placed on provost duty, Captain Conover being one of the assistant provost men. The regiment was next ordered to Murfreesboro and placed in the Third Brigade, First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. The army left Murfreesboro on the Tullnhoma campaign June 24. The Eighth Kansas had a light engagement at Hoover's and Liberty Gap. October 15, 1863, the Twentieth and Twenty-first Army Corps were consolidated and made the Fourth Army Corps, and the Eighth Kansas Regiment was placed in the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, until August, 1865, and then did duty in the Department of Texas until November, 1865.
Following is the record of Colonel Conover's service: Provost duty at Nashville, Tennessee, until June, 1863; ordered to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, June 9; middle Tennessee or Tullahoma campaign June 22 to July 7; Liberty Gap, June 24-27; Chickamauga, Georgia, campaign August 16 to September 22; Caperton's Ferry, near Bridgeport, Alabama, August 29*; battle of Chickamauga September 19 and 20; on duty in Chattanooga from September 22 until November 23; then the battle of Chattanooga commenced, in engagement that captured Orchard Knob, November 23, in the assault that carried Missionary Ridge, November 25;

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

During June of 1863, the 8th Kansas joined Jefferson C. Davis' Division of the Army of the Cumberland and was detailed to guard the corps wagon train. Durring this march it rained constantly and the soldiers equipment started to break down.

General Rosecrans published an order rebuking officers for imperiling the success of the army by carrying too much baggage and too many "needless luxuries." This order was necessary, as the men of the Eighth Kansas well knew from their experience with the corps wagon train. Colonel Martin was handed the order as he and about half a dozen officers of the Eighth were huddled together under two oil cloths seeking protection from the rain. None of the officers had eaten in the past sixteen hours and all were soaked from the rain the previous night. In their circumstances, the "needless luxuries" order struck them as humours and it became the source of many jests as the muddy march continued.

From Keep the Flag to the Front a modern history of the 8th Kansas based on first hand accounts from the soldiers themselved. It was written by Bill McFarland and is available through the Company A, 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Group on their webpage here... http://www.8thkansas.org/about.html4.html - Used with permission

[markj]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

You might find these items interesting. The attached newspaper letter is from the 4 February 1864 Atchison KS "Freedom's Champion." Very lengthy and informative.

The following description of the unique 8th Kansas method for reversing arms was first published in the 13 January 1866 "Army and Navy Journal." The officer who wrote this description is not identified, but it was likely Lt. Col. John Conover (or "Connover"), who commanded the 8th Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry when it was posted to San Antonio TX, under brigade command of BG August Willich, in the fall of 1865. Clues in the writer's missive indicate the 8th Kansas started using its reverse-arms method around Summer 1863. Even more noteworthy, Reverse-ARMS was apparently even incorporated into 8th Kansas dress parades. The letter, along with my observations, was originally published in the late-lamented "Watchdog" back in 2004.

A METHOD FOR REVERSING ARMS.

To the Editor of the Army and Navy Journal:

SIR:--Observing a communication, signed, "H," in the ARMY AND NAVY JOURNAL--asking for a method to reverse arms--allow me to suggest rules which I have drilled my command in for the past two years. The man standing at shoulder arms
REVERSE ARMS--One time and three motions.
1st motion, Carry the piece with right hand to left side of body--still embracing the guard with thumb and fore-finger, and raise the piece so that back of right hand rests on left hip--the piece vertical--at the same time seize the piece with left at the guide sight, little finger uppermost back of hand next to body; elbow close to side.
2nd motion, Drop the muzzle of piece to the rear--both hands retaining same position on the piece--thumb and fore-finger of right hand embracing the guard--the piece yet grasped with the left hand and the fingers resting on the hip.
3rd motion, Release hold with right and pass it to the rear; seize the piece, finger-nails up--the right fore-arm resting on the cartridge box--at the same time release hold of piece, with left hand at guide sight, and seize it at the hammer with thumb and fore-finger--back of hand to the left. P. S.--The right hand steadies the piece while changing the left hand.
SHOULDER ARMS--One time and three motions.
1st motion, Seize the piece with left hand at hip--and right hand with thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard--simultaneously.
2nd motion, Turn the muzzle up by slightly lowering the butt (releasing hold of left hand) until the piece is vertical, then carry it to the right shoulder--followed by the left hand (to same position as first motion from order arms).
3rd motion, Drop the left hand to the side.
This method I have drilled my regiment in, and use it on dress parade as any other movement, having tried most every method. I deem this to be the only one that can be used by two ranks--unless a carbine be used.
EIGHTH KANSAS.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, November 6, 1865.

