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Although so near to
Richmond, the army was inadequately clothed, shod, and fed, in spite of
Lee's earnest efforts.
As far back as April 28, 1862, the meat ration had been reduced from 12 to 8 ounces, and a small extra allowance of flour (two ounces) was given.
It was claimed that but for this reduction, the supply of meat would not have held out throughout the fall.
On Jan. 23, 1863, a further reduction was ordered, by the
commissary-general, to four ounces of salt meat with one-fifth of a pound of sugar.
Lee wrote of the situation on March 27:—
‘The men are cheerful, and I receive but few complaints, still I do not consider it enough to maintain them in health and vigor, and I fear they will be unable to endure the hardships of the approaching campaign.
Symptoms of scurvy are appearing among them, and, to supply the place of vegetables, each regiment is directed to send a daily detail to gather sassafras buds, wild onions, garlic, lamb's quarter, and poke sprouts; but for so large an army the supply obtained is very small.’
Some idea of the situation is given in the following extracts from a letter of a staff-officer of
Hays's La. brigade to his representative in Congress:—
Among 1500 men reported for duty there are 400 totally without covering of any kind for their feet.
These men, of course, can render no effective service, as it is impossible for them to keep up with the column in a march over frozen ground.
There are a large number of men who have not a single blanket.
There are some without a particle of underclothing, having neither shirts, drawers, nor socks, while overcoats, from their rarity, are objects of curiosity.
The 5th regiment is unable to drill for want of shoes.
The 8th regiment will soon be unfit for duty from the same cause; and indeed, when shoes are supplied, the men will be unable to wear them for a long while, such is the horrible condition of their feet from long exposure.
This destitution, in the way of clothing, is not compensated by close shelter or abundant food, for the troops have no tents, and are almost totally unprovided with cooking utensils for the petty rations they receive. . . .
‘Troops from other States are supplied, indeed, in a great degree by individual contributions from their homes, while we of Louisiana have received nothing whatever, since the fall of New Orleans, with the exception, I believe, of a company of the 9th regiment.’
Troops from the more distant States suffered many more privations, both in food and clothing, than those near home.
