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| Motley Confederate uniforms—company B, ninth Mississippi, in 1861 ‘Falstaff's regiment could hardly have exhibited a more motley appearance than did ours at “dress parade,” at which the feature of ‘dress’ was progressively and conspicuously absent.’ This reminiscence is furnished by Allen C. Redwood, of the Fifty-fifth Virginia, from whom other contributions appear in the following pages. ‘There was no official attempt in the beginning to do more than to arm the troops and to provide the purely warlike accouterments of cartridge-box and belts and haversacks. Canteens and the like were provided quite as a matter of course, and in default of blankets and waterproof coverings, requisition was made upon the household stock of the individual and duly honored—bed-quilts and homespun ‘spreads’ were freely contributed, and buggy lap-robes and pianos and tables were despoiled of their oilcloth covers to fend the rain from the men gone from the homes to do battle for the cause, which was even dearer to the women left behind, who were steadfast to the end.’ These conditions applied also in States farther south, as the Mississippi photograph above witnesses. Standing at the left is James Cunningham; on the camp-stool is Thomas W, Falconer, and to his left are James Sims and John I. Smith. |