This letter is particularly illuminating and important since it provides solid evidence that:

1. Multiple methods for reversing arms were, in fact, developed independently--a very logical assumption given the almost complete lack of detailed guidance for reversing arms that was available to troops.

2. The approach taken by "EIGHTH KANSAS" suggests he drew from previous experience and simply adapted the method described in, for example, D. W. C. Baxter's Volunteer's Manual to make it agreeable with the Hardee/Casey system.

3. In the case of the 8th Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Reverse-ARMS was incorporated into its dress parades!

This writer has experimented with the above instructions and found them to be workable and relatively economical in movement. However, given his short arms (and corresponding inability to completely reach behind his back to grab the barrel of the rifle-musket), he suggests the following changes for those in a similar situation:

1. In the third motion of the reverse, tuck the rifle tightly against your body using your left elbow to ensure it remains in place, continue to embrace the trigger guard with your right hand to also help steady the rifle, then slide your left hand up, from its position near the guide sight, to the lock plate until it is properly positioned (the hammer should be between your second and middle fingers, with your index finger opposite and extended to provide additional support). Then remove your right hand to place it behind your back.

2. When returning to Shoulder-ARMS, simply reverse the above process.

********************

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[jake.koch]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

I am in the process of ordering the 8th Kansas book which will hopefully shed some light on a question I had, but didn't know if anyone else wondered the same thing or had thought about it. Would members of this regiment have viewed franternizing in a more prickly way then some of the other AoC troops due to the way they were mauled at Chickamauga, and perhaps moreso due to Quantrill's sacking of Lawrence roughly a month previously. Some of these men had experience against guerillas, and many certainly lived through the 'Bloody Kansas" of the 1850s, some probably even had friends and relatives killed in the Lawrence raid. How much of a distinction did they feel there was between the Confederate soldiers they were facing across the picket line and the guerillas in Missouri? For those that have looked at the book already, is there any reference to this? I thought about this when I started thinking up some first person ideas for the event.

[LWhite64]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

I will do some checking, but they would definately have had harsher feelings toward to Confederates for the reasons listed, but also because they had a stronger abolitionist view than a lot of other volunteer regiments. You will see that in the unit history. I think that overall the Brothers War view of things is way overplayed, you find most accounts of this postwar during the period when reunion was highest priority. I will do some digging in the park's unit files and see if I can find anything on the subject.

Lee

[PetePaolillo]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

I am in the process of ordering the 8th Kansas book which will hopefully shed some light on a question I had, but didn't know if anyone else wondered the same thing or had thought about it. Would members of this regiment have viewed franternizing in a more prickly way then some of the other AoC troops due to the way they were mauled at Chickamauga, and perhaps moreso due to Quantrill's sacking of Lawrence roughly a month previously. Some of these men had experience against guerillas, and many certainly lived through the 'Bloody Kansas" of the 1850s, some probably even had friends and relatives killed in the Lawrence raid. How much of a distinction did they feel there was between the Confederate soldiers they were facing across the picket line and the guerillas in Missouri? For those that have looked at the book already, is there any reference to this? I thought about this when I started thinking up some first person ideas for the event.

Jake and others.Here is an excerpt from The Military History of Kansas Regiments. I would most definately suggest reading alot of this. There are some great accounts of what these men of the 8th Kansas expierenced. I hope the below account will help paint a clearer picture of the attitude and demeanor of the men.

If you guys read especially from around pgs 210-215, You can get a good feel of what things were like during the time period after Chickamauga in which we will be portraying. How they were able to maintain any type of happiness, considering losing 55% of their regiment is beyond my comprehension. These men had seen it all and I guess were surely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It will all be over soon.

So the long, cold, cheerless, labor-burdened days dragged slowly on. A week after we reached the town the rebels opened a fierce artillery fire on our camps, commenting at daylight. The heights of Lookout and Mission Ridge and the valley of the Chattanooga thundered with the startling crashes of the great guns. The angry cannonading was kept up until late in the night, and repeated, day after day, for some time. The men, thus accustomed to it, soon grew to regard it with indifference, and worked on the fortifications,built their shanties, cooked their scanty meals, or crowded on top of the breastworks to watch the flash and smoke of the enemy's guns or the effect of our answering shots, with that reckless abandon and cool defiance of danger which only those who have long looked death in the face can feel. Instead of dispiriting, it kept them in better cheer. A bad shot from the enemy's batteries provoked shouts of derision, and an unlucky duck of the head at the whiz of a far off shell was saluted with running commentaries of that keen ridicule which veteran soldiers use with such saucy and yet good humored severity.

This unfailing good humor in the midst of such gloomy surroundings, was one of the most wonderful of the many strange things connected with that memorable siege. These men had lost all regular sleep for weeks, were living on one-third rations, and were surrounded by dangers of the most disheartening kind, but they never tor a moment seemed to lose faith in ultimate success, never doubted the justice of their cause, never lost heart to laugh, or joke, or shout or sing. Their rough jokes and odd conceits were irresistible; their pungent criticisms of men and movements were singularly clear and just; and their sparkling retorts, quaint sayings, and grotesque comparisons would have done no discredit to the pages of "Punch."
By the 3d of October the breastworks were so far completed as to justify a partial cessation of the exhausting labor before bestowed on them, and thereafter details were made from regiments alternately to work on the forts in the town and its suburbs. It was still no lazy and listless inactivity, but it was luxurious ease when compared with the terrible duties of the past. Ourpicket duty was done by Brigades, two of the Divisions being in the second line ot fortifications, the other in the first, and they alternately relieved each other every four days, thus giving to each eight days in the second line, where such ceaseless vigilance had not to be maintained, and four days in the first line, where half of the men and officers must be awake at all hours, day or night, and none of them were allowed at any moment, asleep or awake, to take off their cartridge belt and box. The Brigade on the outer lines had also to furnish two regiments for picket guards, and on this duty no rest was allowed during the twenty-four hours. The two Brigades in the second line of defences furnished the working details, comprising about half their effective force each day.

[jake.koch]

Re: 8th Kansas Info

Pete,

Thanks for the link, that gave a great description of the exhaustive nature of the work details, as well as the short rations; however I don't know if I agree with the assesment where the author describes the "unfailing good humor in the midst of such gloomy surroundings". I don't know if that was real humor or gallows humor. I think these men would be just about at their worst physically and mentally, perhaps the Kansas troops more than the others due to what recently happened back home(Lawrence). Imagine being that many miles away from home, hearing somthing like that with no way to do anything about it, then losing that many casualties. I wouldn't have wanted to be a reb on the opposing picket line.

As far as the good humor description is concerned, I almost think it would have been the type of situation that you force yourself to laugh so that you don't start to cry or despair more than you already are. I have to dig up where I saw the quote, but I believe I read somewhere that Union troops were seen picking through horse dung for undigested kernals of corn. I know there is documentation of some trading going on, but I find it hard to believe that the Kansas troops were too enthusiastic about it.

I'm not trying to argue, just curious.